a cairn often marks a sacred place on a path ... where one pauses to reflect,..listens more closely, prays for guidance. Often they are made of stones, each placed by a passerby, a pilgrim, until they are as high as one can reach, and then the little spaces between the larger stones begin to be filled in with other hopes, prayers, and stories. When I began recording songs for this cd three years ago I had little idea what it would be like in the end, but now, as I listen, I see clearly that what I've been doing is adding stones, of notes, rhythm, story, the sharing of gifts, the raising of voices, the crafting of poetry, to my cairn of the past three years.
God Will Listen to You
Human Canvas
God's Love Reaches Me
O God, You Search Me
Sheep, Don'tcha Know the Road
Why Wait?
A Light I Am
Take My Burden, Lord
O Lord, Hear My Prayer
Turn, Turn, Turn (To Everything There is a Season)
SizohambaGod Will Listen To You
God Will Listen to You, by the late Mark Heard, is richly poetic, street-wise and back porch at the same time. We did this one mostly 'live' and it feels like the place where I began my time at this cairn...wanting to be reassured that God does listen.
When the weight of this world crashes down on you,
God will listen to you.
When the sky turns black and your thoughts turn blue,
God will listen to you.
Chorus:
God will listen to you, always listen to you,
God understands how the children feel,
God will listen to you.
When the river of tears cannot be contained,
God will listen to you.
Feel like you're drowning in the pouring rain,
God will listen to you.
When the light explodes in a world gone wrong,
God will listen to you.
When your heart beats strong with a grateful song,
God will listen to you.
by Mark Heard
©1983 Home Sweet Home Records,
All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.
RETURN TO TOPHuman Canvas
Human Canvas is a reminder not to get swept up in human arrogance. I believe deeply in 'original grace' but we can sure paint a messy picture.
Is there a heart that can't be broken?
Is there a trust we can't betray?
Is there a strength that cannot wither?
Is there a hope that cannot fade?
Is there a truth that can't be twisted?
Is there a soul that can't be stained?
Is there a vow we can't abandon?
Is there a love we cannot feign?
Chorus:
Longing to hold what once was given,
Painting with promises undone,
The purest colors of creation,
On human canvas bleed and run,
On this human canvas bleed and run.
Is there a bliss that can't be tainted?
Is there a cause we can't decry?
Is there a smile that can't be questioned?
Is there a life we can't deny?
Is there a peace that can't be shattered?
Is there a good immune to greed?
Is there a wealth that can't be squandered?
Is there a faith we can't concede?
Chorus
Is there a joy we can't diminish?
Is there a dream we cannot jade?
Is there a friend we can't surrender?
Is there a kiss we'd never trade?
©2003 B. Grantz/F. McKendree
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
RETURN TO TOPGod's Love Reaches Me
God's Love Reaches Me is just simply Truth.
Well if I'm high on the mountain,
Far out to sea,
God sends a message and it reaches me..
God's love reaches me, God's love reaches me
Strong as a rock, tenderly,
God's love reaches me.
I walk in your city, walk in your town,
Above and below me, it's all around,
God's love reaches me, God's love reaches me
Strong as a rock, tenderly,
God's love reaches me.
Chorus:
God's love reaches me, reaches me
Chains cannot hold me, I'm set free...
God's love reaches me.
No greater story has ever been told,
No greater love could fill my soul,
God's love reaches me, God's love reaches me
Brighter than lightening so even I can see
God's love reaches me.
Words and music by Phill McHugh
©Phill McHugh Music [BMI]
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
RETURN TO TOPO God, You Search Me
O God, You Search Me... I fell in love with immediately when a friend from Scotland sang it for me. I recited Psalm 139, from which it is adapted, at my father's memorial service, so this one has profound meaning for me.
O God you search me and you know me.
All my thoughts lie open to your gaze.
When I walk or lie down you are before me.
Ever the maker and keeper of my days.
You know my resting and my rising.
You discern my purpose from afar.
And with love everlasting you besiege me:
In every moment of life and death you are.
Before a word is on my tongue,
You have known its meaning
through and through.
You are with me beyond my understanding:
God of my present my past and future, too.
Although your spirit is upon me,
Still I search for shelter from your light.
There is nowhere on earth I can escape you:
Even the darkness is radiant in your sight
For you created me and shaped me,
Gave me life within my mother's womb.
For the wonder of who I am I praise You:
Safe in Your hands, all creation is made new.
©1992 Bernadette Farrell.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
RETURN TO TOPSheep, Don'tcha Know the Road
Sheep, Don'tcha Know the Road....I heard a version of this on an Alan Lomax collection and when I sang it...it came out a bit different than the original. Mary Ellen, Rhett and Sarah were in the studio working on some of their songs when I asked them if they'd try this one with me. I sang it for them, we got some verses and on the second try...yes, Lord..I do know the road!
Chorus:
Sheep, Sheep don'tcha know the road?
[Yes, Lord, I know the road]
Sheep, Sheep don'tcha know the road?
[Yes, Lord, I know the road]
Do you know the road by the breakin' of the bread?
[Yes, Lord, I know the road]
Do you know the road by the breakin' of the bread?
[Yes, Lord, I know the road]
Do you know the road by the sharin' of the smile?
[Yes, Lord, I know the road]
Do you know the road by the sharin' of the smile?
[Yes, Lord, I know the road]
Do you know the road by the wavin' of the hand?
[Yes, Lord, I know the road]
Do you know the road by the wavin' of the hand?
[Yes, Lord, I know the road]
Do you know the road by the lovin' in your heart?
[Yes, Lord, I know the road]
Do you know the road by the lovin' in your heart?
[Yes, Lord, I know the road]Traditional Southern Gospel
from Bessie Smith
RETURN TO TOPWhy Wait?
Why Wait? written by my friend Graeme Williamson from Glasgow...just a masterpiece...going to such a deep place, so quickly...'I don't know how you got damaged...you weigh each truth that should be spoken...if each night's another promise broken, each day's a chance to make it true.'
I don't know how you got damaged,
Somewhere in transit or right at the start.
One day sane and one day savage,
Sometimes I'd swear you've got ice in your heart.
I say nothing lasts forever,
Even this pain will pass away.
I wish you well in your endeavor
Fair winds to help you find your way.
One day you'll wake and find there's no time left to lose...
You weigh each truth that should be spoken,
Against the damage it might do.
If each night's another promise broken,
Each day's a chance to make it true.
One day you'll wake you'll find there's nothing left to fear,
Why wait?
I don't know how you got damaged,
But time will make you well again,
One day sane and one day savage,
Will have to do you until then..
One day you'll wake you'll find there's nothing left to fear,
One day you'll wake you'll find there's no time left to lose.
Why wait? Why wait?
I don't know how you got damaged,
But love will make you well again.
©2003 Graeme Williamson [socan]
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
RETURN TO TOPA Light I Am
A Light I Am... adapted from the 2nd century Gnostic text, light, reflection, vulnerability, companionship...these things we need and are promised.
A light I am, to you who seek
A lense I am, to you who look
A door I am, to you who knock
A road I am, to you who walkOriginal 2nd Century Gnostic Text:
'A lamp am I to thee that beholdest me.
Amen.
A mirror am I to thee that perceives me.
Amen.
A door am I to thee that knockest at me.
Amen.
A way am I to thee a wayfarer.
Amen.'©2003 F. McKendree/T. Poynor
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
RETURN TO TOPTake My Burden, Lord
Take My Burden, Lord began as a mantra for healing and many's the time I've been moved to call on it.
Chorus:
Take my burden, lord
Won't you guide me through...
I don't need it, lord
I give it up to you...I give it up to you.
Thoughts and circumstances,
Far beyond control,
A subtle imperfection,
Soon becomes a thunder roll.
Nothing long lies hidden
A diamond in the coal.
Every resurrection
Rises grateful from the soul.
Chorus
Reason and decision
Elusive as the light,
That illuminates the border
Between the wrong and right.
Bridge:
I am faithless in the temple,
In this holiest of rooms..
I am searching for life rising,
From among these sacred ruins.
Captured, almost breathless,
But with victory undeclared,
Of everything that matters
I am desperately aware...
©2003 B. Grantz/F. McKendree/ C. Milling/P. Perry
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
RETURN TO TOPO Lord, Hear My Prayer
O Lord, Hear My Prayer from the Taize community in France, asks it so eloquently and simply....and believing that God does...the life affirming 'yes' of a samba seems the only way to go!
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer
When I call, answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer,
Come and listen to me.
The Lord is my song, The Lord is my praise,
All my hope comes from God.
The Lord is my song, The Lord is my praise,
God, the wellspring of life.by J. Berthier
©Les Presses de Taize. [France]
Used by permission of GIA Publications., exclusive agent.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
RETURN TO TOPTurn, Turn, Turn (To Everything There is a Season)
Turn, Turn, Turn...the wisdom is immense. This is life...
Chorus:
To everything, turn, turn, turn,
There is a season....turn, turn, turn,
And a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to be born, a time to die,
A time to plant, a time to reap,
A time to kill, a time to heal,
A time to laugh, a time to weep.
A time to build up, a time to break down,
A time to dance, a time to mourn,
A time to cast away stones,
A time to gather stones together.
A time of war, a time of peace,
A time of love, a time of hate,
A time you may embrace,
A time to refrain from embracing.
A time to gain, a time to lose,
A time to rend, a time to sew,
A time of love, a time of hate,
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late.
Adaptation and music by: Pete Seeger,
Words from the book of Ecclesiastes
Melody Trails, Inc.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
RETURN TO TOPSizohamba
And now I stand, gathering the energy to start out again, knowing, in my bones...Sizohamba ... we will walk [we are walking] with God.
Sizohamba naye, wo, wo, wo,
sizohamba naye. [repeat]
Ngomhla wenjabula, sizohamba naye [repeat]
Translation:
We will walk [we are walking] with God, my brothers,
We will walk [we are walking] with God.
We will walk [we are walking] with God, my sisters,
We will walk [we are walking] with God.
We will go rejoicing, 'til the kingdom has come [repeat]
Original words/music Swaziland traditional, transcribed by Swedish Youth Exchange Project, Swaziland
Transcribed by J. Bell
©2002 WGRG Iona Community
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
RETURN TO TOP
©Copyright 2008 Fran McKendree
Design by Wendy Leaumont Graphic Design