Background Information for Programming My Original Music
Mary's song started with thinking about Mary's "yes" that we frequently hear about. I often find myself wondering just how difficult it had to be to "just say yes" during her lifetime. She was chosen, gave birth, helped guide Jesus, watched him grow, teach, and change people. And, she was there at the end. We don't know the trials she had, but she continued to say yes. This song starts with her faith, the faith that gave us the savior.
The first two verses come from Christina Rosetti's poem "In the Bleak Midwinter." The remaining lyrics are my original text.
LISTEN - https://youtu.be/irWk4bKDSYI
Joseph was also chosen. That's where this work begins. We've heard the story that he was going to secretly abandon Mary. But, he was also chosen. He was in the temple, the dove came to him. He was chosen. And then, to ensure he understood, God doubled-down and sent him the angel. Joseph was chosen to help the young Jesus, to guide him in safe ways (imaging Jesus as a toddler running around -- the Son of God as a toddler). Joseph was chosen and that was an important choice.
The lyrics are my original text.
LISTEN - https://youtu.be/N55qXwboqoM
LISTEN - https://youtu.be/UD8zAYDRFMA (original version)
LISTEN - https://youtu.be/GDG2-Guwov0 (updated version)
LISTEN - https://youtu.be/LoccxMFOVeM
Background
When I heard of the loss of my friends’ son and daughter-in-law in a tragic event, I felt compelled to do something. The only thing I felt like I could do was to write music for their eventual funerals.
Often I’ve heard the Pie Jesu text set and it fits the somberness of a funeral, and rightly so. However, I wanted to create something that gives hope, reflecting what we believe: life does not end here. This earth may be where we begin, but our ending is in heaven, eternally with the Trinity.
Verse 1 represents our baptism. We are claimed by God and we cannot be “unclaimed.”
Verse 2 represents our lives. We go through struggles, ups and downs, and along the way, Jesus is standing beside us telling us he’s there and that we should not be afraid.
Verse 3 represents our final day, an important day like all others. In the scripture, according to my pastors over time, being on a mountain represents that something very important is happening. In this text setting then, we are ending our earthly journey meeting the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit together (as they are one) and we are again reminded that we were claimed from the start.
Text
Pie Jesu Domine dona eis requiem (Merciful Lord Jesus grant them rest)
We were standing on the banks of a river. We were standing on the banks by the Lord, And he said, Come with me you are mine. Come with me you are mine.
We were standing on a beach by the sea. We were standing with the Lord, And he said, Do not be afraid. I am with you always.
Pie Jesu Domine dona eis requiem (Merciful Lord Jesus grant them rest)
We stood on a mountain over a valley, And the Spirit came to us, And the Father held out his hand to us, And the Son said, the Son said, Come with me you are mine. Come with me you are mine.
Pie Jesu Domine dona eis requiem sempiternam (Merciful Lord Jesus grant them rest eternal)
LISTEN - https://youtu.be/l0z-9eMer_M
Each moment, we must remember the impact of choosing to end others' lives. This piece is for all whose lives are ended without a choice.
LISTEN - https://youtu.be/9yPRh-kOM60