$ 3.99
Liberty Bell is a setting of the traditional poem, "Independence Bell," author unknown, for SATB choir, with a lively piano accompaniment and robust violin solo. Wonderful for patriotic settings of all kinds. Your choir will love it.
Because it is strophic in nature, this song can also just be sung to the basic tune for use in school classrooms when learning about the Liberty Bell.
The poem tells the story of the old bell keeper who rings the bell when the Continental Congress votes in favor of Independence. It is sometimes known as "Ring! Grandpa, Ring!" because it is the old man's young grandson who gives him the sign to ring the bell for liberty. (See "Lyrics" tab for full text, and "Credits" tab for more history of this story.)
A midi sample is given with guitar sounds as voices. See full lyrics in Lyrics tab.
Text: "Independence Bell," author unknown
Music by: Cathy Neff (ASCAP)
There was a tumult in the city
In the quaint old Quaker town,
And the streets were rife with people
Pacing restless up and down–
People gathering at corners,
Where they whispered each to each,
And the sweat stood on their temples
With the earnestness of speech.
As the bleak Atlantic currents
Lash the wild Newfoundland shore,
So they beat against the State House,
So they surged against the door;
And the mingling of their voices
Made the harmony profound,
Till the quiet street of Chestnut
Was all turbulent with sound.
“Will they do it?” “Dare they do it?”
“Who is speaking?” “What’s the news?”
“What of Adams?” “What of Sherman?”
“Oh, God grant they won’t refuse!”
“Make some way there!” “Let me nearer!”
“I am stifling!” “Stifle then!
When a nation’s life’s at hazard,
We’ve no time to think of men!”
So they surged against the State House,
While all solemnly inside,
Sat the Continental Congress,
Truth and reason for their guide,
Over a simple scroll debating,
Which, though simple it might be,
Yet should shake the cliffs of England
With the thunders of the free.
Far aloft in that high steeple
Sat the bellman, old and gray,
He was weary of the tyrant
And his iron-sceptered sway;
So he sat, with one hand ready
On the clapper of the bell,
When his eye could catch the signal,
The long-expected news to tell.
See! See! The dense crowd quivers
Through all its lengthy line,
As the boy beside the portal
Hastens forth to give the sign!
With his little hands uplifted,
Breezes dallying with his hair,
Hark! with deep, clear intonation,
Breaks his young voice on the air.
Hushed the people’s swelling murmur,
Whilst the boy crys joyously;
“Ring!” he shouts, “Ring! Grandpapa,
Ring! oh, ring for Liberty!”
Quickly, at the given signal
The old bellman lifts his hand,
Forth he sends the goods news, making
Iron music through the land.
How they shouted! What rejoicing!
How the old bell shook the air,
Till the clang of freedom ruffled,
The calmly gliding Delaware!
How the bonfires and the torches
Lighted up the night’s repose,
And from the flames, like fabled Phoenix,
Our glorious liberty arose!
That old State House bell is silent,
Hushed is now its glamorous tongue;
But the spirit it awakened
Still is living—ever young;
And when we greet the smiling sunlight
On the fourth of each July,
We will never forget the bellman
Who, between the earth and sky,
Rung out, loudly, “Independence”;
Which, please God, shall never die!
Music ©2015 Cathy Neff. All rights reserved.
$ 1.99
"The 13th Article of Faith" is one of 13 statements of belief of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as set forth by the prophet, Joseph Smith. This setting can be used for SSA, or solo voice.
Text: Joseph Smith, Jr.
Music: Cathy Neff (ASCAP)
We believe in being honest.
We believe in being true,
Chaste, benevolent and virtuous,
And in doing good to all men.
Indeed we may say,
May say that we follow
The admonition of Paul:
We believe all things.
We hope all things.
We have endured many things,
And hope to be able to endure all things.
*We believe.
Yes, we believe!
We do believe.
If there is anything virtuous,
Lovely or of good report
Or praiseworthy,
We seek after these things.*
Music: ©2015 Cathy Neff
$ 1.99
A Psalm of Life is a setting of the beloved Longfellow poem of the same name, arranged for SATB choir and piano. The music is taken from the hymn melody by Philip Paul Bliss which is used for the well known hymn favorites, Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy and Should You Feel Inclined to Censure. Cathy Neff's arrangement utilizes a transition into the minor key for the more somber middle verses, which provides for a joyous resolution at the end. An mp3 practice track is available.
See Lyrics tab for song lyrics
Text: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Music: Philip Paul Bliss; arranged by Cathy Neff
(WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN SAID TO THE PSALMIST)
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
Arrangement ©2015 Cathy Neff
$ 1.99
A touching look at how hope and faith help us through trials. Powerful ballad with piano, vocal, guitar. Optional score with violin part sold separately. (See below) See lyrics in Lyric tab.
Music and lyrics: Cathy Neff (ASCAP)
Once in every life some rain is going to fall;
We take the broken pieces and go on.
But there's one who loves us still;
Seek His face and do His will,
And He'll hold us all until we're through the rain.
*After the rain, after the pain,
When you feel like you can finally breathe again,
You will know it's times like these
That make you who you're going to be,
And you'll know that there is sun
After the rain.
Tears may come and go, and years may come and go,
But pieces of a broken heart will mend.
It's a time for you and me
To show just what we do believe;
To hope in Him who sends the earth the rain. *
Some caught in the rain they just get angry.
Some caught in the rain they lose their way.
Look to Him, your bright and shining beacon.
Look to Him and He'll show you the way. *
©2012 Cathy Neff. All rights reserved.
$ 2.99
A touching look at how hope and faith help us through trials. Powerful ballad with piano, vocal, guitar, and violin. Sheet music for just piano, vocal, guitar sold separately. This product will be delivered in a compressed .zip file with all parts included. Unzip the file after download. (See more purchase options below) See lyrics in the Lyrics tab.
Music and lyrics: Cathy Neff (ASCAP)
Once in every life some rain is going to fall;
We take the broken pieces and go on.
But there's one who loves us still;
Seek His face and do His will,
And He'll hold us all until we're through the rain.
*After the rain, after the pain,
When you feel like you can finally breathe again,
You will know it's times like these
That make you who you're going to be,
And you'll know that there is sun
After the rain.
Tears may come and go, and years may come and go,
But pieces of a broken heart will mend.
It's a time for you and me
To show just what we do believe;
To hope in Him who sends the earth the rain. *
Some caught in the rain they just get angry.
Some caught in the rain they lose their way.
Look to Him, your bright and shining beacon.
Look to Him and He'll show you the way. *
©2012 Honor White Stone® Press. All rights reserved.