Although the melody of this favorite hymn has not changed, the harmonies have adjusted in several places. Four stanzas are written in this arrangement, the first and second carried by piano and instruments. The third stanza gives option for the congregation to sing unaccompanied on “Lord, to be Thine, sin with its follies I gladly resign.” The music offers written harmonies in the piano accompaniment for the option to use soft piano accompaniment if desired. Pianist should quietly “bleed in,” preferably by the second to the last measure of the third stanza, and then build much strength through the final key change with climactic, glorious strength. Instruments and voices enter on, “While life shall last, Till safe in glory my anchor is cast.” Includes piano score and all individual parts: treble clef C instrument, treble clef B-flat instrument, horn, and bass clef instrument.
Real Responses from Congregations
The beautiful accompaniment and the unison congregation could be used both congregationally and chorally (as we did)… For small to medium-sized choirs on low attendance Sundays these could be effective choral pieces or as a way to develop choir and orchestra when (as is our case) some choir members are also instrumentalists. We used three pieces as part of our Easter celebration. All were very well received. We were able to include our developing orchestra with all of it. So, thank you!
Molly plays for the church my mother-in-law attends. The congregation becomes like a big choir with her arrangements. I’ve enjoyed the music when we’ve visited!
It is with the greatest enthusiasm that I recommend the hymnody work of Molly. Whether you are looking for accessible yet creative arrangements to new hymns or seeking to add energy and a fresh approach to hymns you have sung for years, herein lies your answer! Our people love to sing and the material found on this website has brought life to our singing that was not there before.
Molly’s congregational accompaniments add a freshness to treasured hymns of the past that enables a cross-generational congregation to join together in passionate worship of a great God.
