My thoughts, rants, raves on all things music. I will be looking at lyrics of songs and providing my insight, thoughts, opinions and other diatribes as I see fit.
I've been listening to Lady Antebellum lately. If you're not familiar with this trio, I encourage you to check them out. Yes, it's country, but they are putting out some really good music. I love groups with tight harmonies, and these three have it.
Not only do they have great harmonies, but they have some songs with some very profound lyrics. "I Was Here" (proper English aside) has hit home for me lately. Here's a sample of what the song has to say...
I wanna do something that matters, say something different, something that sets the whole world on it's ear. I wanna do something better, with the time I've been given And I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life and leave nothing less than something that says I was here
For those who know me, you know I've been struggling with my job lately. Not so much with my specific job (which is driving me nuts), but with the sense that I should be doing something more with my life than living in a cubicle in front of a computer. I guess I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, but I fear I may have missed my chance to do something about it.
The bigger problem for me is that I kinda know what I'd like to do, but sadly realize that it's likely never going to happen. I also know what I'd like to do if money were no object, which would afford me the chance to give it a shot with no consequence of losing my house or other such things. Again, it's unlikely to ever come to pass.
Sadly, I realize that I have a very limited skill set, and have become accustomed to a certain salary range (which has been pretty much the same for the last 7 years, which is equally depressing), and that my opportunities to affect the world through my vocation are practically non-existent. I can't help but think that there's got to be more to life...more to my life...than IT in the insurance industry.
Sorry, my first post in almost two months should probably be more uplifting than this, but I prmised myself that I woudl be honest in these posts. I thank you for bearing with me!
I have to be honest, I struggle with the term “Worship Leader.” Worship, while an action, is also a lifestyle. We were created by the Almighty for the sole purpose of worshipping Him. Worship is not something that someone else can lead or direct. It has to come from within. It has to be a personal desire and requires individual dedication.
We have many different vehicles to express our worship. Singing, prayer, giving of our tithes and offerings…these are all ways we can express our worship. These are the ways we magnify His holiness. These are the ways we offer up our praises to him.
So while I contemplate how best to identify exactly what it is that we do on most Sunday mornings from the platform, I am confident that the use of music is one of the purest expressions of our praise offerings to Him. Down through the ages, we have been blessed with amazing God-inspired songs, from the hymns of our fathers to the choruses of today. Music has always been a primary vehicle to magnify the Lord. The Bible says “God inhabits the praise of His people” (Psalms 22:3). When we praise the Lord, when we magnify His name, God inhabits us, individually and collectively. The praises we offer are powerful and deserving of our best effort.
In recent years, there has been one song, more than any other, that I feel provides us with a glimpse of how we should approach the business of praising God. The song is titled “Undignifed.” It has been recorded by a number of artists – David Crowder Band, Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin to name a few. This is a song that I would love to see us start to put into regular rotation here at Immanuel. Some of you know the song, though I suspect many of you may not. The lyrics are simple. They are straight from the Word of God. And they are, perhaps, some of the more challenging words put to music in recent history.
I will dance, I will sing.To be mad for my King. Nothing, Lord, is hindering the passion in my soul.
And I’ll become even more undignified than this. Though some may say it’s foolishness I’ll become even more undignified than this. Leave my pride by my side.
It’s all for You, my Lord!
It’s appropriate that this song focuses on the words of David, because I suspect this is the kind of song David would have written. David was a man who understood the role of praise in the lifestyle of worship. David let nothing stand between him and his pure, uninhibited and passionate praise of his King. He didn’t care who was watching, didn’t care what others thought. His only concern was that the praise he offered was pleasing to God.
And there’s the challenge we all face. Is our praise pleasing to God? Do we focus solely on offering ourselves to God, caring not what others think of how we accomplish that? Praise is not passive. It requires action. It requires us to separate ourselves from our surroundings and present ourselves at the foot of the throne. It requires us to leave our egos at the door. It requires us to discard our fears and our concerns of what others may think of us. It requires us to lavish our praise upon God Almighty as if we were the only ones doing so.
In some cases, it might even require physical action – clapping or applauding God, raising hands, shouting a joyful noise. Sometimes, it requires us to quiet ourselves before the Lord, to be still and listen. But even then, we are still required to give our entire being to the task of magnifying the Lord.
The argument can be made that praising God is not something to be done passively and meekly. If we truly believe that God is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, how can we dare to praise His name with quiet, self-conscious whispers? Praise is a sacrifice of self in order to magnify the Holy One.
Can you imagine what it will be like when we get to heaven? I cannot wait to part of the gazillion voices offering my loudest praises for an audience of One!
Okay, so as I'm standing in the living room of the Patton's at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve (as has been our tradition for many years now), I find myself listening to the masses gathered at Times Square (on the TV, of course) singing "Auld Lang Syne." It occurred to me that this is one of those songs that I know very little about, and I've decided to investigate some more.
The little that I did know about the song, always made me think that it was a rather morose and sorrowful song, not the kind of thing you sing to celebrate the new beginning of a new new year, and all the hope that comes along with it. Here are the lyrics - at least as I thought I knew them... Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and days of auldlangsyne. For auldlangsyne, my dear, for auldlangsyne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auldlangsyne. I always thought this song was encouraging us to remember those who've we've lost touch with over the year, either through death or just simple lack of communications. But not only that we've lost touch with them, but to remind ourselves that we've lost touch with them. I suppose it could be taken as a means to encourage us to try to rekindle the lines of communication, which might be a more positive spin, but the song always depresses me.
So I decided to look into the song a little more, and thanks to Wikipedia, here's what I've learned...
There are actually 5 verses to the song, which was originally a poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns, written in 1788. It can loosely be translated into English as "long time since" or "long, long ago." It is a poem of remembrance, but not of a sorrowful memory, but of a joyful fondness, remembering the times spent and shared with friends and family upon the reunion of said parties. The song actually seems to be about the chance to reunite with those we've lost touch with over the years.
So, I guess this song is not nearly as morose as I originally thought, and perhaps during this new year, I will be able to take advantage of the lyrics and reunite with loved ones who I've lost contact with. So, for those who I've shared times with in the days of auldlangsyne, I wish you a prosperous New Year, and one of reconnection and lasting friendships.
Okay, so I've been listening to Christmas songs for over a month now, and while I still enjoy listening to them, I do have a few questions that have been plaguing me. In no particular order, here they are...
- Exactly what is figgy pudding, and do people really eat this concoction? - Where is Dixie's Sunny Shore, and why do people from Pennsylvania head there during the holidays? - Am I the only one who finds the video for Hall and Oate's "Jingle Bell Rock" just a little creepy? - Why is Celine Dion allowed to sing Christmas songs...well, any song for that matter? - What record exec though it would be a good idea to team up Frank Sinatra and Cyndi Lauper for a duet of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town?" - What record exec felt the song "I'll Be home With Bells On" (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton) was actually a good idea? - Whatever happened to the kid when he finally got his two front teeth? He never wished me a Merry Christmas. - What sort of person tells ghost stories at Christmastime? - How exactly does one rock around the Christmas Tree? - Why is silver and gold the only tree decorations worth singing about? Surely the Hallmark folks can come up with something to combat this. - Isn't "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" just a little bit threatening, when you stop and listen to the lyrics? - Where exactly did the three ships come sailing into on Christmas Day, and who really saw them? - Why does the male part in "Baby It's Cold Outside" always come off as a person who's probably looking to slip a mickey into the female's drink?
There are plenty more, but this is perhaps the most vexing of questions. I'd love to hear if any of you have answers to any of these. Perhaps there are some obvious ones I've missed?
I mentioned the Muppets version of this song in my Top 10 favorite Christmas songs (#4 for those of you keeping score at home), but there is a new version that is quickly gaining in terms of my favorite version of this song. Check out the group Straight No Chaser doing their version of the 12 Days of Christmas...
Truth be told, I would give anything to be able to sing in a group like this sometime!
I figured, since I highlighted my second favorite Christmas song already, I should probably break down my favorite Christmas song for you, my faithful reader (I'd make that plural, but I'm not sure I have more than one reader yet).
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Yuletide carols being sung by the fire, and folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe helps to make the season bright. Tiny tots, with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa’s on his way. He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh. And every mother’s child is gonna spy to see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And so, I’m offering this simple phrase to kids from one to ninety-two. Although it’s been said many time, many ways, Merry Christmas to you.
This song is my all-time favorite Christmas Song. It’s a song that emphasizes to me the simple joy of the season. It brings to mind images and memories of a time before Black Friday, Cyber-Monday, Hallmark ornaments, Hess Trucks, and all the other commercial trappings that are commonplace in today’s society.
The song captures the innocence of Christmas that most of us have lost over the years. Let’s be honest, most of us have never roasted chestnuts on an open fire. I dare say most of us have never had chestnuts, roasted or otherwise. I haven’t. I wouldn’t know a chestnut if one fell out of a tree and popped me on the head. Yet, the image that this phrase conjures is one of warmth and a feeling of home. I imagine sitting in front of a fireplace, snow falling outside, candles burning on the mantle, the scent of pine, cinnamon, and chestnuts (though I have no idea what they smell like) wafting through the room. It is the type of image you see in the movies or a Kinkade painting (if he did interior scenes).
And how many of us struggled as kids to fall asleep? How many of us reluctantly went to bed, only to sneak downstairs an hour later to see if Santa had come? I remember many Christmas mornings where I would peek into my sister’s room only to find she’s already snuck downstairs and was sorting the bounty that Santa had dropped off. I even rememebr a few where I was the first one downstairs doing the sorting.
I miss that innocence. I miss the days where going Christmas Shopping was an event for the whole family, not something that begins the day after Christmas. And I really miss being able to say "Merry Christmas" without fear of the PC-police breathing down my neck. I find it ironic that we sing of "peace on earth" at this time of the year, yet few things get us more worked up at this time of the year than the potential offense we might cause another by wishing them "Merry Christmas." And with each passing year, as the meaning of Christmas becomes more and more overwhelmed by commercialism and political correctness, I fear we will soon find ourselves celebrating a "winter festival" rather than celebrating the birth of our King.
Let’s re-capture the innocence lost and join our voices in unison with this song as we wish everyone "Merry Christmas to you!"
And if that heartfelt appeal doesn't get you in the mood, perhaps this will...
This song is one of those songs that comes out of nowhere and completely catches you by surprise. The first time I heard even part of the song, I only heard the last chorus and the last verse. Yet that was enough to completely captivate me. I went home that night, looked it up on iTunes, and purchased the single for my Christmas playlist.
I've interjected my comments within the lyrics of the song. To hear this song, I encourage you to find it on iTunes, or to purchase Faith's new Christmas album "Joy to the World". Teenage girl, much too young. Unprepared for what’s to come. A baby changes everything.
Not a ring on her hand. All her dreams and all her plans. A baby changes everything.
At this point in the song, you might be thinking that perhaps this young girl deserves her fate. Children should not have children. I’ll even admit that if I had heard this song from the beginning the first time, I would probably have been somewhat cynical towards this girl’s plight. I do not condone the glamorization of teenage pregnancy, and many songs in rotation today approach this subject as if the girl involved either had no choice or can’t be held accountable for her actions. This song dangles perilously close to that edge.
The man she loves she’s never touched. How will she keep his trust? A baby changes everything.
She has to leave, go far away. Heaven knows she can’t stay. A baby changes everything.
She can feel it’s coming soon. There’s no place, there’s no room. A baby changes everything.
At this point in the song, even if you are a cynic, you’re probably finding yourself at the very least a little emotionally invested. Even the hardest hearts among us can empathize with the fears and confusion she must be going through at this time.
Shepherds all gather ‘round. Up above, the star shines down. A baby changes everything.
Choir of angels sing Glory to the newborn King. A baby changes everything.
Finally, we now know that this young girl is Mary, the mother of Jesus. And once we excuse ourselves for our previous reactions, we can take a look back at the song, and realize that these lyrics are probably quite close to what Mary must have gone through. The Bible tells us that Mary showed no confusion, offering her praises to God for choosing her for this honor (Luke 1:46-55), and I have no doubt that Mary did see this as a glorious honor. But I suspect that she also had the fear and the worry that is captured in this song. We know that Joseph did (Matthew 1:18-25).
But the song doesn’t end there. The final verse is, perhaps, the most important.
My whole life has turned around. I was lost but now I’m found. A baby changes everything.
I’m not going to judge whether or not I believe the singer is or isn’t a Christian. That’s not my place. However, these three phrases perfectly capture the purpose of Christ on Earth. He came to be the sacrifice for our sins. He came to offer us salvation through his sacrifice. When we accept Him, our lives will be turned upside around. We will no longer be in the dark, no longer be among the lost. For those of us who have accepted Christ as our savior, a baby has changed everything!
So as not to be thought of as a complete Scrooge, I've also compiled a list of my favorite Christmas songs of all time. Admittedly, some of these are probably a bit less known by the masses, and that's fine. Perhaps if more people were to take my recommendations, they would get the airplay they deserve (Yes, Virginia, in my dreams I am that influential).
10) “In The First Light” (Glad) – I’m not sure who actually wrote the song, but Glad’s arrangement was the first one that I remember listening to. It’s a great song, simple, poignant, and filled with the joyous hope of the season. It also serves as a reminder that we can often get caught up in the business of the season, but Christ is here, quietly with us, and anxious for us to come to Him if we’ll only slow down a little and pay attention. 9) “Heirlooms”(Amy Grant) – going a bit ‘old school’ here. This is one of those songs that always hits home with me. I am a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas. I refuse to listen to Christmas music until Black Friday. I always listen to the same CD when putting up our tree. And this song always reminds me that the memories of Christmas are, perhaps, the most cherished Christmas present we can give each other year after year. 8) “Little Drummer Boy” (White Heart) – Perhaps not the most popular arrangement of this song, it is still my favorite arrangement of this song. Ric Florian’s soaring vocals over the perfect blend of guitar and drums makes this song worth listening to over and over again. 7) “Christmastime Is Here” (Mercy Me) – classic song from “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown” redone in a contemporary style, yet maintains the perfect jazz feel of the original. The trumpet solo in the middle sets the tone for the whole song. 6) “The New Twelve Days of Christmas” (First Call) – Here’s a more relevant list… 12 Diets Slimming……11 Trees For Trimming……10 Stockings Brimming…… 9 Cash Dispersals (ouch)……8 Choir Rehearsals……7 Plates With Dressing…… 6 Cards With Blessing……5 Shopping Malls……4 Manger Scenes…… 3 Fruit Cakes…… 2 Evergreens…… And a Child born to set the world free!
Here are my top five most annoying Christmas songs of all time...
5) "Celebrate Me Home" (Kenny Loggins) – Kenny should stick to movie soundtracks. This song is sappy, whiny, and the incessant repetition of the final phrase, which accounts for nearly half the running time of the song, makes this song excruciating to listen to. 4) "Dominick The Donkey" (does it matter?) – A ridiculous song with no business being part of the Christmas season, yet it seems like it’s on the radio every time I turn it on. 3) "Another Old Lang Syne" (Dan Folgerberg) – perhaps the most depressing seasonal song (is it even a Christmas Song?) ever recorded. Two old acquaintances happen upon each other, booze it up in a car, complain about their lives, and then leave each other to their own continued loneliness. This song makes Debbie Downer seem like a cheery, hopeful person. 2) "Last Christmas" (Wham) – This is, perhaps, one of the most absurd Christmas songs ever conceived. “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. But the very next day you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears, I’ll give it to someone special.” So are we to assume that the giver did not consider the original recipient special, but was so desperate to give their heart away that they just picked someone at random to give their heart away to? Annoying on so many different levels.
And, without further ado...
1) "The Christmas Shoes" (NewSong) - When this song was first released, I remember sitting in the car, thanking God for the reminder of His blessings in my life. I remember being emotionally affected by the lyrics. Since then, after a contemptible amount of airplay, and intrusion into all forms of mass media (including a book and TV movie staring Rob Lowe?!?!), the song serves as a reminder of how a good song can be destroyed by pop culture. I hate including this song here, because I really like NewSong, but this song has just been beaten to death and needs to be retired.
Obviously, there are a number of other songs that could have easily made this list ("I Wanna Hippopotamus For Christmas" or anything by Celine Dion immediately comes to mind), but I had to draw the line somewhere
I'm best described as a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. I've been married for over 11 years to my best friend and beautiful wife, Anita. No kids yet, but we're in the process of adopting. Together, we serve as Music/Worship Directors for Immanuel Church here in Mechanicsburg. I also coach our church's Men's Softball team, and I do enjoy bowling regularly.
