Without prejudice to Mormons, who have never done me any harm, “In the Garden” is my father’s favorite hymn. He has Alzheimer’s Disease and doesn’t remember Mom some days, let along me and nine kids that their own father can’t keep straight, but my husband and children and I are working on a performance of “In the Garden” for when the Captain passes away.
Wonderful!
As a missionary for the LDS Church, I was asked to sing “I Come to the Garden Alone” as a solo at the funeral of a member of the Church who loved the song. As do I.
As a long time musician, having been sining all my life, including many many ward choirs, I can tell you that us heretic Mormons sing all kinds of music. Our hymnal contains some beautiful arraignments, but it’s not the end all, especially when it comes to performance arraignments.