Grief and Praise

01 Feb Grief and Praise

This one’s a tear-jerker – a favorite among many – country/folk-styled verse/ chorus song from Glen Phillips with gorgeous, heart-opening lyrics. I created a simple arrangement for 2 voices with the low part mostly doubling Glen and the high adding harmony on the bridge & choruses.

Composer & Copyright

Original song © Glen Phillips, arranged for Wholehearted Chorus by Lisa G. Littlebird. Please support the artist by purchasing the studio-recorded version here: https://www.amazon.com/Grief-and-Praise/dp/B07BR4ZG6X

Recording

Recording by Glen Phillips & Lisa G. Littlebird.

Lyrics

Oh you sisters encircled, you children of mine
You humble my heart and sharpen my mind
Though we’re scattered and wearied and change is upon us
We are bound ‘til the end, still a family I promise

Chorus:
All that you love will be taken some day
By the angel of death or the servants of change
In a floodwater tide without rancor or rage
So sing loud while you’re able, in grief and in praise

For so many years we swam into the tide
And we would not abandon, heroic and kind
Shared our sweat and our shelter, our bodies and blood
Godspeed and good fortune, I will miss you my love

For all you hold dear will be taken some day
By the angel of death or the servants of change
In a floodwater tide without rancor or rage
So sing loud while you’re able, in grief and in praise

Choir: Oooh–
Now we meet at well of sorrow
Dug down to the heart of the earth
To be joined at its source to the spring of hope
Choir: Drink deep while you can and give thanks for your thirst

For all that we love will be taken some day
By the angel of death or the servants of change
In a floodwater tide without rancor or rage
So sing loud while you’re able, in grief and in praise (x2)

Teaching Notes

This is a simple, two-voice arrangement, adding one high harmony on the choruses to the melody. The arrangement organizes around one strong soloist holding all the verses and bridge.

Key: A