from Serenity Psalter: O Come O Come Emmanuel / How Great Thou Art / Just a Closer Walk with Thee, track released January 16, 2016
Serenity Psalter:
(O Come, O Come Emmanuel / How Great Thou Art / Just A Closer Walk With Thee)

Recorded at Green Roads Studio in Belen de Heredia de Costa Rica (July 2015)

Arranged and performed on Guitar (and mixed) by Rob Hinkforth

The Mix down was created via the iLogic Audio Program.

Cover Art by Jessica Stenz

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**O Come, O Come Emmanuel**

Ancient melody similar to Greensleeves: O Come O Come Emmanuel was originally a plane song that developed in monasteries at the start of the middle ages. Eventually lyrics about the birth of Christ were penned in Latin.


**How Great Thou Art**

How Great Thou Art was originally a traditional Swedish folk melody, is in the public domain.
The original song lyrics were penned in the Sweden by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940).

Later How Great Thou Art would be translated to Russian.
It is from Russian that the English lyrics arrive.

In most English songbooks, however, How Great Thou Art is generally attributed to Stuart K. Hine (even though Carl Gustav Boberg should also be equally recognized).

Stuart K. Hine did not compose the music. What Stuart K. Hine did do was the creation of two verses (in addition with what was translated from Russian into English).

Today How Great Thou Art, is sung around the world in nearly 100 languages, and rivals Amazing Grace as one of the most popular Christian Hymns globally. It is sung in many different Churches ranging...but not limited to..Mormon, Protestant, Russian Orthodox, and Roman Catholic.

**Just A Closer Walk With Thee**

Even though the original author of this song is unknown, it was composed during the mid 1800s likely as an African American Spiritual.

Just a Closer Walk With Thee alludes to Second Corinthians 5:7: "We walk by faith, not by sight."

Loosely based on what can be described as jazz like progressions, the first traceable recording of Just A Closer Walk With Thee is dated October 1941 and was performed by Selah Jubilee Singers for Decca Records.

In this version and in view of the upbeat / jazzy nature of the song, Rob slightly increases the tempo though out the performance. Creating a light hearted, positive, up beat feel.