This page is provided so that you can hear the tunes of items which we use in church. Mostly they are written by the vicar. Please note that they are copyright - we are very happy to give permission to you to use them, but we would like to hear about it. Please include any use on your Christian Copyright Licence returns.
Down this page:
- the words,
- the story,
- the sheet music,
- media player.
I will still praise the Lord
I will still praise the Lord
Although the fig-tree does not bud,
although the vine carries nothing good,
although the olive crop is a dud,
Yet I will praise the LORD my God.
For the Sovereign LORD is my strength and stay:
He gives me resolve to carry on his way,
and I'll climb up the mountain, come what may,
and I will praise the LORD my God.
Although the fields are barren and bare,
although the sheep wander who knows where,
although the cattle are gone, I don't care:
I still will praise the LORD my God.
For the Sovereign LORD is my strength and stay:
He gives me resolve to carry on his way,
and I'll climb up the mountain, come what may,
and I will praise the LORD my God.My times are in your hand, O LORD:
the good I have experienced comes from you, my Saviour,
and though I walk through the valley of shadows,
I still will trust in you.
Although my troubles threaten to drown,
although my ups seem to come crashing down,
although right now I can't see a crown,
yet I will praise the LORD my God.
For the Sovereign LORD is my strength and stay:
He gives me resolve to carry on his way,
and I'll climb up the mountain, come what may,
and I will praise the LORD my God.
Words and tune copyright © John Hartley 2007.
Based on Habakkuk 3:17-19.
Story behind the song
When I came back from holiday I had a bad weekend with lots of things going wrong, and it reminded me of a sermon I had once heard on the last few verses of the book of the prophet Habakkuk. And then Michael Lehr posted his song "Dazey Jane" on the Christian Songwriting Organisation's e-mail chat group for critiques - in which "Jane" is challenged to commit to Jesus and not hide in her corner and wallow in her pain. Just the thing I needed to hear! So I wrote this song in response.
John Hartley.
Windows Media Player. When you click the left-hand "play" button your computer should have started to play the tune. If it didn't, you might be able to get the tune by clicking here, or by right-clicking the link, choosing "save target as", saving it onto your computer, and then opening it with a music-playing program.
Please remember that a midi file of a tune isn't supposed to be a state-of-the-art musical arrangement - it is only supposed to give a basic idea of how the tune goes. Any reasonable organist / keyboard player / music group could make it sound far better.