The Best Hymns of All Time
Arranged for strings by Colin Kirkpatrick

Book 2

We?re really excited to present our collection of sixty of the best-loved hymns ever composed. The hymns are scored in four parts and could be used with virtually any combination of stringed instruments: string quartet or quintet or any size string ensemble. They are presented in a set of three books and include full four-part instrumental scores plus four separate parts for 1st violin, 2nd violin, viola and cello (and double bass). The double bass part is optional because it doubles the cello part an octave lower. There?s also an optional but useful simplified keyboard part intended for less experienced keyboard players. The left hand plays only the bass part most of the time, with the right hand part kept as simple as possible. The piano part too means that you can use the arrangements as solos, duets or trios. To make the music accessible to less experienced players, the range of the notes has been kept fairly low so that many of the arrangements can be played in first position. However, to produce a brighter and richer sound, a few of the more experienced violinists could play an octave higher. You can hear this effect in the audio samples.

These arrangements are intended either as stand-alone pieces that could be used as interludes in a service, or they could be used to accompany solo, choral or congregational singing. This is essential music for schools and many churches and contains probably all the hymns you?ll ever need. The scores and all the parts of Book 2 are contained in a single 59-page PDF file.

Book 2 contains the following twenty popular hymns: A Mighty Fortress is our God (Ein Feste Burg); Awake my Soul (Morning Hymn); All Creatures of our God and King (Lasst uns Erfreuen); All People that on Earth do Dwell (Old Hundredth); Angels we have Heard on High (Gloria); Be thou my Vision (Slane); Come Thou Font of Every Blessing (Nettleton); Eternal Father, Strong to Save (Melita); God moves in a Mysterious Way (London New); Glory to Thee, My God, This Night (Tallis Canon); How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds (St. Peter); Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (St. Denio); Onward, Christian Soldiers (St. Gertrude); Let us with a Gladsome Mind (Monkland)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Beecher); Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven (Lauda Anima); The Day Thou Gavest (St. Clement); The King of Love my Shepherd is (St. Columba); We Plough the Fields and Scatter (Wir pflügen); Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us (Mannheim).

The audio samples include Angels we have Heard on High (Gloria); Be Thou my Vision (Slane) and Onward, Christian Soldiers (St. Gertrude). The music has been set in string-friendly keys so most of them are not compatible with the brass collection of the same name.

This valuable collection of hymns is the third in a series of five! You will find many wonderful titles arranged for harp, from well-known favorites to songs that are lesser known yet equally important. Mr. Callison came to the harp as an adult after retiring from 40 years as a music educator. His arrangements are interesting and have lovely harmonies. The left hand in a few of the tunes is quite active.
Table of Contents: Lord Jesus Think on Me, Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word, All Praise to Thee, My God This Night, From Greenland?s Icy Mountains, Cleanse Me, Praise the Savior, Ye Who Know Him, O Master Let Me Walk with Thee, More Love to Thee, O Christ, Nearer, My God, to Thee, Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing, Rise Up, O Men of God, Sun of My Soul, My Faith has Found a Resting Place, The King of Love, My Shepherd Is, Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us, How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds, May the Grace of Christ Our Savior, At the Name of Jesus, Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken, A Charge to Keep I Have, Join All the Glorious Names, Almighty God, Thy Lofty Throne, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power, Great God, Attend, While Zion Sings, How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place, Trust and Obey, I Am Not Skilled to Understand, Jesus Loves Me, Brethren, We Have Met to Worship, Come, Let Us Tune Our Loftiest Song, Rescue the Perishing, Have Thine Own Way, Lord!, Thy Faithfulness, Lord, Each Moment We Find, To God Be the Glory, Fill Thou My Life, O Lord My God, God of Our Fathers, Known of Old, Jesus Call Us, Let Thy Blood in Mercy Poured, O Jesus, King Most Wonderful, Not What These Hands Have Done, Under His Wings I Am Safely Abiding, Shepherd of Eager Youth, Lamb of God!, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Open My Eyes, That I May See, O Splendor of God?s Glory Bright, The Lord Is King, For All the Saints, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Thy Works, Not Mine, Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My God, How Wonderful Thou Art, O Christ, Our True and Only Light, Teach Me, My God and King, Zion to Thy Savior Singing, O Christ, Our King, Creator, Lord, God of the Earth, the Sky, the Sea, In Christ, There Is No East or West, How Lovely Shines the Morning Star, God, in the Gospel of His Son, Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven, Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild, Songs of Thankfulness and Praise, Who is This So Weak and Helpless, Savior of the Nations, Come, O Dearest Jesus, O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee, O Lord of Heaven and Earth and Sea, Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts, O Perfect Love, I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say