Author Archives: Danielle

About Danielle

I started playing the piano at age 7 and started writing music at age 16. I enjoy sitting down at the piano and just letting my fingers take off!

Resurrection Day – A Primary Song

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Just last week I posted an arrangement that took me about 5 years to complete. I wrote this in less than 24 hours.

The annual music competition at church has a November 1 deadline. I felt really prompted to write a primary song after struggling with a youth song for the last month. On October 30th, late at night I jotted down the words to this chorus and I had a tune going in my head. That’s it.

The next Halloween morning after dropping my kids off at school, I set to work. Four hours later (and just as it was time to get my kindergardner), it was pretty much done. I just made a few minor adjustments as I played it over and over until that night when I submitted it.

Never before have I felt Heavenly Father so closely leading me along in writing a song. The tune and chords seemed to spill out onto my paper. And these lyrics really needed a special feeling. They needed something hopefully yet sensitive.

When I had verse 1, I felt I needed inspiration for verse 2. I knew my time was short and I was worried about studying time (I often pour over General Conference talks). I was quickly led to this Ensign Article. Three short paragraphs. It gave me the exact concept I needed. When I play and sing this verse, the spirit touches me every time because of the inspiring message. I truly was guided.

If anyone ever taught this song to children, I would use the 3 key words in the chorus as a foundation: strength, hope, and knowledge. I love that the restored gospel does provide us with knowledge of the resurrection. It absolutely brings peace and joy to our souls. The soul is made up of our body and spirit, so of course our whole souls would rejoice in this knowledge.

Resurrection Day (pdf)

Resurrection Day Lyrics:

1. When trials appear on my path 
You'll find me down on my knees.
For my loving Father gave His own Son
Who knows my adversity.

Chorus:
The Savior give strength when burdens are heavy,
Hope that I'll be made whole,
And knowledge of Resurrection Day
Bringing peace and joy to my soul.

2. When loved ones go down to the grave 
I'll feel God‘s loving embrace 
As the spirit whispers it’s not the end
But only a resting place.

Chorus

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

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This is my first Christmas piano arrangement. As always, I tried to capture the feeling of the lyrics with the music. I have long loved this telling of the background of this song and tried to create a similar feeling in my arrangement:

In my arrangement verse 3 & 4 in particular speak to me with despair turning to hate, then verse 4 with the bells retorting more deeply that “God is not dead nor doth he sleep.” The words are so powerful I would almost tell you that if you ever perform this song, tell people to open up their hymn books to 214 and read along as you play.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (pdf) – Piano solo

Behold the Wounds in Jesus’ Hands

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When I heard this song performed at General Conference October 2021, I was so moved. I had heard it before, but it had been a while. Because it is a slower song, I was able to listen to the words carefully and boy was I touched. “Ponder who He meant to save when on the cross he died.” That really made me think: me. He died and suffered for me individually, not a collective group.

At the end, I almost used a deep C octave to conclude the song but I was prompted to just hit middle C. I liked the softness of it and I immediately thought about how Christ is our center. He walked a perfectly centered, straight path and we are also asked to walk it. We mess up and go off course but because of the wounds in His hands, we can be placed back on the path back to our Heavenly Father.

Both the lyricist and compser have passed away but I truly feel they have left a mark on the world with this beautiful melody and these soul stirring words.

Behold, the Wounds in Jesus Hands (PDF)

Picture a Christmas

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Last year my kids were asked to sing this song for a stake Christmas program. I didn’t see an arrangement, so I came up with it.

One fun part for me was writing to Patricia Kelsey Graham, the composer and lyricist, for permission. She actually played through it and gave a thoughtful suggestion. It made my heart happy to hear her say she really liked this, especially the piano that connects the two verses.

You can listen to my kids singing the song in all their cuteness. My youngest gets up and is totally distracted, but everyone thinks that’s cute, right? 🙂

Picture a Christmas (pdf)

Samuel and the Star

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I don’t remember what gave me the idea to put the beloved video’s words to music but I’ve had a blast writing an Irish sounding tune. I’ve never put music to a story before, so it’s fun to say I have a ballad on my repertoire.

The story of Samuel comes from Helaman 13-15 in the Book of Mormon. I have a testimony of this book. It has drawn me close to the Savior. I am so grateful for Him and how through Him alone, I can be saved. He truly is The Light of the world.

Also, I was amazed at how often the message of listening to prophet came up in this last General Conference. After hearing that theme, and playing this song again, it touched me even more of how blessed we are to have a prophet. I’ll add my testimony to those of the apostles and other church leaders, that God reveals His will for the church to prophets. As we follow the prophets with more exactness, we will be protected and grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, because they guide us to Him.

Samuel and the Star (pdf)

Out of Small Things

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The youth theme for 2021 is D&C 64:33-34:

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind and the willing and the obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.”

The church announced that this scripture was picked because of how it relates to President Nelson’s youth devotional from 2018. I loved that devotional. It resonated with me. In the past I’ve thought it would be neat to write a song for the youth theme but I had other projects and a busy life 🙂 So, when this theme was announced, I felt a strong desire to write a song to go with it. I submitted it to the church but I’m not really expecting anything.

I studied and emulated some pop songs that I think youth (and I) like these days. I hoped to achieve and fun but spiritual mix.

Out of Small Things (PDF)

Verse 1
So much good can happen in our lives
When we give our heart and have a willing mind,
Weed out wasteful time from the day,
Counsel with the Lord as we pray.

Pre-chorus
The world has been scattered. Our call is to gather.
Anyone can receive The blessings only the gospel brings.

Chorus
Out of small things will proceed what’s great
As I sacrifice a little each day.
The Lord will always provide a way
For hearts to open and lives to change.
For hearts to open and lives to change.

Verse 2
A battalion has formed. Will you enlist?
This moment’s one to not be missed.
We’ll step away from worldly distractions.
Replace it with Christlike actions.

Pre-chorus/Chorus

Bridge
There is no more important cause.
Zion will flourish because
The stone’s rolling forward. Nothing can stop it.
Our duty is clear as revealed by the prophet:

Pre-chorus (Revised)
The world has been scattered.
Our call is to gather.
We’ll help all to receive
The blessings only the gospel brings.

Chorus

In Humility Our Savior, Jesus Once of Humble Birth Piano Solo

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It has been a while since I put out a piano solo. In a comment on my site, a woman named Sheri said, “I love all your piano solos arrangements of church songs. Have any more? Or are you busy Momming? 😁”

It was seriously that comment that put me in front of the piano to write this. I thought, “Wow, someone actually wants more of my arrangements.” I was really touched.

I picked my favorite sacrament hymns and a few months later, it was done!

PDF: In Humility Our Savior/Jesus Once Of Humble Birth

In this video you can hear my kids in the background. It just shows how I write my songs and that’s just life these days. I love it and am grateful for it!

When I Let Him Inside

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See the source image

When I wrote a hymn version of this last year, the whole time I was imagining beautiful piano with it. I finally have that completed!

I actually started writing this song as a primary song (knocking would be such a great action for singing time!) but realized the topic seemed deeper. So, I changed it to a hymn. The lyrics in the chorus still sound simple like a primary song but sometimes we as adults need to hear that.

I feel like the main talk I used for this was one by Sharon Eubank from April 2019 General Conference. She talked about times when we need to draw to the Savior and how we do that. The concepts from that talk relate to so many people in so many different situations. I hope this song speaks in a similar way.

When I Let Him Inside Soprano (PDF)

When I Let Him Inside Alto (PDF)

I wish I had a real recording with a better voice than mine (and me playing all the right notes ) because this song has become so special to me. Maybe someday…

When I Let Him Inside

The Savior stands knocking.
O come, ye weary soul,
Come, those with questions,
And those with scarlet wool.
When paths fill with darkness
And doubting clouds my sight
Faithful prayers transform my view.
I feel heaven’s light.
Help my eyes to see, my ears to hear,
My heart to open wide
That I might feel the peace that comes
When I let Him inside.

The Savior stands knocking.
I come to Him in steps.
Each one will carry
Eternal consequence.
Though efforts feel awkward
And weakness slows my stride
When my gaze is lifted up
Promises ignite.
Help my eyes to see, my ears to hear,
My heart to open wide
That I might feel the peace that comes
When I let Him inside.

By op’ning to Jesus
My burdens will be light,
Deep wounds have healing,
And crimson sins turn white.
With ongoing action,
Delaying change no more,
Cheerful courage I will take;
Blessings are assured.
Help my eyes to see, my ears to hear,
My heart to open wide
That I might feel the peace that comes
When I let the Savior inside.

Turn Your Hearts

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Here is a jubilant arrangement of Hymn 291 in Hymnplicity style. I’ve even created a paper to give to choir members to use with their hymn books. Or, just print out the 4 pages and give that to choir members 🙂

When our stake choir director asked if I could arrange the song “Turn Your Hearts”, I was so excited. Whenever I’m working on a project to help a chorister, I always finish it quickly and it usually turns out pretty good. This time was no exception.

The cool thing was that our stake conference was in the Alpine Tabernacle. It is a grand and beautiful place. It was so fun to perform the song there!

I was grateful to work on a song about family history. The lyrics have gone through my mind since I’ve been working on it and it has inspired me to focus more on it.

Turn Your Hearts, SATB and Piano (pdf)

Turn Your Hearts, Choir Insert (pdf)