Tunes for church

Trad Irish Music
1

Hello,

I’m scheduled to play the whistle in church in July and am having a hard time thinking of tunes to play. I don’t want to play something like Amazing Grace, or similar hymn tunes, although there are many beatuiful ones. I’m really looking for one or two longer tunes that have something more than an A part followed by a B part.

In the past I’ve played Strayaway Child, Planxty Fanny Powers, Inisheer, and O’Connell’s Lament. Any suggestion?

Paulsdad

2

Good question. I’ve played (with bandmates) Miller of Droghan and Christy Barry’s 1&2 and they went over pretty well. Miller was very nice for offertory.

I’ve been looking for hymns/praise songs that I could “Irish up” because my church prefers Christian tunes. So far the list is short but here 'tis:
Be Thou My Vision
Morning Has Broken
How Deep the Father’s Love For Us
What Wondrous Love Is This (Fernando Ortega)
I’m working on creating some “sets” of church tunes/hymns linked together with an Irish tune in between but that’s proven to be a challenge.

Si Bheag Si Mor or O’Carolan’s Welcome would be nice on solo whistle.

Hope that helps!

3

For future reference, the Praise Whistlers board might be a good place to ask:

http://www.praisewhistlers.org/

4

Firstly, be careful about what you play in a church. If you don’t approach it correctly, you’ll end up in hot water. This is particularly important if you’re planning to play non-liturgical music. Some churches prohibit non-liturgical music completely. Make sure you ask permission from the priest/pastor/minister because he (she?) is responsible for the church and how it is used. Also, not all hymns are considered liturgical by all churches. So check with the priest/pastor/minister.

Sean O’Riada composed choral pieces which can be adapted to whistle. Gael Linn released two recordings of his compositions: Ceol an Aifreann and Ceol an Aifreann 2 (Music for Mass and Music for Mass Vol 2).

One of the O’Riada tunes is “Ag Criost an siol”. Here’s a good clip of it from YouTube.

5

“In Christ Alone” is very ‘whistle-able’ and a personal favorite
(actually written by Keith Getty, a modern day Irish 'hymn-smith," as it were)

Also, there is a wonderful old hymn that has recently resurfaced; “Before the Throne of God Above” that is unique and catchy, . . . and easy to play - if you can find music for it.

BTW, greetings - I’ve been an Irish music fan for years, but I’m brutally new to the site and to the tin whistle - the wife gave me one for father’s day and I’ve been having a blast.

-kevin

6

I’ve done a lot with Crowder’s stuff, especially his rendition of “All Creatures of Our God and King”…a great old song he’s done a lot to bring new life into.

Tomlin’s “Wonderful Cross” is fun to play to as well.

Be Good,
Brian

7

I found a little more on “Before the Throne of God Above” and the author, Charitie Lees (Smith) Bancroft. She was born in Bloom­field, Mer­ri­on, Coun­ty Dub­lin, Ire­land, so her stuff is even Irish, . . . how cool is that? The original title that she gave it was “The Advocate”

With the help of MTGuru’s transcription of “The Immigrant” (thanks!) I figured out the ABC thing and this one works on the Tune-O-Tron at concertina.net. Hope someone is able to enjoy it.

X:1
T:Before the Throne of God Above (The Advocate)
C:Charite Lees (Smith) Bancroft
Z:Miniac for Chiff & Fipple 2007-07-19
M:3/4
K:GMaj
DGA|:B2 G2 EG|G3 DGA|B2 G2 Bd|d3 GBd|
e2 d2 AB|G3 EGB|AG E2 G2|G3 ggf|
e2 d2 Bd|d3 ggf|e2 d2 ef|g3 agf|
e2 d2 AB|G3 EGB|AG E2 G2|G3 EGB|
AG E2 G2|[1,2 G3 DGA:|[3 G6|]

Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great High Priest whose Name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands, my name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands no tongue can bid me thence depart.
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Saviour died my sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me.
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb, my perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM, the King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die. My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Saviour and my God!
With Christ my Saviour and my God!

-kevin

[ Corrected key signature to GMaj, even though the tune is pentatonic and there are no Cs anyway. :wink: - MTGuru ]

[[Oh, I see, . . . that makes sense. Thanks. I’m pretty much self taught, so I get to learn new things every day. -kevin]]

8

I, too, enjoy “In Christ Alone.” Another two that sound like they have an Irish persuasion are:

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUhU0HgTq94
or
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/comethou.htm


and
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGjxAqENbI