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Souviens-Toi (Remember)

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While I was on my LDS mission to Belgium and France, I became aware of a hymn in the French LDS hymnbook (Cantiques) that has since found a special place in my heart. The hymn melody is from the "Largo" theme in Dvořák's New World Symphony. The text is attributed simply to the "French Language Committee of the Church."

The words of "Souviens-toi" ("Remember") are those of a parent talking to her newborn child. In amazement and wonder, the parent talks about the premortal life, its majesty and splendor; throughout, there is a feeling of longing for our past heavenly home from whence this tiny child has just come.

I recently decided to undertake an arrangement of the hymn. My friend suggested tying in "God Be with You Till We Meet Again" which seemed to match the musical and spiritual theme of "Souviens-toi." And thus, an arrangement was born.

Although we have forgotten our memories of a former heavenly home, we can be comforted by Christ's words, "ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along." (D&C 78: 17-18)

And my sincere desire is that we can be as Nephi and be "encircled about eternally in the arms of [Christ's] love." (2 Ne 1:15)



Sarah Webb made the beautiful translation of the French text. The text of the SATB arrangement is below:

Remember, my child: Your divine parents. 
They held you in their arms not long ago. 
Today, you are marvelously here, 
The reflection of heaven shining in your eyes. 
Talk to me, my child, of that blessed place, 
Because for you, the veil is thin.

God be with you till we meet again;
When life's perils thick confound you,
Put his arms unfailing round you.
God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus' feet,
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.

Remember, my child: In the dawn of time, 
We were friends playing in the wind. 
Then one day, we joyfully chose 
To accept the Lord's great plan of life. 
That evening, we promised, 
By love, by faith, to be reunited.

Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus' feet,
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.

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