One Fall Saturday (Metro Songwriting Workshop students)

Today...a beautiful, fall Saturday... At La Vista Metro Campus teaching a songwriting workshop...and conversing with 4 wonderful people.  I can't believe I get paid to do something I love!
The last writing assignment was for the class to incorporate what they learned about song structure and the elements of song writing following a 3 step writing process.  The title they chose was One Fall Saturday.  They did a great job of coming up with ideas for the song and they wrote the first verse and chorus...and came up with the tone and emotion they wanted the song to convey.  I will post the song lyrics and come up with a melody sometime by the end of October..fun!!

Well...here it goes co-writers..I'd love to hear if you have another take on the melody or the lyrics for that matter...Email me and I'd love to hear if you re-write this song with a melody of your own...a new assignment :)

You may click on the following link to hear One Fall Saturday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiO8799_dvM&feature=youtu.be

One Fall Saturday     Co-written by Jay, Beverly, Leslie, Paula, and Beth

I could sing, I could sing about the weather and the trees

I could sing, I could sing about the highway and the breeze
Or I could talk about the falling of the leaves
But I’d rather sing about you, and you, and you and me

CHORUS:
One fall Saturday
What a trip we’ve taken
New steps we’re making
One fall Saturday
What a trip we’ve taken
New steps we’re taking

I could drive, I could drive away wearing my same black hat (Jay's hat)

I could think, I could think today maybe I’ll get around to that
Or I could make some changes like the falling of the leaves
Since our paths crossed on this journey

Repeat CHORUS

BRIDGE:
A bend in the road, a risk to create, a passionate flow…coming together, coming together

Repeat CHORUS

The Ocean Has a Shore

I can smell the ocean breeze- feel the sand on my feet- the moist wind is blowing my hair in my face as the water gushes over my ankles and I look out into the deep, wide blue. 

God is always speaking.  Just as the tide comes in and out...Sometimes I'm more in tune with Him than other times..When I've got a lot of heart and head clutter I don't always hear as clearly ...This song speaks to  how God teaches me things through the simple things in life..usually the same things over and over (it takes me awhile to get things)... They eventually drop from my head into my heart and that's where transformation takes place.  Also, how I compare myself with others who are way beyond me who seem to be effortlessly wading in deep waters...agreeing with the lie of comparison is a thief in my eyes and it robs us of many things... There are a lot of themes in this song...I hope it will speak to you or at least make you think of being on the beach watching seagulls and letting the water dance over your feet :)

You may click here to listen to song-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hIGUGDBlwU&feature=youtu.be

My ankles are covered with water
but I’d rather be submerged
Diving into places of depth                                    
trying to find something of worth
      It’s in this place I face my heart
      where pride is shown and gratitude sparse

Chorus:
            
The ocean has a shore a deep and shallow end

where the tide comes in and goes out again

A simple, steady rhythm I don’t think much about

The ocean has a shore  x2

Here I stand

I’m splattering and shattering  
The views I used to hold close            
How bigger is better than the simple things I’m being told
     It's in this place I face my heart
     Where pride is shown and gratitude sparse

Bridge:

You’re quenching my thirstwith one or two little words
You're quenching my thirst
Oh I like it here
Your breath is near
Oh I like it here Oh I like.. the ocean has a shore

@2012

 

Swing the Door

There have been times lately where I've wanted to hide away and pray..lay down burdens, pray for others and listen to God.  I reach for the door knob to walk into my room and I think of 5 other things I wanted to do...and I do them...I get into my room and begin talking to the Lord and turn on my computer then do the other two things that come to mind...There is a battle that goes on...I continue to press through. This song came after reading a devotional from Oswald Chambers..My Utmost for His Highest..it constantly speaks to my heart and challenges me. 

Swing the Door... song not finished yet. I figure if I start a post I will more likely to keep working on the song :)  Well..a month and a half later I did finish the song...Click here to listen..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfYUlnPmZ1k&feature=youtu.be

Resistance is keeping me from your heart

Distraction’s enticing me  It’s not hard
Contending I finally made it out, out of the dark
Like a magnet I’m being pulled, pulled away

Chorus:

Swing the door wide open
Step inside
Close the door tight real tight


Submission is echoing from these 4 walls
Gradually one knee’s on the floor face in my hands
Wrestling I don’t have a chance no no chance
Like a magnet, I’m being pulled, pulled away

Chorus:

Swing the door wide open
Step outside
Close the door tight real tight

Bridge:
A dance is taking place
Three partners can’t occupy the same space anymore
So here I go
I’m choosing to

The Realist, The Dreamer and Me

Kermit the Frog...who doesn't love that lil' frog? Well, the song he sings called The Rainbow Connection has a catchy melody and leaves me feeling...a bit unsettled along with interweaved glimpses of hope.  I'm kind of a music nerd and love to read about the lyricists and songwriters meaning behind their songs.  Song Facts is the website I usually go to learn more.  This song is about the meaning of life, a spiritual journey and much more..

So I've been thinking about writing a song about my dreams, taking risks (something I don't do very well), etc. ..the title idea is The Realist, The Dreamer and Me.  After having a conversation with my friend and fellow songwriting pal, Daniel, he encouraged me to never compromise doing what I love...music and singing..that's who I've been created to be...the joy it brings to use and develop the gifts God's given me. Sooo... I was reminded of Kermit singing this song...and decided not to recreate the wheel as some ideas of my title fit into The Rainbow Connection song and underlying themes...

The Realist is the voice that says, "Don't pursue your dreams...you need to play it safe."  Others in my life who say the same thing looking through then lens of today...being rational, practical...feeling squashed in that.

The Dreamer is the voice that says, "Step out and take a risk...exercise your faith muscles...and fly baby fly!" (See Great Black Hawk song)

Me- Muddling through the scenerios of what could and could not be. what has and has not been..what steps to take next...what voice is the voice of truth...struggling just like Kermit. 

Feel free to take a listen to Beth and Kermit sing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdwhMPdhJGM&feature=youtu.be

Hush Down

torment (noun) extreme pain or anguish of body or mind: agony

A head FULL of thoughts kept rolling like a train, plowing like a tractor, destroying like a wrecking ball..was what I felt like this week.  Then something severed in my brain after some people prayed over me...it broke!  I had to stand on truth to combat the battle of the mind..a fear of cancer was rearing its head again...

mock (transitive verb) treat somebody or something with scorn or contempt, to imitate closely

Mocking soon tried to move in and dance with me...so I layed in bed praying a Psalm and a new melody called "Hush Down" came while playing my harmonica...goodbye mocking...hello sleep.

spirit of fear and mocking...Hush Down!...

song to come once my computer gets working again..ugh!

Psalm 4:8 As I lay down and sleep in peace, you alone O Lord make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 16

Live Snapshot

Snapshot... A song inspired after watching a compelling documentary called Nefarious. 
To listen to the song please click on the following link.  To learn more about this film read on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Dc5Ok1kds&feature=youtu.be

Nefarious, Merchant of Souls, is a hard-hitting documentary that exposes the disturbing trends in modern sex slavery. From the very first scene, Nefarious ushers you into the nightmare of sex slavery that hundreds of thousands experience daily. You’ll see where slaves are sold (often in developed, affluent countries), where they work, and where they are confined. You’ll hear first-hand interviews with real victims and traffickers, along with expert analysis from international humanitarian leaders.
From initial recruitment to victim liberation—and everything in between—the previously veiled underworld of sex slavery is uncovered in the groundbreaking, tell-all Nefarious, Merchant of Souls.

The Cold Facts of Modern Slavery


• A child is trafficked every 30 seconds. – UNICEF
• The average age of entry into commercial sex slavery in the United States is 13 years old. – United States Department of Justice
• Human Trafficking occurs in 161 out of 192 countries. – The United Nations
• Pornography is a 96 billion dollar per year industry. – The Internet Filter Review
• Up to 96% of women in prostitution want to escape but feel they can’t. – United Labor Organization
• Human Trafficking is a 32 billion dollar per year industry. – The United Nations
• In some countries it is estimated that 70% of men purchase sex. – Victor Malarek; The Johns
• Over 27 million people are enslaved around the world. This is more than double the number of Africans enslaved during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. – Kevin Bales; Free the Slaves

Shallow--Inspired while in Uganda

Drums...lots of them...
Children...playing them with passion and fervor
Singing that was coming from a deep place of gratitude, intimacy and love towards Heavenly Father
...left me speechless, in awe of God, and helped my heart connect with the lover of my soul in an inexpressible way... This song called Shallow came from worshipping with children in Uganda on a Friday night...the best Friday night of my life!!

Here's a link to some of the songs we sang with them along with Shallow...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dux3SQvzXU0&feature=youtu.be