Anyone got any ideas for some quiet slow airs, etc. to play during communion during Lent? The priest has decided this is what she wants instead of the usual organ music at that point in the service.
These tunes don’t have to be hymns, just not a fast reels or anything like that… actually she’d probably like a reel or slip jig but I don’t know that the congregation would agree… 
“As the Deer” sounds great on the whistle and fits in well for communion.
Frank
The Welsh song, All Through the Night would work.
And the Shaker song, A Simple Gift would work too.
My Jesus, I love Thee is stately and slow
Be Thou My Vision is also nice, and works great as a duet for Bb and Eb whistles, in the same key as in most hymnals, so your pianist could back up
I also like the suggested Simple Gifts, which can be very nice.
In Communion and such services, I find
that the following hymntunes work well:
There is a Fountain
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Amazing Grace
Softly and Tenderly
At the Cross
Oh the Blood
In the Sweet By and By
Wonderful Peace
It Is Well
I would think that most slow aires would work just fine, with the exception of a few…
Lament of the Three Marys, if you’re looking for a traditional slow air.[/b]
I would play some really beautiful airs, like Down by Sally Gardens, Anach Cuain, and Bruach Na Carraige Baine. Scarborough Fair and The Minstrel boy, played slowly, would also be nice. I like Walden’s selection of hymns, but I also think that any lovely tune conducive to meditation would be appropriate. Of course, it is inevitable that some of the communicants will be distracted from their meditations by the music, but that’s okay, since all beautiful things, both secular and sacred, glorify God anyway.
Well… This happens to be my bag… Some of you know that I am the music director for St. Patrick Pres. Church here in Greeley, Colorado… We uses Aires extensively during Communion… I also dig up old Hymns that nobody sings anymore and set them to Aire melodies as well… Here’s a few off the top of my head… This is not a complete list. We also have Irish Aire type melodies that one couldn’t find through normal channels as well…
Bruach Na Carraige Baine
Inishere
John of the Glen
Pinehurst (Joannie Madden)
Tiochfaidh An Samhradh (Bothy Band)
A Little Child (Solas)
As I Roved Out (Planxty)
The South Wind
Wild Mountain Thyme
Shee Bheag Shee More (spelling is probably wrong… 
)
Etc…
Also, What Wondrous Love is This and O Sacred Head Now Wounded fit nicely on the whistle and are in the “Aire” vain.
We actually have a book to be published in the works complete with Piano Arrangements and guitar chords along with harmonization lines… Working Title is “Irish Aires for Sunday Mornings”
Hope this helps!
I need help on this one anyway, so mutual benefit here…
There is a song that I am almost positive the title of it is “Hymne”. I first heard it on an MTV type of thing many many years ago… it was a bunch of beautiful nature scenes like ducks flying by over a lake, deer running through a field… stuff like that. I’ll try to have a post of the tune up here before the weekend.
Even if it’s not a tune you use, you might see if you or anyone here might know the title (if it’s not correct) and the artist?
Take care,
John
Hi,
I would love to have a copy of the book “Irish Aires for Sunday Mornings”
Can you let me know in a PM or an email when it becomes available?
Laura
There is a slow air called “Dochas” (translated: “hope”) that is lovely on whistle.
I find it good anytime you want to induce a quiet, reflectful feeling.
My apologies if my adding to this thread offends anyone.
Best and Blessings,
–James
My all time favorite hymn is “Fairest Lord Jesus”.
I’ve recorded it twice: on slack-key guitar, and double ocarina with slack-key guitar. You can hear the slack-key version at the "mp3.com/AldonSanders link. The double ocarina version is at the nowhere radio/One Man Band link.
My thanks to all who have offered suggestions…
I’ve managed to find music for several of the suggested tunes that I did not alrealy have and so have now added to my list of tunes to learn.
Walden, your suggestions are great. It’s intresting too, because, most of those tunes are ones that I play on organ for the congregation to sing during lent( I played from the time I was 13 until 18 in the Baptist church where I grew up so I know them and they are a different treat for my Episcopal Church).
I too like "Fairest Lord Jesus. Played it two weeks ago in the service. I would have not thought to learn it on whistle.
I do think I will use the Low D for this, instead of Bb or A or a higher pitched one.
I’ve played through several of them for a couple of folks, to see which one’s they like for communion and intrestingly enough, so far , "She Moved Through the Fair "is the one chosen so far. Incedentially , this is not the one I would have chosen. Tomorrow I will run them past a few more.
I must say , to peeplj, thanks for your post.I don’t know why you felt it necessary to offer an apology for posting on the thread. No one is forced to read the thread that would be offended. It is obvious from the topic that it is of a "religious"nature. I would hope that we are not so “politically correct” here that post like this would be offensive.
Again, thanks folks, you’ve given me some great tunes!
Well, since I am not Christian, I am generally pretty cautious about trying not to step on any toes when I post on Christian-specific threads.
Sometimes maybe I lean too far to the side of caution…I don’t know.
I do have a great respect for your religion, and I don’t want to mess up any of the friendships I have with those who are part of it.
Best,
–James
Your contributions to the conversation are welcome, I’m certain. You have a good deal of experience in the matter of music, especially that of the flute family, and we’re always glad for your input.
Mine too. Also Barrie Cabena’s Mass in the Dorian Mode is playable on whistle. I think it’s in D and that would require a C whistle but if you’re playing alone you could play it on any whistle.
Steve
Well, I ended up playing Anach Cuain and it worked wonderfully.
The funny thing was that after the service, in the parrish hall, several folks told me that they heard me playing and thought" I’ve never heard the organ make that sound"- they can’t see me while they are at the altar rail-
it wasn’t until they returned to their seats that they realized I was not playing organ , but whistle! 
Just to put my two cents in:
Take Up Thy Cross (old English) is a great piece on whistle, high or low.
Kindly,
Mark Sackett