This is, literally, my musical diary–notes fresh from my pen and recorded in a few hours. You can find my finished works elsewhere; here, it's all about capturing the moment!
1. You can kiss anyone that you want to kiss, Lick anyone that you want to lick. You can visit anyone that you really miss, But me, I’m staying home.
You can go anywhere you want to go You can shake some hands and stand real close You can hug everybody that you’ve ever known But me, I’m staying home.
I’m staying home You could go out, but I don’t advise it. I’m staying home. Me, I’m staying home.
I’m staying home, The best way to fight a virus Is staying home. Me, I’m staying home. (We/Everybody must )
2. You can fight the law, you can fight the man You can go to the bathroom and not wash your hands You can touch your eyeballs again and again And that’s why I’m staying home.
You can be just as stupid as you want to be You can claim it’s all a conspiracy But if you die don’t you come crying to me Cause I am staying home.
Update 3/16/22: Sheet music for this song is now available at gregscheer.com.
Sometimes you just have to go with an idea. Here’s what that looked like for me today:
The color-coordinated Covid-ready worship leader!
11:15am The church organist and I had a brief conversation about tunes for “Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!” We both agreed that none was quite right and that’s why the text appears with so many different tunes. (For the record, our church is live-streaming–not meeting in person–and I wore a mask and practiced proper social distancing.)
11:30am I think, “Frankly, there just aren’t a lot of great Palm Sunday hymns”
11:35am I muse, “I should write one,” which was followed quickly by, “I’ve had a note in my compositional to-do list to write new music for my text “Hosanna in the Highest!” which was originally paired with the Jewish folk tune “The King of Glory Comes.”
11:45am Sit down at the piano and start writing. Hmm, this is kind of working: echoes of “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna,” a rousing chorus with narrative verses (perfect for palm processions), a lyrical progression that moves toward Jerusalem. This could be something.
12:00pm Eat a banana and grapefruit to tide me over.
12:15pm Enter the music in Finale and begin laying down tracks in Logic Pro.
3:00pm Do I really play trombone so little that my lips turn to water playing four parts of a hymn? I’ve got no more to give.
3:30pm Epic bike ride with my boys.
And so, my friends, I present to you my quickly written and recorded Palm Sunday hymn, exactly 12 hours too late to be of any use to anyone until next year. I may still do a little editing on it, but I’d be glad to supply music to those who ask nicely.
One final note: I’ve named the hymn tune “UNIQUE CROWN.” Can anyone guess why?
Hosanna in the highest! Hail the One who saves us! O blessed is the One who brings the kingdom of David.
1. Who is the King of kings? The Lord God Almighty. God’s reign is coming; it is on the horizon. (Refrain)
2. Who, then, may enter in? The One who is holy. Open the gates for the procession of glory. (Refrain)
3. Who is this King who greets his people so meekly? Riding a donkey past the crowds as they’re cheering. (Refrain)
4. This is the day the Lord has made, lift your voices. Hail him who saves! Hail him with palms and rejoicing. (Refrain)
In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “shelter in place” order took effect at midnight, March 24, 2020, in the hopes of slowing the spread of the coronavirus. When I woke this morning, I considered how quickly the world changes. People all over Michigan–all over the world–are finding themselves confined to their homes. Maybe they’re dreading the silence. Maybe they can’t imagine getting through a whole day with all their children at home. Maybe they’ll lie awake at night worrying about their loved ones getting sick.
This simple song, dubbed “a hymn for sheltering in place” reminds us that Jesus walks with us during these times.
The YouTube video was recorded with my sons the day I wrote the song. In the MP3 above I get the melody right! If you want to download a leadsheet or piano arrangement, go here: https://gregscheer.com/product/jesus-you-are-here/
On my longest day, in my darkest night, Jesus, please be near. On my longest day, in my darkest night, Jesus, you are here.
You are with me, you are with me every hour of every day. You are with me, you are with me, Jesus, you are here. Jesus, you are here.
