We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing

Several weeks ago, EdoL did a great performance of the hymn, "O praise ye the Lord" by C.H.H. Parry. It was well-received and the idea of a "Hymn of the Day" was mentioned. I thought that this was a great idea, and you can read my thoughts about this in "The Barde" by following the link at the top of the page.

I've been wanting to get this idea going with the hope that others will become inspired to join in. With the season of Advent soon to be upon us, let's see if we can have an appropriate hymn for EVERY day during the season! I'll try to do one each day if necessary, but I hope that others will help me out!

With the holiday of Thanksgiving coming in a few days, I thought I'd start by doing a few hymns for Thanksgiving.

This first one, "We gather together" has always been VERY popular here in the United States. It also has particular significance for me, as it was seeing this hymn played at one of the great Dutch churches, that made me want to play the organ! I don't know which church it was, but it was a BIG tracker, and it was played on the full organ with all manuals coupled. Seeing ALL the keys moving was THE most amazing thing I'd ever seen!

I chose the Van Dam in "tribute" to that performance, and dedicate it to all of our Dutch members. I tried to play this in what I thought as the "Dutch style," so, I hope that I got it correct...;-)

I hope that you will join me in doing some hymns. After all, hymns are THE most important thing that we organists play!!!