[Rapunzel]

I mentioned this artist and his book once before, in reply to someone a while back. Trying to find some of the lyrics to the songs that have gotten me through, I discovered that there is now a book. Hold On, The Light Will Come

I first heard of Michael McLean when I was away for the first time at college, and I had some really dark times then. The song title that is the title of this book is the last song on the album one of my roommates told me about, A New Kind of Love Song. I held on to that song for all it was worth a lot through the years.

My favorite of all the songs is If Only You Believe In Yourself. It's on both albums too, but I am disappointed that the CD that came with the book seems to have omitted my favorite verse of that song. </font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Anxiously a singer sits, waiting for a chance to sing her song,
Hoping if she hears them say, "You're not that good,"
She'll know deep down they're wrong.
One more bad audition and she's vowed she'll pack it in,
But just before she sings, she tries to hear those words again:
"If only you believe in yourself,
I know you can achieve.
If only you believe in yourself,
You won't be scared."

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Besides being a wanna-be musician myself, singing seems like a pretty good metaphore for life too. I always wished that there were someone who believed in me and encouraged me. As a child and through most of my life the message I always got was "Don't bother trying - you're not good enough." This song captures that belief needs to come from within and not be dependent on outside sources, as well as being able to keep believing in yourself even when criticized. Those concepts are so hard for someone who didn't get any encouragement to develop that kind of self-confidence as a child. Even if it needs to come from within, I think that most of us need help to develop some inner confidence, and it is so easily destroyed, especially when we are children.

I wish that I could find links to listen to the songs online somewhere, but I'm not having any luck. There are a few clips on his website, but not of the songs or albums that I know. I wish you guys could hear these songs. The book was good too. It's about where the songs came from, how they came as answers to situations in the writer's life, and also how other people have been affected. I never knew it before, but should have realized - he is one of us. Only someone who has been there can really express these feelings and needs and hopes, and know how to comfort, the way that these songs do.

Amazon also has the book, but I don't know about all the music. I just have this book, the album I got when I was in college, and one other book (with music) that I also love - The Forgotten Carols.

Rap

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((((((( Rap ))))))))))))))))

[findebsoon]

Hi All,
I suppose the first thing for me to say is; I feel you can cope fairly well with these"dark times" through music to
actually touch and reach your inner self by this medium. With-out sound in our life we might as well lop an arm or a leg off! In the course of my life music was the antidote for almost everything that came my way. The Classic Rock and what have you.
One day though at a time when things were going
pretty smoothly, I was out with friends and having a few
laughs over a cup of coffee when out of the corner of my eye
I saw a man who'd been at a booth having a meal. After a while I started to see that he was handicapped, the man was deaf. At that moment the pit of my stomach felt heavy and
burdened. How could this be? what is happening here? what
do I say? how should I react? I asked myself, was this a physical handicap or a mental disability? It became harder
for me to get my head around this guy and soon I noticed
he was becoming uncomfortable at my constant gaze. Nevertheless I couldn't help myself and so I quickly paid
up the bill and left. Of all the five senses, hearing must
surely be the grandest of them all. A babies gurgle, a dog
barking, a concert, a compassionate whisper. Let me give
you a heads up, if you sincerely listen and consider what's
being said and not only the sounds but; tone, pitch, lively,
relevant, and sincerity, maybe that will be enough to make
those "other voices" be less of a threat. Please give some
discussion about these things, I would be happy to hear
from anyone. Thank-you.

DB

[Rapunzel]

(((((((( Fuzzy )))))))))) Thanks for the hug.

DB, I apprecdiate your comments too. Music has always had a way of being able to reach me when nothing else can. I like to listen to music, but participating in it is even better for me. At church, it is a good meeting if the music was good and I got to sing enough. Song is a form of prayer, and the easiest way for me to feel the spirit. I sing in choir as much as I can. If a lesson in church goes too long and they cut the music short in order to get out on time, I am so disappointed, because the music is what I need.

I would not like to lose my hearing, but I also thought I would point out that deaf people can participate in music too. They can feel the vibrations of music, and signing along is singing too, and is very beautiful. Most deaf people have some hearing, so maybe they can hear or feel more than one might think they can.

There is music all around us, isn't there? Whether or not it is set to a tune. Some of the best music consists of the sounds that are created by nature.

If you would like to use this thread to discuss these ideas, that is more than fine with me. Everyone who would like to share is welcome.

Rap

[bebop]

rap music has always gotten to me more than a sermon. I love to sing in church and at home and in the car lol. although I don't think I am very good at it I do sing solo's in church. very small church and the people seem to enjoy it. I do it for God. I am glad to hear you enjoy it so much as well.

[findebsoon]

Thank-you for your invite Rapunzel, I'm glad we can
hookup for some discussion. Would you believe it, roughly
20 to 25 Canadain geese honked their way over my house just
this minute. I too love the great hyms of the Church. I'm
just astonished for your love of these great songs as well.
They represent so much emotion and deep faith its hard to
pick any favourite one. Which is your favourite(s) My
Grandma always liked The Old Rugged Cross.
To be able to sing must be a gift from God. My
singing voice needs a tuneup for sure, but I can feel
tears well up then my mind thinks back to when those hyms
were so precious to me. Blessed Assurance would always
take my thoughts back when my family and I had a huge pot-
luck supper and the adults and everyone from miles around
to gather to share what they had prepared. We didn't
worry or fret. It was as if time stood still.
Thank-you for your time with me Rapunzel, please say
a prayer for me and will say one for you.
Bye. DB

[Rapunzel]

We might not know all of the same songs. And I have a hard time picking a favorite too. I'd say that my favorites change from time to time, as one resonates with me and what I need at that point in my life. I don't know "The Old Rugged Cross." A couple of my favorites from when I was young are "I Stand All Amazed" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." I find new favorites all the time. One of them is "Children of Our Heavenly Father." Also, one that you probably don't know, "O My Father." I'll type the words to that one, since it's likely to be unfamiliar.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
O My Father

O my Father, thou that dwellest In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation, Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood, was I nurtured by thy side?

For a wise and glorious purpose Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"
And I felt that I had wandered From a more exalted sphere.

I had learned to call thee Father, Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But until the key of knowledge Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav'ns are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal Tells me I've a mother there.

When I leave this frail existance, When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation Let me come and dwell with you.

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And another one:

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
With Songs of Praise

With songs of praise and gratitude We worship God above,
In words and music give our thanks For his redeeming love.
Then come before God's presence! With singing worship him!
Express the heart too full to speak, In one exultant hymn.

The Lord has said a heartfelt song By righteous ones is prayer;
A hymn unites us and invites The Spirit to be there.
Then come before God's presence! With singing worship him!
Express the heart too full to speak, In one exultant hymn.

In former days glad hymns were sung by seed of Abraham;
The Saints shall sing, when Christ shall come, The new song of the Lamb.
Then come before God's presence! With singing worship him!
Express the heart too full to speak, In one exultant hymn.

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Part of what I love is the melody and harmony and the way that these songs flow, as well as their messages.

Do you know "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief?" That's another one that always gets to me. The melody is beautiful, and the words are touching too.

There are so many wonderful, incredible songs and hymns. Not the least of which, the songs of birds, including geese. We have two geese here, and when wild geese fly over, ours answer them. I am sure they wish they could go along with them, even though our geese are non-migratory domestic varieties. I think they still speak the same language.

[Rapunzel]

I'm not sure I'm any good, and I don't get asked to sing solos, but I think that people should sing if they feel like it.