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.
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.
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!
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 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.
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.
Of all the songs I’ve written, I really felt Heavenly Father wanted me to do this one. I was singing “Have I Done Any Good?” in my head. When I got to the end, I just started singing “Love One Another”. When I pulled out the music I was almost dumbfounded that both of these songs were in the same key, same time signature and the last note of “Have I Done Any Good?” is the same note as the first note in “Love One Another”. Therefore I would be able to easily transition between songs. When I did an online search I couldn’t believe someone hadn’t put these two songs together before!
I was further astonished when I found an if/then statement that connected the two songs. “Love One Another” ends with “…If ye have love…”. The chorus of “Have I Done Any Good?” starts with “Then wake up and do something more…” If we love as our Savior we would want to wake up and do something more. I was able to add this connection in my arrangement. Every time I get to these connected lines, I get goosebumps. I felt like this arrangement was complete revelation to me and I love the spirit these songs bring!
I have 3 voice options. The first does not have piano intro, the singer starts. I have learned some people don’t like that so the second option has a piano intro. The third voice option is made with primary children in mind. It is only “Have I Done Any Good?” and it follows the hymn book more closely.
A big thank you to the amazing violinist Rebecca Moench for wanting nothing but the best for this recording! Also to Kenny Amamcher for a great recording session. This is the first recording I have that I feel like maybe someone would want to listen to for fun and not just get an idea of what the song would sound like.
The timing of the composition of this piece is interesting. I actually arranged the first verse to it eight years ago. Because it was in the early days of my compositions I was still learning a lot. I like that I started it in the key of C because of the simpleness. I don’t think I would have done that today. Yet, it works because of the beautifully haunting sounds.
At the same time, I think it was good I finished it this year because of my experience. I was able to polish up the first verse and create a nice full sound for the second verse. Everything happens for a reason right? 🙂 I just feel grateful it happened that way.
I have always loved the Mormon Tabernacle Choir version of this song and I really wanted a piano arrangement. At the time I started arranging it, I couldn’t find one. Now there are a few but I’m grateful I was able to get my own spin on it. I hope this is an enjoyable arrangement for you piano players!
For many months this song was my 2 year old (now 3 year old)’s request every night before bed. I felt inspired to write a piano arrangement in dedication to her. So Talia, here you go! Mommy loves you despite the buttons of mine you push 🙂 I have learned that the more I act like Christ would with you, the kinder you are. Truly following in the Savior’s steps makes everyone around us happier.
I think this is the longest it has ever taken me to complete a song but it was worth it! There are a two points of interest I have in this song:
1. A while back I had a composing tip post called Play it Backwards. This is the song where playing it backwards worked. If you go to the Hymn book and play the last measure or 2 of this song backwards, then listen to my intro you’ll hear the similarity.
2. I love how the third verse of this song says that we are laboring for “Jesus the Crucified.” I slowed down this part of the music on the third verse to really emphasize the importance of this truth. When I think of the lyrics and play this part I get teary eyed. (the note that is held out in measure 65-66 could be shortened a little, just saying if you want to try that–I have it the way it is for the beat sake)
I’m very excited about this one because it is the first duet I’ve written! It took a while to write but I’m really happy with the result. My favorite thing about this song is that it is simple but beautiful. It is easy enough for about an intermediate student to play with a peer or a teacher.
Remember to play it with emotion, without it, the song doesn’t sound nearly as good. Enjoy!
I just love bold hymns and this is one I’ve wanted to do a choral arrangement for a long time now. I felt like I chose to write this song at a good time because it was one of those songs I just sat down and wrote it all out within a little over a week. I never had any “stumped” moments, which was so nice!
I wrote a piano solo for this song (below) as well. I recorded myself playing that. It is almost the same as the choir version so you can get a feel for the song.
As I said above, I took my choir version and made a piano solo out of it. Because I wanted it to sound a lot like the choir piece, it isn’t my best piano arrangement. I promise you will love the transitions though, I get addicted to playing them!
