This song was recorded to help cast members learn it for a production of Our Town at UTSA in Fall 2001. The song features heavily in the production, and is sung at the end of the show during the funeral scene.

The first file is a complete performance including vocal track. The second file is just the accompaniment track. You can download a zip file with both files if you would like. Both songs are in mp3 format.

You will need an mp3 player to listen to this song. I recommend Real Player.

NOTE: There is a TWO MEASURE introduction to the song. The opening notes of the song are played as an introduction, then the melody part begins. This introduction is equivalent to singing "Blest be the tie" where "tie" is a half note (held for two beats).

Blest Be the Tie That Binds-Full.mp3 (1.20MB) (Full Performance)
Blest Be the Tie That Binds-Accomp.mp3 (1.21MB) (Accompaniment)
Blest Be the Tie That Binds.zip (2.37MB) (Both Files)

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne,
we pour our ardent prayers.
Our fears, our hopes, are aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other shows
A sympathizing tear.

Amen.

* There are other versus to the song that are not included in the recording.

This performance is Copyrighted 2001 by Rainya Shingledecker and is intended for the listening pleasure of others. It is not intended to be re-recorded, burned, or otherwise immortalize for profit for someone who isn't Rainya Shingledecker. Thanks.