Song for Newvember 27th

Here's a little fragment of something or other- I guess its about Icarus. Perhaps one day I can expand on it with verses or something and it will have some deep metaphorical meaning.

You're waiting for your dreams to come true
With wings made of feathers and glue
Don't fly to close to the sun, little one

Song for Newvember 26th

Had a marvelous weekend: crocheting at a coffee shop, family walk, church, more church, brunch, "multiply movement" (a video of church) and prayer, thanksgiving dinner, more church.  Its a good thing we like church :)

"We like church"

We like to be with the people of God
Living together
Praising the Father
We like to be with the people of God
Pray for eachother
Sisters and brothers
We like to be with the people of God
We like to be with the people of God

Oh, If times are hard for you
Oh, we can share your burdens too
Oh, If we are out of line
Oh, You can help us toe the line

We like to be with the people of God
I wish everyday was church everyday
We like to be with the people of God
Sometimes we're late, but we're the last ones to leave cause
We like to be with the people of God
We like to be with the people of God

Song for Newvember 23rd

Today's song is about tomorrow. We love Saturdays because it is our Sabbath day, which to us means that we just try and spend it a little differently than the other 6 days in the week. Sometimes I try and make my house really clean on Friday so that I can really enjoy my day off. That didn't really happen today, but I wrote a song about it anyways because its a nice concept.

The lyrics are pretty rough- I just went for all the obvious rhymes..

"Saturday Song"

Wash the dishes, do your chores, pick up all the toys on the floor

Tomorrow is coming soon

Throw your dirty napkins in the overflowing laundry bin

Tomorrow is coming soon

I know its getting late and you are tired from your day

But you can work a little more because tomorrow's Saturday

Little baby close your eyes, listen to my lullabies of tomorrow, our favorite day

There's so much that we can do: fly a kite or go to the zoo

Tomorrow, on Saturday

Song for Newvember 22nd

A morning (or evening) prayer. I feel like this could use a chorus of some sort, I'll get around to it eventually..

Song for Newvember 21st

A song based on Jeremiah 9:23

Song for Newvember 20th (sort of)

Just some little chords tonight. That's all I got.

Song for Newvember 19th

We started a song yesterday but I'm afraid I forgot all about it until the middle of the night. I'll finish it and maybe double up one of these days.

Today's song is a setting of a poem by our talented friend Hayden Waring. He's the guy you can't see in the video who does all the whispery echoes.

Song for Newvember 17th

Epic song by Addison. My wonderful guest poster, keeping the ball rolling.

Song for Newvember 16th

Here is a French folk song that Addison wrote for Isaiah when he was just a week old. Once again, we recorded in the bathroom because we don't want him to wake up.
I won't write the French lyrics because I don't how to spell them, but here is the translation:

You are my cabbage, you are my flower
You have my nose, you have my heart
You are my son, I am your father

You are my gift in my arms
When I go to sleep I think of you
You are my son, I am your mother

and just for fun...

some wisdom from the turtle.

Song for Newvember 15th

Quit, don't quit. Noodles, don't noodles. Here's another really meaningful song from deep within, and by that I mean have no idea what it means. To be honest, I've lost motivation but Addison won't let me noodles. He's so mean. Just kidding, he's not a meany, I just wanted to work in another "mean" for a grand total of five. Six actually! What I really mean (seven) is, I've just gotta keep pushing through, even if that means (eight) sitting down and singing whatever pops into my head.
Sorry the video is blurry.

"Taking it slow"

Time is flying by
With each breath and every sigh
In a twinkling of the eye
You can't blink but you should try

Ah oo, I'm taking it slow
Ah oo, I'm taking it slow

Look at how we grow
We don't and then we know
Its part of the ebb and flow
To dance and then lie low

Ah oo, I'm taking it slow
Ah oo, I'm taking it slow

Song for Newvember 14th

Yes, one did skip a day. One is tired but one must write a song tonight or else one might lose momentum entirely. Ok, enough of that already. To be honest, I tried to skip all weekend but my family  wouldn't let me (thankfully); however, last night I was very tired, and sleep has become very important to me these days, so I didn't write a song and I went to bed. So now one must get back on track.
I wrote tonight's song rather quickly so it is rather short. I like the potential of it, it has a calm lullaby feel and I love lullabies, but not all the lines are quite the thing For example, the last two lines. Or the fourth line. Actually I like the fourth line, I think "night light riot" has a nice ring to it, but what does it even mean? Nothing. Something about the stars I guess. And it rhymes with quiet.
One has a need to go to bed.

"Night Light Riot"

Its the end of the day

The house is quiet

Outside on display

A night light riot

The baby's asleep

The dishes will keep

One has a need

To sing this song

Song for Newvember 12th

Today's song was written by my wonderful parents :)
My camera ran out of room so the video cuts out at the end, but don't worry, that part was a repeat.

"Autumn Days"

Look at the morning haze

Catching the sun's bright rays

These are the autumn days of red and gold

Look through the frosty nights

Fires and candlelights

These are the autumn days of red and gold

And so many way we are blessed

A bountiful promised harvest

Just like a cornucopia of old

And this is the time to gather

Every moment a treasure

These are the autumn days of red and gold

God in his loving care

Giving us gifts to share

These are the autumn days of red and gold

Living His faithfulness

And with every blessing, bless

These are the autumn days of red and gold

Song for Newvember 11th

Today's song was a tri-force Sanz/Lacasse/Ferguson family cowrite :)

This is a good-bye song for our friend leaving on Thursday

You can sing along as we send her on her way

Hasta luego, nuestra amiga

We hope you have safe travels in the air

With lots of friends to meet you when you get there

We hope you share God's love everywhere

We hope you try a hot pepper, if you dare

Hasta luego, nuestra amigo

Song for Newvember 10th

Its so nice to do a Newvember Song on an instrument I actually know how to play :) Usually I start my songs with an idea of the theme or at least one line of lyrics to build around but today I worked out the whole melody first because it was just so nice to play the piano. Thanks to my dad for harmonies and guitar playing :)

"Easier said than done"

Woe is me, I'm undone -

All the works of my hands tend to fall apart at the seams;

And my grandest of plans are just petty schemes.

I think its time to let go of doing it all myself,

The rust is starting to show on the trophies on my shelf,

Things like vapours to touch and castles made of sand,

But letting go is so much easier said than done.

Song for Newvember 9th

Song by my husband Addison

My son you are my little bundle
of love I love to hug and cuddle youso just know that when I have to go to work
I'll be right back, so dont you worry

My son
you are my son
and I am your daddy
I will always be your daddy

I may be right around the corner
but it feels that i’ve been gone forever
but just know that im not far
and I’ve always got you in my heart


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6UJuVqZIKY&feature=g-upl

Song for Newvember 8th

Today's song is inspired by a sweet conversation I had with a lady outside the mall that started with her commenting on my cute baby and turned into a long chat about Education for Ministry, Presbyterianism, the Revelation of the Holy Spirit, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Man who Never Was, Operation Mincemeat and much more. She really was a very knowledgeable person; there came a point in the conversation where I realized that as long as I was standing there with her, she would not run out of things to say. Fortunately I was in no hurry so I quite enjoyed it and learned lots too :)
I feel I may have inadvertently copied the melody of the verse from somewhere (not sure where though) - it is strangely familiar.

"Lion Tamer"

He's a modern day prophet strollin' down the street

She's a history buff waiting for someone to meet, singin'

"Lion tamer, lion tamer, won't you open the gate?

Lion tamer, lion tamer, open the gate and get out of the way"

She told him all about a book she reads about the Allied invasion of Sicily

She knew a lot about Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Presbyterian theology

"Lion tamer, lion tamer, won't you open the gate?

Lion tamer, lion tamer, open the gate and get out of the way"

And just like in any one-sided conversation, I was as lost as The Man Who Never Was

And like a book without a proper ending, I knew she'd never really be done

"Lion tamer, lion tamer, won't you open the gate?

Lion tamer, lion tamer, open the gate and get out of the way"

Song for Newvember 7th

Yes, this was filmed in the bathroom. We didn't want to wake the baby.

Addison wants me to write, "Sorry if you found this video to be crap".

and just for fun...

... some of the awesomeness that is Joe vs the Volcano.

Song for Newvember 6th

The song for Newvember 6th is inspired by this sweet season of my life, and Joe vs. the Volcano (watch it).
A little back story: I love the movie Joe vs. the Volcano which is, in fact, the most quotable movie I've ever seen (yes, even more than Princess Bride). My favorite quote from the movie comes from a scene where Joe gets a makeover and afterwards his limo driver turns around and says to him, "You're coming into focus, kid". So sweet. I've been wanting to show Addison this movie for so long but its really hard to find so he hasn't seen it yet- I must have quoted it to him though because sometimes when I do something really productive or organized, he says to me "You're coming into focus, kid." I love it. Now if only I would stay focused :p

"This Beautiful Day"

I'm glad that I'm me,
that this is my life,
that he is my son,
that I am your wife,
and whenever you say to me,
"You're coming into focus, kid"

I'm glad when I bake
and when I drink tea,
when I can crochet
and my house is clean
and whenever you say to me,
"You're coming into focus, kid"

Today, this day, this beautiful day,
and yesterday, and maybe tomorrow
are precious, beautiful things.
Everyday is a beautiful thing.

I'm glad when we walk
and glad when it rains
when we have long talks
and whenever you say
and whenever you say to me,
"You're coming into focus, kid"

Today, this day, this beautiful day,
and yesterday, and maybe tomorrow
are precious, beautiful things.
Everyday is a beautiful thing.

Success!!

Yay!

Yesterday's Song

I still can't get my fancy video posted so here is a little live video of yesterday's song. Playing the banjo with a baby on my lap, for the win.

Song for Newvember 5th

I wrote a song today, really I did. But then I decided to get all technical and make a pretty slideshow movie to go with my recording and now my computer has informed me that it is out of space to finalize the movie, so I will have to finish posting it tomorrow. Isaiah has been sleeping beautifully for the past 3 hours and it seems like a crime not to be taking advantage of it so off to bed I shall go. Its funny, we (me and Iz) have lots of free time during the day but I have still mostly ended up writing late into the night, just like when I was a frazzled university student. Newvember just wouldn't be newvember without procrastination and late nights! Speaking of sleeping babies, I can't wait for you all to see my little movie :) Its my first one!

Anywho, here are some lyrics (to prove that today's song really was written today)

"Toil nor Spin"

I see the birds and I know He cares for me much more than them so I won't be anxious

or lose myself on the path of least resistance 

or clothe myself in garments of fear

I'll be a lilly of the field

I'll be a bird upon the Branch

To grow, let go, tell everyone I know

that God is good

Oh, He is good.

Song for Newvember 4th

Many thanks to Meghan Bellamy for lending me her beautiful poem and cello skills and Erica for her bedroom and lovely harmonies. Newvember just wouldn't be Newvember without impromptu collaborations!

"Love Song for November"

Smile back at me
Crisp wind
For I know your chill
Is not personal

Fall down on me
Rain of this grey sky
I know you soon will be
Strikingly white

Bring forth all that you can muster
Oh, sweet November

Curl and dance high
Smoke of fires bright
For I know inside
Someone is warm

Bring forth all that you can muster
Oh, sweet November
Bring forth all that you can muster
For naught can I be turned
From loving you for what you are

Song for Newvember 3rd

Tonight I tried to convince Addison that on weekends I should be allowed to do covers if I want but he would have none of it. None. So here is the song for day three, an original Lacasse co-write (with most of the credit going to Addison).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RumOrySxyX8&feature=plcp

"Daylight Savings"

Don't procrastinate
It will be too late
Seize the day
Face your fate
Don't procrastinate

When the times get hard
And the end is far
Don't give up
Don't give in
Show some discipline

Song for Newvember 2nd

Here we are at song the second! Clocking in at 12:30 which is considered very late around here, but the song is finito and not surprisingly "bedtime" themed. Gooood night :)

"Bedtime Story"

You need a story to go to sleep
So we took a walk to the library
and searched the shelves for a book to read

Good books should have good covers
For the kids to choose with their mothers
So that they can read them together at night

Now close your eyes and dream big dreams
The starry night and the moonbeams
Will expand your thoughts and let out the seams to the sky

Song for Newvember 1st

Herein marks the beginning of my annual (nominally) song-a-day project "Newvember Songs". Its not great  but it is a song so I guess I'm off to the right start. I wrote today's song about walking to the bank, while walking to the bank. That's right, there is nothing too plebeian for a Newvember Song. Please enjoy but don't listen too closely because the lyrics and the banjo playing are very rough.

"Going on a Walk"

Every smile that we see is a friend to meet in the neighborhood
And the squatters cannot stay in the house down the street for their own good
If you knock on the door to see if little Isaiah can come out and play
I'd love to drop him off at your house but not today

We're going on a walk (You could come with us if you like)
We're going on a walk (You could even ride your bike)
We're going on a walk (Just a walk not a really long hike)
We're going on a walk