Music by Jeff H. Ulrich

This is music that I conceived during an extraordinary experience where I felt free in peace and was healed.

"Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free. " 

- Psalm 118:5

I wrote Free in 1986 when I was nineteen but waited until 2019 before I recorded it as an instrumental arrangement.  In 2023, I found the right vocalist.   
 

If you are familiar with the movie, Mr. Holland's Opus, I suppose that you might consider Free to be my opus.  To me, however, Free has meant much more than a musical art project.  Free has indeed been one of my most meaningful works.   

During my 'extraordinary experience,' the music and lyrics of Free supernaturally resounded in my heart.  Upon my return, both the basic piano part and lyrics flowed from me; but I was not so accomplished in composition and piano at that point.  Yet, placed upon my heart was a song to grow into and an unforgettable memory of where I felt the freedom in peace that can miraculously heal a broken spirit.  God made such a deep impression on me to bring such inspiration and transformation. 

Free is my sincere expression of praise and worship to God who intervened to make a difference in my life and who has since brought me through so much by His mercy.   

Over the years, I have occasionally flipped through the many pages of Free's manuscript in remembrance of that time when God helped me to overcome a challenge that seemed insurmountable. Such a Lord and Savior is for all who desire the unshakable hope that gives power to the weak and strength to the weary (read Isaiah 40:28-31). 

- Jeff H. Ulrich

Search any major music service like Apple, Spotify, and Amazon for "Jeff H. Ulrich Free" to stream and / or download this song.

The sacred hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul," with the recording of my own instrumental arrangement. This old hymn is very special to me and my family. 

According to Wikipedia, this hymn was originally penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford and was composed by Philip Bliss. First published in Gospel Songs No. 2 by Ira Sankey and Bliss (1876), it is possibly the most influential and enduring in the Bliss repertoire and is often taken as a choral model, appearing in hymnals of a wide variety of Christian fellowships.

The hymn was written after traumatic events in Spafford's life. The first was the death of his son at the age of two and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.

The Spaffords later had three more children. On February 11, 1880, their son, Horatio Goertner Spafford, died at the age of four, of scarlet fever. Their Presbyterian church regarded their tragedy as divine punishment. In response, the Spaffords formed their own Messianic sect, dubbed "the Overcomers" by American press. Their daughters were Bertha Hedges Spafford (born March 24, 1878) and Grace Spafford (born January 18, 1881). In 1881, the Spaffords, including baby Bertha and newborn Grace, set sail for Ottoman-Turkish Palestine. The Spaffords settled in Jerusalem and helped found a group called the American Colony. Colony members, later joined by Swedish Christians, engaged in philanthropic work among the people of Jerusalem regardless of their religious affiliation and without proselytizing motives—thereby gaining the trust of the local Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities. During and immediately after World War I, the American Colony played a critical role in supporting these communities through the great suffering and deprivations by running soup kitchens, hospitals, orphanages and other charitable ventures. The colony later became the subject of Jerusalem by the Nobel prize-winning author, Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlöf.

- Jeff H. Ulrich

Search any major music service like Apple, Spotify, and Amazon for "Jeff H. Ulrich It Is Well with My Soul" to stream and / or download this song. 

I wrote and recorded this song in dedication to my beloved wife. the one who I love.

As I shared in the acknowledgements of my book for all who are in search of the spiritual hope that brought me from the darkness of complete blindness, overwhelming grief, and even near-death , I would not have come this far in life without special people with whom God blessed me. My wife is a such an answered prayer, for she indeed is the godsend who came into my life at the right time. Before we met, I had been disheartened by a great loss and was grieving. She came alongside of me and shared her love of faith. In time with her, I found new meaning. Because of the light of her love for me, I found my way and moved forward. We now belong as one to the Lord whose hope brought us together and from whom all blessings flow.

“Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” - Mark 10:9 (NKJV)

- Jeff H. Ulrich

Search any major music service like Apple, Spotify, and Amazon for "Jeff H. Ulrich The One Who I Love" to stream and / or download this song. 

This is my personal anthem of faith in the Lord who gives hope.

Share this Isaiah 41:10 reassurance with a loved one: With God, they need not fear; for He does great things out of love for those who reach for His righteous hand. 

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 (NASB) 

In 2002, I was inspired in a prayerful time of devotion to write this song. I had just emerged from the shadow of the nethermost valley in my life.  Although I had lost much, I could not have denied that I had come through that dark place due to the aid of God’s unseen hand who, as I believed in Him all the more He, had carried me. I would not have otherwise been long for this world. I wrote about that trial in chapter nine of my book,  “The Hope in Personal Apocalypse.”

I rather produce my music as instrumentals, because I am not a vocalist. But I recorded my voice for this recording. Although my sound is imperfect, I am unashamed of my meaning. If God could only hear me sing once, I would choose this song because of its message. I would want Him to hear from my own lips that "it takes no more than" Him "to make my life complete."

- Jeff H. Ulrich

Search any major music service like Apple, Spotify, and Amazon for "Jeff H. Ulrich Takes Nothing More" to stream and / or download this song.