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The Way I Feel >>
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My Christmas Gift
 The Way I Feel
The Other Side – I first heard this song at an Anne Murray concert
in Vancouver in 1994. She had just recorded the song and was
featuring it in her shows. I have always found the message of this
song reassuring....”on the other side of doubt, is faith; on the other
side of pain lies strength; but on the other side of fear is love”.
I love singing it.
Unexpected Song – This is one of the lesser-known songs of Andrew
Lloyd Webber coming from his 1985 musical Song And Dance. The lyrics
are by Don Black, who is also responsible for the lyrics to such
songs as “Born Free” (from the 1966 film), Michael Jackson’s “Ben”
and Lulu’s hit “To Sir, With Love”. Don also collaborated with Lloyd
Webber on Sunset Boulevard and Tell Me On A Sunday.
Higher Ground – This is the title song from the 1997 Barbra
Streisand album. Her album contains some other wonderful
inspirational songs.....she writes: “My plan was to sing a collection
of songs that transcended any one religion, but spoke to the hearts
of all persons of faith.” I love the lyrics of this song and am
happy to share the song.
Beautiful In My Eyes – I first heard this song listening to a CD by
the composer, Joshua Kadison. The song has become a popular choice
at weddings and anniversaries as it talks about love growing through
the test of time.....”and the passing years will show, you will always
grow, ever more beautiful, in my eyes”.
We Teach The Children – I learned this song back in the late 1970s
from a Gaither Vocal Band album. I was beginning my career as a high
school music teacher at the time and found the lyrics conveyed such
a great message.....”They are listening to the things we do; they hear
the music when we live out of tune; we teach the children loud and
clear; what they see, is what they hear”.
What I Need – This is a song by Nashville singer-songwriter Karen
Taylor-Good. I wanted to include it on this CD because of its
powerful message.....sometimes we don’t receive what we pray for but
instead, we receive what we need.....”I prayed for strength, and I got
pain that made me strong; I prayed for courage, and got fear to
overcome; when I prayed for faith, my empty heart brought me to my
knees; I don’t always get what I want, I get what I need”.
That’s The Way I Feel About You – I was introduced to this song
through a CD of Jana Stanfield. Jana didn’t compose the song but
included it on one of her “Brave Faith” albums. I loved the song so
much, that I sang it at my wedding in March 2006....”There’s a sense
that the piece that was missing has suddenly come into view; that’s
the way I feel about you”.
The Last Day - I often wonder how we would live our lives
differently if we knew that today would be our last day on the
planet. Would we live life with more passion or continue as if our
days were unlimited? I found this song on a CD by LA singer, Marilyn
Scott. The only other recording of this song that I am aware of is a
live-concert version by one of my favourite singers, Sandi Patti.
“You’d probably say all you wanted to say, but doesn’t it strike you
as strange, that we’d only begin to start living our lives, if today
were the last of all days”.
There Is Only Love – This is one of the many great songs recorded by
Karen Drucker. I love the simplicity of this song.....”There is only
love; love that heals, love that sets us, there is only love”.
You Raise Me Up - I have always loved the music of the duo SECRET
GARDEN. They are a husband-wife duo (Rolf Lovland from Norway and
Fionnula Sherry from Ireland) based in Norway, who have recorded 5
albums, mostly instrumental with a strong Celtic influence,
showcasing Fionnula on violin and Rolf on keyboards. In 2002, they
released an album called Once In A Red Moon. The 2nd song on this CD
was a rare vocal piece called “You Raise Me Up”. When I first bought
the CD, I listened to this song dozens of times.....I loved it. With
music by Rolf and the lyrics by Irish writer, Brendan Graham, I knew
the song would become a favourite. In 2003, Josh Grobin released his
version of the song, but for some reason, he chose to omit the 2nd
verse.....”There is no life, no life without its hunger; each restless
heart beats so imperfectly; but when you come and I am filled with
wonder, sometimes I think I glimpse eternity”. I think it is the
more powerful of the two verses, so I wanted to include both verses
in my recording. |