SWEET HARMONIES by C.L. Parker - (d. 1967)

'Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God ... Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.' 

Ps 147,1 & 7.

These Hymn Tunes were written throughout my husband's 'Born Again' years from 1917 onwards. I especially remember us singing the early ones in the streets of Oxford where, with a few students from our small Bible School including Elisha Thompson, we were pioneering a work in 1923-24.

He was very musical and found great release in beautiful melody. I have often seen him in tears over some lovely theme from such works as Elgar's Nimrod Variation and Tchaikovsky's Fantasie Overture "Romeo & Juliet", or rejoicing exuberantly over Bach's Brandenburg Concertos.

Music in praise of the Saviour was particularly delightful to him. I can see him now rising from prayer and meditation, or simply returning from a walk or a preaching engagement, and, sitting down at the piano, pouring out his heart to God in praise as he composed these tunes, restfully enjoying the sense of His presence.

John, my son, encouraged me to gather his somewhat worn manuscripts together and rewrite the tunes for publication, feeling that they might bring blessing to others as they have to us.

Phyllis H. Parker