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  1. My Carnal Life

From the recording My Carnal Life

I first saw this tune in a book of Shaker hymns I borrowed from friend and fellow dulcimer player, Thomasina Levy. (http://www.thomasina.net). I loved the haunting minor melody, although the words are a bit severe. My arrangement is included in Neal Hellman's "Music of the Shakers for Dulcimer" published by Mel Bay (http://www.melbay.com/contents.asp?ProductID=96468&Heading;=&category;=&catID;=&head1;=&head2;=⊂=&sub1;=&author;=&mode;=&base;=&q=&r=&s=&next;=)

Lyrics

Although this is instrumental on the recording, I thought I'd include the lyrics here on the website.

Lyrics - Shaker Hymn

My carnal life I will lay down
Because it is depraved.
I'm sure on any other ground
I never can be saved.
My haughty spirit I'll subdue,
I'll seek humiliation,
And if I'm true my work to do
I know I'll find salvation.