Beaubassin Take Deux

Let's take another stab at a remake 
of the old folk song AURA LEE.
Imagine it as an uptempo bluegrass number, 
with a tempo of 90 beats per minute.
With this second revision of the lyrics, 
it should now be usable as a new Canadian folk song.
Beaubassin was an Acadian community 
on the Isthmus of Chignecto, 
in present-day Nova Scotia.

BEAUBASSIN

Hear the distant whistle blow, See the morning dew

Though my home is far away, here I am with you.

Gannets linger near the shore, will they fly away?

Here we are at Beaubassin, shall we greet the day?

When my heart is sad and blue, burdened and distressed

Then I hear your loving words, and I am at rest

Speak again, speak, my love, as in olden days

Cheer my fainting, weary soul, fill my lips with praise.

Hear the distant whistle blow, See the sun go down

We are still at Beaubassin, sleepy little town

Day is done, day is done, supper time is through

Though my home is far away, I am here with you.

words by Gary Hicks

to the tune “Aura Lee” by George Poulton (nineteenth century)

Free! "For the Storehouse" Available in Hymn Sheet

The new hymn “For the Storehouse of Your Mercy” is now available in hymn sheet with chords.

I consider this new hymn to be among the best I have written.

For the storehouse of Your mercy, for Your persevering grace,

From my heart I speak thanksgiving, From my lips I offer praise.

Was there ever deeper goodness than is offered from above?

Such an endless stream of kindness, such a reservoir of love!

I was blind to heaven’s mercy til the day I spoke Your name;

Full of fears and fond delusions, full of deadening guilt and shame.

Then Your mercy sought and found me, holy kindness drew me in,

And Your grace roared like the ocean, overwhelming all my sin.

Down from heaven, out from Calvary, still it flows to save and heal:

To the nations, for each person, there is mercy rich and real.

The transforming grace of Jesus, who is mighty still to save,

Floods the earth and fills the heavens, kills despair and robs the grave.

When the earth at last shall perish, and the heavens burn away,

Then in worlds yet uncreated we will thrive in endless day.

And the mercy of our Saviour, shining then more brightly still,

We will celebrate forever, on New Zion’s holy hill.

Set to the American folk tune “Beach Spring”, we have used this hymn on several occasions at church, led by the Praise Band. It will be sung next Sunday in our traditional service by one of our choirs.

You can receive a PDF copy via email, free upon request.

My email address is caedmullen@gmail.com

A chord sheet and lyric sheet are also available at no charge.

Standing on the Rock

I'm hearing heavy metal power chords for this one! (smile)

words and music by Gary Hicks

(February 27, 2013)

Chorus:

Standing on the Rock

Standing on the Rock

Standing on the Solid Rock.

Standing on the Rock

Standing on the Rock

Standing on the Solid Rock.

Verse:

Though the tempest blows

Though the night is long

Though the oceans roar

Though the waves are strong

Jesus is my Rock

Jesus is my Rock

I shall not be moved.

Bridge:

Whom then shall I fear?

Mercy holds me fast

God is with me here

I am home at last…

Psalm 6 (Rebuke Me Not In Anger)

After the funeral of a close friend last weekend, grief overwhelmed me yesterday. This morning I rediscovered this hymn from 2010, based on Psalm 6. It comforts me to sing it. Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy in this time of loss.

words: Gary Hicks (8/29/10) altered

tune: “St. Christopher” by Frederick Maker, 1881

(“Beneath the Cross of Jesus”)

Rebuke me not in anger, have mercy on my soul

My grief is deep and hard to bear, and I am swallowed whole

Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed, my bed is wet with tears

My eyes are faint, my soul is weak, my mind is filled with fears.

Return, O God, and free me, deliver me again

Come save me for Your mercies’ sake and heal me from my sin

I cannot thank You from the grave or serve You when I’m gone

But may this day, each waking hour, bring praise to You alone. 

How long, O Lord, forever? At last you see my grief

You hear my voice of weeping and You offer sweet relief

And all my foes turn back in shame, they run to disappear

O bless the Lord! O magnify! My God is present here!

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Back in May of 2010 I set these words to “Azmon” (“O For a Thousand Tongues”), but this tune, though less well-known, is a better match. In The United Methodist Hymnal, it is #417, and the text is Charles Wesley’s “O For a Heart to Praise My God”. This hymn sheet (in four-part harmony) is available to you upon request.

Words: Gary Hicks (2010)

Tune: “Richmond” by Thomas Haweis (1792)

I know that my Redeemer lives

The thunder claps and cries

The oceans roar to lift His name

He speaks from starry skies.

And though I face this darkening hour

With struggles in my soul

I will not yield to dark despair

My God is in control.

The sun will shine, the clouds roll back

The birds resume their song

And from these troubles I shall rise

With joy to sing along.

I know that my Redeemer lives

And on the earth shall stand

I rest, I nestle in His arms

And trust His mighty hand.

A Communion Reflection

words: Gary Hicks (Feb. 14, 2013)

tune: “I Love Thee,” a beautiful old tune by an anonymous tunesmith. 

This tune first appeared in Jeremiah Ingalls’ “Christian Harmony” in 1805.

I thank You for life, that I live and I breathe

I thank You for consciousness, that I perceive

I thank You for love of my family and friends

I thank You for Your love, a love without end.

I thank You for Jesus, the giver of grace

Revealing Your nature in this broken place

I thank You for giving Your loved one, Your Son

And that He was humble, and willing to come.

His death was atonement, He paid for my sin

His death was redemption, my freedom to win

In wonder I stare at the man on the cross

Amazed by His mercy and stunned by His loss.

In silence I ponder His suffering for me

How callous I was to a mercy so free!

Now grateful, I fall to my knees and confess

My Savior, my Master, my own Righteousness

All honor to Jesus, the Lamb who was slain

His blood bought my pardon, His loss was my gain.

All glory and praise to the Lamb on the throne

Salvation and blessing to Jesus the Son!

Speak, for I am Listening (Take 2)

words: Gary Hicks & Betty M. Johnson
tune: after "NORRIS" ("Where He Leads Me")

Speak, for I am listening
Speak, for I am listening
Speak, for I am listening
Give me ears, Lord, ears to hear Your voice.

Speak, for I am listening
Speak, for I am listening
Speak, for I am listening

Make my heart, Lord, ready to receive.