My Spirit Soars
A Lullaby Magnificat
Words by Walter Farquharson
Tune Name: SKYE BOAT SONG
Lyrics as Poetry
REFRAIN:
Hush now sweet child
though cold blows the wind–
I’ll hold you close to me.
God has declared
that new day now dawns–
Love will that myst’ry see!
My spirit soars, eagle on wing;
no more a creature bound.
Song for my heart, joy for the earth;
now may God’s peace be found.
REFRAIN
Tyrants will fall, proud tumble down;
love has a word to speak.
Pris’ners stand free, hungry are fed;
welcome the poor and weak.
REFRAIN
Gift of our God, justice and love;
mercy an ocean wide.
Love be your gift, love be your guide;
God’s love be at your side.
REFRAIN
Words by
Walter FarquharsonCopyright © 1992 by Walter Farquharson
Administered by Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, Illinois • USA
Audio Sample for
”My Spirit Soars”
This sample is an instrumental-only recording which may be used as sing-along accompaniment.
A downloadable version
of the Accompaniment Track
for subscribers and purchasers
is accessible at the bottom
of this column.
Scripture References
- 1 Samuel 2:1-10
- Psalm 2:1-10
- Psalm 33:10
- Psalm 34:1-10
- Psalm 35:9
- Psalm 91
- Isaiah 40:10-11
- Isaiah 40:28-31
- Ezekiel 34
- Luke 1:39-56
Season, Theme
or Subject
- Advent
- Christmas
- Lullaby
- Magnificat
- Mary (mother of Jesus)
- Tyrants
Presentation Suggestions
“The Skye Boat Song” has an immediately engaging melody which has received many treatments since first being composed in the late 18th century by William Ross.
The feel of this setting should be gentle, but lilting, keeping in mind that Walter’s text has been created as “A Lullaby Magnificat”.
For a more haunting effect, soloists might wish to take liberties with the rhythm and tempo, even to the point of disregarding the dotted 8th/16th patterns, singing all freely as 8th notes. This, of course, requires coordination and rehearsal with the accompanist.
When used as a congregational song, it is helpful for accompanists to set the 6/8 patterns clearly from the beginning, keeping the tempo fairly steady (but not rigid!) with only subtle rubato throughout and a slight ritard at the end of each verse and refrain.
A soloist might sing the first refrain and subsequent verses with the congregation joining on the refrain after each verse in a hushed, almost whispered, tone.
Consider having the instrumentalist[s] freely and softly play just the melody of the refrain after the final refrain has been sung.
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Accompaniment Recordings
The instrumental Accompaniment Track ‘map’ is as follows:
• Piano Intro (4-measures)
• Refrain • Verse 1 • Refrain
• Verse 2 • Refrain
• Verse 3 • Refrain
NOTE: There is a slight ritard between each refrain and verse section.
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Preview Samples
Melody Line Versions (includes transposing instruments)
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Melody Line: 'C' Instrument or Vocal
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Melody Line: 'C' Instrument 8va
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Melody Line: Bass Clef 'C' Instrument
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Melody Line: Alto Clef Instrument
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Melody Line: ‘Bb’ Instrument
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Melody Line: ‘Eb’ Instrument
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Melody Line: ‘F’ Instrument (high)
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Melody Line: ‘F’ Instrument (low)
Hymn-style Vocal Harmonizations (accompany with any piano versions)
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Hymn-style: SATB voices
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Hymn-style: SAB voices
Piano Versions
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Piano: Hymn-style
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Piano: Hymn-style, without lyrics
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Piano: Melody Line and Chords
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Easy Piano: Hymn-style
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Easy Piano: Hymn-style, without lyrics
Guitar Chords & Bass Progressions
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Guitar & Bass: Full chords in keyboard key
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Guitar: Transposed capo chords
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Easy Guitar: Basic chords
Comments About Song
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A Reflection by
WALTER FARQUHARSON
Few passages of Scripture have had more impact on Christians than the Magnificat or Mary’s Song as recorded in Luke’s Gospel. It is part of the birth narrative but more broadly speaks of the coming of Christ. It serves also as an assertion the pivotal place of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the devotion of believers. It has been given voice in recitation, in chant, in songs of faith.
The song of Mary echoes the words of the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures. These proclaimers of God’s justice emphasize God’s peace and God’s will for the healing and the restoration of God’s people in each specific age and in all the corners of God’s creation. Their words praise God and call the people to walk in the light of God’s love, to know and celebrate our kinship with all our relations and with all the creatures who share this planet with us. These themes of the prophets are echoed throughout the Psalms. Oppressors shall be humbled and brought down, the forgotten, the enslaved, the trampled upon shall be raised up to places of freedom, equity, safety and creativity. In song and action God is praised. Life and liturgy are to mirror God’s intention, God’s heart of love and welcome.
Mary’s song echoes the song of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, a critical figure in the unfolding drama that tells of the complex but persistent tension and dynamic between power and accountability. Hannah’s Song is sung as she gives over her precious and long-yearned-for child to Eli who will mentor the youth in God’s service .
Mary will guide her son. Jesus’ life and death will clearly reflect the words that Luke tells us Mary sings as she greets her cousin Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptizer. Mary’s song places Jesus’ ministry and being firmly in the tradition of the prophets. Mary’s song holds Jesus incarnate in the midst of life where oppressive powers are recognized and challenged and the call to freedom, justice and mercy cannot be denied.
I imagine Mary’s song, probably being sung as the infant Jesus fed at her breast, as he fell asleep in safety or during the terrifying journey as the refugee family fled to Egypt from the wrath of Herod, as he fretted and cried, as he grimaced with tummy cramps or knew the chills and sweats of childhood fevers and diseases. I imagine the singing, at different times and circumstances, using different words and even different tunes as this so dependent child nestles into the healing arms of a comforting parent.
What strange words these are for a lullaby. Here is the amazing marriage of strength and determination with gentleness and vulnerability that is the gospel, the ‘turn the world upside down’ gospel. Here there is no capitulation to evil and oppression, to judgement or to casting out. There is no blame or shame but there is an engagement in the sweet strength of love, peace, honouring.
The Skye Boat Song is a Scottish favourite embedded in its folk music. It was my grandmother’s favourite, the first song she would ask for when the music making members of the family arrived for a gathering. It was a tune I remember her humming although I have no memory of her humming any other melody. The story’s song is tied to Scottish romanticism and the flight of Bonnie Prince Charlie who had sought to regain the crown of an independent Scottish nation. There’s story of devotion and danger that goes along with all that. The tune outlives the battles and the twisted politics of the time. Over many years I have mused about the possibility of this tune being combined with Mary’s Song. May it be a source of blessing.
Mary’s Magnificat has outlived generations of tyrants and tyrannies and, I suspect, will outlive many more. Its dream, its vision will draw us in – until, perhaps, we truly understand it.
This would be a good opportunity to check out a couple of the songs from “Hold The Child Gently”, an Advent and Christmas Cantata; a collaborative work of love Ron and I created to at once be faithful to the Christmas Story as Luke tells it and the intense humanity of the story that would engage us as participants. Know the blessing of holding the child gently and perhaps singing “My Spirit Soars” to the Child, and children, that you are blessed to hold.