Spoken-Word

Promised Land (Audio)

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Gospel – Blues – The first part of the refrain is spoken as in a sermon describing the problem and the counterpoint is almost a shout “But I can see the promised Land from here”. As in defiance of any challenge, problem, doubt, etc. The verses fairly slow and bluesy and the chorus huge and butt kicking. It is intended to inspire faith in the midst of doubt.

Straining through the circumstances
I’m hoping through the wasted chances
Trusting that the Dream is coming true
Seems I’ve tried everything I know
The seeds I’ve planted still refuse to grow
And all I have left is my hope in You

“There is a dessert to cross” . . . (Spoken)
But I can see the Promised Land from here
Through eyes of faith that look past fear
I can see Your promises coming true

No matter what may lie ahead
Disappointment, challenge, victory, or dread
I will choose to see the Promised Land from here.

My weapons seem to be so small
I swing and swing but he just won’t fall
Yet I will pick them up even one more time
Some giants are stopped with just one stone
But this one he won’t leave me alone
And he guards the treasure (that) You said is mine

“There is a giant to slay” . . . (Spoken)
But I can see the Princess from here
Through eyes of faith that look past fear
I can see the battle already won

No matter what may lie ahead
Disappointment, challenge, victory, or dread
I will choose to see the Promised Land from here.

In You I move and have my being
And Your dream for me is what I’m seeing
As I wrestle with who I am in You
I won’t let go until I’m blessed
Though morning’s coming I cannot rest
Cause I know that I’ll be changed before we’re through

“There is a heart to be changed” . . . (Spoken)
And I can see the healing from here
Through eyes of faith that look past fear
I can see the change already come

No matter what may lie ahead
Disappointment, challenge, victory, or dread
I will choose to see the Promised Land from here.

Talking to the Wind (Audio)

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(Jazz – Blues – Country – some anger/strength which builds to the end. Mayer or Clapton or Marvin Gaye)

(Start fairly soft and pointed)
(Could be spoken over instruments the first time through)

(R) I’ve been gone.
There are just some things a man must do alone.
So if they ask you where I’ve been just look at them and grin
And tell them – He’s been talking to the wind.

(1)I’ve been talking to the wind
Telling her the paces that I’ve been
And though she don’t have much to say
I think I like it best that way
And I can feel her tender touch upon my skin

(R) I’ve been gone.
There are just some things a man must do alone.
So if they ask you where I’ve been just look at them and grin
And tell them – He’s been talking to the wind.

(2)I’ve been singing to the breeze
Songs that have put me on my knees
And while she has yet to sing along
I know she understands my songs
And she fills me when it seems too hard to breathe

(Skip chorus – build to end)

(3)I’ve been raging at the storm
Standing at the place where hearts are torn
I look unblinking in her eyes
And I can feel the anger rise
I remember strength. And in the fire I am reborn.

(Finish big and hard with chorus and guitar/drum back to soft finish)

Pushing Back (Audio)

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I remember me

But what is it that I recall

There are moments of sanity

At least familiarity

But they soon dissolve into

A whirling mass of feeling, thought, and images

At least I am writing

Maybe that is something

I feel the anger

It provides structure

That passes for sanity

At least I can push back now.

I am changing

What is (Audio)

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What is

That place between

What Ought and

What Ought not to be

What is

I do not like it much

Except sometimes and

Sometimes not at all

What is

A snapshot in time

Never the same except

When I am stagnant

What is

Waits for me

To choose or not

To refrain or move ahead

What is

Now set, accomplished, done

The goodness or badness irrelevant now

All that matters is what is coming

 

 

One Tear (Audio)

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I have penned no words for you since forever

Out of time though, my heart has done nothing but call your name

Over and over I find myself following paths that lead to you

Or rather they lead to places where I realize your absence

The separateness is startling and unreal

Grief too deep for words or tears, for they only well up in me

Perhaps I can not weep because I can not accept or come to terms with it

Or perhaps I just refuse to

But how can I come to terms with what is impossible

Just one tear would contain the sadness of the whole world

Perhaps that is why they will not flow

It would be too terrible