This is obviously an oddly patterned hymn.  The two-syllable, one-beat lines are integral to it — the music must emphasize them, not disguise them.  In other words, it should not be treated as iambic pentameter, but as alternating lines of monometer and tetrameter.  The rhymes insist on this, since some monometer lines rhyme, not with each other, but with tetrameter lines.

The hosanna refrain is not essential — a good hymn could be composed that contained only the verses.  But I felt the need for a brief concluding couplet of celebration responding to the story laid out in the verse.

To me, this hymn is a complete, though brief, expression of the promise of Christ’s resurrection and atonement.  Though I wrote it after the loss of a child, the “children” referred to are children of God, regardless of the age at which they die.

Mormon funerals are notorious — or celebrated — for being astonishingly cheerful.  Yes, there are tears, and no one criticizes people for grieving for their loved ones.  But the attitude of the mourners gives way readily to humor or cheerfulness; we grieve, but it is not the end of the world to us.

So I don’t believe it would be impossible for a funeral to have a hymn like “Be Still My Soul” and the more celebratory hymn I wrote.

At the same time, I could also imagine the hymn being sung, with the same musical setting, in an ordinary sacrament meeting, where we would praise the Savior for his gifts to us.

 Post your comments — but not your own hymn texts, unless you wish to surrender copyright! — here on Meridian.  And don’t send hymn texts to me!  I’m not a music publisher.

However, if you’re a composer and wish to set one of my hymns to music, don’t ask for my permission first.  I hereby grant you permission to use my hymn text free of charge in your own musical setting, as long as you don’t publish or sell the result.

In other words, you can perform your hymn as much as you want.  But the moment you want to publish it or record it or charge for it, then we need to talk — I’ll need to hear your hymn and decide if I approve of it before you can publish, record, or charge for the combined work.  I can be reached at http://www.nauvoo.com or http://www.hatrack.com.

And if I deny permission, then you can simply write your own words to fit the music you wrote.  You won’t lose a thing.

This essay and the original hymn text are copyright © 2004 by Orson Scott Card.  Except as specified above, all rights reserved.