John played the harmonica. He found backing tracks of
songs he loved and played along.1 But there was one song that he
couldn’t find a backing track for. So he asked me to play it on my piano and
record it for him. He would use the recording as a backing track.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the sheet music anywhere. I had to tell John that I
didn’t have the ability to play the song by ear.
But!
I did find a chord progression for the song. I took
the chord progression to my piano, wove a melody around it, and penned lyrics that
reflected John’s love of fishing. I sent John a recording of the song.
A few years
later I realized the melody and refrain from John’s song would be perfect for
a song I was writing based on Philippians 4:6-7. I posted “Surprised by Peace”
in my blog in the middle of COVID.”2
John died this December. The family contributed photos
for a memorial slideshow.3 You can hear John playing the harmonica
throughout the photo montage. The last few pictures are accompanied by John
playing his harmonica to the recording of this song that I composed for him.
From the album
“Paper Book Colors – Nature Sings” this video is scrolling playback of a song I
wrote for my brother, John.
Kathy
Click here to read Philippians 4:6-7.
Print (PDF) sheet music is available for In the Blue.
Click here for PDF.
1 John on the harmonica with a backing track: DON'T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYING
2 #songsofmyheart: Surprised by Peace – Music Story
3 The slideshow can be seen here: Obituary for John C. Stillman
