Free Psalm Setting for Funeral of Baptized Infants
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,887
    As there was another thread addressing funerals for baptized infants (EF), I wanted to share a psalm setting that I wrote a few years ago when I was asked to sing for just such a funeral (OF).

    The text the priest and I agreed upon was Psalm 116, "The Lord protects the simple; I was helpless but He saved me."

    This is a very somber setting to respect the overwhelming grief typically experienced by parents who are thrust into this horrible situation.

    Score attached and a basic organ demo. Free to use when needed.
    Psalm 116 (for infant death) The Lord protects the simple I was helpless but he saved me • Full score.pdf
    218K
    Psalm 116 • The Lord protects the simple (abridged organ demo) (Mander).mp3
    2M
    Thanked by 5PaxTecum sdtalley3 hilluminar CHGiffen mmeladirectress
  • mmeladirectress
    Posts: 1,100
    Serviam - I shared your score with my organist, who likes it very much. Thanks!
    Thanked by 1ServiamScores
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,887
    Wonderful! I’m glad.
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Serviam,

    That's a very helpful piece. It doesn't begin from the assumption that everyone should be all smiles. That said, I think an open D chord would more effectively contain what you've tried to do here, rather than either major or minor third.
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,887
    That’s an interesting idea—at least into the verses. You have my blessing to do it that way if you ever use it. I like the idea of the Picardy on the last verse just to give some comfort to the family, since we have assurance that the child is with God. It’s just a subtle nod; a little light beam piercing the clouds, if you will, rather than pretending we need to feel happy the whole time.
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