Some Sunday past, I was blue. I wanted to listen to some music, but was really tired of the same old, same old. I decided to take a deep dive into iTunes to find some new stuff. Take my word for it though, there are a LOT of unworthy arrangements out there. It took me forever to find these invigorating ones, so if you are in the mood for something a bit different on your Sabbath Day, please partake!

Sacred Sabbath Songs

I love a good sacred Sabbath song. The sweet spirit sings to me whenever I listen to one of the below arrangements.

• How Great Thou Art by Brett Stewart (I must admit that I and pretty much everyone else in attendance cried when this was played in concert.)
• Savior, Redeemer of My Soul by Orson F. Whitney & Rob Gardner (Also makes me want to cry.)
• Jesus, Hold Me in Your Arms by Brett Stewart (Another crier.)
• EFY Medley: As Sisters of Zion & We’ll Bring the World His Truth by Michael R. Hicks Youth Choir (I don’t love the recording, but I do love the arrangement of the two songs together with the youth each singing their parts.)
• I Will Be What I Believe by Blake Gillette (Again, I don’t love the recording, but our primary learned this song and I tear up every single time I hear them sing it.)

Gospel Spirituals

Alternatively, I feel like coming to Christ doesn’t always need to be a solemn experience. Though I hail far from Dixie, I just LOVE old southern spirituals! The rhythms and voices reach right down inside of my soul and I feel JOY. I encourage you to feel and appreciate them too!

• Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho by Sam Levine (Just try not to tap your toe.)
• When the Saints Go Marching In by Sam Levine -AND/OR- When the Saints Go Marching In by Pete Fountain
• Sweet Hour of Prayer by Dominion Jazz Players
• Swing Low, Sweet Chariot by Mavis Staples (Her voice!!)
• This Little Light of Mine by Sam Cooke
• He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands by Brett Stewart
• Battle Hymn of the Republic by Sam Levine

Fiddlin’, Knee-Slappin’ Melodies

One part of me seems to have been born sometime in the mid-to-late 1800s. Give me a fiddlin’, knee-slappin’ jingle and I’ll jig around the room like I know what I’m a’doin’!

• Praise to the Man by Traditional -AND/OR- Praise to the Man by Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team
• If You Could Hie to Kolob by The Lower Lights
• Amazing Grace by Brett Stewart
• I Hope They Call Me On a Mission by Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband

Robust Arrangements

And of course, some fun ones for the kids and grownups who are in need of some robust arrangements.

• Popcorn Popping by Bret Stewart
• We’ll Bring the World His Truth (Army of Helaman) by Hudson River School
• Give Said the Little Stream by Matt Harding
• Onward Christian Soldiers by The Cretins

I guess the point of this post is…if you’ve fallen into a hymnal funk, try something new and let the spirit speak to you in different stylistic strains. You may just feel revived!