Hymn of the Month

November 2021: HERE’S TO SONG – “For now, farewell and thank you!”

Recorded at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, Orillia on November 27, 2021
Music by Allister MacGillivray, arr. Lydia Adams ©1979, 1994 Cabot Trail Music
Sung by Lori Metcalfe, Laurie Windrem, Marcia Armstrong (solo #1) and Mary-Jo Wilson (solo #2)
Digital piano accompaniment by Mary-Jo Wilson
Recorded by Larry Windrem
Photo by Rev. Linda Patton-Cowie

Dear friends of St. Mark’s:

I will let the words of the song express how I feel about leaving you after being part of your wonderful church community as organist and choir director for the past eight years.

The candle flickers t’wards its last; our time together’s ended.
The morning sped so swiftly past; no richer way to spend it.
Before we head our separate ways, I’d like in truthfulness to say:

You’ve made this day a special day with songs and kindness splendid.

Refrain: Here’s to song, here’s to time, here’s to both with firends of mine.
Here’s to friends who raise their voices high.
Kings have riches widely lain, lords have land but then again,

We have friends and song no wealth can buy.

We each a different road must go, to mountain, sea or city.
The hour has come for sweet adieus, and ah, the more’s the pity;
But first unite in hand and heart and sing a chorus ‘ere we part,

For every end leads to a start, we need not break so sadly.

Refrain

And ’till our paths in future cross, may blessings kindly greet you.
Until that time, I must, alas, only in memory meet you.
But often I will sit and stare, and think upon this moment rare,

The company beyond compare; for now, farewell and thank you.

Refrain

God bless you and keep you and surround you with joy and laughter and light and music!
Your friend always,
Mary-Jo

PAST HYMNS OF THE MONTH:

Summer 2021: FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
https://youtu.be/bJLnHCNR0kE

June 2021: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/MT2TARGXhkQ

April 2021: ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/ZXWFTf01Ns8

March 2021: SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/okSJBIzkqJA

February 2021: AMAZING GRACE
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/hp5cKmG2qWo

January 2021: HOW GREAT THOU ART
Direct YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/dIKqev6E2a0

November 2020: JESUS SHALL REIGN WHERE’ER THE SUN
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/f3Ll_4D-WpM

October 2020: A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/wdb2g-r2FPE

September 2020: HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/-KwM4r_IBQk

PAST HYMNS OF THE WEEK:

March 25 – June 24, 2020: HYMN OF THE WEEK COMPILATION

MUSIC ONLY for all 14 previous Hymns of the Week
Direct YouTube link to the compilation: https://youtu.be/-yJXprFpK8w

June 24, 2020: IN THE GARDEN
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/li-1cucntCA

June 17, 2020: HYMN OF PROMISE
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/f1vS5vz5zUk

June 10, 2020: DRAW THE CIRCLE WIDE
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/fbSuR7a8FMg

June 3, 2020: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/pbBGbcbcGRE

May 27, 2020: HERE I AM, LORD
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/HVoLWcEVan4

May 20, 2020: WHISPERING HOPE
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/97qiinNzrJo

May 13, 2020: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/iAT140PCSLI
Click this link to hear “Great is Thy Faithfulness” sung by George Beverly Shea: https://youtu.be/E2CysVq1mUI

May 6, 2020: ON EAGLE’S WINGS
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/le2JlX7rFPg

April 29, 2020: LORD OF THE DANCE
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/IsCMLEqlIL8

April 22, 2020: TO GOD BE THE GLORY
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/BLvYGa29zQs?t=4
Click this link to hear “To God Be The Glory” being sung at Billy Graham’s funeral:
https://youtu.be/mp-Wmv_lDc4?t=7650

April 15, 2020: WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN
Direct YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/Xx8qsq_659g

April 8, 2020: O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED
Direct  YouTube link: https://youtu.be/iPTw9OBBc1Q

April 1, 2020:  ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING
Direct YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/f3lj_YidUbU
Link to Mr. Bean episode, “The Church”: https://youtu.be/_eCPD5Wzifc
(The hymn begins at the 7:21 mark)

March 25, 2020:  IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/UDdoGQwtP1g
P.S. For a beautiful dramatization of this hymn by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir with Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), go to this link:  https://youtu.be/Bfo6pF2psxs