Stories & Songs - Christmas Edition! | GLAD: An Acapella Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner! (Yay! And yikes! Where did the time go?!) We started listening to Christmas music yesterday - my family has a big pile of CDs that we rotate through frequently throughout December. I thought I'd share with you some of our favorites! (I'll be posting a series over the next few days!)

We have always had a great love for men's acappella singing in my family, and one of the groups we enjoy listening to the most is GLAD. They aren't quite as well known now, but since the 80's and 90's they have been regarded as one of the best in that genre. When Sarah and I were little, we had a tape that we nearly wore out, we listened to it so much. (I can still remember hearing it over and over again one freezing cold winter as we drove to and from Iowa to visit my mom's family!)

A couple of years ago, Sarah bought the CD of that tape, so we can still listen to it...over and over again! Here are two of the songs on it...take a few minutes to listen and enjoy!

Glory to God

For Unto Us

For the love of music and the glory of God,
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