A Mighty Fortress

thetiler

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Description

This is tune is 100's of years old. The words writen by Martin Luther.
i play it on Betsy my acoustical guitar I bought at a guitar show in Marin County, Ca near where I live. This tune was played with a capo on the second fret. So the harmonics are not at the standard E tuning though but two frets high. I little confusing at first bujt this piece was such a joy to play that it was lots of fun for me to figure it out.

I would like to dedicate this piece to a very realistic dream I had of a lute a few years ago!

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Song Stats

Hits: 3211
Comments: 54
Fans: 13
Plays: 668
Downloads: 182
Votes: 24
Uploaded: Aug 25, 2005 - 08:38:27 AM
Last Updated: Feb 19, 2006 - 12:37:08 PM Last Played: Nov 04, 2009 - 01:26:41 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

gospel guitar (2), spiritual guitar (1), relgion (1), lds (3), fingerpicking guitar (95), classical guitar (105), guitar (1075), guitar solo (112), strings (277), guitar strings (90), guitar player (90), advanced solo guitar playing (90), acoustical guitarists (90), soloist (90), musical soloist (89), classical (456), guitar music (90), guitarist (92), folk (423)

Hardware:

My Santa Cruz Om/PW acoustical guitar
Two mics
No mixer, just two condensor mics pluged into my usb 122 Tascam interface.
1 boom with a mic, the other on a straight chrome mic stand.

Software:

Comments

drakonis

drakonis said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)

You had that dream too?
All these stringed instruments gathered around a large
heart-shaped hole in their island (the Alute-ian islands I
think), fretting about the fate of one of their girls, who
had fallen in. They tremelo'ed with fear, but plucked up
their courage when they saw that the little one had not
really fallen, but instead had played a joke and put a
cutout likeness in the hole. Realizing that she had been
stringing them along, they turned to harp on her, with
shouts of "Lyre"!

As always, very beautiful playing, even after setting the
"bar up a couple of notches" and learning new fingering,
you make it sound effortless. Very nicely recorded too! 8s
across!

ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

thetiler	thetiler said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	You had that dream too? Thanks Drak Nice story! Thanks again for the posting and the compliments --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

Tom Atwood

Tom Atwood said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)

Soft spot for hymns
And this is one of my favorites (being a former Lutheran).
Such a light touch you have on this new guitar of yours,
BIll. The trills especially seem effortless and unforced. I
have transcribed hymns for guitar many times and I know
it is not an easy task. This is a beautiful, warm
arrangement. An instant download for me. And the
harmonic ending - perfect!

10-10-10-10

Check out my latest song called Keep Looking for Jesus (MJRF)

thetiler	thetiler said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	Soft spot for hymns Thanks Tom, I know you love to do hyms. That partly inspiried me. Thanks for the inpiration. --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

	said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	How can I not enjoy this music thanks for sharing

thetiler	thetiler said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	How can I not enjoy this music Thanks tm --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

Jim Bouchard	Jim Bouchard said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	really nice I really like the harmonic section especially. This reminds me a lot of the claymation "Davey & goliath" show that I used to watch as a kid, as it was the theme, I think, but this version has some really nice little touches that really make it distinctive. I liked it so much I had to listen to it twice... Check out my latest song called Weather or Not w/awigze

thetiler	thetiler said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	really nice Claymation, you never know I guess where a tune like this can end up. Thanks jb --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

notsosweet	notsosweet said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	Thrilling Trilling! I love what you did with this tune. You've managed to breathe new life into it. Check out my latest song called The Broken Doll's Waltz

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Thrilling Trilling! Thanks notsosweet, thaniks for coming by my site so much! Really Thanks!!!! --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

av01der	av01der said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	Quite nice. Very lovely guitar work! This was an enjoyable listen. Well- played, well-recorded, great all-around! I don't think I'd change a thing about this piece. 9-9-9-9 Check out my latest song called dawn/drive

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Quite nice. Thanks av01der, your comment are indeed appreciated! --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

caroline	caroline said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	lovely! and so perfect for a cloudy english afternoon where summer is just gently beginning to glide into autumn. works for me - and into the library it goes - thank you so much x Check out my latest song called clink that link mjrf

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	lovely! maybe I should do a carol for carol- ine :) --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

caroline	caroline said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	lovely! and so perfect for a cloudy english afternoon where summer is just gently beginning to glide into autumn. works for me - and into the library it goes - thank you so much x Check out my latest song called clink that link mjrf

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	lovely! Thanks again Caroline --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

Cameron	Cameron said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	lovely playing This tune is timeless, and the way you play it is as fresh as if it were composed yesterday. I particularly like the free flowing tempos, rubato phrases and quick flourishes that you exhibit on this piece. You get a very nice tone out of that guitar! The recording itself is warm and clear and natural-sounding. Excellent. Check out my latest song called EPONYM

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	lovely playing Coming from you a real professional in music is MOST appeciated!!!! !!! Thanks Cam! --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

Mystified	Mystified said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	Excellent! I, too, have a soft spot for hymns and inspirational music. It's wonderful to see it here at Macjams. This is a lovely, lovely rendition, Tiler. Full of warmth and joy beyond the skillful playing. Thank you! Fav'd and D/L Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

thetiler	thetiler said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	Excellent! Thanks Mysti !! --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

Cori Ander	Cori Ander said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	Great! I think this is your best post! I like this a lot! A very peaceful mood, sounds very healthy! Such a beautiful tone in that guit! I guess though that if you take another listening, that you will hear that the guitar is a little out of tune, but that's just a worldly thing. In spirit it is just great! Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

thetiler	thetiler said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	Great! Not sure if is my best post but I enjoyed playing it alot. The tune is full of melody which is almost a must for me to be interested in making it into something I could bring flavor to. --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

wittybrit	wittybrit said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	Love It! It certainly has that medieval feel. Time to kick back and enjoy the download! Thanks

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Love It! Glad you enjoyed it wb --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	Rural again. Beautiful playing. Brought me right out of the city, into the wavy organic real world, where my vision isn't overcrowded with rectangles and promotions. Reminds me of reading in the meadow. Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Rural Glad in help you out of the hum drum of everyday life. I know the guitar helps in that regard as well! Thanks Perc --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

	daphna said 1553 days ago (August 25th, 2005)
	wonderful once again. What a treat. Thanks for posting this : ) Check out my latest song called I Love My Mac mjrf

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	wonderful Thanks, I sure know it is a treat to hear your material! Thanks Daphna especial from such a pleasant to listen to artist like you are! --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

White Hawks	White Hawks said 1553 days ago (August 26th, 2005)
	Wonderful! Very beautifuly played! I love it very much. thanks for sharing it with us;) I really enjoyed listening to this pieace. - Hawks Check out my latest song called Shepherds Out in the Field

Tadashi Togawa	Tadashi Togawa said 1552 days ago (August 26th, 2005)
	Becomes a wind There is no darkness though it is ancient times. The melody is light, and is soft. Guitar play makes a wind. Check out my latest song called Mexican taste

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Becomes a wind Thanks TT, like those oriental concepts --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

	asi said 1552 days ago (August 26th, 2005)
	nice Very nice tune. Made it to my favorites. Please give us more from this stuff. I always liked acoustic guitars but I was never skilled enough to make such great pieces of music. Thanks for sharing!

thetiler	thetiler said 1544 days ago (September 3rd, 2005)
	nice Thanks asi ! Good luck with your music and hope you have plenty of fun with it. --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

MidiOrleans	MidiOrleans said 1552 days ago (August 26th, 2005)
	Pure It's always a pleasure to hear your clear & pure sounds! Check out my latest song called Calle del Maine

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Pure Thanks MO, hope more and more people hear your tremendous material as well. --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

bronco	bronco said 1552 days ago (August 26th, 2005)
	Very Spiritual Tiler you've gone medieval on us!! And boy howdy it is nice. Love that period of music and you've done it proud. Check out my latest song called Strange Feeling

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Very Spiritual Thanks bronco and good luck with your stuff too, enjoy your new dobro. --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1552 days ago (August 26th, 2005)

Renassaince of charm
The delicate sense you bring to this interpretation are
precious. I like the renassaince ornamentations. The
harmonics are unusual, and even made me think a couple of
times that something was not in tune, but the wiggling of the
tonal center gave it all a charm that made the walk back in
time more convincing. It is a moment of peace and lightness
amid the day, the night; thank you.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

thetiler	thetiler said 1552 days ago (August 26th, 2005)
	Renassaince of charm I like to had a little feel to the harmonics when I can. To show that I am not just passing through. But I just add it at a few spots. Thanks --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

AJ Grimm said 1552 days ago (August 26th, 2005)

Training?
Good job on production. Things do sound a bit choppy at times however almost as if upon changing your bass line, all else must reposition/ adjust as well. Just as a piano player does not do much justice to an elegant organ.
A solid improvisation through tone didn't happen which could lead you to other doors of opportunity for bringing out emotion from this piece. Granted harmonics were a nice touch but really didn't stray from the original and static feel of the song.
While not deep in meaning, this piece feels pleasant - kudos for that. Have you had any classical training? It is hard to tell but it seems as if you are self taught.

aj

Check out my latest song called winter evening

thetiler	thetiler said 1552 days ago (August 26th, 2005)
	Training? Thanks for posting, I have had training. --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

futzpucker

futzpucker said 1552 days ago (August 26th, 2005)

Nice selection
Being a hymn-player myself (I'm the music director of a
church), I found your interpretation wonderful. It's not a
song I ever play, but having played it in an orchestra as a
boy, I have always been drawn to the melody and its chord
changes.

I find it stands on its own no matter the instrumentation,
and it is strong enough not to need several levels of mood
during its course. I love the treatment you've given it. It is
faithful to the roots of the hymn, yet a personal statement
at the same time.

Another great effort from you, Bill.

Check out my latest song called Just As It Is

thetiler	thetiler said 1550 days ago (August 28th, 2005)
	Nice selection Thanks Futz Love your stuff as well. You play such sweet tunes, love that campfire tune! Hope you put up more! Thanks for stopping by! --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

eleveneyes	eleveneyes said 1551 days ago (August 27th, 2005)
	Martin Luther.... only wrote the lyrics to A Mighty Fortress. The tune was a common folk tune sung in bars and taverns. don't know the original lyric but it doesn't matter. The Tiler's version of this is great. Excellent performance and arrangement. Guitar sounds beautiful! Check out my latest song called Here With You - Better MIX

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Martin Luther.... Your talents are amazing it's a wonder your not a radio star, thanks eleveneyes! --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

sweibley said 765 days ago (October 22nd, 2007)

WHAT!? some facts please
This, like all but perhaps of one of the Luther tunes are now known to have been written by him. The form is that of a polyrhythmic chorale which had a specific and complex form, which you'll note if you examine how the melodies fit together, which was called "bar form," a type of musical form. This is a common and undocumented statement that I've found in any number of contemporary Christian music writers that has absolutely no basis in fact. They were called bar songs because of the form. They were never sung in bars. The extensive information is found in the Hymnal Companion by Fred Precht to "Lutheran Worship." Please do not continue to spread information that is not documented. However, the guitar arrangement and playing (coming from the mediocre or less, maybe a lot less, classical guitarist) is simply wonderful. Loved it.

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1550 days ago (August 28th, 2005)
	Very enjoyable... One of those tunes that seems to have always been there... You definitely get that lute vibe going, especially the trills... Really nice, tiler... Right into the 'Acoustic' MacJams Playlist she goes... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

thetiler	thetiler said 1550 days ago (August 28th, 2005)
	Very enjoyable... Thanks Ed, enjoy your music also. In fact I am listening to your terrific "Song Of This World" right now as I am typing! Ed, such a great tune you did as well! Of course you know cause I emailed you a few times about it. I think it is a real classic! --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

	yngwie12 said 1550 days ago (August 29th, 2005)
	kool music

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	kool Thanks y 12 --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

	Abe Lincoln said 1549 days ago (August 29th, 2005)
	ya i love the guitar it sounds great did i mention its great love it Check out my latest song called vertical

thetiler	thetiler said 1548 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	ya Thanks for the post Abe. Honestly thanks! :) --- The Tiler Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

RickW

RickW said 1470 days ago (November 16th, 2005)

Can't find the album
Bill, I just downloaded "A Mighty Fortress" and "Praise Be To The
Lord" (downloaded "What Child Is This" yesterday). It's been a long time
since I've heard acoustic guitar done so well and with such depth and
feeling.
I thought, "This guy must have an album out," so I searched Amazon with
the intent to buy one, and sure enough, up came "The Tiler". However, it
was not available. What a shame!

Check out my latest song called Picture of Perfection (MJRF)

thetiler	thetiler said 765 days ago (October 22nd, 2007)
	CD Baby I am all sold out at CD Baby, I think it there is links similarities. I am working on a 3rd album. And will be distributing much better than i've done before. Been spending quite a few hours in mastering and working on the graphic of the album. Thanks much for posting and notifying! Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

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