This is a request that I decided to record and post this week. Shortly before his death in 1980, Lennon commented that "Although the lyrics don't resolve into any sense, they're good lines. They certainly work ... but if you read the whole song, it doesn't say anything" and added the song was "beautiful – and I never wished I'd written it". Still it has remained the fourth most successful song of all time in terms of royalties paid. I hope you enjoy it.

Adelaide Addison Pollard was known as a remarkable, saintly woman but one who lived the life of a mystic. She was born on November 27, 1862, at Bloomfield, Iowa. She was named, Sarah, by her parents, but because of her later dislike for this name, she adopted the name, Adelaide. After an early training in elocution and physical culture, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, during the 1880’s and taught in several girls’ schools. During this time, she became rather well-known as an itinerant Bible teacher. Later, she became involved in the evangelistic ministry of Alexander Dowie, assisting him in his healing services. She, herself, claimed to have been healed of diabetes in this manner. Still later, she became involved in the ministry of another evangelist named Sanford, who was emphasizing the imminent return of Christ. Miss Pollard desired to travel and minister in Africa, but when these plans failed to materialize, she spent several years teaching at the Missionary Training School at Nyack-on-the-Hudson. She finally got to Africa for a short time, just prior to World War I and then spent most of the war years in Scotland. Following the war, she returned to America and continued to minister throughout New England, even though by now she was very frail and in poor health. Miss Pollard wrote a number of other hymn texts throughout her life, although no one knows exactly how many, since she never wanted any recognition for her accomplishments. Most of her writings were signed simply AAP. “Have Thine Own Way, Lord!” is her only hymn still in use today.

This is a request that I get frequently. Irving Gordon was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family, and later lived on Coney Island. He was named Israel Goldener but later changed his name to Irving Gordon. As a child, he studied violin. This is his most famous song.

Frederick Atkinson (1841-1897) wrote the Victorian tune Morecambe, named after a town in England’s Midland district. The composer’s intent was to provide a musical setting for Henry Francis Lyte’s famous hymn, “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide” (The UM Hymnal, No. 700). Indeed the rhythm is identical between Eventide, the tune associated with “Abide with me,” and Morecambe. Morecambe is well suited for “Spirit of God” as well. In the first stanza, a descending melody accompanies the words, “descend upon my heart.” Tedd Smith, who arranged this, was the pianist for Billy Graham for years and years. It's my favorite arrangement and I'm so grateful for him.

Every week our pastor has me play an introit on the organ or piano as part of the opening of the service. This week we have a former pastor preaching who now has an important position in the Methodist Church. And I know that our congregation is happy to see and hear her again. And I chose that introit as a reminder of our gratitude for her.

And since I hadn't put that on the website, and I know that there are so many of us who are praying for others that we don't see very often. I do want others to know how grateful I am for so many, even though I don't have the opportunity to see them.

This is a piece that I've been playing for years, at Nordstrom and now at Mayo Hospital. It's a wonderful reminder that we have SO MUCH to be thankful for.

Many people have requested me to play this, and it's still in my book, so I play it as I go through the book alphabetically, both at Mayo Hospital and at church in Fellowship Hall. It's from the well known play, "Cats". When it comes to memories, they sure do seem to fade away as we get older. The reason that I chose it is because the meds that I had been taking for brain memory gave me stomach issues and haven't helped me a lot. Eventually I was told not to take some them, so I've stopped my former memory meds and am on a new one that really seems to be helping me. Solutions to this problem of fading memories are few and far in between, with very low chance of success, but maybe this song will help bring back some of those memories you may have of loved ones or a good experience you've had.

A woman came up to me last Tuesday and asked if I had any music from Phantom of the Opera, so I turned to this under the letter "P", where I keep things in my music book alphabetically. I was really glad to find it for her, and she was happy about it. I hope you enjoy it as well.