The Pipes

I wrote a poem several years ago, but seem to have lost it. Several of the lines continue to return to me at odd intervals, so I decided I should try to recreate it and archive it in some more permanent place (like this). It is not an exact duplicate, but I think still carries much the same weight and message as the original. If you’ve any Scottish blood, it should at least stir a little something of ancestral pride and community.

The Pipes

By Mark Fotheringham 

A lone piper stands at the crest of a hill

And plays a mournful tune

Of battles lost and battles won

And men who died too soon,

Of sons and brothers who died too soon.

And as the sound is carried 'round

O'er mound and stony tomb,

Its echoed call through craggy halls

Rebukes the ancient doom,

A doom which grieved each mother's womb.

Then over town and finally down

Into this lonesome vale,

The sound is of a thousand pipes

Retelling every tale,

Each tale of courage when hearts would fail.

A thousand bagpipes playing true

As memory's refrain,

To raise the pyre of Scottish fire

And stir the blood again,

The blood which flowed o’er field and fen. 

So hear the pipes, the pipes, my friend,

That soar and dip and moan.

And you will know what the piper knows,

That no man pipes alone.

No, no man pipes alone.

I Had But to Ask

My sister Katie's recent Facebook post describing her understanding and experience of grace inspired a new poem, which my neighbor is now setting to music (to be posted later).


I Had But to Ask

I didn't deserve it, but still it came:
The Spirit's assurance, the heavenly flame.
When I descended in grief and in pain,
I called out in anguish, and swiftly, it came.

Distracted and tired, my mind depressed,
Temptations beguiling, my soul sought Thy rest.
But Thou, ever watchful, wast there by my side,
To lend me Thy courage and never deride.

In spite of my weakness, my pride, my shame,
Thy grace was sufficient when I called Thy name.
E'en when I faltered or fled from some task,
To feel Thy forgiveness, I had but to ask.

'Twas not for some action or deed He blessed,
No service to others, nor some sin confessed.
It wasn't because I had done as I should.
I felt of His goodness because He is good.

Where Would We Go?

Here is a new Hymn inspired by the answer to a question posed by Christ after having preached some difficult doctrine that caused some of His disciples to abandon Him.  He asked His Apostles: "Will ye also go away?"  Peter's answer is instructive to all who may be troubled by hard doctrine: "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." (John 6:67-68)

Here is the Sheet Music

Where would we go without Thee?
Where could we find our peace?
All of our blessings come from Thee.
We shall from Thee never cease.

Who would be there to teach us
Words of eternal life?
Thou are't the Light in darkness who shows the Way
Thou are't our comfort in strife.


Thou are't the Great Redeemer,
Sent forth to save us all,
Kneeling in old Gethsemane,
Saving the world from The Fall.

Doing the will of Father,
Breaking the bands of death,
Thou are't The One who suffered for all our sin.
Praise we with every breath.

Christmas is Coming

I think it's about time for a new Christmas song. Try this one on for size.

Here is the Sheet Music

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is coming. Christmas is near.
Bright lights are burning and carols we hear.
Songs of the Christ Child are sung every night while
Starlight shines brighter with heavenly grace.
Hearts glow with love for the One who gave all,
Lighting the world with a hope that was born in a stall.

Christmas is coming. Christmas divine.
Shepherds and Wise men will help to remind
Gifts of the season should flow from the heartstrings,
Honoring He who was born for to save.
Blessed Redeemer, what gifts can we bring?
Lives full of laughter and joy for our glorious King.

Never For a Moment

I have been working on a love song the past two months in celebration of 34 years together with Laura. The tune and lyrics are mine. The arrangement is by Kevin Pace.

I sang it for the first time to Laura last night. 'Twas well received (made us both cry a little). Though I had not planned for any additional audience, Michael happened to be home last night with a date in tow, so there was a little extra romance in the air to boot.

Hope you like it.

If you are interested, here is a copy of the sheet music to help you follow along (copyrighted).

Never For a Moment
by Mark Fotheringham

Never for a moment, have you believed you are a beauty.
Never for a moment, have you considered you are wise,
And never for a moment, could you see the strength within you.
But Baby, take a moment now to look into my eyes
And see that you are beautiful,
So wise and strong and beautiful.
Believe me from this moment, you're a beauty in my eyes.

Never for a moment, could you believe you are courageous.
Never for a moment, have you considered you are bold.
And even when I kiss you, you may doubt you could be wanted,
But you are right here in my heart, the best part of my soul.
Believe that you are beautiful,
So brave and bold and beautiful,
Believe me from this moment, you're a beauty in my eyes.

You've borne me children,
Raised them all up right.
You have brought me comfort
All my days, and in the night,
You bring me all your loving
And set my spirit free...

Can you see here in this moment
You are beautiful to me?
Remember from this moment
You are beautiful to me.

Never for a moment, have you believed you are a beauty.
Never for a moment, have you considered you are wise,
And never for a moment, could you see the strength within you.
But Baby, take a moment now to look into my eyes
And see that you are beautiful,
So wise and strong and beautiful.
Believe me from this moment, you're a beauty in my eyes.

You've borne me children,
Raised them all up right.
You have brought me comfort
All my days, and in the night,
You bring me all your loving
And set my spirit free...

Can you see here in this moment
You are beautiful to me?
Forever from this moment
You are beautiful, so beautiful to me.

---

Songbook Published
More on the Way

I'm please to report (late as usual) that although I have been ignoring the blog posts, my keyboard has not been idle. Prolific composer Kevin Pace has been pumping out the tunes and I have been cranking out the lyrics. We have compiled all but the most recent 25 or so hymns into a book called The Sacred Songbook - Over 100 Original Hymns for SATB Voices. The book is available on Amazon and at Day Murray Music (4916 State St, Murray, UT).

It is about two years of work putting these together. So much fun to see it published. I really am less interested in the sales of the book than the prospect of some choir actually singing at least some of the songs in the book. My own ward choir has taken on a few of them over the past year or so, and one one was sung at a college convocation (Drink From the River - page 26), so that's a start.

In the mean time, we have a few more that we have since written. I'll try to post the best of them when I get a chance.

Constant the Love

Here is a new hymn I wrote for music by Kevin Pace.

Constant the love of our Savior.
Constant the pow'r of His grace.
He will ever be there in your times of trial.
Constant His loving embrace (embrace).

Faith is a flower unfolding,
Rising aloft from a seed.
Faith planted by heaven so long ago,
..Waiting to bloom at your need (your need).


Sure is the promise of springtime.
Surely the dead rise again.
All the children of God are eternal spirits.
Surely they live, foe and friend (and friend).

Hope is a dream ever shining,
Lifting the soul to the sky.
Hope cheers every heart with the light of truth,
..Giving you courage to try (to try).


Trust in the work of the Gospel.
Trust in the way of the Lord.
All your service to others is sanctified;
So trust in the truth of the Word (the Word).

Love is the way of the Savior,
Lighting the way of the right.
Love forges the heart with celestial fire,
..Thus may you live in His sight (His sight).