Harmony
Alright, we've looked at everything else. Think of harmony a little bit like this. It's where everyone sings together. But really, it's a little more than that. Try this. Here's the lyrics:
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow, black and white
They are precious in his sight
Jesus loves all the little children of the world.
Notice the sound differences between the first and the second lines. One sounds more basic, plaintive, sad, and down to earth while the other is happy and joyful. The first describes what atonal sounds like, or without tone. A lot of the pitches are built off this principle which I will discuss more about at a later time. The second is happier and built off more pleasing tones. Therefore, it would be considered tonal. You will find later on that some pitches are tonal and some are not. Now that we've looked at that difference, let's consider the rest.
Jesus loves the little children (atonal melody)
All the children of the world (tonal melody)
Red and yellow, black and white (accompaniment or support)
They are precious in his sight (accompaniment or support) (one of these two lines is atonal and one is not. Can you guess which it is?)
Jesus loves the little children of the world (pitch or chords in melody, also tonal, broken down into song)
Now that we've diagrammed that, think of the different regions of the world this might apply to. Who do you think owns the first line? If you think about harp accompaniment for it, it sounds about right. Alright, the second line goes very nicely with the beating of drums in the background and thus resembles the sound patterns of Africa. Now then notice the middle two lines that very closely resemble the patterns of Asian music. Then finally comes the last line which finds its' origins in Europe with the classical pianists who loved playing chords and chord progressions in their music. From there, these migrated to other parts of the world who used them in their songs. With that out of the way, here's a bit of a challenge. Can you sing all of those lines together, all of them, at the same time. To make it easier, pick someone for each part, practice, then put them all together. That sounds just about perfect, doesn't it?
Glory Rain
Going up to Heaven
Going up to Heaven
Going up to Heaven
To be with my Lord.
I hear the saints and angels
I hear the saints and angels
I hear the saints and angels
Praising my Lord.
He who sits in glory
Always before me,
Author of my story,
Holy is my Lord.
Hallowed
Our Father who are in Heaven,
Holy Father,
Hallowed be your name.
When you call home your children
Hallowed be your name.
When you call yourself faithful
Hallowed be your name.
Your glory then I'll share
On earth as it is up there
For the kingdom yours
Hallowed be your name.
Authority forever
Hallowed be your name.
How
How God's love
Still prevails
Though winter pierce
That solemn veil.
How God's love
Shed for me
Hung upon
That Calvary tree.
Then three days late
'Neath Adam's gaze
The creator rose
To end of days.
How God's love
Still endures
Through everything
I am secure.
Justice and Mercy
For on that throne
Are justice and mercy
The righteous home
Of all the redeemed
Singing praises to you alone.
The whole world rings
With what you have done;
The angels sing
Of how you are good
Their praises to you alone.
Awake my soul
And tell it again
Of what good things
The Father has given.
See how great a name
The Father has won
So praises be to him
That sits on the throne.
The whole world sings
Of mercy and justice;
Through all these things
The Father has loved us
All praises be to him on the throne.
The whole world sings.
For all these things
Do mercy and justice;
Praise the one who
Sits on the throne.
For what great things to us
Even though we rebel
The Father has given
A name and a story to tell.
How mercy and justice
In all these things
The Father has blessed us.
Now sits at home
Mercy and justice;
Oh tell us how
The God of kindness
Has given us a
Share in his throne.
With what great love
The Father has loved us.
All praises be with mercy and justice,
All praises be to the Father alone.
Still Good
God's still good;
He remains the same.
If you think he doesn't love you
He still does
God's still good;
He remains the same.
If you doubt that he'll be right there for you
Just call his name in prayer.
God's still good;
He remains the same.
If you think he won't come through for you
He'll show up on time.
God's still good;
He remains the same.
You may not think he holds the best for you
But just trust him.
God's still good;
He remains the same.
You may wonder how he gave his only Son
And would do it all again.
God's still good;
His word will never change.
If you see this world begin to crumble too
He has eternity waiting there for you.
For God's still good;
He remains the same.
No matter where you've been
He will bring you out
Cause God's still good.