My Song in the Night, arr. Mack Wilberg | Choral Music

The last several weeks during my church choir rehearsal, we've been learning new music for our upcoming Easter Cantata. But a few weeks ago, our director handed us each a beautiful book of hymn and folk song arrangements by Mack Wilberg. Y'all know how much we love Mack Wilberg, so we were excited to read through a new piece, an absolutely beautiful folk hymn called, "My Song in the Night". The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings it with a full orchestra, of course, but we loved how simply beautiful it was with our small choir and just piano accompaniment. We sang it for the offertory this past Sunday.

O Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night

Come to us with Thy tender love, my soul's delight,

Unto Thee, O Lord, in affliction I call,

My comfort by day and my song in the night.

O why should I wander, an alien from Thee,

Or cry in the desert, Thy face to see,

My comfort and joy, my soul's delight,

O Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night
My comfort and joy, my soul's delight
O Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night


For the love of music and the glory of God,
Rebekah

O Nata Lux by Morten Lauridsen | Choral Music

It was late last September as I sat at the piano in the choir loft of a church here on the Coast. I was substitute playing for a friend one Sunday morning, and a piece of paper on the music rack caught my eye. It was information for an upcoming concert featuring a capella choral works from several different composers, ranging from the 1600's to recent years. This music would be performed by a high school madrigal group and a university chorus; the chorus would be directed by a friend of ours. "Wow!" I thought. "This ought to be really good!" So a few days later, my family and I drove over to this church and immensely enjoyed each and every piece of music we heard. The voices in each choral group were phenomenal!

One of my favorites from that evening was "O Nata Lux", a sacred choral motet written by the contemporary composer Morten Lauridsen for the late Paul Salamunovich, conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. It is one of several poems set to music in Lauridsen's magnificent work "Lux Aeterna" ("Eternal Light"). You can read the composer's own thoughts on Lux Aeterna here.

Incidentally, the chorus performing O Nata Lux in this particular video is the same one that performed Pilgrim's Hymn in my last Choral Music post: the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire choir. It's absolutely beautiful.

O nata lux de lumine,		O born light of light,
Jesu redemptor saeculi		Jesu redeemer of the world,
dignare clemens supplicum		mercifully deem worthy and accept
laudes preces que sumere.		praises and prayers from Your supplicants.
Qui carne quondam contegi		Who once was clothed in the flesh
dignatus es pro perditis.		for those who are lost.
Nos membra confer effici,		Allow us to become members of
tui beati corporis.		Your holy body.

For the love of music and the glory of God,
Rebekah

Pilgrim's Hymn by Stephen Paulus | Choral Music

I've decided to start a new series of blog posts about choral music!

Mostly because I've recently discovered that I'm a choral music nerd.

It kinda goes along with the a capella obsession thing.

This first piece of music is one that my church choir performed back in October. After our director told us about it, he played a recording of it on his phone. It was really quiet, and you could hear a pin drop as we listened in awed silence because of how absolutely gorgeous this music is. We were so excited to learn it.

The contemporary composer Stephen Paulus wrote this piece, interestingly enough, for one of his operas called "The Three Hermits". The lyrics were written by Michael Dennis Browne and are as breathtakingly beautiful as the music itself.

Here is a video of the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire choir performing Pilgrim's Hymn in the Milwaukee Art Museum:

Even before we call on Your name

To ask You, O God

When we seek for the words to glorify You

You hear our prayer

Unceasing love, O unceasing love

Surpassing all we know

Glory to the Father

And to the Son

And to the Holy Spirit

Even with darkness sealing us in

We breathe Your name

And through all the days that follow so fast

We trust in You

Endless Your grace, O endless Your grace

Beyond all mortal dream

Both now and forever

And unto ages and ages

Amen

For the love of music and the glory of God,

Rebekah

[You can order the music here.]

Album Review: Ellie Holcomb - As Sure As the Sun

Those of you who read my blog regularly know that my sister, Sarah, and I are really big fans of a precious Christian singer/songwriter named Ellie Holcomb. In November last year, Ellie announced that she had recently recorded her first full-length album...but instead of having a record label back the project and promote it, she asked her fans if they wanted to do it. Y'know, fund the whole thing and tell all their friends. Her fans responded with a resounding, "YES!!!"

(How could we not, after watching the promo video?!)

Not just a few fans of hers responded, either: 1,756 of them, to be exact. She hoped to raise $40,000 in 50 days. Well, let's just say that goal was met in three days...and by the time it was all said and done, they raised $108,176 (and broke a Kickstarter record)!

Of course Sarah and I were ecstatic to hear about the album, and we quickly decided that we'd go in together on a pledge amount...because on Kickstarter, the more you pledge, the more cool stuff you get: signed albums, t-shirts, posters, accessories like scarves and jewelry, etc. Then, after the $40,000 was raised, stretch goals were met and we got even more cool stuff: a pdf of handwritten stories behind the songs...vinyl records...a concert release party in Nashville...(we really wanted to go, but we just weren't able to get up there).

We were super excited when our "goodie box" came in the mail!



Then, a few weeks later, we met Ellie after the Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors concert in Oxford, Mississippi in April...what a blessing that was!



Anyways. Now that I've told you the story about all the fun we had backing Ellie on Kickstarter...let me tell you about the incredible album she recorded!

Sure As The Sun

{audio} {Ellie's story behind the song}

Ellie wrote this song for her precious little girl, Emmylou, but said that it was really the truth that she herself needed to be reminded of. She wrote it from Hosea 6:3: “Let us acknowledge the Lord, let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear. He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."

Marvelous Light

{audio} {Ellie's story behind the song}

We first heard this song on the promo video for her Kickstarter project and loved it. Ellie was inspired to write this song by one of the characters in Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga. His secrets were exposed in front of the very people he was trying to hide from, and yet, “He moved through the days in peace and wonder, for his whole story had been told for the first time, and he found that he was still loved.” (North or Be Eaten!, p. 321) (Sarah and I recently filmed a video of us signing to this song!)

The Broken Beautiful

{audio} {official music video} {Ellie's story behind the song}

Ellie sings about how God can take the broken pieces in our lives and turn them into something beautiful for His glory. “You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” Psalm 30:11. This song was released to Christian radio a few months ago and many people have discovered Ellie's music through it. You can hear her joy in the LORD as she sings!

My Portion and My Strength

{audio} {Ellie's story behind the song}

One of my favorites to listen to on this album. "When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you; yet I am always with You. You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel and afterward You will lead me into glory. For whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26.

Night Song

{audio} {Ellie's story behind the song}

"Be the truth that sings into my darkness / The melody of love that leads me on / Be the voice that comforts all of my sadness / Oh even when the suffering is long / Be my night song." I loved hearing Ellie tell the story behind this song during the release concert livestream. The melody is so calming and so are the lyrics!

Love Never Fails

{audio} {Ellie's story behind the song}

Right before Ellie sang this song during the release concert, she said, "I wanna rollerblade to this song!" :) It's far more than a catchy tune with lyrics about love; it speaks of the unconditional love of God, and us showing that same love to others. "Help me trust that this is true / Help me to love just like You do / Oh, LORD, help me to live like / Love never fails."

Love Broke Through

{audio}

This song is the most similar, in terms of the sound, to the music Ellie's husband, Drew, plays with his band. She never did write a story behind it on her blog! "Your love has called me out / Out of my sorrow, out of my broken places / Hope has been renewed / 'Cause there in the darkness, there in the darkness love broke through." Only because of the love of Christ and His life, death, and resurrection can we have eternal life and hope in Him.

 Only Hope I've Got

{audio}

Ellie sings of how we are so quick to claim the gifts God has given us as if they had come from ourselves, yet it is all because of His work in our lives and what He has given us that we have anything! I'm reminded of Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." James 1:17 also says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

The Valley

{audio} {Ellie's story behind the song}

Ellie recorded this song several years ago with Drew's band; she wrote it for several friends who were struggling with depression. She wove several Psalms into the lyrics, and says that it tells her own story as much as her friends'. "So come and find me / in the darkest night of my soul / In the shadow of the valley / I am dying for You to make me whole."

Songs of Deliverance

{audio} {Ellie's story behind the song}

The sweet Jillian Edwards Chapman sang with Ellie on this song, lending her high, clear voice to Ellie's rich alto. "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7. The hammered dulcimer adds so much to the ethereal effect of Ellie and Jillian's voices in this song!

Wanna Be Free

{audio} {Ellie's story behind the song}

“If the Son of God sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36. My first thought when I heard this song was, "Wow, Ellie, getting your inner Norah Jones on!" The organ and guitar combined with Ellie's soulful voice are awesome. "Oh, my Lord, come and set us all free."

Go to freeelliemusic.com to download a free sampler of songs from Ellie, including Marvelous Light and The Valley!

For the love of music and the glory of God,
Rebekah

Stories & Songs | Sam Robson - I Need Thee Every Hour

I never hear this hymn without thinking of a funny story about it:

Years ago, my sister, Sarah, and I read a book called "Wings of Gold" by Lance Patterson. It's based on his own experiences going through Officer Candidate School in the Marine Corps. He didn't hide from his drill instructors the fact that he is a Christian, and while they thought of him as a religious fanatic, they left him alone for the most part. One day he was running through an obstacle course, made particularly difficult because of a recent knee injury, so he started singing this hymn. A couple hours later, he was enjoying a nice hot shower when one of the other recruits started frantically telling him that his drill instructor wanted him in his office...pronto. Mr. Patterson wrapped himself in a towel, dripping wet, and went to the DI's office, thinking he was in trouble for something. Needless to say, he was quite surprised when the DI asked him to sing that song he was singing earlier that morning on the obstacle course. So he stood there, still dripping wet, in front of the DI and the rest of the people in the office...and sang this hymn. :)

I'm not sure how I stumbled upon Sam Robson's wonderful arrangement and recording of I Need Thee Every Hour, but I have greatly enjoyed listening to it over the last year or so. Sam does a fantastic job singing multi-part a capella hymns - check out his Youtube channel for more!

I need Thee every hour

Most gracious LORD

No tender voice like Thine

Can peace afford

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee

Every hour I need Thee

Oh, bless me now, my Savior

I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour

Stay Thou nearby

Temptations lose their power

When Thou art nigh

I need Thee every hour

In joy or pain

Come quickly and abide

Or life is in vain

I need Thee every hour

Most Holy One

Oh, make me Thine, indeed

Thou blessed Son

For the love of music and the glory of God,

Rebekah

PS - If you enjoyed Sam's arrangement, you might enjoy Vocal Point's, too. :)

Ellie Holcomb's "Marvelous Light" in American Sign Language!

Just a few days ago, Ellie Holcomb asked her fans to send in videos of them singing/dancing along to her song "Marvelous Light", because she wanted to include them in her music video!

So, because Sarah and I are such big fans of her...and we're beginning American Sign Language (ASL) students...we decided to learn Marvelous Light in ASL!

Ellie Holcomb's "Marvelous Light" in ASL from Rebekah Hope on Vimeo.

I am not who I once was
Defined by all the things I've done
Afraid my shame would be exposed
Afraid of really being known
But then you gave my heart a home

 

So I walked out of the darkness and into the light
From fear of shame into the hope of life
Mercy called my name and made a way to fly
Out of the darkness and into the light

Years of keeping secrets safe
Wondering if I could change
'Cause when you're hiding all alone
Your heart can turn into a stone
And that's not the way I want to go

So I walked out of the darkness and into the light
From fear of shame into the hope of life
Mercy called my name and made a way to fly
Out of the darkness and into the light

There's no place I'd rather be
Your light is marvelous
Your light is marvelous

You have come to set us free
You are marvelous
Your light is marvelous to me

So I walked out of the darkness and into the light
From fear of shame into the hope of life
Mercy called my name and made a way to fly
Out of the darkness and into the light


UPDATE:

Ellie included a couple seconds of our video in her music video!!

We're at 1:06. :)

(Thank you, Ellie!!)

Stories & Songs: Summer 2014

 Happy August, friends!

I had the thought to start a series of blog posts with "summer" music...a while back...in July...but then we went out of town for a couple weeks and I never did get around to it. But, seeing as to the fact that it's still very much summer here in South Mississippi, and it will be summer until around the end of September...I decided to go on ahead and put all these songs into one blog post!

Every summer I end up with a handful of songs that I listen to over and over, and when I listen to them later in the year, they remind me of that summer. There are songs I listened to 3 years ago that still remind me of the summer of 2011! The following songs are from the past couple of years, and are generally upbeat, happy tunes that remind me of my favorite season ever.

P.S....there are 15 songs in this post. You might wanna bookmark this post and come back to it so you can listen to all of them...because it's going to take a while. :)

Enjoy!

Keith Urban - Til Summer Comes Around

This will probably forever be my favorite summer song. It's a little on the sad side, yes, but for some reason I just really love it. It tells the story of an amusement park that closes down in the winter and a guy who stays "frozen in this town / til summer comes around", waiting for the girl he loves to come back. (Read the story behind the song here.) The music video is beautiful; it was filmed at the Santa Monica Pier in California and is the cause of my obsession with that place. We drove by the pier last summer and weren't able to see it...but it's on my bucket list!

Charlie Worsham - Mississippi in July

Charlie is a native of Grenada, Mississippi and won the Junior National Banjo Competition when he was 12. He's every bit as talented and hard-working as Hunter Hayes...just not as high-energy! When I first heard about Charlie last year, I picked this song as the first of his that I wanted to listen to. I was immediately impressed. Charlie's talent as a songwriter really shows through in this story set to music. (Listen to him tell the story behind the song here.)

Eric Church - Springsteen

I can't say I've ever intentionally listened to any of Bruce Springsteen's music (though I've probably heard it in a store or some place before), and the same could be said for many of the people listening to this song. It simply tells the story of a guy who wonders if the girl he once knew remembers him when she hears the music they listened to together. One of my favorite lyrics is "Funny how a melody sounds like a memory / like a soundtrack to a July Saturday night / Springsteen".

Ben Rector - Thank God for the Summertime

Ben is honestly one of the funniest people I follow on Twitter (next to Dave Barnes, of course, and if you read their conversations back and forth you'll be in stitches). Thus, many of his songs are fun to listen to! This lighthearted song captures the essence of summer perfectly: "And if it's late, we'll sleep in / cause every day is like the weekend / thank God for the months after May!"

Brad Paisley - Beat This Summer

My sister, Sarah, discovered this song over a year ago and it was one of a few dozen that we bought on iTunes before embarking on The Grand Trip Out West last year. "As long as I live, whatever I do / as great as it is, you know what's a bummer / I ain't ever gonna beat this summer with you."

We'll certainly never top the once-in-a-lifetime trip to California and back!

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors - Live Forever

I've blogged about this song before, but since the music video screams summer, here it is again. :)

Jason Gray - Good to Be Alive

I bought this song before my family took our camper up to the mountains in North Carolina 2 years ago and listened to it a lot back then. It always reminds me of sitting in the camper, listening to the afternoon rains fall and the mountain stream rush by. "I wanna live like there's no tomorrow / love like I'm on borrowed time / it's good to be alive".

Jillian Edwards - No Other Plans

Whenever I hear Jilly's sweet voice singing this song, I think of our trip to Texas 2 years ago. She has a talent for writing beautiful lyrics and melodies, that's for sure. "I've got no other plans that are written or stacked in my head / I've got thousands of things I could just leave unsaid / we can move along, a chorus needs a song..."

Keith Urban - Days Go By

Another one of my favorite Keith songs. "The days go by / I can feel 'em flyin' like a hand out the window as the cars go by / it's all we've been given, so you better start livin' / you better start livin' right now!"

Hunter Hayes - Better Than This

When Hunter released (ENCORE), the deluxe edition of his debut record, we were in the middle of California in June last year. This song is still one of my favorites. It tells the story of every singer, songwriter, or musician who dreams of "making it" one day in Nashville. "Could be a dead end road / I could be chasin' down a broken dream / but I don't even know / just where this road is gonna lead / it's a mystery / oh, ain't life a trip, no, it don't get better than this."

MercyMe - This Life

Another song I've blogged about before - "Hold your heads up high, this is the moment to rise / we were meant to shine, not just survive!"

Steven Curtis Chapman - Live Out Loud

Driving around in a VW van and handing everybody speakers? "Wake the neighbors, get the word out / come on, crank up the music / climb a mountain and shout / this is life we've been given, meant to be lived out / so la-la-la-la-live out loud!" Gotta love SCC.

Owl City - Fireflies

A couple years ago, during the trials for Olympic gymnastics, someone made a really sweet montage video for Nastia Liukin after she didn't qualify for the US team. They used this music in the video, and ever since then, it's reminded me of that summer. Besides, it's just a fun song to listen to!

Chris Rice - Life Means So Much

"Teach us to count the days / teach us to make the days count / lead us in the narrow way / somehow our souls forgot / life means so much."

A beautiful song from a gifted songwriter.

BYU Vocal Point - Good Time

Last but not least....my latest musical obsession: Vocal Point from BYU! If you've read this blog before, you know how much I love a capella music...and I was thrilled to discover just how unbelievably talented this group is. I'm going to put together a separate blog post with some of my favorite songs/performances of theirs soon, but for now, enjoy this cover of the Owl Ciy + Carly Rae Jepsen hit from the summer of 2012...complete with backflips mid-performance. :)

For the love of music,

Rebekah

Stories & Songs | Keith Urban - For You {Memorial Day Edition}

"Greater love has no one than this,

that someone lay down his life

for his friends."

John 15:13

The song that came to my mind this morning as we celebrate Memorial Day is Keith Urban's "For You", which he and Monty Powell co-wrote for the movie Act of Valor. The above verse is included in the lyrics!

I am so incredibly thankful for the thousands of brave soldiers, sailors, guardsmen, airmen, and Marines who have laid down their lives for us and for the freedoms we hold dear. To all of their family members and friends who have made such a sacrifice.... t h a n k  y o u.

(One of these days, I want to watch Act of Valor. I've heard it's good. And after you listen to this song, take a few minutes to listen to "Hymn to the Fallen", which John Williams wrote for Saving Private Ryan. It's absolutely beautiful.)

All I saw was smoke and fire
I didn’t feel a thing
But suddenly I was rising higher
And I felt like I just made
The biggest mistake
When I thought about my unborn child
When I thought about my wife
And the answer rang out clear
From somewhere up above
No greater gift has man
Than to lay down his life for love

And I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice
If it came down to it
Could I take the bullet, I would
Yes I would, for you

Maybe you don’t understand
I don’t understand it all myself
But there’s a brother on my left and another on my right
And in his pocket just like mine
He’s got a photograph
And they’re waiting for him back home
It’s weighing on my mind
I’m not trying to be a hero
I don’t wanna die
But right now in this moment, you don’t think twice

I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice
If it came down to it
Could I take the bullet, I would
Yes I would

You don’t think about right
You don’t think about wrong
You just do what you gotta do, to defend your own
I’d do the same
For you
Yes I would

I would give my life
I would make that sacrifice
Cause if it came down to it
Could I take a bullet
For you
Yes I would

I’d do it for you


For the love of music and the glory of God,
Rebekah

PS - you might enjoy this post from my old blog about visiting the National Cemetery in Biloxi two years ago!

Stories & Songs | MercyMe - This Life

I'm not sure if it was writer's block, or not being able to decide which song to write about, or just plain ol' procrastination, but so sorry for the absence of posts around here! (Actually, just face it, Rebekah, it was procrastination. Or maybe a little bit of writer's block, and a little bit of not deciding which song to write about...mixed in with a bunch of procrastination.)

Now that we've cleared that up.... (haha)

There's a funny story behind how I found out about this song!

About a year and a half ago, we were at a friend's Eagle Scout Court of Honor, and his mom had put together a slideshow of pictures from all the years he'd been in Scouting. It was a pretty long slideshow, and apparently he'd told her he wanted the background music to be "This Life" by MercyMe. The problem was, the slideshow was a lot longer than the song. As in two and a half times longer. So when the song started playing again, we all laughed, but we didn't mind because it's a great song!

And then the song started over again. Needless to say, the audience had it down pretty well by the end of the slideshow. :) But I immediately decided I really, really liked it! So I wanted to share it with you.

One of the best-known and loved bands in the Christian music industry has, for a long time, been a group from Texas known as MercyMe. This talented group of guys has released hit after hit on Christian radio and I still remember this one Sunday at church years ago when somebody sang I Can Only Imagine.

The song "This Life" is the upbeat opening track on MercyMe's 2010 record, The Generous Mr. Lovewell. The lyrics are what really make the song great - take a few minutes to listen and you'll know what I mean! "We were meant to shine, not just survive!"

This is not my home

(This is not my space)

This is not my style

(This is not my place)

Can't get comfortable

(Can't get settled in)

I simply don't belong

(Can't get used to this)

But I'm here right now

(I can hear you say)

Make the most of Me

(This wont go to waste)

If I'm out of my mind

(Yeah it's all for Christ)

If I'm making sense

(Then get it right)

Every moment is a chance

To let your light break through

This life (oh oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

This life (oh oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

I don't have to stall

(I don't have to wait)

Don't have to bide my time

('Til I make my escape)

'Cause heavens in my heart

(I won't settle for less)

I will lift your name

(By the life I live)

Every moment is a chance

To let your light break through

This life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

This life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

It's in my heart

It's in my soul

I'll live everyday

Just to make you known

'Cause this life

This life was meant to

Meant to shine

Hold your heads up high

This is our moment to rise

We were meant to shine

Not just survive

Hold your heads up high

This is our moment to rise

We were meant to shine

Not just survive

This life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

This life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to shine

It's in my heart

It's in my soul

I'll live everyday

Just to make you known

'Cause this life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to

Meant to shine

It's in my heart

It's in my soul

I'll live everyday

Just to make you known

'Cause this life (oh oh oh)

This life was meant to

Meant to shine

Oh oh oh

We were meant to shine!

For the love of music and the glory of God,
Rebekah

Stories & Songs - Christmas Edition! | Straight No Chaser

A series of posts on Christmas music can't possibly be complete without featuring a group that is, hands down, one of the finest acapella ensembles performing today: Straight No Chaser. The video of their creative and brilliantly hilarious arrangement of The 12 Days of Christmas went viral in 2007, leading to a record deal with Atlantic Records, over half a dozen albums released, and sold-out shows in theaters all over the country!

A couple of Christmases ago, one of their members, Walter Chase, came up with a song that poked fun at the commercialization of Christmas...using the French Can-Can tune. Thus, The Christmas Can-Can. Then, just recently, the group came up with another: various music from The Nutcracker, with lyrics that tell the tale of a poor guy who just wants to watch football on a wintry Saturday afternoon...but his wife drags him with her to watch the classic Christmas ballet.

So grab a cup of hot chocolate and sit down and enjoy...Straight No Chaser. (I've included the lyrics, because believe me, the words go by so fast, you need them!)

The 12 Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me

A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,

On the third day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,

On the eighth day of Christmas,

Nine ladies dancing,

My true love gave to me

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying

You better not shout

You better not cry

You better not in a pear tree

On the ninth (NO)

On the eighth (NO)

On the seventh day of Christmas

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

(My true love gave to me)

Here we come a wassailing among the leaves so green

(Seven swans a-swimming,)

(Six geese a-laying,)

Five golden rings

Four calling birds

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

(Here we come a wassailing among the leaves so green)

The boars head in hand bear I be decked with bays

And Partridge in a pear tree

On the eleventh day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And Rudolf the red nose reindeer

On the 12th day of Christmas

I have a little dreidel

I made it out of clay and when it’s dry and ready

Oh dreidel I shall play

Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel…

On the 12th day of Christmas

do do do do do do

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Twelve drummers drumming like Olympus above the Serengeti,

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing they were dancing for me,

Eight maids a-milking they were milking just for me,

I had Christmas down in Africa (5x)

(Five golden rings) (3x)

Gonna deck the halls and do the things we never had

Do do do do do do

Partridge in a big tree

Partridge in a big tree

The Christmas Can-Can

Christmas, Christmas time is here

And Christmas songs you love to hear.

Thoughts of joy and hope and cheer

But mostly shopping, shopping, shopping!

Christmas, Christmas time is here

The sleigh bells and the red nose deer.

Song and songs we love to hear

All played a thousand times each year.

Heard this same song twenty times

And it’s only Halloween!

(Joy To The World)

(I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day on Christmas Day)

Christmas, Christmas time is here

(Hark The Herald Angels Sing)

And Christmas songs you love to hear

(Joy To The World)

Thoughts of joy and hope and cheer

But mostly shopping, shopping, shopping!

Christmas season, starting sooner every year!

It’s October!

Stores with plastic Christmas trees!

Ransack the mall!

Shopping till you loose your mind!

Spike the eggnog!

Sit back and watch Rudolph, Frosty, Tiny Tim, and Scrooge, the Grinch or Charlie Brown

It’s time!

(hey)

It’s time to do the Christmas Can-Can

If you can’t can’t dance

Well that’s’ ok!

Not going to do the kick line!

All you need is a tree, some lights

presents wrap them up and pray for snow!

(Ho!)

Run to your closet,

Find your Christmas sweater,

Screaming carols all the way!

(fa la la la la la)

Maine all the way to California,

It’s the Christmas Can-Can,

Halloween to Christmas Day!

It’s the most wonderful time of year,

We’re running mad with Christmas cheer!

(Hey what’s the trouble with you my friend?)

It’s not fair if you’re Jewish, Jewish.

Not fair if you’re Jewish, Jewish.

Dradle, dradle dradle

I made it out of clay!

You realize that Christmas ain’t the only holiday!

(oy)

Hey he’s right, who made these laws?

Look! Wait here comes Santa Claus!

Santa Claus! Santa Claus! Santa Claus! Santa Claus!

Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa,

Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa!

GUYS!

Hey Santa do the can-can,

Help them if you can-can,

Join in the parade!

(I’m gonna go grab some Chinese food.)

All you need is tree, some lights, about a thousand

presents wrap them up and pray for snow!

(Ho!)

Run to your closet,

Find your Christmas sweater,

Screaming carols all the way!

(fa la la la la la)

France all the way to Indiana,

It’s the Christmas Can-Can,

That’s the end!

WAIT!

For our ending we should share this holiday

hava nagila…Happy Hanukkah to you,

a happy Hanukkah to you,

a happy Hanukkah to you,

A Merry Christmas, Hanukkah,

and also Kwanzaa!

A Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah

And Merry Kwanzaa too!

(ho)

The Nutcracker

Hooray it’s Christmastime

But there’s one lousy tradition

There’s a certain show that we will see

That is old and many would agree

It is time to find another show to substitute for the Nutcracker

I’m watching the game but something’s wrong

Staring is my wife her face looks long

I know that look it must be me

It’s not our anniversary

I shrug, no clue.

“What did I do?”

She stands in disbelief

WHAT?

This holiday scene brings no laughter

Forced going to see the Nutcracker

I tried to block it from my mind

Think fast! What reason can I find?

Got work to do

I’ll fake the flu

No chance, I’m done, I’m screwed

NO!

I’ve seen the Nutcracker twenty times.

Sure it is fun if you are four.

BUM!

Don’t call me a Scrooge cause it’s a bore.

The story’s dated and that mouse-king-thing freaks me out!

Well, guess I’m a guy what can I say

I’d rather watch football than ballet

I try my hardest not to grown

And pull the score up on my phone

As I complain,

“It’s not the same.”

We’re rushing out the door

GO!

All holiday shoppers on the road

My holiday spirit might explode

Of course there is no place to park

We’re late the theater’s in the dark

In no small feat

We find a seat

The show’s about to start.

SHH!

Here’s that song from Tetris

And I know it’s the part when I fight

Not to fall asleep

March the wooden soldiers

Bunch of mice start a fight

Land of sweets

Man this stuff’s trippy.

By the way this story makes no sense

Still don’t know

What it means

After all these years

So confusing

Feel like snoozing

Eyes are heavy

As I start to dream…

Whoa I’m awake must’ve fallen asleep guess I didn’t snore or make a peep

Cause my wife had no clue I’d been out-cold

Is the finale coming up because there is no beer left in my cup

To make it through I’ll need another drink

Snuck out to the lobby

Oh look I found a TV

I forgot the game was happening

It’s down to the wire

Time will soon expire

Down by one this kick would win it

HUT-HUT!

The ball’s snapped

OH NO!

The kick’s bad

RIGHT RIGHT!

No, we lost!

NO!

How could this night get any worse?

Now I’m feeling all depressed

But I still have to act impressed

A pirouette oh wow that’s great a six year-old could do that too

Saw my team lose at the bar

Now dancing dudes in leotards

Last Nutcracker hopefully

But my wife’s thinking differently

She leans in closely, whispers softly

Can’t wait for you to take me next year.

For the love of music (and, obviously, acapella singing!),
Rebekah

Stories & Songs | CALEB - Kingdom of Me

Hi everybody! It's been way too long since I last posted anything on here. Fact is, I couldn't think of any songs in particular that I wanted to blog about...but I finally remembered about this one the other day. :)

A few years ago, Steven Curtis Chapman's sons Caleb and Will Franklin and their friend Scott Mills started a band, simply called CALEB. Just recently they changed the name to Colony House, after an apartment complex in Franklin, TN where they had all lived at one time or another. (It makes sense; after all, if you search "CALEB" you're going to come up with a bazillion different results, almost none of which are what you're looking for!)

My sister, Sarah, told me about this song a while back, and I love it. The lyrics are the kind that really make you think. Take a listen and enjoy!

I drew a line

Said this is where I'm safe and I feel fine

I drew a line

Satisfied, I lived inside that box for quite awhile

Unsatisfied

I think there's a problem I hadn't thought of

Who I am, who I am

Up in my castle I sit on my throne

While the streets hold disaster but no nothing more
Ooooh, I'm a fool, I'm a coward
I sail my ship out to sea

Look behind, see the kingdom of me

Away I ran

From this moment placed in time for me to stand
Away I ran
Scared to see this monster that has taken over me

Too scared to see

Up in my castle I count all my gold

While my kingdom is drowning in tears from the poor

Ooooh, I'm a fool, I'm a cold heart

When I look at my crown
I see blood, I see fear
I see down, down, down

When will I learn
That it doesn't get much better till you turn
You gotta turn yourself around

Up in my castle I tear down my throne
Cast my crown to the ocean and bury my gold
Ooooh, I have finally found that

When I look past my pride, I see love come to life
For this kingdom to be

Is much more than the kingdom of me

For the love of music and the glory of God,
Rebekah

Stories & Songs | Rascal Flatts - A Little Home

Several years ago, it seemed like the same trio won every Group of the Year award there was to win in the country music business...every single year. Their heyday might be over now, but you have to admit, there was a reason for their success. They're really good.

We call them Flatts.

Gary LeVox, his second cousin Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney together make up one of the most loved and well-known groups in country music called Rascal Flatts. Their first album debuted in 2000 and they have been turning out hit records ever since. You don't have to listen to country radio long before you hear their distinct tight harmonies and polished sound.

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon what I thought was just a quote on Pinterest:

"Sometimes you just need a little home,

A little 'Hey, you've been gone way too long.'"

Then the thought occurred to me that it might be the lyrics of a song. So I Googled it. Well, whaddyaknow, it was a Rascal Flatts song that I'd never heard. It has quickly become one of my favorite Flatts songs! It's a lesser-known track on their 2012 album, Changed.

We all know someone - a friend or family member - who lives far away, maybe for a short time (college, deployment) or more long term (move, different job). This song talks about those people who aren't as close to home as they used to be and how special it is for them to get a little piece of home...maybe a phone call, or a Skype chat, or a letter or package in the mail. I'm not one of those people at the moment myself, but I do always think of a friend or two who I haven't seen in a long time.

Fifth floor

She's up in her dorm

Studyin' for her midterms

She's had one of those weeks

Where the world it seems is against her

Right on cue a picture pops up on her laptop

She can't pick her cell phone up fast enough

Sometimes you just need a little home

Some "Hey mom and dad what's goin' on?

I'm just checkin' in

No there ain't nothing wrong"

Sometimes you just need a little home

Well he's tired, sits down in the sand

Shoe box in his hand, half a world away

And he smiles when he sees who it's from

He lays down his gun, no he can't wait

Cards and letters and something sweet

He takes a bite and reads

How everybody sends their love, he tears up

Sometimes you just need a little home

A little let you know you're not alone

To carry in your heart

And keep your spirit strong

Sometimes you just need a little home

(Sometimes) I'd like to drive back through that little town

(Sometimes) And get my feet back on

Get my feet back on the ground

Sometimes you just need a little home

A little "hey you've been gone way too long"

Yeah way too long

No matter how grown up you get

No matter how far you roam

Sometimes you just need a little home

(Home sweet home)

Sometimes you just need a little home

"Hey mom and dad, what's goin' on?"

For the love of music,

Rebekah

Stories & Songs | Ellie Holcomb - I Place My Hope

Even though I wrote about Drew & Ellie Holcomb's song Live Forever not too long ago on my blog, I wanted to share with you a gorgeous new song from Ellie. She released an album in August that I keep forgetting to go on ahead and purchase - from what I've heard so far, it's really good!

One of the songs on her album is called I Place My Hope, and the lyrics are so beautiful and encouraging. The song is also beautiful musically - one of the things that caught my attention immediately was the guitar intro. It's in drop D tuning, which gives it a really rich, deep sound (it reminds me a lot of the intro to Lori McKenna's song Luxury of Knowing).

Whenever I hear this song I'm reminded to pray for some dear friends that are walking through a valley right now - please pray for the Phillips family as Mr. Randy battles cancer.
(Update: on October 1st, the LORD took Mr. Randy home to be with Him. We praise God that he is healed completely but our hearts grieve for his family. Even if you're reading this post days, weeks, or months later, please take a moment to lift them up in prayer.) 

The troubles of my heart

They're tearing me apart

How I need Your saving hand

To grant me a new start

Lonely and afraid

I call upon Your name

Save me from my enemies

And cover all my shame

I will lift my eyes

From this fragile life

For You will rescue me

You are my Prince of Peace

And I lift up my soul

To You who makes things whole

Oh, mercy love of old

In You I place my hope

I place my hope

So guide me in Your truth

Be my strong refuge

Oh, forgive my doubting heart

And lead me back to You

Help me to believe

Your love is all I need

Even when the storm is strong

You will provide for me

I will lift my eyes

From this fragile life

For You will rescue me

You are my Prince of Peace

And I lift up my soul

To You who makes things whole

Oh, mercy love of old

In You I place my hope

I place my hope

Even in my darkest place

There's a promise I will claim

Those whose hope is in Your grace

They will never be ashamed

I will lift my eyes

From this fragile life

You will rescue me

You are my Prince of Peace

And I lift up my soul

To You who makes things whole

Oh, mercy love of old

In You I place my hope

I place my hope

I place my hope

In You I place my hope

For the love of music and the glory of God,
Rebekah

Stories & Songs | Il Volo - Smile

Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while (as in, a couple years ago, ever since I first started!) may remember me mentioning the Italian trio, Il Volo. They were just starting to tour in America at the time, and since then, they've taken over the world! :)

The producers of a popular Italian TV talent show, Ti lascio una canzone, decided to put three contestants together to see how they would sound: tenors Piero Barone and Ignazio Boschetto and baritone Gianluca Ginoble. They quickly won the hearts of the Italian people with their incredibly strong, mature voices - and the oldest was sixteen! Gianluca won the competition, but the three continued to sing together. Their debut album was released in Italy two years later, and went platinum in six months - with almost no promotion, simply because people remembered and loved them so much! The album was released in the US a few months later, and thus they were introduced to the American public. They've since toured all over the world and have taped two specials for PBS.

One of my favorite songs from their debut album is called Smile. It was written as an instrumental piece by Charlie Chaplin for his 1936 movie, Modern Times. The lyrics were later added by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons in 1954, and the song was recorded by Nat King Cole the same year. Michael Jackson also recorded it, as have countless artists.

This song is so beautiful - I hope you enjoy it!

Smile when your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by

 If you smile through your fear and sorrows
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You see the sun come shinning through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide any trace of sadness
Although a tear be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worth while
If you just smile

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by 

 That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find life is still worth while 

If you'll smile

When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by

If you smile
Smile
You'll find that life is still worth while 

If you'll just smile
Smile
You'll find that life is still worth while
If you'll just..
Smile


For the love of music,
Rebekah

The Stories & Songs of Andrew Peterson {Guest Post by Mamie Rose Carlstrom}

A couple of months ago, my dear friend Mamie pinned Andrew Peterson's new album on Pinterest, and I commented and asked her if she'd ever want to do a guest post about his music on my blog. She responded with an enthusiastic, "Yes, PLEASE!".  I was only slightly familiar with Andrew Peterson's music until recently, but since Mamie is a wonderful writer and has been a long-time fan of his, I knew she would do a beautiful job telling you all about him. Happy reading, and happy listening!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Could it be that the many roads

You took to get here

Were just for me to tell this story

And for you to hear this song

And your many hopes

And your many fears

Were meant to bring you here all along.”

Many Roads | from the album Counting Stars

In September of last year, I sat down on the front row in a little concert hall in Nashville, TN. I was here to see my favorite artist perform a release show for his brand new album “Light for the Lost Boy.” I was trembling with excitement for several reasons. (One of which was the fact that others such as Steven Curtis Chapman and his family, Jason Gray, and several others were sitting in the very same auditorium several pews behind me, but that is beside the point.) It was because I knew this music was powerful. I’d been listening to Andrew Peterson for as long as I could remember, and it had never ceased to do wondrous things in my soul.

To be honest, I’d been having a pretty tough year. It was also a great year, don’t get me wrong, but at the same time, things had happened that’d chewed up my little girl heart and left it lost in the wilderness clinging to Jesus.

It just so happened that the ten new songs he was about to sing were all about the process of growing up and being made into something new.

 (Picture credit: Mamie Carlstrom)

And so I sat with anticipation. Knowing that somehow, God was going to use this in my life.

And boy, did He ever.

I ended up sobbing through most of the concert. Tears were literally streaming down my face.
It wasn’t bad crying.
Instead it was catharsis.
It was letting go.
It was healing.

“It's there on the page of the book that I read

The boy grew up and the yearling was dead

He stood at the gate with the angel on guard

And wept for the death of his little boy heart

I say, ‘Come back soon.’

We wake in the night in the womb of the world

We beat our fists on the door

We cannot breathe in this sea that swirls

So we groan in this great darkness

For deliverance

Deliverance, O Lord”

Come Back Soon | from the album Light for the Lost Boy

Andrew Peterson (henceforth “AP”) is like none other that I’ve ever listened to. He’s like the musical cross between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.  He cuts one deep to the soul. I’m often left aching because he so poignantly sums up what I’m feeling.

“Love is not a feeling in your chest,

it is bending down to wash another’s feet,

it is faithful when the sun is in the west

and in the east.”

For the Love of God | from the album The Far Country

“It knocked me down, it dragged me out,

it left me there for dead.

It took all the freedom I wanted and gave me something else instead.

It blew my mind, it bled me dry, it hit me like a long goodbye,

and nobody here knows better than I that it’s a good thing.

Love Is A Good Thing | from the album Resurrection Letters Vol. II

What I love about AP is the fact that he somehow combines passion with gentleness. He can soothe and convict all in the same breath. I’m sitting here trying to write this, but really, all I want to do is copy down every single one of his lyrics ever and let you read them. Or better yet, post links to all of the songs on YouTube and lock you in a closet for 24 hours so that you’ll have time to listen to all of the beautifulness.

  (Picture credit: Mamie Carlstrom)

AP is husband to Jamie, and a father to two boys and a girl. Several of his songs are directed at them. (For example: Family Man, You’ll Find Your Way, World Traveler, Dancing in the Minefields, to name just a few.)

“Like their father, they are looking for a home

Looking for a home beyond the sea

So be their God and guide them

Till they lie beneath these hills

And let the great God of their father

Be the great God of their children,

Let the great God of my fathers

Be the great God of my children still.”

God of My Fathers | from the album Counting Stars

AP is not only a songwriter. He also writes books and is a regular contributor for his community website “The Rabbit Room.” Recently he wrote a letter to his little boy that really grabbed my heart. You can read it here.

“But everything I had to lose

Came back a thousand times in you

And you fill me up with love

Fill me up with love

And you help me stand

'cause I am a family man.”

Family Man | from the album Love & Thunder

Listening to AP’s music is not unlike going on a journey, a journey through our lives. During the span of our years we go through valleys and stand on mountaintops. We feel close to the heavens and in the pits. But every step of the way our Jesus stays close, whispering His love. His promises are “written in a script of stars.”

We are eaten by the ache for the reckoning, we are restless to see God’s face, and yet in the waiting and the asking of “how long?” we carry our cross and sing on.

“And when the world is new again

And the children of the King

Are ancient in their youth again

Maybe it's a better thing

A better thing

To be more than merely innocent

But to be broken then redeemed by love

Maybe this old world is bent

But it's waking up

And I'm waking up

'Cause I can hear the voice of one

He's crying in the wilderness

"Make ready for the Kingdom Come"

Don't you want to thank someone for this?

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallalujah! Hallelujah!

Come back soon

Come back soon.”

Don’t You Want to Thank Someone | from the album Light For the Lost Boy

If you have never listened to Andrew Peterson, I highly encourage you to do so. Look him up on YouTube or create a Pandora Station…better yet take the plunge and support his family by buying a song or two or three. Which ever it is, sit back and let yourself be enveloped in the deep lyrics and melodic notes. Take time to listen carefully, you might just find a little bit of your story told within the folds of the melodies.

Mamie Rose Carlstrom is a nineteen year-old young woman seeking to devote every area of her life to Christ. She loves reading, writing, family, the color gray, music, dancing, movies, travel, modest fashion, Adventures in Odyssey (don’t laugh), photography, the Green Bay Packers, meeting famous people, and healthy smoothies. Not necessarily in that order.
She scribbles blog posts at: www.ransomedbyone.wordpress.com.
And her Pinterest page can be found here.