Minor hymn tune: ARCHIBALD

[Robert Vaughn]

Attached is the first tune I worked on in a couple months. Actually it's been in the queue awhile, but I worked on harmonizing the melody this morning. Thought I'd throw it out and see if I get any bites.

The tune name is in honor of Archibald Newton Whitten, compiler of the Harp of Ages. (I already have a tune WHITTEN, so decided to go with ARCHIBALD.) The words are by Watts; something I found in Gadsby's Selection and liked, but don't recall seeing before.

Any thoughts welcomed.

His glories sing,

Robert Vaughn 

Mount Enterprise, TX

http://baptistsearch.blogspot.com 

Ask for the old paths, where is the good way

http://mtcarmelbaptist.blogspot.com 

For ask now of the days that are past...

http://oldredland.blogspot.com 

Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land.

[Wade Kotter]

I really like it, Robert. The text is Hymn 101 in Book I of Watts' Hymns and Spiritual Songs:

https://archive.org/details/hymnsspiritusupp00watt/page/69

Note that this American printing of Watts has burn instead of born at the end of the first verse. I'm pretty sure this is a typo. I looked at a few other 18th and 19th century printings and they all have born.The rhyme is not so good, but 

Wade

Wade Kotter

South Ogden, UT

"Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord"

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[Robert Vaughn]

Thanks, Wade. I think though "burn" may rhyme better, "born" fits the context of the hymn and the heading, Joy in Heaven, for a Repenting Sinner. Luke xv. 7,10.

His glories sing,

Robert Vaughn 

Mount Enterprise, TX

http://baptistsearch.blogspot.com 

Ask for the old paths, where is the good way

http://mtcarmelbaptist.blogspot.com 

For ask now of the days that are past...

http://oldredland.blogspot.com 

Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land.

[Wade Kotter]

I completely agree. I also meant to say that the alto part, while it works very well, might be seen by some altos as too high, especially the repeated high 1 fa's at the beginning of the second brace/staff.. If pitching it, I would probably drop it down to G minor.

Wade

Wade Kotter

South Ogden, UT

"Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord"

[Robert Vaughn]

Thanks, Wade. 

I really had not thought much about that, as in the sustained high alto notes. Might not be a problem where I would pitch, but I'll revisit it (probably have our local sing it). 

I have actually gotten some contradictory feedback from alto singers on a couple other songs with high alto notes -- as in some saying it is too high, but others saying not.

Blessings,

Robert Vaughn 

Mount Enterprise, TX

http://baptistsearch.blogspot.com 

Ask for the old paths, where is the good way

http://mtcarmelbaptist.blogspot.com 

For ask now of the days that are past...

http://oldredland.blogspot.com 

Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land.

[Leah Velleman]

A sustained/repeated C (in a song with ranges like this in the other parts) is singable by altos — we get them in Plenary and in Restoration, for instance. But it's a workout, and we'll struggle if we have to do too many songs in a row like that. 

If you wanted to make it less strenuous for the altos, another thing you could do besides keying it lower is giving a G chooser under some or all of those Cs, like on the first C in Plenary.

But I don't think leaving it as-is is totally out of the question. Just know that it will be One Of Those Songs that the altos really have get geared up for and put a lot of energy into. 

[Wade Kotter]

Well said, Leah. I did say SOME altos might see it as too high. Would you pitch it a bit lower than written as I suggested?

Wade

Wade Kotter

South Ogden, UT

"Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord"

[R. C. Webber]

I like the melody.  I generally scan the tenor and treble lines more than the bass and alto to determine pitch, so I guess this discussion has identified a part of my game that needs improvement.  The tenor and soprano lines have several high E's and a few high G's.  The Dayton folks and those in Alabama who sing high might like it pitched as written.  The Cincinnati folks would want me to pitch it down to C or C# minor, and I think this might make it a bit less strenuous for the altos.

Randy

[R. C. Webber]

I make mistakes.  Of course I got the key wrong.  I should have said the Cincinnati folks would want me to pitch it down to F or F# minor.  One of the most basic parts of music reading is to start by paying attention to the key and time signatures.  Another lesson brought to mind in a most embarrassing way.

Randy

[Wade Kotter]

Thanks, Randy, I thought maybe my mind was playing tricks on me again.

Wade

Wade Kotter

South Ogden, UT

"Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord"

[Wade Kotter]

Sorry, Leah, I see now that you suggested choosing notes in the alto instead of keying in lower. Choosing notes would work for me.

Wade

Wade Kotter

South Ogden, UT

"Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord"

[P. Dan Brittain]

On Thu, Mar 7, 2019 at 1:01 PM 'Wade Kotter' via Fasola Songwriters <fasola-so...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I really like it, Robert. The text is Hymn 101 in Book I of Watts' Hymns and Spiritual Songs:

https://archive.org/details/hymnsspiritusupp00watt/page/69

Note that this American printing of Watts has burn instead of born at the end of the first verse. I'm pretty sure this is a typo. I looked at a few other 18th and 19th century printings and they all have born.The rhyme is not so good, but 

My 1835 copy of Watts/Rippon has "born."

db

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P. Dan Brittain
Harrison, Arkansas

Transcriptions, Arrangements and Original Compositions
Wind Band, Brass Band, Choir, and Ensembles

http//:pdanbrittain.com  Or  at Sheet Music Plus  http://tinyurl.com/yb9fl39r

[Wade Kotter]

Yes, I've checked several more 18th and 19th century editions of Watts and all of them have born. I was unlucky enough to pick the one with an unintentional typo (or possibly a overzealous editor trying to "correct" the rhyme).

Wade Kotter

South Ogden, UT

"Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord"