The main attraction of the site is the presence of many sets of lyrics along with what sound like MIDI files of most of the hymns.

I can’t say everything in the repertoire really grabbed me, but that being said one has to commend the effort. People interested in learning a few new hymns should find the site quite valuable.

One thing is clear very quickly: Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, the artist known as Plumb, is supremely happy and content in her circumstances. I’m talking happy like a bug in a rug. The mother of two boys, Solomon Fury, almost 2 and a half, and Oliver Canon, 9 months, absolutely revels in the bliss of parenthood and marital happiness. And if that sounds unappealing, don’t worry, it isn’t. What Blink [album title] does is give listeners a window into Plumb’s profound joy and awe of the beauty of family life done well, and it comes across to me as very timely on this immensely personal album.

And here’s another quote, this time taken from JesusfreakHideout ’s review:

For those concerned the album holds no relevance for anyone who is not a parent, have no fear. Themes of unconditional love run amuck. Classic hymn covers like “God Will Take Care Of You” and “Children of the Heavenly Father” bring a deep, blatant spirituality to the album, while most of Plumb’s original offerings address her abundant love as a mother. It’s a bit of a stretch to try to relate the songs to much else besides a parental love, but her perspective can often be taken as from God’s to us as our Heavenly Father.

I thoroughly enjoyed her last CD – Chaotic Resolve (2006). I can’t wait to hear this one (CM Central calls it a “very distinctive lullaby type project”– i.e., more mellow than usual– and from what we can hear on their official website, it sounds interesting). According to the Wikipedia article, Tifanny Arbuckle Lee has written songs for Michelle Branch, Kimberley Locke, and Mandy Moore. Amy Lee of Evanescence mentions Plumb as one of her inspirations.

OFFICIAL PLUMB WEBSITE

UPDATE ! I have the CD and the songs are simply wonderful. A great, faith-inspired, peaceful album. Listen to song excerpts here.

I just wanted to pass onto you this website that I stumbled upon as I was searching for lyrics to a song. It’s called Hymnsite.com, and it has all the traditional Christian hymns, with all the lyrics and an accompanying midi music to give you the melody. I was so excited, it’s so cool! I’m not sure you’ll be as excited as me, but hopefully you’ll find an old song that you haven’t heard in a while and sing along. That’s what I did!!

The hymns on this site are taken primarily from the United Methodist Hymnal, but they are all hymns in the public domain and so are typically found in the hymnals of other Christian denominations as well.

This sort of site is excellent for helping people to discover the rich hymnody found in the English language, but I must confess I wish there was something similar to be found for authentic Gregorian chant. If anyone knows of such resources (or other sites similar to this one) please do pass it along!

Surely the heavens declare the glory of God

The open skies proclaim the work of His hands

They never stop putting His knowledge on display (All through the night and through the days)

Listen to the stars sing

We are the dreamers from the other side

We are the dancers who cannot be denied

We are messengers that no one can hide

And there is no language on earth

Where their voices are not heard, they sing

{Chorus}

People, people, surely the Lord lives

People, people, heaven and earth are His

People, people, lift your souls in wonder, in wonder

The stars watch the sky and angels gather the wind

A call to the loveless, the listless, the dim

The King is alive, the King is alive, the King is alive

Now we are the stars and if we’re to shine

We’ll hold out the truth, as we give lift up the light

We are worshipers that no one can hide

And there’s no language on earth

Where His praises are not heard, we sing

{Chorus}

Jason Germain (from the band) describes what inspired this song as follows:

“The song was taken from Psalm 19 from the perspective of the stars singing to the earth. It’s kind of like God’s creation speaking to us reminding us that He’s alive and in control. We can be a part of that process and will shine like stars if we hold up truth, speak it to the world, and fulfill our call to worship in a sense of wonder.”

It is so incredibly comforting to know that even when we can’t see God, even when we’re told not to believe in Him, even when the whole world denies Him, the Lord would still find a way to reveal Himself to us. After all, the whole creation is His. If we get lost in the night, He would still send His knowledge. If we forget to praise Him, the stars would continue shining His Light for us to understand which way to go. It reminds me of the time when Jesus entered Jerusalem to shouts of praise, and the Pharisees asked him to tell his disciples to quit making a raucous. Jesus answered, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19: 37-40)

The message of the song is simple: Nothing can stop God. From getting to us. That is so amazing!