Hope From On High Album Liner Notes

Hope From On High Album CoverHope From On High (2008)

Album Liner Notes

1. Christmas Day in the Morning (trad. Scottish) Join the Artisan trio as we celebrate! 2:25

2. Go Where I Send Thee This is a children’s counting game that instructs in sharing the good news./Go, Tell It on the Mountain (both trad. African-American spirituals) “God sent out our salvation that blessed Christmas morn.” 3:20

3. Hope from on High (Paintbrush Canyon) (T. Seaman, © 2008 Pine Wind Music, Inc.) This composition commemorates a 2004 hike Rowena and I took in October 2004 in Grand Teton National Park, alone high in the magnificent mountains and living a metaphor. 4:30

4. Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful) (J.F. Wade, 1751) “Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.” J.F. Wade, 1751 2:44

5. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night (G.F. Handel, 1728) “Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind.” --- N. Tate, 1700/Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (F. Mendelssohn, 1840) “Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.” --- C. Wesley, 1739 3:20

6. Winter Largo from The Four Seasons (A. Vivaldi) 2:25

7. St. Basil’s Hymn (trad. Greek) 3:20

8. Baloo, Lammy (trad. Scottish) “To you this day is born a child to Mary meek, the virgin mild.”/The First Noel (trad. French-English, 13th C.) “Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord that hath made heaven and earth of naught and with his blood mankind hath bought.” 4:15

9. Riu, Riu, Chiu (trad. Spanish, 16th C.) (The title is the sound of the nightingale’s song.) “Now we have gotten what we were all desiring; go we together to bear him gifts: Let each give his will to the God who was willing to come down to Earth man’s equal to be.” 1:35

10. Simple Gifts (trad. American) “’Tis a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be free.” --- Shaker song, 19th C. 3:15

11. W Zlobie Lezy (Infant Holy, Infant Lowly) (trad. Polish) “Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you.” --- Polish carol 2:10

12. Houston (trad. American folk hymn) “The people that in darkness sat a glorious light have seen!” 1:40

13.O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) (trad. German) “Thy leaves are so unchanging, not only green when summer’s here, but also when ‘tis cold and drear.”/Down in Yon Forest (trad. English) “The bells of paradise I heard them ring, and I love my Lord Jesus above anything.” 3:35

14. Il est ne, le divin enfant (He Is Born, the Divine Child) (trad. French) “For more than four thousand years we've been waiting for this happy time.”/Kommet ihr Hirten (Come, Shepherds) (trad. Bohemian) “Come, let us see, in Bethlehem’s stable, what was promised us by the heavenly song.” 3:20

15. Jesus Bleibet Meine Freude(Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring) (J.S. Bach) “He is the strength of my life, the joy and sun of my eyes” --- M. Jahn 2:50

16. Once in Royal David’s City (H.J. Gauntlett, 1849) “With the poor and mean and lowly lived our Savior holy.” --- C.F. Alexander, 1848 1:20

17. Snowy River Ride (T. Seaman, © 2008 Pine Wind Music, Inc.) This new bicycling composition is dedicated to the Virginia Capitals Bicycle Trail and the River Road in Grand Teton National Park. 4:20

18. Erev Shel Shoshannim (Evening of Lilies) (trad. Jewish) 3:50

19. O Little Town of Bethlehem (L.H. Redner, 1868) “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” --- P. Brooks, 1868 3:05

20. Wassail Song “Love and joy be to you!”/Gloucestershire Wassail “God bless all in this house till we come again!”/Tomorrow Shall Be my Dancing Day “Then was I born of a virgin pure, of her I took fleshly substance; thus was I knit to man’s nature to call my true love to my dance. I was in a manger laid, and wrapped I was; so very poor, this was my chance, betwixt an ox and a silly ass, to call my true love to my dance.”/We Wish You a Merry Christmas (all trad. English) “Good tidings we bring to you and your kin!” 3:35

Further grateful acknowledgements: Rowena Seaman, Dick Boggs, Tom Robinson, Marcia Budnikas, Cindy Smith; Malcolm Dalglish, John McCutcheon, Robin Williamson, Bruce Cockburn, James Galway; Bob Hill and Colonial Williamsburg; Dr. Charles Wilhelm, Larry Washburn and Williamsburg Orthopedics, Renee Hove and Williamsburg Hand Therapy, Dr. Charles Seager; the Trellis Restaurant; Shenandoah and Grand Teton National Parks.

Hope From On High CD Liner