Some beautiful re-working of this tune, Corey. You should do more of this whole playing guitar and singing thing. And, may I say, welcome to 15 Hymns. I love the line “God is not dead, nor does He sleep.”
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photo by hans s’
michael lee 2:15 am on 22 December 2006 Permalink
How have I come to be blessed by so many beautiful people in my life? Corey, this thing just breaks me.
Gretchen 8:12 am on 22 December 2006 Permalink
Beautiful. And you won Beth over with your guitar playing? No surprises there. Thank you for sharing this with us Core.
Morphea 8:33 am on 22 December 2006 Permalink
Geez, Corey. Beautiful.
Cerise
Stick 8:36 am on 22 December 2006 Permalink
Nice Corey.
A little Kenny Loggins vibe. Very nicely done.
aly hawkins 10:02 am on 22 December 2006 Permalink
Just…perfect. Raw and hopeful and lovely, exactly the way the lyrics demand. (And great guitar work, too.)
Sheila 12:14 pm on 22 December 2006 Permalink
Lovely piece! I’m enjoying all the contributions by such gifted musicians and singers!
Last night Sharolyn and I went Christmas caroling with a group of family and friends. Very fun! While Ally and June were “na na na na-ing”, we were “fa-la-la-la-la-ing”! (No groans, please).
Coincidentally, in keeping with today’s song selection, some of us had a conversation about our church’s bell tower and the antique, reclaimed bell which rings out on Christmas day and every Sunday.
Sharolyn’s dad shared it’s interesting history and how an easy construction project turned into a major undertaking when they realized they were building on a former riverbed. They had to dig really deep until they hit solid enough ground that would support the weight of the structure and keep it standing. Through earthquakes, El Nino, and nearly twenty years of wear and tear (including countless youth trying to climb the tower), it remains firmly anchored.
Took me back to the Sunday School lesson about the wise man building his house upon the rock… And a reminder how God’s Word is our foundation to build our lives upon. (How’s that for a segue?)
“If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss.” Luke 6:45 The Message.
Sharolyn and I had the joy of singing God’s words (and Jingle Bells) in our neighborhoods last night. Old, familiar carols of peace on earth, goodwill to men. The announcement of Christ’s birth. God’s word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Hope for the lost and weary. Words that our lives are anchored upon. God’s Truth.
We’ve had many storms and battles to contend with, but being cemented in the truth of who God is and who we are in Him keeps us from complete collapse…and believe me, I know what’s it’s like to be nearly flattened. I suspect some of you here on the road do too.
So I guess what I’m trying to say in all of this is that while we each struggle with different things, some that are more difficult at this time of the year than any other, I hope that as you are reflecting on the messages inbedded in these songs that you, too, are reminded of the truths and promises for you that are written in God’s Word and that the peace of Jesus will be more than just words on a page, but an anchor for your soul.
Let the bells ring.
Morphea 12:16 pm on 22 December 2006 Permalink
Supercool.
Sharolyn 2:08 pm on 23 December 2006 Permalink
Corey, that is absolutely beautiful. I’m hitting play again.
The caroling was truly Norman Rockwell-esque. Sheila, I’ve never heard that passage from The Message. It kind of wakes you up when put into new words that way. Thanks.
Grammy 12:52 am on 1 January 2007 Permalink
Gorgeosio, Corey! Paul did a cool intro to this during our C-mas show…this is the only poem Longfellow wrote that became a song, and he wrote it a couple of years after losing his wife and just after hearing his son had been badly wounded (Civil War). Re-read the lyrics again…
Happy New Year!
Kiandra Haaf 9:06 am on 19 December 2008 Permalink
Wow. Love it. Thank you for writing and singing this, and thank you, Michael, for introducing this to me!
Linda 6:46 pm on 27 December 2008 Permalink
This is just beautiful Corey. Thank you.