Good Diction is proud to present a new, modern arrangement of the hymn “Beautiful Savior” (aka “Fairest Lord Jesus”). The arrangement includes an original chorus and a gospel feel that will work for worship bands of all types and sizes.

We are giving away this recording, video and chord sheet to bless churches around the world. We only ask that you credit us when you use it to help others find it. If you use the song, record it and share it. We would love to hear from you.

About “Beautiful Savior”

“Beautiful Savior” has been sung in churches for hundreds of years. It first appeared as “Jesu Uber Alles” in a Catholic hymnbook in Munster, Germany in 1677. No one knows who wrote the words and the melody is from a German folk song. It appeared in multiple forms before arriving in it’s current form. The hymn was first translated into English by Joseph Seiss in the Eastern United States in 1873, which British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams paired with the tune “Schonster Herr Jesu” to give us the version we know today. F. Melius Christianson popularized Williams’ hymn in 1919 with a choral anthem for the St. Olaf College choir in Northfield, Minnesota, calling it “Beautiful Savior”, the arrangement Peter learned at St. Olaf College in 2002 and the basis of most versions in church hymnals today.

The Good Diction arrangement “just dropped in” during one of Peter’s walks in Minneapolis, with the chorus and feel fully formed. “I was supposed to be back at work in ten minutes and I thought, ‘oh this is good – I need more time!’ but the song fell into place so fast, I sang a quick memo into my phone and it was finished before I got back to my desk – I didn’t need more time after all,” Peter said in an interview. He went home and did a quick recording – it was already done. Peter developed the arrangement into a workable song for the gospel-influenced worship band at Mercy Vineyard Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota where it was played on Sundays from 2019-2022. The arrangement you see here reflects that arrangement and many of the musicians on the recording were part of the band that first played it.

About the Author

Peter lives with his family in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Peter grew up with church music at home where his mother practiced the organ every Saturday night to prepare for Sunday morning services the next day. He attended St. Olaf College (class of ’06’) where he sang in choir and graduated with a degree in English Literature. He founded Good Diction in 2009 with his wife Julie as a vehicle for original “Rhythm-and-blues-grass” style music inspired by a fusion of folk, blues and gospel music with personal, multi-layered lyrical arrangements inspired by the Kinks, the Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, Josh Tillman, Odetta, and Bob Dylan. Though he no longer leads music in a church setting, Peter continues to be a strong person of faith and prolific songwriter, performing original music regularly in the Twin Cities area.

Video Credits

Video by Seth Givens, Cavalier Productions

Audio and Mixing by Peter Anderson at Flowers Studio in Minneapolis, MN

Mastering by Gregg Ward, StudioArcade Mastering

Arrangement by P. Bodurtha

Lead vocals and acoustic guitar – P. Bodurtha

Vocal harmony – Toni Ajayi

Lead guitar – Justin Law

Drums – Mike Mortvedt

Bass – Grant Adams

Piano and organ – John Eckhardt

Violin – Anna Andrews

Backing vocals – Kent Bodurtha, Justin Law, Grant Adams, Rena Carlson Rasmussen, Daniel Greco, Courtney Heerwald