Gift of Music

By Margaret Gunn (Editor)

Posted Sep 22, 2020 in Faith,Culture

When Nelson Varcoe was a young boy at Point Pearce Mission, Yorke Peninsula, on hot summer nights he would roam far from the camp-fires, the voices of his Uncles singing old Gospel songs echoed across the landscape.

Nelson has been singing and composing ever since he was twelve, when he cobbled together his first guitar, salvaging strings from the choke cables of an old Model-T-Ford. Now Gift of Music, his first collection of twenty-five original ‘God-inspired’ songs has been published and is available for people of every culture to learn, enjoy and share.

Nelson has dedicated this collection to people who mentored him in his faith: Aboriginal Christian Pioneers who travelled all across this country on the smell of an oily rag, to bring the Gospel to our People. The country-gospel style ensures singable melodies, easy-move rhythms and memorable lyrics that take us into prayer, praise, reflection and proclamation about the wonder of God in our lives.

The Gift of Music project has been completed during the COVID-19 lockdown! Songs recorded by Peter Hacquoil were transcribed from the CD by Margaret Gunn using Sibelius Ultimate – a manuscript writing program. The melody lines, guitar chords and full text of words are provided as well as the CD, making the songs accessible to everyone regardless of their musical training.

An original painting that Nelson gifted to his son, is reproduced on the front cover. There is a list of Bible passages referenced in many of the songs, some biographical notes about Nelson and a Foreword by Rev Dean Whittaker of Adelaide Congress Ministry, where Nelson has been Pastor and Worship Leader since 2004.

Available from Mission Resourcing at UCA SA, Gift of Music (book and CD) is priced at $29.95 (plus $10 for postage and packaging). Turn on Javascript! Ph: 08 8236 4200. Payment is by credit card, direct deposit, cheque or cash.

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