Short Hymn

Actually they aren't that bad:

Lord thou hast been our dwelling place forever.
Thou turnest man to destruction and say Return.
And let the beauty of our Lord be upon us (repeat).

God turns man to destruction?

That is not true to the theology I hold. Sorry.

It says so right there in Psalms where I got the lyrics.

Which Psalm is it and What translation are you using?

It is very easy to switch the meanings of something by altering just one or two words. The reason I have rejected your lyrics in the past is because you have used verses, but when you try to fit the words in with the hymn you change them to fit and then the meaning changes.

Anyways, Could I please get someone to tell me things like whether the voicing is terriblely off in one spot or another or if the harmonies are way strange and wrong. I don't know anything about this and only go by my ear. I would really like someone like J. Lee or Derek to give me a detailed review on those voicing and harnomic things. I am not very sure that the placement of the melody and the harmony doesn't change from voice to voice every chord. I just don't know. As far as I can tell, it is pretty good, but that is just from my ear. Please help.

It sucks!

Just kidding, I don't have Finale, so you suck for not posting mp3 or MIDI files, because I was going to listen to this.

I don't really know whether this will work like I want it too. In the recent past I have had some trouble converting finale to midi and not loosing the actual midi choir. This might be in piano. but whatever. Last time I tried to change I spent a while doing it and came up with nothing. So here ya go Chris Shaver and please do not be to critical just helpful.

Sorry Will, I forgot to post a response after you answered my question earlier!

I have a concert tonight, so I guess tomorrow morning. Sorry!

Ok, whenever you have the time to write a review would be great. Thank you for thinking about it anyway.

Saw your shout but.......I don't have Sibelius/Finale. Is there any free software to let someone just view the file?
I can hear a couple of problems with the harmony (voice leading?) according to traditional rules but that doesn't mean you have to follow them. If you wanted to learn good 4-part harmony, traditional hymns are the route (or Anglican chants), along with a book. Once you learn to write out scales, then triads, it's just a step-by-step thing. Minor keys are more difficult so deal with major keys until you're happy about what you're doing.

Incidentally, the rules are no bad thing. Even if you don't want to follow them exactly, you'll be aware of what you're doing. Look on them as guidelines to good musical taste.

M