John R. Sweney (1837-1899) John R. Sweney (December 31, 1837 – April 10, 1899) was a band and choral leader who had the reputation of getting the congregation to really sing. Three of his hymns that are included in the current LDS Hymnal really show this. "There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today," "The Lord Is My Light," and "If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not."
John Robson Sweney (December 31, 1837 – April 10, 1899) was an American composer from Pennsylvania. He was a professor of music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy for twenty-five years and collaborated with William J. Kirkpatrick to produce and publish over 1,000 gospel hymn songs and over sixty hymnal books.
Some of his hymns crossed the plains with the Utah Pioneers. I can understand the message of "If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not" to resonate with the early pioneers. My first introduction to this hymn was when the Tabernacle Choir sang it for the special 85th Birthday Celebration of President Thomas S. Monson. Not long after that, my Tenor friend asked me to create a solo version specifically for him to sing, "Weary Not." I have since modified that solo version a little for high voice, "If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not."
John Robson Sweney (December 31, 1837 – April 10, 1899) was an American composer from Pennsylvania. He was a professor of music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy for twenty-five years and collaborated with William J. Kirkpatrick to produce and publish over 1,000 gospel hymn songs and over sixty hymnal books.
Some of his hymns crossed the plains with the Utah Pioneers. I can understand the message of "If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not" to resonate with the early pioneers. My first introduction to this hymn was when the Tabernacle Choir sang it for the special 85th Birthday Celebration of President Thomas S. Monson. Not long after that, my Tenor friend asked me to create a solo version specifically for him to sing, "Weary Not." I have since modified that solo version a little for high voice, "If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not."
I have always enjoyed singing his hymns because of their soaring melodies. Who can resist being happy when singing "There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today?". I also have a cherished memory of my Uncle John Thompson singing "The Lord Is My Light" with his heroic tenor voice. He often said that the best sermons were preached through hymns. So when I was looking to arrange some hymns for solo voice, those two hymns were at the top of my list.
Currently, I lead the congregational singing in my Ward. Whenever I program these hymns, I can tell that the congregation loves to sing them. They look up out of their books, they smile, and they sing from their hearts. I can tell that they really know and love these hymns.
So do I. That's why I included them in my sacred solos collections, The Praiseworthy Singer Vol. 14 and "The Praiseworthy Singer Vol. 15.
Enjoy!
Currently, I lead the congregational singing in my Ward. Whenever I program these hymns, I can tell that the congregation loves to sing them. They look up out of their books, they smile, and they sing from their hearts. I can tell that they really know and love these hymns.
So do I. That's why I included them in my sacred solos collections, The Praiseworthy Singer Vol. 14 and "The Praiseworthy Singer Vol. 15.
Enjoy!
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