"Be Thou My Vision (piano instr)" genre: Christian Easy Listening
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	This hymn is one of the most personal and emotional praise songs that has ever been sung. Though it was written in the seventh or eighth century, this piece continues to inspire worshippers as it encourages us to focus on our future in heaven rather than the disappointments of today. Don’s delicate piano performance here uses the passion of contemporary Christian music to bring this hymn to life.
	MP3.com CD: The Piano - buy it! MP3.com CD: Praise Hymns - buy it! CD: The Piano   Label: Wigtune Company Credits: Instruments: Don Wigton. Arrangement Copyright © 1999 Don Wigton.
	Story Behind the Song Between 500 and 700 AD the Irish church was filled with missionary zeal, laboring in Scotland and Switzerland. One of these missionaries was Columba of county of Donegal and was known as one of the poets of the Irish church. His biographer says: Certain spiritual songs, which had never been heard before, he was heard to sing. Though Be Thou My Vision is anonymous, it came out in the seventh or eighth century, shortly after the time of Columba of Donegal. It is filled with numerous titles of God. The word vision is used to indicate not only what we focus on but also what we strive for. When I first heard this hymn performed by Glad on their Acapella album I was immediately enamored with it. The Irish-like melody captivated me from the start. Then when I listened to the personal words that it conveyed I was a gonner! Originally I intended that this arrangement would be a backup for vocals. However, when Vanessa and I decided that I should begin a piano solo CD this song came immediately to mind. Therefore, I finished laying the piano tracs and mixed it down as you hear it now. The piano melody is really cool. It begins playing the simple melody in the first go-around. Then, as the song progresses the piano diverges into various improvisations as cellos and other instruments carry the melody. I like it so much as it is that I wonder if Ill ever add vocals. Well see. Lyrics Be Thou My Vision Be, Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art -- Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son, Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one. Riches I heed not, nor mans empty praise, Thou mine inheritance. now and always, Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art. High King of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heavens joys, O bright heavens Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all. Arrangement Copyright © 1999 Don Wigton A chord chart for this song is available for free at the Wigtune Company Home Page @ http://userzweb.lightspeed.net/wigton/wigtune.htm

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