SESSION WORK & SELF-RECORDING
Matthew has sung on studio albums, for film, and for television.
Below is a compilation from the original progressive rock album "Under Achilles Heel" by Fanticide, as well as a cover of System of a Down's "Aerials."
SESSIONS FROM THE PANDEMIC Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God Seek Ye First / Scarborough Fair
Traditional English Folk Melody
Popularized by Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel
Base Arrangement for Strings by Brian Hardy
Orchestration, New Lyrics, Vocals, Virtual Instruments, and Audio Production by Matthew Ian Welch
Created for Oneonta Congregational Church, July 2020
Inspired by a new translation of Amos 5:14-15 by Justin Berkobien
Lyrics:
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things shall be added to you
Allelu, Alleluia
Hate all wrong, love goodness, be kind.
(Truth I say to you: all who would live must die).
In your heart, no evil bear.
(So God loved the world that he gave us His Son).
His grace your soul and heart shall find.
(That who so believes in Him may not perish, but share in life eternal).
Allelu, Alleluia
(Blessed are those who in spirit are poor)
Ask and it shall be given to you
(Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven)
(Blessed are those mourn)
Seek and ye shall find
(Blessed those who hunger and search for what’s right)
Knock and it shall be opened for you
(Blessed are the poor in spirit)
Allelu, Alleluia
(Rejoice! Be glad, for the Kingdom is near!)
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things will be added to you
Allelu, Alleluia
The Road Home - Stephen Paulus "The Road Home," adapted by Stephen Paulus to the tune "Prospect" from Southern Harmony (1835). Lyrics by Michael Dennis Browne. Commissioned for the Dale Warland Singers by Timothy and Gayle Ober in celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary with matching funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. (c) 2005
Performed by the Oneonta Congregational Church Men's Quartet:
Steve Hill - Lead*
Abram St. Amand Poliakoff - Alto and Solo
Bill Schmidt - Tenor
Matthew Ian Welch - Bass
*Steve Hill also rearranged this for four male voices.
Recorded individually under quarantine.
Mixed and mastered by Matthew Ian Welch.
Lyrics:
Tell me, where is the road
I can call my own,
That I left, that I lost,
So long ago?
All these years I have wandered,
Oh, when will I know
There's a way, there's a road
That will lead me home?
After wind, after rain,
When the dark is done.
As I wake from a dream
In the gold of day,
Through the air there's a calling
From far away,
There's a voice I can hear
That will lead me home.
Rise up, follow me,
Come away, is the call,
With the love in your heart
As the only song;
There is no such beauty
As where you belong:
Rise up, follow me,
I will lead you home.
Your Grace Still Amazes Me Your Grace Still Amazes Me
Phillips, Craig and Dean
Songwriters: Connie Harrington and Shawn Craig
Lead Vocals and Production: Matthew Ian Welch
Instrumental and Vocal Accompaniment: Bill Schmidt
Verse 1
My faithful Father, enduring Friend,
Your tender mercy's like a river with no end.
It overwhelms me; covers my sin.
Each time I come into your presence, I stand in wonder once again.
Chorus
Your grace still amazes me.
Your love is still a mystery.
Each day I fall on my knees,
'cause Your grace still amazes me.
Your grace still amazes me.
Verse 2
Oh patient Savior, You make me whole.
You are the author and the healer of my soul.
What can I give You? Lord, what can I say?
I know there's no way to repay You - only to offer You my praise.
Chorus
Bridge
It's deeper, it's wider, it's stronger, it's higher ...
It's deeper, it's wider, it's stronger, it's higher
than anything my eyes can see.
Chorus
Let There Be Peace on Earth - Matthew Ian Welch Let There be Peace on Earth
Words and Music by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson
Based on an arrangement for Piano and SATB choir by Jay Althouse
New arrangement for virtual orchestra by Matthew Ian Welch
Keyboard accompaniment performed by Bill Schmidt
Let there be peace on Earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on Earth;
the peace that was meant to be.
With God, our Creator,
brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me.
Let this be the moment, now.
With ev'ry step I take,
let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment,
and live each moment
in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on Earth.
And, let it begin with Me.
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Traditional German Carol
from Kölner Gesangbuch, 1599
Translation by Theodore Baker, 1894
Arranged by Richard Walters
Instrumental Accompaniment Bill Schmidt
Produced/Sung by Matthew Ian Welch
"Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.
Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-gone was the night."
Make Them Hear You "Make Them Hear You," from the musical, Ragtime (1996)
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Terrence McNally, based on the 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow
Matthew Ian Welch, Vocals
Bill Schmidt, Accompanist
Lyrics:
"Go out and tell our story
Let it echo far and wide
Make them hear you
Make them hear you
How Justice was our battle
And how Justice was denied
Make them hear you
Make them hear you
And say to those who blame us
For the way we chose to fight,
That sometimes there are battles
That are more than black or white
And I could not put down my sword
When Justice was my right
Make them hear you
Go out and tell our story to your daughters and your sons
Make them hear you
Make them hear you
And tell them, "In our struggle,
We were not the only ones"
Make them hear you
Make them hear you
Your sword could be a sermon
Or the power of the pen
Teach every child to raise his voice
And then my brothers, then
Will justice be demanded by ten million righteous men
Make them hear you-
When they hear you, I'll be near you
Again."
Sweet Little Jesus Boy Sweet Little Jesus Boy
I Wonder as I Wander I Wonder as I Wander
Psalm 29 / Holy, Holy, Holy - Matthew Ian Welch Song Title: Holy, Holy, Holy
Reginald Heber (1783–1826)
Based on the original melody, "Nicaea" by John Bacchus Dykes
Original arrangement by Matthew Ian Welch and Bill Schmidt.
Introduction (Spoken) - Psalm 29
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
Sirion[b] like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks[c]
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
Music (Sung)
Holy, holy, holy
Lord, God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons blessed Trinity
Holy, holy, holy
Though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee
Perfect in power, in love, and purity
Holy, holy, holy
Lord, God Almighty
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea
Holy, holy, holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons blessed Trinity.
Voice of Truth Voice of Truth
Steven Curtis Chapman / Mark Hall
Originally popularized by the band, Casting Crowns
Released in 2004 as the second single from their self-titled first album
Piano: Bill Schmidt
Vox/Bass/Drums/Production: Matthew Ian Welch
Lyrics:
Oh, what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
to climb out of this boat I'm in -
onto the crashing waves ...
to step out of my comfort zone
into the realm of the unknown, where Jesus is.
And, He's holding out His hand.
But the waves are calling out my name,
and they laugh at me,
reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed.
The waves they keep on telling me,
time and time again: "Boy, you'll never win!
You'll never win!"
Chorus
But, the voice of truth tells me a different story.
The voice of truth says: "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says: "This is for My glory."
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.
Oh, what I would do to have
the kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone ...
surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors,
shaking in their armor,
wishing they'd have had the strength to stand.
But the giant's calling out my name,
and he laughs at me -
reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed.
The giant keeps on telling me,
time and time again: "Boy you'll never win!
You'll never win!"
Chorus
But, the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground.
And, the waves - they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down.
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me.
Chorus
Be Ye Glad Be Ye Glad
Michael Kelly Blanchard
Matthew Ian Welch, Vocals and Production
Bill Schmidt, Piano
In these days of confused situations
In this night of a restless remorse
When the heart and the soul of a nation
Lay wounded and cold as a corpse
From the grave of the innocent Adam
Comes a song bringing joy to the sad
Oh, your cry has been heard and the ransom
Has been paid up in full, be ye glad
Oh, be ye glad
Oh, be ye glad
Every debt that you've ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad
So be like lights on the rim of the water
Giving hope in a storm sea of night
Be a refuge amidst the slaughter
Of these fugitives in their flight
For you are timeless and part of a puzzle
You are winsome and young as a lad
And there is no disease or no struggle
That can pull you from God, be ye glad
Oh, be ye glad
Oh, be ye glad
Every debt that you ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad
Oh, be ye glad
Oh, be ye glad
Every debt that you ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad
Offering, Third Day "Offering"
From the album, Third Day - Offerings II: All I Have to Give
Written and popularized by Third Day: Mac Powell, Mark Lee, Bradley Avery, Tai Anderson, and David Carr
Piano, Bill Schmidt
Vocals and Production, Matthew Ian Welch
Magnificent, Holy Father,
I stand in awe of all I see.
Of all the things You have created,
Still You choose to think of me...
And, who am I that you should suffer
your very life to set me free?
The only thing that I can give You
is the life You gave to me.
This is my offering, Dear Lord.
This is my offering to You, God
I will give You my life
for its all I have to give,
because you gave your life for me.
I stand before You at this altar.
So many have given You more.
I may not have much I can offer.
Yet, what I have is truly Yours.
Hard Times Come Again No More - Stephen Foster "Hard Times Come Again No More" (1854)
Stephen Foster
Original arrangement and instrumental performances by Bill Schmidt. Orchestration, vocals, and audio production by Matthew Ian Welch.
Verse 1
Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears,
While we all sup sorrow with the poor;
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears;
Oh! Hard times come again no more.
Chorus
'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary,
Hard Times, hard times, come again no more.
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;
Oh! Hard times come again no more.
Verse 2
While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay,
There are frail forms fainting at the door;
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say
Oh! Hard times come again no more.
Chorus
Verse 3
'Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave,
'Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore
'Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave
Oh! Hard times come again no more.
Chorus
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?"
African-American Spiritual
arranged by Harry T. Burleigh and Richard Walters
Chorus
Didn't my Lord deliver Daniel, and why not every man?
Verse 1
He delivered Daniel from the lion's den,
Jonah from the belly of the whale,
and the Hebrew children from the fiery furnace,
and why not every man?
Chorus
Verse 2
The moon runs down in a purple stream.
The sun refused to shine.
Every star did disappear.
Yes, freedom shall be mine.
Chorus
Verse 3
I set my foot on the Gospel ship,
and the ship began to sail.
It landed me over Canaan's shore,
and I'll never come back anymore.
Chorus/Coda
Didn't my Lord deliver Daniel, and why not every man?
The Spirit is Willing (But my Flesh is Weak) Original Version by Babbie Mason
From the Album: "Right Where You Are"
(c) 2004 Spring Hill Music Group
Piano part arranged, recorded, and performed by William (Bill) Schmidt.
Vocals and mixing/mastering by Matthew Ian Welch
Inspired by Matthew 26:41, from this week's Scripture selection.
Lyrics:
If my tears were enough to pay the debt I owe
From weeping eyes in torrents they would flow
For I find my condition brings me to my knees
For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak
Too much like the sea, my spirit will not rest
A thousand storms are raging deep with my breast
Sweet peace like a river is all the cure I need
For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak
I turn my eyes and look within
To deeply grieve for all I see
Your love compels me to surrender
I lay my burdens at Your feet
Your feet
So I abandon my ambitions vain
And I take up Your cross
Oh, bless that sweet exchange
Never let me be moved from this divine retreat
For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak
My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak
If I can help somebody "If I Can Help Somebody"
Words and Music by A. Bazel Androzzo
Bill Schmidt, Piano
Matthew Ian Welch, Vocals and Production
If I can help somebody as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody with a word or song,
If I can show somebody he is trav'ling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
Then my living shall not be in vain.
Then my living shall not be in vain.
If I can help somebody as I pass along,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
If I can heed my duty as a good man ought,
If I can bring back beauty to a world upwrought,
If I can spread love's message like the Good Lord taught,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
Then my living shall not be in vain.
Then my living shall not be in vain.
If I can help somebody as I pass along,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
When singing in public became a literal public health hazard, many music programs turned to creating "virtual" productions. These projects required each musician to record their individual part in isolation, and a poor, unfortunate, audio mixing engineer to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.
Matthew was such an engineer for many programs across the Southland.
Below is a collection of pieces that were performed, recorded, and produced separately and remotely by Matthew and his colleague, Bill Schmidt, during the pandemic as members of the music staff at Oneonta Congregational Church, in South Pasadena.