Do you want tips on playing Come Lord Jesus? I wrote this up for someone on a Facebook group and then shared it on the Sound the Organ Facebook page. I thought I’d share it here as well.
When we sang it in my ward for the first time this is what I did:
Registration:
I started with a soft-ish registration (warm 8′,4′ stops with soft 2′ flute from the Swell), then went a little louder on the harmony section (brighter 8′,4′, with a 2′ flute in the Great as well). I went soft with an 2 2/3 mutation for verse 2, and back to the original registration on the harmony. For verse 3 I went louder (full 8′,4′,2′ flues), and at the final harmony section used a fuller registration which included the swell mixture and a 32′ in the pedal. It was really powerful for my congregation.
Adaptations for organ playing:
The second measure on the last line of the first page on beat two I changed the note to a D so I didn’t have to lift the F#. On the first line of the second page in the third measure I held the A underneath the moving B and C natural.
I mostly played the bass on the pedals as notated. On the first measure of the second page I held the F# in the pedal through the measure.
I didn’t like the way the last measure is notated for congregational singing, so I just held the first chord for verses 1 and 2. On the last verse I mostly played that measure as written but played a D in the L.H on beat 2 instead of lifting the F# and replaying it, then I added the D up an octave at the end on beat 3 instead of lifting and repeating the other D.
Initial Impression:
I wasn’t familiar with this piece before it was in the hymnal, but I really like it. I think keeping a nice, upbeat tempo is very important for the success of this hymn.
Hopefully this was somewhat clear. I hope it helps!