music journal

I wrote a little song about walking in the woods with the kids (which you can read about here). the tune (so far) is a straight-up rip-off from a tune Death Cab’s new ablum (which I just got and enjoy). so here goes:

walk in the woods (tune: death cab’s Grapevine Fires)

(Am) last day of (C) spring
a walk in the (G) woods
a little (D) fresh air
might do us (Am) good
the three of (C) us
a walk in the (G) woods
a walk in the (Em) woods
 
decend the hill
at a quiet pace
stop for each bloom
in this magic place
decend the hill
at a quiet pace
at a quiet pace

(a walk in the woods…) Am C G D
 
came to a tree
across the way
the brightest bird
a red and black display
he flies away
as the day turns gray
as the day turns gray
 
climb the hill
to find the falls
splash some rocks
bounce off the walls
somewhere I hear
the red bird call
the red bird call

(a walk in the woods…)
 
it’s getting dark
the long day ends
lets hold hands
while we ascend
head back home
as better friends
as better friends
 
 

I’ve had lots of musical dreams over the years. I keep most of them to myself. one that I’ve always thought was rather attainable is to play music together as a family. sometimes we do a little and it’s usually a good time.

long ago Michelle played guitar. in fact she played a whole lot. but that really was before we met, and while I’ll always be grateful that she brought a nice guitar into the mix, I’ve been a little sad that we havent played much together. there’s been a couple memorable exceptions involving church music, but nothing that ever lasted. it’s mostly been because health issues got in the way of her playing, but also I guess she lost interest. meanwhile my interest has been soaring.

so I wrote her the “Be My Nancy” song, and it seems to have struck a chord, so to speak. during our weekend getaway we worked on songs together, figuring out harmonies and a little bit of arrangements, and we were both excited about the results. so I burned her a CD of my songs (most of which can be found on this blog) and she’s been listening for harmonies and such.

then came word of our neighborhood coffee shop hosting a family music/open mic night, and that got us going a little more. so we practiced “My Aya” and “Be My Nancy” with me on lead vocals and octave mandolin, and her on harmony vocals and guitar. and if I do say so myself, I think we sound pretty good! it’s a little bit of work finding that sweet spot, since neither of us are naturally good at finding harmony (like some friends are). but once we find it, I’m really liking the results. anyway, we did our songs at the coffee shop, and they were well received by the very small audience.

so it really is a little dream come true to be able to make music together, and I’m hoping we can keep it up. I’m still amazed that I can put down songs that I enjoy singing, and it’s even cooler to do it together. so hopefully soon we’ll record some stuff for a little album to share. whatever happens with all this, we’re thankful for the gift of being able to dive into something we both enjoy together.

Here’s a song for Michelle. I’ve got the tune (with the octave), just need to record a decent version. it’s a reflection on what we’ve been learning about our marriage recently. still needs some refinement, but here it is:

here’s a rough demo mp3

you’re my mystery
I thought I could see
I thought I had it all figured out

you’re my mystery
I see that I cant see
I thought that all these little thing would add up to a lot

now I dont know just how to love you
when once I thought I did
I’m not sure how much I know you
but now I know:
you’re my mystery 

I’m your mystery
I want you to see
you’ll never have me all figured out

I’m your mystery
And I hope you see
my heart is yours and hoping you’ll unlock it with your key
 
you may not know just how to love me
I’m praying that you’ll try
you may not know how much you know me
but now you know:
I’m your mystery

I’m praying for some grace and mercy
my heart it needs new eyes
to see your true eternal beauty
and so we know:
we’re a mystery

the first song that kicked off my interested in songwriting was setting a tune to an old poem I wrote for Michelle. that poem/song was about the night we fell in love, and its still one of my favorites.

last night was the 10th anniversary of the events from that song, so I did an updated version for the occassion:

Lover and friend, full of beauty and grace,
Ten years ago we danced in the rain
Laughing and dancing in spinning embrace.

Your black dress swirling, a curl in your face,
The memories cause me to fall once again
Lover and friend, full of beauty and grace.

First time I held you and started to chase
Your heart and a love that would always remain
Laughing and dancing in spinning embrace.

Do you remember feeling a trace
Of beautiful oneness, a loving refrain
Lover and friend, full of beauty and grace.

We danced through the night, hearts quickening pace
Started the love song we still sing today
Laughing and dancing in spinning embrace.

Now we’ve returned to this mysterious place
Remember God’s love and grace has sustained
Lover and friend, full of beauty and grace,
Laughing and dancing in spinning embrace.

here’s the little song that Michelle and I wrote for our new neice, who was born earlier this year. I was able to sing it for her at the baby shower.

Hannah Jane, little girl,
Welcome to this big bright world,
We’ve waited oh so long
To see your little face.
 
We prayed long and we waited
We hoped until we cried
Now God’s given you
And joy it fills our eyes.

(chorus)
By grace you were born,
By gace you’re now here,
Amazing gift from God,
Amazing, amazing grace.
 
May He guide your little feet
Your heart trust in him,
So you’ll rejoice in God,
You’re whole life praising Him.

Here’s the another side of life with the sweetest kids ever. kind of a joke right now but it might be fun to work on:

Toddlerville

I want my daddy
I want my mama
I want my socks on
I want my socks off
 
I want everything that I cant get
And I need a LOT right now
Candy cookies dont forget
If not I’ll throw a fit on the ground
 
Dont wanna come in
Dont wanna go out
Dont wanna go potty
Dont wanna take naps
 
Dont you know it’s all about me
And my every little desire
So come on come play with me
I dont understand why you’re tired

I love you SO much!
We’re together!
Bible stories!
Let’s call grandma!
 
Feed me well and I’ll be nice
And dont forget the kisses and hugs
I know you love these sparkle eyes
You’ve got every little bit of my love

here’s a little song for my daughter. I think it needs some work but here it is so far:

My Aya - draft mp3 here

A picture here pinned in my cube
Little hand, you were just two
Little hand, outlined in green
I keep it close by so I see
How small you were not long ago.
Oh I love watching you grow.

Oh my Aya
I’m so happy you’re my little girl
Oh my Alice
You know I would give you the world

Your photo here, I see it each day
You sleep so late I dont see your face
I miss your smile and your curls
That sweet voice of my little girl
Your brown eyes, that spot by your ear
These truly are the best of years

(chorus)

I wonder just how you will be
Growing up, it’s so hard to see
Your way in this confusing world
But you’ll always be Jesus’ little girl
Trust Him and remember to pray
He’ll keep you close by each day

(chorus)

this one is for my wife and lover. I’ve got a tune for it, and it’s a tad bluegrassy, which wasnt my intention, but that’s what came out, so who am I to argue. I think the genre could use more fun love songs, since it seems to be rife with tragic ones. anyway, here’s the song inspired by Michelle’s new red dress:

Red Dress

Baby put that red dress on
Show me what you’ve got
Let’s go out and have some fun
And show them what we’ve got

(chorus)
When you put that red dress on
Your love comes shining through
So come put that red dress on
Let your love shine through

Other girls think they’re so fine
But they dont really know
True love and it’s mine all mine
No they will never know.

(chorus)

You love with your heart and soul
And I love you with all I’ve got
Lets dance as 2 parts of a whole
And love with all we’ve got

(chorus)

here’s the 2nd track of my collection of octave mandolin tunes. this one is a medley of little lullaby tunes from our family. the first part is actually a composition of Caleb (our 3 year old) who made up this song last year. it’s called “Birdies Fly Away”, and he used to go around singing it in his cute little warbling voice. I’m very proud of his little song, so I wanted to capture it. the 2nd part is an old lullaby called “By Low My Baby” (or however that should be spelled) from when Michelle was a kid. it was apparently on an old record they had, and Michelle’s dad sang it to our kids this summer, and it’s become a nightly requirement ever since. finally, the 3rd part is a little ditty I made up when Caleb was a baby, called “You’re my baby (and I love you)”. I still sing it with the kids now and then. not really a lullaby, but a fun little thing we do. anyway, the last little tag is a bit from the first two parts, and if sung, it would say: “Birdies fly away. all through the night.” for some reason I really like that.

the medley is simple enough, but for some reason I couldnt quite it right when I was trying to record it. I did a bunch of takes and always messed up a little something each time. I guess that’s the trials of recording stuff. so I eventually gave up on getting the perfect take and took the best one and edited it a little. ideally I’d like to have a better version, but it was getting late. I also think I’m playing it a little faster than I should, but I think it otherwise turned out OK.

so here is my Lullaby Medley. as always, feedback is welcome. now on to the next track…perhaps something a little minor.

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to me! thanks to everyone who went in together and got me a great little recording device (Zoom H2) so I can make better-quality recordings of my stuff. this thing is pretty nifty, and best of all it makes good quality home recordings very easy. my little iPod recorder was nice as far as it goes, but this thing blows it away, so I’m pretty excited about the possibilities.

so for the record here’s a sample of me messing around with one of my little tunes. to me it sounds pretty much like the real thing (complete with my mistakes of course), and I havent even started messing with any of the cool features like surround sound. so thanks again to all who made this possible, epecially Michelle. I’m looking forward to lots of (hopefully) good stuff this year with this thing.

oh and in other Christmas/music news, we got my dad a lap dulcimer, which he seemed pretty excited about. hopefully soon we can jam together.