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My dad picked Battle Hymn of the Republic for this month. I think he knew it would be a challenge. And he was right.
SIDE NOTE: I’ve got a lot to say about this arrangement, so just scroll to the end if you’d rather hear me play than pontificate.
I spent a while trying to figure out what I wanted to do with this hymn. I felt like this hymn had a lot of potential. I took it in a lot of different directions, but nothing felt right.
I wanted this one to have a pulse that pushes the song along, kind of like marching, but not in same way I did with We’ll Bring the World His Truth.
Then one morning it hit me. This is a blues song. Throw an upbeat shuffle on it, and there’s the pulse I was looking for. Read the lyrics and you’ll see that this hymn has some serious soul in it. And nothing helps me pour out my soul more than the blues.
I love moments like that. When after thinking and working at something for days, the inspiration hits you in a second. Two minutes later, the whole thing is done.
It doesn’t always happen that way. But when it does, it’s a cool feeling.
I told a few people what I was planning to do with it and each of them had a very concerned look on their face. None of them thought it would work. Or they were at least skeptical.
Then I would play them just the first line, and two seconds into it they would say “Yes!”
So I hope you have that same “Yes!” moment with this one. It quickly became one of my favorites, for obvious reasons. I learned to play guitar by learning the blues. This is right in my wheelhouse. I feel right at home with this one.
About that same time, a guy in my ward asked if I wanted to play his 1953 Martin 000-21. I about fainted right there. Vintage Martin guitars are the gold standard. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Eric Clapton played a vintage Martin 000 on MTV unplugged. I knew it would be perfect for this song.
I also found out that while this guitar has certainly seen years of getting knocked around, none of it was from actually playing. So this is one of the first times this guitar has really been open up. It isn’t exactly set up for this heavy of playing, but I knew it could take it. It just felt like this was an old soul that had a lot it wanted to scream out.
The guy who did the repair work on it did a phenomenal job and the clarity of that old wood just makes every song feel like you’re playing it for the first time. Playing this guitar has been a real treat.
Finally, what I love about this arrangement is that it is as far outside the mold of what you would typically expect from an LDS version of a hymn. I didn’t do it to be gimmicky. It’s easy to be gimmicky. I did it because I believe music is a heavenly language that speaks in a lot of different keys and styles. All of our hymns were written the same way. Lots of different keys and styles by lots of different authors over hundreds of years. The hymnbook translates all of that language into a uniform style, which works really well for sacrament meetings. But for me, that conformity can sometimes cause the soul of the hymn to become muffled.
This past month I saw a review by Deseret News of my last album that said it failed to define itself.
Here’s a little snippet:
“In order to succeed, though, musicians recording LDS-specific music must define their genres consciously and stay within their self-delineated stylistic boundaries. “Mormon Guitar: Tune My Heart” fails to do just that — understand exactly what it is and who it wants to reach — and falls between the cracks of small-but-well-defined LDS niche audiences.”
While I’m flattered the Deseret News thinks highly enough of Mormon Guitar that they can give me a bad review and not worry about hurting my feelings (honestly, I was surprised there wasn’t a “bless his heart” at least somewhere in there) I was a little disappointed that they completely missed the whole point.
I know what Mormon Guitar is and who I want it to reach. I arrange hymns on the guitar in whatever way or style necessary to make me feel something, and I want it to reach anyone who wants the hymns to make them feel something too. I also want to teach people how to play these arrangements themselves so they can feel what I feel firsthand.
I won’t ever post a hymn if it doesn’t make me feel something. Otherwise, what’s the point?
I’ve never felt anything when singing Battle Hymn of the Republic at church. But I sure felt something playing it like this. And that’s the whole point of Mormon Guitar.
So thanks, Dad.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible, swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat.
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer him; be jubilant my feet!
Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me.
As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
While God is marching on.
Ben Shepherd
Posted at 17:24h, 03 MarchAwesome! I’m not typically a blues guy but really liked this. I’ve never felt the spirit in a blues song like I did with this one.
As for the Deseret News review… I often find the music of artists who have a finite style/genre to be boring. Most of their songs sound the same. Especially artists who write arrangements of existing songs. Mormon Guitar, however, is different. I love the fact that your albums have such variety; both the in the type of song and the arrangement.
I would argue that Mormon Guitar does fit into a genre: Guitar arrangements of hymns. It just so happens that Mormon Guitar is in a sub-genre: Awesome arrangements.
One more thing: What other album is preceded with youtube videos of the songs? The diverse type of hymns and arrangements have allowed me to sneak music videos into church lessons. I must say that the day Elder’s Quorum covered Primary and I used Mormon Guitar videos as prelude music was awesome. The kids were completely silent and quickly found their seats as soon as they stepped through the door and saw some guy on TV playing ‘I am a Child of God’ on electric guitar.
Kirk
Posted at 17:27h, 03 MarchWow!
I just listened to your rendition of the Battle Hymn of the republic. You, your style of music and song selections are incredible. Thanks for sharing your talent!
Mark Morley
Posted at 18:12h, 03 MarchHello,
From what I have heard of Mormon Guitar, I personally find your music quite refreshing. As someone hoping to be able to play guitar, one day? It appears hundreds of miles away. Yet where there is hope, there is a way, I continue to tell myself. However do not be discouraged or take humbridge by Deseret News, I can actually see their point too! Although we all interpret many aspects of life and it’s anomalies in different ways, it is so uplifting to know, we are all trying to achieve the same end. There needs to be variation in life because we tend to perceive things differently. Always stand up and be counted, so long as what we do does not contravene the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In my view Deseret News or should I say those representing Deseret, give rise to what I believe is solemn music, for solemn assemblies. Once again in my view, I fully understand that and support it unequivocally. Yet regardless of this, I still believe their is room for individualism and that is what you offer, so good for you! Please maintain all that you do but moreover, please, please, please, show some really simplistic material, for novices like myself. MM
Brent Horrocks
Posted at 19:52h, 03 MarchWhy in the world would any reviewer encourage people to fit within boundaries? Genres are categories humans made up to fit music. Music doesn’t make up genres…
But the most important question is do you have to give the Martin back?
Thanks for sharing!!
Jake rau
Posted at 21:24h, 03 MarchIt hurts!!!
Elsie
Posted at 00:12h, 04 MarchBen,
Don’t ever let anyone dictate how your heart should beat. Your rendition brings a different audience listening to the message they should be listening, and that’s all that matters. It is a wonderful gift to reach out to those who are different from the mainstream Mormon audience. I love how you put your heart and soul in your musicality. Your rendition of this Hymn is soulful and personally, it brings me to a whole different level of thinking about what’s going on in the world in relation to Christ’s coming. Thanks for putting this out to bless the lives of those who would accept it.
Aaron
Posted at 10:43h, 04 MarchI had an ear to ear grin through the whole song! Awesome!
Victor Johnston
Posted at 10:51h, 07 MarchI wouldn’t worry about the Deseret News review. Who ever wrote it obviously missed the point of what you do and why – and why so many of us wait anxiously for your next song release! I have both your albums and my family enjoys every song on both.
Like your friends, I wondered about how “Battle Hymn” would come out, but trusted your insight. You did not disappoint.
Thanks, again, for your music.
Vic J.
Tim
Posted at 15:21h, 21 MarchThat was probaby my favorite one! Very well done. KEEP IT UP!
Kendall
Posted at 12:42h, 31 MarchAmazing Job. This Might Be come my New Favorite with the Spirit Of God
ER Harston
Posted at 01:10h, 20 SeptemberOscar Wilde said, “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” So, with that in mind, Ben, Rock on…yeah baby…Rock On!
Ben Howington
Posted at 17:01h, 20 SeptemberRock on, I will. Thanks!
Shiloh Donkin
Posted at 14:55h, 31 OctoberOh, I felt something. This is the tops Ben. So good.
Rob Gauthier
Posted at 02:52h, 22 NovemberSomebody shared this one on Facebook and I had to listen to it 3 times because it spoke to me so much. I was having a hard time going to sleep tonight as my mind was racing with some of the things I’m going through right now in my life, This song reminded me just how much Heavenly Father loves me and with Him before us nothing can be against us. Thank you so much for doing this song, it was what I needed tonight.
Bryan Foutch
Posted at 19:11h, 24 JanuaryWe want to buy this song. Can you release a single on itunes?
Ben Howington
Posted at 09:33h, 27 JanuaryI haven’t recorded it yet, other than sitting down for the video. But I definitely plan to record it for the next album.
Bella Moberly
Posted at 17:17h, 13 AugustI’ve heard renditions of this song before, but not quite like this. Once, I had to sing the song with a choir, but the entire time I was thinking, ‘Man, this song sounds like it should be more upbeat!’ When I first heard this arrangement, I was jamming out. I believe this really represents a glad homecoming, a joyous time for all mankind.
As for Deseret News, there’s not much to say. I don’t mean to hurt them personally, but it seems like shallow criticism. I believe that when we are singing praises to God after death, we will be singing all genres of music. If all pieces were choral or solemn, how would we express our joy at our reunion?
Lisa Sottile
Posted at 01:55h, 21 MarchI just listened to Battle Hymn of the Republic. Loved your arrangement! Thank you!!!!