Peace!

I definitely like the added element of discipleship jonny – you have written a great song – would love to hear the music someday!

And why hasn’t hamster-girl given us the hamster low-down since bringing Flitzi good last night??

Amazing. A pretty good word to use D, in my opinion. I’m pretty confident we’ve gone a way pleasing to Christ with the words. Investinhky enough, none of the “writers” I had in mind band to cat on this one, but still ‘amazing’ things resulted from it. I believe.

OK rach, I’ve gone for a sonic connection with the first word/words of the last line of each verse. Even though the same word is not used anymore, it all sounds the same. I believe it also now adds an element of discipleship not there previously. Endings of each verse are now as follows…

1) Embrace gentle rain

2) An’ faced the sun again

3) Embrace the sun again

Just kidding, Jonny! You’re doin’ good! OR should I say, your right thumb is doing good? I am still amazed that you type all of that on your phone and that tiny keyboard!

And Delivered, you are NOT out of your league! I don’t think there’s many here that can make pepper jelly and okra! And that’s something one can EAT! Can’t eat a song! You’re my kind of girl! LOL

Speaking of food, Jonny, why’d you have to mention “icing on a cake”???? And I don’t have a sweet confection in the whole house! Man!!!

Hey, kids, we’re up to 119 responses! I’m tellin’ ya, Tori—–we’re here for ya! Just ask!

OK, rach, been thinking more about the introduction of the sun.

Starting with the second verse, which now comes in after a short musical break following the first verse, it could end this new way you’re about to read, but tie things together more at the end of the third verse. Something like this…

…But, now, just before the dawn thought, “how could it last?”
No matter what’s been tried, never changed the past
Still, I know that it happened, yeah it’s not the same
Stripped off this weight, and felt the sun again

Cuz I’ve seen things of another world and I’ve seen things through a different light
I’ve heard things whispered in me, and I’m gonna make it through the night

(musical jamming part)

I plunged in the water, and felt like new
Yeah, I plunged in the water (¿and felt like new?)
All my problems they might be the same
But I lift up my face, embrace the sun again

Cuz…
I’m gonna make it thru the night x3

I think I’ll do the same now! In out and get some sun.

I also think the new format with the instrumental is good.

I have to say I was taken surprise by the introduction of the sun, but on thinking about it I REALLY like it, my only problem is the use of ‘again’ the first time – because the sun hasn’t been introduced yet – but that could just be because I have read the earlier versions, or it could just be the trapped literature graduate in me finding a way out!!

Embracing the sun sounds so good, I think I’m just going to do it!!

Plunged in the water, and felt like new
Stepped out on the grass, the frosted dew
Yeah, my problems they might be the same
But I lift up my face, embrace gentle rain.

(Cuz I’ve seen things of another world and I’ve seen things through a different light,
I’ve heard things whispered in me, and I’m gonna make it through the night)

Now/But just before the dawn, thought how could it last
No matter what’s been tried, never changed the past
Still/But, I know that it happened, and it’s/I’m not the same
Stripped off this weight, embraced the sun again.

Cuz I’ve seen things of another world
And I’ve seen things through a different light
I’ve heard things whispered in me
And I’m gonna make it through the night

(instrumental jamming part)

I plunged in the water, and felt like new
Yeah, I plunged in the water, and felt like new
All my problems they might be the same
But I lift up my face, embrace the sun again!

Cuz… I’m gonna make it thru the nite x3

In the second verse I’ve also gone with, “No matter what’s been tried, never shook the past.” I like the running away aspect of it, and/or testing many things before coming back to the one that should have been gone to first. Anyway, here’s what I have so far…

Plunged in the water, an’ felt like new
Stepped out on the grass, the frozen dew
Yeah, my problems they might be the same
But I lift up my face, embrace gentle rain

Cuz I’ve seen things of another world and I’ve seen things through a different light
I’ve heard things whispered in me and I’m gonna make it through the night.

Woke up this morning, knew it couldn’t/shouldn’t last
No matter what’s been tried, never shook/changed the past
Still/Yet I know that it happened, and it’s not the same
Stripped off this weight an’ sought the rain again

Cuz…
I’m gonna make it thru the nite x3

The dew I would be stepping on would be morning (or even sunrise) dew. It just ties in more with the ‘new’ in my mind – but then I can see that this creates a conflict of interests with the second verse.

If you used the morning in the first verse you would probably need to change the start of the second. (‘another day breaking/starting’). Irrespective of that I would change the word ‘knew’ to ‘sure’ or ‘thought’.

‘No matter how I tried never changed the past’ seems great to me. I would have worded it ‘however hard I tried …’ but that’s probably just my Englishness.

‘But something …. happened’ – I agree, needs an extra word, but I don’t think it is ‘strange’. I’m thinking you need something that emphasises the permanence of the new situation. Struggling to think what it could be though – ummm – still thinking.

I like the ‘embracing’ of the rain a lot, I also like the ‘running toward’ the rain you mentioned later on. I definitely prefer those to the ‘kissing’ and ‘loving’ – that imagery doesn’t work in my head !

So there you go. Not earth shattering and please ignore me if you wish!!

Both types are wonderful though!

So…..did you name your hamster?

Jonny, that’s very interesting about the mysterious stomach muscle that gets a workout when you laugh out loud!!! I laugh all the time, ask my family! And my stomach isn’t exactly flat or anything like it! What’s up with that?

Well, delighted, let’s see what sort of personality changes occur after life with Flitzi!! = )

Well, delighted, let’s see what sort of personality changes occur after life with Flitzi!! = )

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Is someone calling our Tori a “twit”???? LOL

By the way, I taught myself to sing by trying to sing like Roy. Also Sim Wilson of Undercover. Later trying to add elements of Jeff Buckley and Marvin Gaye. Somehow Jim Morrison resulted from some of that = / Thanks for your interest, LindaB.

Okay, NOW I’VE GOT TO HEAR YOU SING!!!!

I wholeheartedly agree! Excellent! And cudos for the newspaper critic’s review of your lyrics! That’s impressive! I would really like to hear your group! Be sure to notify us if and when you get some downloadable music online somewhere. That would be fun too! And I can’t wait to hear your final version of the above song! You have a very moving testimony and interesting life, Jonny! How cool that you can preserve it in your music for many to hear and enjoy and learn from! Good job! And God bless ya!

I guess it’s important to have some sort of thread to work around, but often I may not understand that thread for sometime when working on a piece. My goals in writing lyrics is to bring out something in a way I’ve not seen or heard expressed before, or expressed a certain way before, but that is a part of, or can be a part of life, the human experience. It also has to be true unto itself, the moment, the situation, the struggle, the discovery, the pain, the joy, etc. It also must have at least three things going on at the same time. Must be expressed in a way that respects the intelligence of others, and respect those who may have, or may be experiencing, dealing with what I’m writing or singing about. The leading newspaper in Finland once reviewed some lyrics I did for some friends. The reviewer stated, “Exceptionally good lyrics with a simple, but intelligent melancholy.” I was told the reviewer rarely, if ever before that, comments on lyrics. Also others have been impressed with how accurately I’m able to get to the heart of the matter, subject or piece I’m working on. Most are able relate to it one way or another.

I’m seriously glad you are enjoying yourself with all this, LindaB!!

We, LoveGrapes, do not have anything recorded that’s out publicly. We get lots of gigs and haven’t bothered with it yet. Until now. We may record four songs soon-ish. We don’t have a web page anymore. Used to have one, but couldn’t afford keeping it up, so moved over to MySpace. Hope to add some more visual goodies to the MySpace page soon.

I don’t think it’s just that the countries we live in are different, the music scene I’m involved with is very alternative. Which is more than likely why I had never heard of those guys from Norway before. Also, I don’t listen to the radio, so I have no idea if their version of Hallelujah was ever popular here. I doubt it, though. All three countries are pretty much worlds unto themselves. There may be a special day or two they all sort of celebrate the same way. I’m really not the one to ask about those things, though.

Candy C. is more an eye Candy for me = / Actually, I was impressed by her through what she said, and how she said it in some interviews with her on YouTube.

In my CD player right now is a demo some friends gave me last night. I listened to it once then, that was enough. I hear them live often, give them gigs from time to time, so hear the songs often enough as it is. The studio versions they gave me sound just like the live versions anyway.

At home I rarely listen to music. I do enjoy old Green Hornet radio shows, as well as The Lone Ranger and a few others. Not big on The Shadow, though.

Vocally I’ve been compared to Jim Morrison, Iggy Pop, Robert Plant. I can also imitate quite accurately many vocalists. For example Roy Orbison, David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Robert Plant and Marvin Gaye now, to a degree.

The band gets compared to a lot of things, basically because we seem to have a lot going on. The Doors, some Motown, MC5, Jimmy Hendrix, but mostly we’re told how original we are. Our goal is to be the most original rock band in Finland, with a lot of Americana thrown in. As a result we seem to have a lot of late sixties, early seventies American rock and soul in us.

OK, I have to take a break now. Hope that satisfies for awhile, LindaB.

What do you want to accoomplish with this song, Jonny? Do you want to simply relate your own experiences? Do you want to provoke a response in the listener? Do you want to recommend a belief? Do you want to edify and teach? To testify? Or entertain? It would be important to me to have a purpose. But then, you are obviously very successful in your music career and don’t really need anyone’s suggestions. And I thank you for letting us see your new project you’re working on, and inviting suggestions. That was so much FUN!!

I’m sure the music scene in your part of the world is unique and quite different from what I am used to living in my part of the world. So I wouldn’t take my suggestions too seriously, if that was a possibility! LOL It might end your career!

I clicked on your name and it took me to a site that I had trouble with. I couldn’t find an example of your music. Do you or the Love Grapes have an official website where I can hear you? Do you write many songs? Are you on YouTube? What group that I am familiar with is most like your group? Who do you like to listen to, besides Candy C.? What CD is on your CD player right now? Do you think I ask too many questions? LOL (Don’t answer that!)

I’m waiting now for others to offer their ideas!

Oh, and were you familiar with the group singing “Hallelujah” that Tori posted?

And Norway, Finland, and Sweden are so close together. Do they “share” a culture?

“Plunged in the water and I felt like new” represents a baptism of sorts.

“Stepped on the grass, the frozen dew” coming out from that “baptism,” from death to life moment, one starts walking on frozen bits of things that were part of the dead existance before this new moment of stepping out in Life for the first time. Could be for example, old, dead beliefs about one’s self. Could also represent a frozen outer laying of the heart. One Christ has allowed. Or beliefs about Christ, Life that have started to freeze up.

“Yea, my problems they might be the same” This person is not naive, understands there are still some things that will have to be worked on, developed, amended; that various short comings, habits will probably bite him or her on the booty from time to time. It’s a journey they are about to undertake.

“But I lift up my face, embrace gentle rain” It’s started raining a little, and he/she recalize this is in connection with the water, new life, he/she has just plunged into. It is also removing the tiny bits of ice clinging to the grass. The grass could also represent growth from seeds earlier planted. He/she then just wants to embrace with arms wife open, yield to, this new-ish wonderful rain.

“Cuz I’ve seen things of another world” A world that has no connection to how things have been understood, accepted previously.

“And I’ve seen things thru a different light” At this moment seeing “things” “stuff” through a light not of the flesh, or an angel of light. Lyrically, could also be a “clearer” or “truer” light.

“I’ve heard things whispered in me” Christ dropping that pretty big penny of understanding again. Making some things clear in that simple, natural way he does.

“And I’m gonna make it thru the night” It’s all good. Not going to contemplate giving up anymore. It’s not hopeless. Not going to give into things that only bring death, are apart of the dead existence that he/she was attached to before the “plunging” moment. Is not dwelling in all that darkness this night, or not taking his/her own physical life.

Reality check… “Woke up this morning knew it couldn’t last. No matter what’s been tried, never shook the past”

But… “But something (…) happened, no, it not the same”

“Stripped off this weight” Got out from under the funk that started burdening, building up on his/her shoulders, grabbed the monkey on his back by the tail and flung it back into the abyss.

“Embraced/Kissed/Danced in the rain again” Decided to hold onto, turn to, run to, embrace Christ fully again, to all this wonderful new stuff going on, to the best of their ability, now that he/she is actually free to do so.

Reasons being… “Cuz I’ve seen things…”

I actually “get” Linda B’s post. I’m in trouble.

This is real fun!

I plunged in the water and felt like new
Stepped out on the grass, and it did too
Yeah, my problems they might still be the same
But now I am different, I smile at the rain.
(or…But now I am different, I celebrate rain.)

Refrain:
‘Cause I’ve stepped into another world
And I’ve seen things in a different light
I’ve heard whisperings deep in me
I’m gonna make it, I’ll be alright.

Woke up this morning, could this really last
Could good intentions change the past
But something happened, I’m not the same
It’s a different me, and I smile at the rain.

Refrain:
‘Cause I’ve stepped into another world
And I’ve seen things in a different light
I’ve heard whisperings deep in me
I’m gonna make it, I’ll be alright.

I’m not a songwriter, but I know what I like in a song. I took a lot of liberties with it and I hope you don’t mind. Of course, you are of a younger generation and my ideas and wordings might date me, but I’m trying! If you don’t like it, just say so—-you won’t hurt my feelings! (I’ve had teenagers—-three of them! You CAN’T hurt my feelings!) It’s just some ideas I had. BTW, I think your original idea was excellent! I’d just change the line:

“I’ve seen things through a different light” to
“I’ve seen things in a different light”.

I had a little trouble identifying what the central “message” or “theme” of the song would be. The single idea you want to leave folks with. Is it “I am different”, or “I can embrace the rain”, or “I can make it through the night”. What do you think? And how can you present that “message” in a different way than other writers have done……..can you find a little “twist” to it that will make it memorable when folks hear it?

THIS IS FUN!!!!

Jonny, I love your song! And thanks for giving us a chance to contribute! I LOVE this sort of thing! I’ll be thinking about your song and maybe I can think up a worthy suggestion. But right now, I have a kitchen to clean and laundry to finish. Can I work on it later?

2nd A:

Woke up this morning knew it couldn’t/wouldn’t last
No matter what’s been suffered, never changed the past
But something (…) happened, no, it’s not the same
Stripped off this weight, loved/ran towards the rain again

I really hope this helps someone.

Two years ago, come October 31st I held my dreams in my hands. I really felt that they were God given dreams.(still feel they were) Dreams of ministry. Oh I wanted to preach and teach to those who have never heard the gospel. I wanted to see people delivered and set free. And I held that dream in my hand for a few minutes. And then it was gone. In such a way that it is still very painful for me to share this. BUT, I know that God has kept me. Body, soul, and spirit. He has kept me.

Tori, do you mean those moments when you MUST believe that God will do something good out of that situation because otherwise you would risk to run crazy/go under ? But my imagination usually is to weak to give me a hint how this could look like. In retrospective I often see how God used it to help me mature.

Peace!

The list of the names of God is great. All of that remains true eternally, whether or not we are full of hope or despair, whether our dreams are shattered or coming true, and whether we feel it emotionally or not. Leonard Cohen expresses it so well (as does Tori Taff)!

jonny – I love the concept of the song. I’m pondering it and will let you know if I come up with anything. I think there are much better writers than me here though!

On the meaning of Hallelujah

“Finally there’s no conflict between things, finally everything is reconciled but not where we live. This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled, but there are moments when we can transcend the dualistic system and reconcile and embrace the whole mess and that’s what I mean by ‘Hallelujah’. That regardless of what the impossibility of the situation is, there is a moment when you open your mouth and you throw open your arms and you embrace the thing and you just say ‘Hallelujah! Blessed is the name.’ And you can’t reconcile it in any other way except in that position of total surrender, total affirmation.”

NEW

I plunged in the water and felt like new
Stepped on the grass, the frozen/evening/chilling dew
Yea, my problems they might be the same
But I lift up my face, embrace gentle rain

Cuz I’ve seen things of another world and I’ve seen things through a different light
I’ve heard things whispered in me and I’m gonna make it through the night

Woke up this morning knew it couldn’t last
No matter how I tried never changed the past
But something (…) happened, no it’s not the same
I stripped off this weight, embraced the rain again

Cuz I’ve seen things of another world and I’ve seen things through a different light
I’ve heard things whispered in me and I’m gonna make it through the night

OK, that’s it. So far. The “no matter…” and “But something…” lines bug me the most. Some ideas have been:

“No matter how I lied, never chained the past”

“No matter how I tried never shook the past”

“But something strange happened, no it’s not the same”

Or just leave it: “But something happened, no…”

The end of that verse has also been: “stripped off this weight, kissed the rain again”

What that in the Psalms about a broken and contrite heart being pleasing to the Lord?? Especially when broken in love, by Love?? Has to be the purest, most precious of fragrances pleasing to our Lord.

KD Lang is good! I also like the Crying duet with her and Roy Orbison. Unfortunately, one of the best live versions of Hallelujah I’ve experienced was not recorded. Maybe good so. It was just for our Lord and those he allowed to be there that night to witness it.

I throw my windows open wide,
And love and hope rush right inside,
My soul, for a moment, let’s it warm me.
But life has never been too kind,
And soon, I’ll feel like Pip’s behind,
And I’ll wonder why you folks didn’t warn me.
Hallelujah, ……..

Okay, I’m done. Sorry. Too much coffee. I need help. Can’t sleep.

Excellent thoughts about life and disappointment, Tori! (They’re synomynous, aren’t they? I hate it too.) Too much disappointment takes the shine off the few truly golden moments in life. I especially appreciated “Because even though grace is free, sometimes faith has a price.”

I like k.d.lang’s version of this song too.
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE )

(Hey, if anyone has a good idea of what these lyrics mean, please enlighten me. I’ve heard many explanations, but none that satisfies.)

Signed……Hopeful in Iowa

P.S. I’m not an animal lover exactly but its been worth wading through the butt hair stories for gems like this! And your animal stories are very entertaining I must say!

As my walk with Christ has lengthened over the years (in my spiritual maturity growth) I have taught myself to look for the story. When something doesn’t go my way or I finally buck up to the fact that it is totally out of my control, not only do I just wait on Him but I picture it as a puzzle and I just wait for the pieces to start fitting together. I’m not perfect so I do get impatient at times but it is truly “learned” behavior and I’m proud of myself everytime I witness the calming in myself – at events I can’t change or wasn’t meant to change.

“…I will sense that stirring in my heart, that lightening of my spirit, that feeling that once again, life is full of possibilities” You’ve discribed it so perfectly – as we all know you can. So thanks!

That video was truly a stirring performance.

MostlySunny–Loved the list of God’s names. So powerful, thank you.

On another version of the same video (posted on youtube as “Hallelujah shrek song” by senjalady) they are identified as “Espen Lind(on guitar), Askil Holm, Alejandro Fuentes, Kurt Nilsen(World Idol) 4 norwegian great singers.” You might be familiar with them!

I’ve heard the song done by all kinds of different singers as well, and this one absolutely kills me, especially that last baby-faced, gap-toothed blonde guy with the unexpectedly incredibly soulful voice.

By the way, I think Russ would do a pretty amazing vocal take on the Halleluja piece as well. FWIW. OK, enough rambling for now. Someone else’s turn…

Thank you for that!

I teach an adult Sunday school class in my church. We’re just finishing up studying the Hebrew names of the God in the Old Testament (Kay Arthur book “LORD, I Want to Know You”). Theses names of God reveal His character and His ways. Here’s what I know for sure: He is…

*Jehovah/YHWH/YAH – The Self-Existent One
*El – Strong and Mighty
*Elohim – Creator of everything seen and unseen
*El Elyon – God Most High
*El Roi – He sees me right where I am, where I’ve been, and where I’m going
*El Shaddai – All-Sufficient and Almighty
*Adonai – He is to be my Lord and Master – the authority of everything in my life;
*Jehovah-jireh – He provides exactly what I need, when I need it;
*Jehovah-rapha – He is the One who heals – physically, mentally, spiritually – body, soul and spirit;
*Jehovah-nissi – the LORD my banner; it is under His Name that we live and breathe and can do anything at all
*Jehovah-mikoddiskem – the One who sanctifies me – makes and declares us holy
*Jehovah-shalom – in Him alone is peace
*Jehovah-sabaoth – He is the LORD of hosts – armies of heaven, angels, heavenly hosts – sun, moon, stars, LORD of the host of all creation.
*Jehovah-raah – He is the Good Shepherd, who cares and protects us, His flock; the One who oversees and has our good in mind always
*Jehovah-tsidkenu – our righteousness – we can’t be or become righteous on our own
*Jehovah-shammah – the LORD is there…always!
*El Olam – The Everlasting God, eternal
*Immanuel – God with us…indeed!

I hope one of these truths about Who God IS helps someone get through the next hour, day, week or year…until He returns