Finally! Yes, I know I've been away for a VERY long time. No excuses. Sometimes you just need to take a break, I guess. Thanks for hanging with me. :)
Today's Sunday Sounds comes from Dave Carroll, a talented Canadian singer-songwriter whom I had the pleasure to hear (and speak with briefly) at a conference in San Mateo, California. The conference was about social media (all this blogging, Twittering, facebooking madness we love so well). Mr. Carroll was there because he successfully used social media (in the form of a trilogy of songs on YouTube called, "United Breaks Guitars"...yes, that Dave Carroll) to shame United Airlines...and more power to him. If you haven't seen the videos, check them out here. His story of how United Airlines broke his guitar and then staunchly refused to take responsibility and make it right is one we can all relate to. The fact that he didn't just lay down, roll over, and take it lands Dave Carroll on my hero list.
Back to today's song. After he spoke, he shared a single song of his album, "Perfect Blue." The song is "Now" and...well, it moved me. A lot. And so I hope it is with you. Listen.
To those who recognize such things, Happy Valentine's Day. On a day devoted to romantic love, how can I not dedicate Sunday Sounds to himself, da' Bear, Mr. D.
Mr. D has a saying that we've adopted in our household: "Love is a verb or it's a lie." There's so much truth in those seven words. Love - romantic, Platonic, compassionate, universal, passionate, familial - every kind of love you can imagine, is an action word, an active concept. You can't love on paper. You can't love in words alone. Love does. Thank you, Mr. D., for making love an active, living center of our lives. And you're really hot, too. ::grin::
First up - "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" by the amazing pianist and composer Michel Legrand and vocalistJanusz Szrom.
Years ago, I worked as a singing waitress (yes...yes, I really did), and one of the performers in our little troupe sang this song nightly. I thought then and still believe it is one of the most beautiful love songs ever.
Next, Rascal Flatts, "Bless the Broken Road." The story of our lives...'nuff said.
Finally, because I cannot make a post about love without breathing a prayer that we all keep working toward universal, active, living love. "We are the boat. We are the sea. I sail in you. You sail in me."
Peace.
What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? -Music by Michel Legrand lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
I want to see your face in every kind of light In fields of dawn and forests of the night And when you stand before the candles on a cake Oh, let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make What are you doing the rest of your life? North and South and East and West of your life I have only one request of your life That you spend it all with me All the seasons and the times of your days All the nickels and the dimes of your days Let the reasons and the rhymes of your days All begin and end with me I want to see your face in every kind of light In the fields of dawn and the forests of the night And when you stand before the candles on a cake Oh, let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make Those tomorrows waiting deep in your eyes In the world of love that you keep in your eyes I'll awaken what's asleep in your eyes It may take a kiss or two Through all of my life Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall of my life All I ever will recall of my life Is all of my life with you
Bless the Broken Road -Marcus Hummon, Jeff Hanna, and Bobby Boyd
I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love
along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign
pointed straight to you.
Chorus:
Every long lost dream
led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart
They were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way
Into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That god blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.
I think about the years I spent
Just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost
And give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there, you understand
It's all part of a grander plan
That is coming true.
(Chorus)
Now I'm just rolling home
Into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.
Somos el Barco
-Lorre Wyatt
Chorus: Somos el barco, somos el mar, Yo navego en ti, tu navegas en mi We are the boat, we are the sea, I sail in you, you sail in me
The stream sings it to the river, the river sings it to the sea The sea sings it to the boat that carries you and me
Chorus
The boat we are sailing in was built by many hands And the sea we are sailing on, it touches every land
Chorus
So with our hopes we set the sails And face the winds once more And with our hearts we chart the waters never sailed before
Today's Sunday sounds is a beautiful song from a Finnish band, Gjallarhorn. The song is "Suvetar," which translates to Goddess of Spring. I've loved this song and the video from the first time I saw it. My Beloved suggested it this week for Sunday Sounds, and all I could say was, "Heck, yeah!" I feel like I should apologize to all of you for not posting it sooner...it's that good.
Belly dancing friends and family do a phenomenal choreography to this song and I wish I had video of them dancing to share with you. I do have some lovely photos, though...below the video. The choreography is by Jillianna Babb-Cheshul of Merrybellies. She's amazing.
So here's to Spring, to Goddess in her Maiden form, to renewal, warmth, light, and growth. Thank you for letting me share the music with you. Should you be so inclined, you can purchase the music here.
From a Beltaine peformance by friends:
English-translated lyrics: (Finnish lyrics below)
Suvetar, fine matron
Arise to see the seeds
Raise the matron´s corn
So that we may be spared pain
Manutar, matron of the earth
Lift up the shoots from the ground
New shoots from the stumps
So that we may be spared pain
Feed us with honey-hearts
Give us honey-drink
Delicious honey-grass
On a blossoming knoll
Suvetar, fine matron
Arise to see the seeds
Raise the matron´s corn
So that we may be spared pain
Manutar, matron of the earth
Lift up the shoots from the ground
New shoots from the stumps
So that we may be spared pain
Feed us with honey-hearts
Give us honey-drink
Delicious honey-grass
On a blossoming knoll
You have shining silver
You have glistening gold
You have shining silver
You have glistening gold
Suvetar, fine matron
Arise to see the seeds
Raise the matron´s corn
So that we may be spared pain
Manutar, matron of the earth
Lift up the shoots from the ground
New shoots from the stumps
So that we may be spared pain
Feed us with honey-hearts
Give us honey-drink
Delicious honey-grass
On a blossoming knoll
You have shining silver
You have glistening gold
You have shining silver
You have glistening gold
Rise up, O maiden black from the soil
Rise up, O maiden black from the soil
Underground crone
Most ancient of Nature´s daughters
Make the peat shoot forth
And the ground turn over
Underground crone
Most ancient of Nature´s daughters
Lift up a thousand seedlings
To reward my efforts
Suvetar, fine matron
Arise to see the seeds
Raise the matron´s corn
So that we may be spared pain
Manutar, matron of the earth
Lift up the shoots from the ground
New shoots from the stumps
So that we may be spared pain
Feed us with honey-hearts
Give us honey-drink
Delicious honey-grass
On a blossoming knoll
You have shining silver
You have glistening gold
You have shining silver
You have glistening gold
Rise up, O maiden black from the soil
Rise up, O maiden black from the soil
Underground crone
Most ancient of Nature´s daughters
Make the peat shoot forth
And the ground turn over
Underground crone
Most ancient of Nature´s daughters
Lift up a thousand seedlings
To reward my efforts
Finnish lyrics:
uvetar hyvä emäntä
nouse harja katsomahan
viitimä emännän vilja
kun ei tuskihin tulisi
Manutar maan emäntä
nostele oras okinen
kannon karvanen ylennä
kun ei tuskihin tulisi
A beautiful morning in Tennessee...snow still on the ground, sun shining, and a never-ending bird show out my dining room window. A perfect day for Sunday Sounds!
Today...two more from Paul Simon. These songs are from the album, "You're The One." Reviews for this album were all over the place. Some loved it..some hated it...some wondered what Paul was smoking. I fall into the love it camp, lock, stock, and barrel.
Up first is "Old," a birthday song of the first order. Next is "Pigs, Sheep, and Wolves." Listen to that one carefully, and I'd be really interested in your thoughts about the story.
Enjoy yourself...and thanks for letting me share the music I love. If you like what you hear, you can buy "You're The One" here.
Old
The first time I heard "Peggy Sue"
I was 12 years old
Russians up in rocket ships
and the war was cold
now many wars have come and gone
Genocide still goes on
Buddy Holly still goes on
but his catalog was sold
First time i smoked
guess what - paranoid
First time I heard "Satisfaction"
I was young and unemployed
Down the decades every year
Summer leaves and my birthday's here
And all my friends stand up and cheer
And say man you're old
Getting old
Old
Getting old
We celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day
And Buddah found Nirvana along the Lotus Way
About 1,500 years ago the messenger Mohammed spoke
And his wisdom like a river flowed
Through hills of gold
Wisdom is old
The Koran is old
The Bible is old
Greatest story ever told
Disagreements?
Work 'em out
The human race walked the Earth for 2.7 million
And we estimate the universe about 13-14 billion
When all these numbers tumble into your imagination
Consider that the Lord was there before creation
God is old
We're not old
God is old
He made the mold
Take your clothes off
Adam and Eve
Pigs, Sheep, and Wolves
Big and fat
Pig's supposed to look like that
Barnyard thug
Sleeps on straw and calls it a rug
Yeah that's a rug, ok
He's walking down the street
And nobody's gonna argue with him
He's a half-a-ton of pig meat
Up in the hills above the farm
Lives a pack of wolves
Never did no harm
Sleep all day
Hunt till four
Maybe catch a couple of rodents
You know a carnivore
Sheep in the meadow
Nibbling on some clover
One of the sheep just wanders over
Sits by a rock
Separated from the flock
He's just sitting by a rock
Where'd he go? I don't know
Well he was here a minute ago
I don't know
Sheep's dead
Got a gash as big as a wolf's head
Oh god
Big and fat
Pig's supposed to look like that
Wallowing in lanolin
He's rubbing it into his pigskin
Police are going crazy
Sayin' let's get him
Let's get that wolf
Let's get him
Let's get that wolf
Let's get him
Let's kill him, let's get him
Let's kill him
Court-appointed lawyer wasn't very bright
Maybe he was bright
Maybe he just had a late night
Yeah it was just a late night
And he files some feeble appeal
And the governor says forget it
It's a done deal
It's election, i don't care, election
Let's give that wolf a lethal injection
Let's get him, let's get him,
Let's kill him, let's get him
Let's kill him, let's get him, kill him
Let's get him and kill him
Whew, slow
Here comes the media
With their camera
Asking everybodys opinion
About pigs, sheep and wolves
Big and fat
Pig's supposed to laugh like that
This is hilarious
What a great time
I'm the pig who committed
The perfect crime
All around the world
France, Scandinavia
There's candle light vigils
Protesting this behavior
It s animal behavior
Animal behavior
Its pigs, sheep and wolves
Pigs, sheep and wolves
Pigs, sheep and wolves
It's animal behavior
It's pigs, sheep and wolves
Have you ever been homesick? Ever found yourself at a place in your life - a physical place and a spot in your life journey - when you know it's time to go home? "Caledonia" captures the essence of that emotion.
I love Dougie Maclean's music, and this song was my first introduction to this man's genius and heart. My husband and I were at a Celtic festival in Gainsville, Georgia. As part of the session crew in the makeshift pub, we had "performer" status and were invited to join a late-night session of musicians. A gentleman from Scotland whose name I have sadly forgotten mentioned this beautiful song he knew and began singing a few bars. Susan Hickey, another delightful performer, brightened and said, "I know that song!" She picked up her guitar and played and sang...and my heart soared. It didn't hurt that the lovely Scottish gent leaned back against the wall, eyes closed, so plainly moved and unashamed that it made me cry.
Once home, we looked up the song and found Dougie Maclean, and what a gift he is! We have a number of his CDs and will undoubtedly buy more. The sound on the "Caledonia" video isn't the best, but it is a nice live performance. The second video is from "The Transatlantic Sessions" - available on DVD that I do not own yet (but I will fix that soon, too), and features another favorite artist, Kathy Mattea, and some brilliant musicians.
Enjoy the music of Dougie Maclean on this Sunday morning. If you like what you hear, you can purchase your own copies here.
Caledonia
- Dougie Maclean
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
So I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I came from
And that's the reason why I seem
So far away today
Oh, but let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia you're calling me
And now I'm going home
If I should become a stranger
You know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything
I've ever had
Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the ladies and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes there's no denying
I have traveled hard with coattails flying
Somewhere in the wind
(Chorus)
Now I'm sitting here before the fire
The empty room, the forest choir
The flames that could not get any higher
They've withered now they've gone
But I'm steady thinking my way is clear
And I know what I will do tomorrow
When the hands are shaken and the kisses flow
Then I will disappear
Ready For the Storm
- Dougie Maclean
O the waves crash in and the tide pulls out
It's an angry sea but there is no doubt
That the lighthouse will keep shining out
To warn the lonely sailor
And the lightning strikes and the wind cuts cold
Through the sailor's bones to the sailor's soul
Till there's nothing left that he can hold
Except the rolling ocean
Chorus:
But I am ready for the storm, yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm, I'm ready for the storm
Give me mercy for my dreams
For every confrontation seems
To tell me what it really means
To be this lonely sailor
But when the sky begins to clear
And the sun it melts away my fear
I'll cry a silent weary tear
For those that need to love me
Chorus
But distance it is no real friend
And time it takes its time
But you will find that in the end
It brings you me the lonely sailor
But when you take me by your side
You love me warm, you love me
And I should have realized
I had no reasons to be frightened
I love bluegrass music. That hasn't always been true. As a child I hated the "twangy" sounds and thought it was hopelessly old-fashioned and uncool. Ah, but I grew up. :) There is something so rich and honest about the harmony, something so communal and shared about the traditional way bluegrass musicians lean in and share a microphone, keying off each other for their pitches, a cooperative, shared experience.
And then there are the stories. Like its Celtic grandparents, bluegrass often tells sad tales of war, lost love, disaster, and broken hearts. One way the human spirit heals itself is through poetry and song, turning something too painful to express in everyday language into something beautiful and haunting, something that goes straight to the heart and is instantly recognized there, a familiar pain.
Sharing my bluegrass love this morning with The Infamous Stringdusters. This song is "Three Days in July," a civil war tale. If you like what you hear, you can find the album here.
And if you're new to bluegrass listening, do yourself a favor - go to a festival and listen to live music for a few hours. Watch the musicians, open yourself to the experience of community music-making, and enjoy.
Three Days in July
(John Weisberger)
I was born in Pennsylvania
In 1851
I grew up on my father's farm
The youngest of three sons
The Civil War was raging
The year that I turned twelve
My father joined the ranks of blue
Left us by ourselves
Boys I tell'n ya true
I learned things I never knew
In summer heat we prayed for rain
The first day of July
Far off thunder rumbleing
No storm clouds in the sky
My brothers grabbed their riffles
"Stay" my mother urged
"Mama that's the sound of canon
Up by Gettysburg"
Boys I tell'n ya true
I learned things I never knew
Two fearful days and sleepless nights
We waited with no word
Till the guns fell silent
On the morning of the third
My mother watched the road all day
And kept me there close by
Till dusk was hard upon us
And the water jug was dry
With bucket and a lantern
I crossed the field alone
Heard the sound of snapping twigs
And then a quiet moan
Captured in my lantern light
His face in ashen gray
Huddled in a bloody coat
A rebel soldier lay
Boys I tell'n ya true
I learned things I never knew
"I see you have a kind face
Please don't raise a cry
If I am taken prisoner
I know I'll surely die
"I'm wounded and I mean no harm
I just need to rest a spell
I have fled the battlefield
I've seen the face of hell
"We came by tens of thousands
The battle faught to lose
And we only marched on Gettysburg
Bcause we needed shoes"
I look down at his swollen feet
And tried to understand
And wondered if my brothers
Had died at this man's hand
Boys I tell'n ya true
I learned things I never knew
I walked back in the cabin
Sat the bucket down
I spoke no word to mother
Of why I'd been so long
All night we sat beside the fire
Praying for good news
Then mother she looked down and asked
"Son where are your shoes?"
Boys I tell'n ya true
...
I learned things I never knew
Today has not been a good day for technology. I've been at this for about three and a half hours now, struggling with connections that don't want to connect, disappearing audio, and a host of other gremlins. My astrology-knowledgeable friends tell me to blame Mercury being in retrograde. Whatever is to blame, it's been frustrating.
That said...today's Sunday Sounds is a bit of a departure. I recorded this song for my Aunt Louise and my cousins when my Uncle Jim died several years ago. It was a favorite of his. When I asked her how I could help, she said, "Can you sing Danny Boy?" Well, by golly, that I could do. So I did, recording it and sending it along with my love. The arrangement differs a bit from the traditional, and that's Jimmy Daughtery, a friend I've actually not seen or heard from in a long time (must remedy that!), on guitar. Since then the song has played for a few friends and family and at dear Uncle Jim's memorial service, but it's otherwise unshared.
I hope sharing this song comes across less as an act of narcissism and more as the act of courage that it is. In words taken from last week's Sunday Sounds, "Someone I am is waiting for my courage..." Maybe I'm tired waiting. :)
To courage, my friends...and to you, with gratitude, on this Sunday. Enjoy.
Danny Boy
words Frederick Weatherly and music traditional
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come you back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I simply sleep in peace until you come to me
Ever been moved to tears by a song? I don't know anyone who hasn't felt their eyes well up a time or two when a song touches something so personal, so intimate, so true that you are instantly in the emotion.
"Let Me Fall" is one of those songs for me. The song speaks so eloquently of fear and courage and one line...one simple phrase out of all the lovely words...could have come from my own soul...
"Someone I am is waiting for courage..."
I'll let the lyrics and melody and voice of young Josh Groban say the rest. The song is from Josh Groban's self-titled album. If you like it, you can find it here.
Take courage, my friends.
Let Me Fall (From Cirque Du Soleil)
Let me fall Let me climb There's a moment when fear And dreams must collide
Someone I am Is waiting for courage The one I want The one I will become Will catch me
So let me fall If I must fall I won't heed your warnings I won't hear them
Let me fall If I fall Though the phoenix may Or may not rise
I will dance so freely Holding on to no one You can hold me only If you too will fall Away from all these Useless fears and chains
Someone I am Is waiting for my courage The one I want The one I will become Will catch me
So let me fall If I must fall I won't heed your warnings I won't hear
Let me fall If I fall There's no reason To miss this one chance This perfect moment Just let me fall
Photo credits:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28757002@N03/3047417954/ Breast Cancer Ribbon http://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/3248052341/ Rooster Courage http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythoto/4139686618/ Social Justice http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulsimpson1976/3540426550/ Take Courage Sign http://www.flickr.com/photos/ficken/2478945882/ Black White Red Courage Sign http://www.flickr.com/photos/dtwright/3320398276/sizes/m/ Courage Bicycles http://www.flickr.com/photos/togawanderings/4102416349/ Tedx Flyer http://www.flickr.com/photos/boojee/2667826315/sizes/l/ Courage My Love http://www.flickr.com/photos/litandmore/2190951304/ Book Jacket http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalegillard/2864811679/ Mail Box http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/2614710321/ Prayer Flags
Today's song is "Hymn" by the amazing Three Weird Sisters. These beautiful ladies (and several friends, as evidenced on the featured track today) have been a constant presence in our home since we were introduced to them back in... well, I don't remember when.
I do remember when I heard this song; it was at the North Georgia Celtic Festival a few years ago. Three Weird Sisters opened their performance with "Hymn"...those voices rang out and the lyrics filled my heart to near bursting. After I wiped my eyes and enjoyed the rest of the concert, I checked the schedule, found their next performance stage, and got there early for a better seat.
Hymn is on the album "Hair of the Frog." You can find it here, along with "Rite the First Time" - another TWS album that has a place of honor in our collection.
When there's fear in my heart,
Lady, I'm singing.
When there's gladness,
I'm singing, too.
Songs of joy, love, and pain,
Lady, I'm singing,
Sending all my songs
Home to you.
When there's work to be done,
Lord, I'm singing.
When there's sport to be had,
I'm singing, too.
Songs of play, love, and toil,
Lord, I'm singing,
Sending all my songs
Home to you.
Every breath I take,
Let me be singing.
Every step a dance
I dance with you.
Every beat of my heart,
Let me be singing,
Sending all my songs
Home to you.
All around the world,
Your children are singing,
Good and bad times,
We're singing, too.
Listen to the Summerland:
Don't you hear singing?
Bringing all our songs
Home to you.
Good morning (or afternoon, or evening...whenever and wherever you are)!
Today's gift of music and prayer comes from Bobby McFerrin, from an album that rests near the top of the list of five albums I would keep if I had to give up all others. The album is Medicine Music and the song is "The 23rd Psalm."
This much loved Psalm speaks so profoundly of gratitude, of saying "yes" to all that is right now, of enough. And Bobby McFerrin's vocal brilliance and heart make this rendition more moving than ever. The fact that he acknowledges the female half of the All doesn't hurt my feelings, either. If you have headphones, do yourself a favor and put them on so you can really hear the magic.
Wishing you a gentle day of awareness, of gratitude, of enough.
Today's Sunday Sounds is a very personal post. With Thanksgiving Day just behind us, I'm still enjoying a heightened sense of gratitude for all the good things in my life. Family and the beauty that surround me every day are at the top of the list. Friends sit right at the top, too...but I won't use pictures of my friends online without permission, and waking them up on Sunday morning to gather that permission is likely to endanger my friend status. Hence, no friend pics in the video. :)
Enjoy Priscilla Herdman's splendid voice on Raffi's "Thanks a Lot." It's from the album "Stardreamer" and you can pick it up here if you're as delighted by it as we have been. My husband introduced me to this album, and it has been a favorite ever since.
Oh, and the "percussion" you hear in the song is a rocking chair. Nice, huh? Yeah, I think so, too.
Thanks a Lot written by Raffi performed by Priscilla Herdman
It's true...I have been on a Lyle Lovett kick lately. That's nothing new...I've been a fan of Mr. Lovett for a long time. I always hope that sharing his music will create more fans.
"Here I Am" is witty, fast, and musically delightful. Enjoy...and if you find yourself liking Lyle Lovett more than you anticipated, please pick up a CD and give him a listen. I recommend "Live in Texas" or "Step Inside This House"...they have become my personal favorites.
Enjoy your Sunday and "Here I Am"...
Hello I'm the guy who sits next to you And reads the newspaper over your shoulder Wait Don't turn the page I'm not finished Life is so uncertain
Here I am Yes it's me Take my hand And you'll see Here I am Yes it's true All I want Girl is you
Given that true intellectual and emotional compatability Are at the very least difficult If not impossible to come by We could always opt for the more temporal gratification Of sheer physical attraction That wouldn't make you a shallow person Would it
Here I am Yes it's me Take my hand And you'll see Here I am Yes it's true All I want Girl is you
If Ford is to Chevrolet What Dodge is to Chrysler What Corn Flakes are to Post Toasties What the clear blue sky is to the deep blue sea What Hank Williams is to Neil Armstrong Can you doubt we were made for each other
Here I am Yes it's me Take my hand And you'll see Here I am Yes it's true All I want Girl is you
Look I understand too little too late I realize there are things you say and do You can never take back But what would you be if you didn't even try You have to try So after a lot of thought I'd like to reconsider Please If it's not too late Make it a cheeseburger
Here I am Yes it's me Take my hand And you'll see Here I am Yes it's true All I want Girl is you
Lyle Lovett, one of my favorites, has a new album. I'm listening to "Natural Forces" online right now, and I will be purchasing a copy before sundown today.
If you're familiar with Lyle Lovett, give Natural Forces a listen. He's hard to peg into a genre. He's got a more "country" sound than a lot of current Top 40 country, but nothing like "traditional" country music. You'll hear hint of little Texas swing, gospel, blues, even jazz, and a lot of intelligent lyrics that paint stunning word pictures, and a wicked sense of humor.
The whole album is online and it's all good. My personal favorites on this one are "Loretta", "Whooping Crane", "Natural Forces", and "It's Rock and Roll". Treat yourself to some time to just listen.
This morning...Dan Fogleberg and "Part of the Plan" from the album "Souvenirs"
So much of life seems like there is no plan...no rhyme or reason to the random bits of madness that dot the landscape. And yet...when I look back on my life, I know that the person I am today is a result of my experiences, the lessons learned and wisdom gained from dealing with the random bits. Maybe the plan is this: that we humans are unrepentant experiential learners; that we all write our own lesson plans; that trial-and-error is the only real learning style that applies to life lessons; that no one graduates without repeating a few classes along the way; and that we needn't feel too smug about watching someone else's repeats because we've all had (and will have) our do-overs. Maybe the plan is that we show each other compassion and just keep moving forward.
I like that plan. I like this song. And I like the fact that I can share it with you this morning. Blessings along the way, dear friends...may today's lessons be gentle and sweet.
I have these moments All steady and strong I’m feeling so holy and humble The next thing I know I’m all worried and weak And I feel myself Starting to crumble.
The meanings get lost And the teachings get tossed And you don’t know what you’re Going to do next. You wait for the sun But it never quite comes Some kind of message comes Through to you. Some kind of message comes through.
And it says to you...
Chorus Love when you can Cry when you have to... Be who you must That’s a part of the plan Await your arrival With simple survival And one day we’ll all understand...
I had a woman Who gave me her soul But I wasn’t ready to Take it. Her heart was so fragile And heavy to hold And I was afraid I might Break it.
Your conscience awakes And you see your mistakes And you wish someone Would buy your confessions. The days miss their mark And the night gets so dark And some kind of message Comes through to you Some kind of message Shoots through --
Chorus
There is no eden or Heavenly gates That you’re gonna make it to One day But all of the answers you seek Can be found In the dreams that you dream On the way.
Today's Sunday Sounds is one of the newer pieces from Neil Diamond. I'm sure Neil isn't aware of how much time we've spent together in my life, starting when I was about ten years old. My appreciation for his music matured along with his songwriting
There are as many interpretations of this song as there are listeners. People will argue passionately that it's a love song; others will argue just as passionately that it's about God. That's the thing about art; no matter what your original inspiration or intent, once you turn it loose in the world it morphs and changes through each eye and ear and heart on which it falls. Perception is a powerful creative force in itself.
My perception takes Neil Diamond's music and lyrics here and creates a prayer of gratitude for the love in my life...past, present, and future...friends, lovers, and family...love that originates from within and without...divine love in human form. That kind of grace is pretty amazing.
The album is Home Before Dark and the song is "Pretty Amazing Grace."
Pretty Amazing Grace Lyrics
Pretty amazing grace is what You showed me
pretty amazing grace is who You are
I was an empty vessel
You filled me up inside
and with amazing grace restored my pride
Pretty amazing grace is how You saved me
and with amazing grace reclaimed my heart
love in the midst of chaos
calm in the heat of war
showed with amazing grace what love was for
You forgave my insensitivity
and my attempt to then mislead You
You stood beside a wretch like me
Your pretty amazing grace was all I needed.
Stumbled inside the doorway of Your chapel
humbled in God by everything I found
beauty and love surround me
freed me from what I fear
ask for amazing grace and You appear
You overcame my loss of hope and faith
gave me a truth I could belive in
You led me to a higher place
showed Your amazing grace
when grace was what I needed
look in a mirror I see Your reflection
open a book You live on every page
I fall and You're there to lift me
share every road I climb
and with amazing grace You ease my mind
Came to You with empty pockets first
when I returned I was rich man
didn't believe love could quench my thirst
but with amazing grace You showed me that it can
In Your amazing grace I had a vision
from that amazing place I came to be
into the night I wandered
wandering aimlessly
found Your amazing grace to comfort me.
You overcame my loss of hope and faith,
gave me a truth I could believe in.
You led me to that higher place
showed me that love and truth and hope and grace were all I needed.
The divine in me ... the divine that is me ... wishes the beautiful, incredible, divine you a wonder-filled fall Sunday. The Universe IS listening ... pay attention to what you say today ... speak truth ... speak love ... speak gratitude. Send a message to yourself and know that you are loved.
Blessings, friends...and may the coming year be filled with living, with love, and with gratitude.
Melissa's album, "The Awakening," has a place of honor in my collection. Maybe it has a place in yours.
We had a wonderful Samhain celebration here last night...one I will carry with me all year. As a result of my well after two AM bedtime and my hungover without the alcohol, sleep-deprived state this morning, today's song is a gentle, wordless offering. :)
Emerald Rose is one of our family's favorite bands. They played at our wedding; in fact, we scheduled our wedding around their availability because we wanted them there so badly.
Look for more Emerald Rose in the future; they are fine songwriters and performers, and do some tasty covers, as well. For today, enjoy Autumn in Asheville from the album Archives of Ages to Come...and please, if you enjoy the muisic, support these independent musicians by making a purchase to add to your collection
Sunday again? Yay! That means I get to so another Sunday Sounds post. You have no idea how hard it is for me not to just fill this blog with music every day. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share the music that stirs my soul.
Today's offering: Paul Simon's "Under African Skies" from the album "Graceland". The beautiful female voice is Linda Ronstadt, another favorite of mine.
"This is the story of how we begin to remember..." I am, finally, here in my middle years, beginning to remember what I had forgotten as a younger adult...what I think I knew as a child, though it was discouraged right out of me as early as possible...the divine spark of creation that lives within me and the form it was meant to take.
If you like...and if your musical library doesn't already include a copy of "Graceland", you can purchase a copy at Heartsong Recommends... Please support artists you enjoy when you can.
Joseph's face was black as night
The pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere
And he walked his days
Under African skies
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
In early memory
mission music
Was ringing 'round my nursery door
I said take this child, Lord from Tuscon ,
Arizona
Give her the wings to fly through harmony
And she won't bother you no more
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
Joseph's face was as black as the night
And the pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere
And he walked the length of his days
Under African skies
Welcome back to Sunday Sounds! Today's offering is by a Pagan-oriented band out of the Northwest, Gaia Consort.
These guys are so, so good! Pagan music in general has gotten a lot better in the last few years. Artists are maturing and, more importantly, audiences for Pagan music are growing, attracting a larger group of musicians to the genre. That's good news all around.
I've always wanted to open a Midwinter (Yule) circle with this song...and maybe this year I will. But first, I'll share it with you. The song is "Gathering" from the album, "Gaia Circles." It's a great album all around, as is everything I've heard from them. I also have "Evolve" and will be purchasing more soon. If you like what you hear, I encourage you to support Gaia Consort by purchasing their music. You can find it here on Heartsong Recommends... or at the the band's website. They've generously made MP3's of almost all their music available on the site and encourage sharing to get the word out. Of course, sharing the joy doesn't buy their biscuits, so please consider making a purchase if the music moves you. Enjoy!
From the East and in-breath of dawn
From the South, where fire is born
From the West, where the water is rising
From the North, where Gaia calls home
We have come to offer our story
We have come to open the well
It is balance we're seeking in all things
We have come to offer our selves
Salmon in the streambed, Raven in the sky
Will you be the voice of Gaia?
Willow in the marsh grass, Redwing fly
Will you be the voice of the world
Lizard on the rock face, tongue flick air
Will you be the voice of Gaia?
Heron on the tideflat, Great Brown Bear
Will you be the voice of the world?
Building up a bonfire - calling back the light
Calling up a green man - WE ARE GATHERING
Calling up a storm cloud -calling back the light
Calling up a horned one - WE ARE GATHERING
Here - now
The light on the leaves which brings flesh to the bone
which makes possible love and the dancing allowed
The salt in the sea & the sunlight reflected
like jewels in the mist that the forest will breath
The brush of the skin against skin and the nerve
that will carry the song to the tongue and the mind
The air in my lungs that feeds the fire in my blood
that brings the life to my heart and my reason for being
Building up a bonfire - calling back the light
Calling up a green man - WE ARE GATHERING
Calling up a storm cloud -calling back the light
Calling up a horned one - WE ARE GATHERING
We have come to be part of a healing
We have come to celebrate life
As we wake her, Gaia she's dreaming
We have come to call back the light
Salmon in the streambed, Raven in the sky
Will you be the voice of Gaia?
Willow in the marsh grass, Redwing fly
Will you be the voice of the world
Lizard on the rock face, tongue flick air
Will you be the voice of Gaia?
Heron on the tideflat, Great Brown Bear
Will you be the voice of the world?
Building up a bonfire - calling back the light
Calling up a green man - WE ARE GATHERING
Calling up a storm cloud -calling back the light
Calling up a horned one - WE ARE GATHERING
Calling up a whirlwind - calling back the light
Calling up a Wild Thing - WE ARE GATHERING
Lovers in the Dark Moon - calling back the light
Calling up an Oak King - WE ARE GATHERING
I couldn't decide between two songs for this week's Sunday Sounds, so you get a two-fer!
These songs are written by two immensely talented songwriters. I've heard both Leonard Cohen and Sting perform their respective songs and they moved me deeply. But Jeff Buckley and Eva Cassidy, two gifted singers who died young, "owned" these songs. When they sing the words, something more than the original composition results, something bigger, richer, purer.
I hope you enjoy this morning's Sunday Sounds. If you like anything here and want to support the artists with a copy of your own, please visit Heartsong Recommends... where you can purchase from Amazon.
First up...Jeff Buckley singing Lenoard Cohen's, "Hallelujah." You may recognize the song from "Shrek" where Jon Bon Jovi did a very fine job with it. But it's Buckley's version that makes me cry every time. The album is "Grace."
Well I heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Well it goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to her kitchen chair
And she broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew ya
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me do you?
And remember when I moved in you?
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who'd out drew ya
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen in the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah <<(held for a long time)
Hallelujah
Sting's "Fields of Gold" is a beautiful song of love that transcends loss. Again, Sting sings his own words admirably, but Eva Cassidy takes this song to an entirely different emotional place. Someone may prove me wrong someday, but right now I don't see how anyone or anything could make this song any better than this. The album is "Songbird."
You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Among the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
So she took her love for to gaze awhile
Among the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold
Will you stay with me will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
And you can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that I've broken
But I swear in the days still left
We will walk in fields of gold
We'll walk in fields of gold
I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that I've broken
But I swear in the days still left
We will walk in fields of gold
We'll walk in fields of gold
Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
As you lie in fields of gold
You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Among the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
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Other Wisdom
This is my living faith, an active faith, a faith of verbs: to question, explore, experiment, experience, walk, run, dance, play, eat, love, learn, dare, taste, touch, smell, listen, argue, speak, write, read, draw, provoke, emote, scream, sin, repent, cry, kneel, pray, bow, rise, stand, look, laugh, cajole, create, confront, confound, walk back, walk forward, circle, hide, and seek. To seek: to embrace the questions, be wary of answers. - Terry Tempest Williams, naturalist and author
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