We have had such a positive response to last month’s Meridian Magazine article, “As a Child of God,” that I decided to write Part 2 of the article and introduce a few more songs from this new children’s CD. Thank you to those who sent such encouraging responses as the following:
“Thank you for the lovely Primary songs. By singing them it was like I knew them all by heart.”
“This grandmother loves the songs from As a Child of God’.”
“Your new songs . . . are like an answer to prayer in our family. One little grandson needs them to make it through a very hard time right now.”
“What beautiful words of courage and love for our Savior. It doesn’t matter what age we are, music truly touches our souls.”
“Your songs are not only for children. They are filled with the spirit and true doctrine and carry a message into the heart and soul of everyone.”
“I don’t have any Primary-aged children anymore, but I teach the four-year-olds in Primary and I know they will love this new music.”
Your songs have been a significant part of our seven children’s upbringing. Years ago I taught Primary children music-this new CD makes me want to form a stake children’s choir and present these new songs!”
“May God keep you strong to teach us the way to be and feel like children forever.”
“I adore the song I Will Say a Prayer’.”
“Thank you for sharing your gift . . . I want to share this with all 26 of my grandchildren.”
Primary Songs are Ageless
It is clear from the comments we received that children’s music is appealing to all ages. Through all the seasons of my life children’s music has been my favorite. When I first started composing I was inspired by both the simplicity and the profundity of the words and music to “I Am a Child of God” and I set a goal “to add to the simple music of the church”-the kind that had added to my growing testimony from childhood on. Though we have not recorded a children’s album for over a decade, I have been writing children’s songs during those years on subjects that I felt strongly about. Finally the time was right and we were able to bring these new songs to light with the help of talented arrangers and performers. With the world’s music, even the most popular songs seem to have a shelf-life of a few years to a decade. In the church, however, classic songs such as “I Am a Child of God” seem to have an eternal appeal that just goes on and on. They are sung in homes, in Primary, in LDS congregations, in ward and stake choirs, and are even sung and recorded by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We must keep this kind of spirit-filled music going!
Song Ideas Are Sparked in Many Ways
Ideas for children’s songs are sparked in many ways. Sometimes they are an assignment from church leaders, or a song is needed by someone for a special occasion, or while reading the scriptures an idea comes. Often a talk at general conference time will seem important to write about. Sometimes the idea to write on a certain subject just comes through a spiritual prompting and it’s important to be in-tune and listening.
The three songs from “As a Child of God” CD that I will feature in this article came about in a very different way. About three years ago my cousin Joy Lundberg and I were asked by Nancy Tullis to write a 45-minute musical road show for the Special Needs Mutual in the Sandy, Utah area. Nancy, who is a dear friend of both of us, serves as Music Director/Road Show director for this group and is a dynamic force in bringing about some musical miracles among the participants who range in age from 12 to 80. Joy and I loved the assignment to write for them and over a few months’ time wrote narration, words and music to nine new songs in a production titled, “How I Know Jesus Loves Me.”
We were invited to be present at the performance of the musical and had front row seats for one of the most touching performances we have ever seen. As two hundred Special Needs men, women and their counselors filed in for the show our hearts were touched just at the sight of their happy, smiling faces. When they began to say their narrations and sing together under the direction of Sister Tullis, we were overwhelmed with emotion and admiration for their talents and preparation. This is one time you really “had to be there” to understand just how amazing the moment was. We watched through smiles and tears as we were taught by these very special children of God. Three songs from the evening’s show were later recorded on our new CD,
“As a Child of God.” (All instrumental arrangements are by Greg Hansen except the final one.)
I Know Jesus Loves Me
The singers performed this song right from their hearts and each time they came to the chorus they fairly shouted the words: “I know Jesus loves me, I know it, I know it, I KNOW IT! I know I love Him too, I’ll show it, I’ll show it, I’LL SHOW IT!” The audience was so completely entertained and engaged with this large chorus-it was a wonderful moment. On our recently recorded album we have very talented, professional children’s voices, and we love their beautiful sound, but in our hearts we will always hear the Special Needs Mutual singing the chorus of this song.
“I Know Jesus Love Me”
Listen to the song here
Words by Joy Saunders Lundberg
Music by Janice Kapp Perry
Chorus:
I know Jesus love me
I know it, I know it, I know it
I know I love Him too
I’ll show it, I’ll show it, I’ll show it
I’ll try to be all that he wants me to be
Because I know Jesus loves me
I see it in smiles of my fam’ly and friends
In kind deeds they show me again and again
I feel it when kneeling to rev’rently pray
I see all the blessings He sends my way
Repeat Chorus:
So often I have a warm feeling inside
A sweet happy feeling that I cannot hide
That helps me to feel Jesus’ love ev’ry day
He blesses and helps me in many ways
Repeat Chorus:
I’m So Glad to Have a Body
This song was particularly poignant for us to write for this particular group who have so many physical limitations and yet it seemed to be important to include it in the show.As we viewed so many participants below the stage in wheelchairs, adult strollers, or on crutches, I wondered momentarily if it had been a good choice for this group. But everyone sang the song with great enthusiasm and seemed very happy to have come to earth to gain a physical body even with limitations. I vowed silently to never again complain about my disabled left hand.
“I’m So Glad to Have a Body”
Listen to the song here
Words by Joy Saunders Lundberg
Music by Janice Kapp Perry
I’m so glad to have a body that can move and feel and grow
It’s a gift from Heav’nly Father and it shows He loves me so
I have two eyes so I can see the beauties of this earth
I have two ears so I can hear the sound of loving words
Yes, my body is a blessing for it helps me do so much
I’m so thankful for the special gift of sight and smell and touch
I’m so glad to have a body that can walk and run and play
I’m so glad to have two hands to help the friends I meet each day
I have two arms that like to give a warm and friendly hug
I have a heart that’s thankful for all those who show me love
If my body isn’t perfect, with a missing part or two
When I someday live with Jesus I’ll be well and whole and new
Jesus Made This Beautiful World
To appreciate the impressive performance of this song one would have to have seen the stage filled with happy smiling faces holding up visual aids of the things they were singing about. They sang with a certain abandon and joy that the rest of us might envy. Often when I have been in the presence of Special Needs groups I have wondered why we can’t all love as openly as they do and find the joy they find in the little pleasures of life.
Years ago my mother (piano) and I (drums) played in a dance band at a “Gold and Green Ball” for a huge Special Needs group in Utah County. Everyone was dressed formally and having the time of their lives! Everyone danced every dance-one, two, or three at a time-and a wildly happy spirit pervaded the whole evening. They carried my drums in from the car, and out again afterward, while hugging us and thanking us and continuing to dance out in the parking lot!
We can learn much from them.
“Jesus Made This Beautiful World”
Listen to the song here
Words by Joy Saunders Lundberg
Music by Janice Kapp Perry
We have been given a beautiful world
It’s filled with such wonderful things
All kinds of trees and tall mountains and streams
And beautiful birds that can sing
So many colorful flowers to see
Each made just to bring us delight
Sunlight and moonlight and stars in the sky
They, too, are a glorious sight.
Chorus:
Jesus made this beautiful world
And filled it with light from above
We want to thank Him with all our hearts
For showing us such love
All kinds of animals bring us such joy
Cute puppies and kittens and lambs
Monkeys in jungles and ponies to ride
Each one is a part of His plan
Raindrops that splash on our cheeks and our nose
The leaves that change color and fall
Snowflakes that magic’ly turn the world white
Yes, He has created them all
Repeat Chorus:
The Finale
I’m sure it is obvious how much I enjoy children’s music. The words and musical notes are presented simply but the meaning can be profound. We wanted to end this album with something stirring and decided to have a choir of our talented little singers perform “Two Thousand Stripling Warriors” from our recently-published and recorded album, The Book of Mormon Has Come Forth. We want our children to have powerful righteous examples to follow and who better than those fearless, faithful young Sons of Helaman.
“Two Thousand Stripling Warriors”
Listen to the song here
Words by Bonnie Hart Murray
Music by Janice Kapp Perry
Arr. By Merrill Jenson
Two thousand stripling warriors
Young men of pow’r and might
Responded to the battle cry
O who will stand and fight
Behold, our God is with us
We serve at His command
They did not fear to give their lives
But boldly took a stand
This willing band of brothers
Were by their mothers taught
To trust in God continually
Be true in deed and thought
For God would then protect them
Their faith he would reward
They did not doubt their mothers knew
They trusted in the Lord
With Helaman, their leader
This valiant brotherhood
United in exceeding faith
And fearlessly they stood
With no desire for bloodshed
But wanting to be free
They fought for life and liberty
For God and family
Two thousand stripling warriors
Courageous for their cause
Went forth as with the strength of God
And not one soul was lost
Their faith had made them mighty
Their strength was multiplied
They fought with pow’r beyond their own
For God was on their side
Janice Kapp Perry: composer, author, lecturer
Steven Kapp Perry interviews Janice about her new album on The Cricket & Seagull. Click HERE to listen to it.
If you would like a FREE copy of the special needs fireside “How I Know Jesus Loves Me” please send an email to Pr******@ao*.com” target=”_blank”>Pr******@ao*.com with “special needs fireside” in the subject line.
AS A CHILD OF GOD (vocal tracks only) also available on iTunes or PositiveMusicAndDownloads.com.
Until the end of April you can get FREE SHIPPING on your entire order when you order AS A CHILD OF GOD (2-CD set including Vocal CD, Instrumental CD, and the piano/vocal songbook in pdf format) on JaniceKappPerry.com. All Prime Recordings products on this site are now discounted 15% everyday!
