Into the Light by Alice Peacock
Posted on April 30, 2008
Filed Under Song of the Month | 7 Comments
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At the end of this academic semester the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity spotlight musician Alice Peacock. Born in White Bear Lake, MN, Alice is now a longtime Chicago resident and gifted multi-genre singer/songwriter. A musician who dapples in jazz, blues, country and pop, she has the buoyancy to write music for all ages as well as to create tunes that sound both familiar and refreshingly unique. Family background and values feed her natural desire to perform and reach out to others. Maternal grandmother was a German cabaret composer and performer. Her maternal grandfather was an actor, a member of Bertolt Brecht’s Berliner Ensemble. Starting a not-for-profit organization Rock for Reading in 2003, Alice Peacock’s world is not just about music, but she believes strongly in giving back to society. Her desire to support literacy comes from a personal passion for reading.
Alice Peacock: “I wrote “Into the Light” as a reminder to myself that as long as I continually turn to and search out the Light/Love/God, I would be on the right path to become the person that I was born to be. This song was originally written and performed on guitar but I like the sacred aspect that playing it on the piano brings.” To find out more about Alice Peacock (http://youtube.com/watch?v=nX9hXA7nxdc) or to purchase cds go to www.alicepeacock.com
Song Lyrics:I think it is great that you’re searching -seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to the windows of your mind. Try not to be too impatient. Go easy on yourself ’cause you got me in your corner if you need a little help.
Come into the light, yeah, be the one you’re born to be into the light. Wake up from your lonely sleep. The shadows can conceal what the heart wants to heal. Come into the light…
The Maker by Daniel Lanois
Posted on March 26, 2008
Filed Under Song of the Month | 13 Comments
This 2008 Easter Season the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity recognize Daniel Lanois, native of Canada, who is known for his ability to immerse himself in the moment and create tunes that resonate with many people about facing life’s challenges. He is the recipient of ten Grammy awards and five Juno awards. In his own artistic way, he has catapulted the careers of other favored musicians including U2, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel,Neville Brothers, Brian Eno, Luscious Jackson, Willie Nelson,Scott 
Weiland and Robbie Robertson.
Lyrics:
I’m not a stranger in the hands of the maker…I have seen the flaming swords there over east of eden burning in the eyes of the maker…oh river rise from your sleep…. Find Daniel Lanois’ latest album and film here: www.redfloorrecords.com Watch The Maker performed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxAJHyyatUk
Jesus Wept by Ralph McTell
Posted on March 1, 2008
Filed Under Song of the Month | 15 Comments
A world renown storyteller, Ralph McTell, is a singer, prolific-skillful songwriter, and acoustic guitar player born in Farnborough, England. Jesus Wept is a ardent narrative of Jesus Christ’s heartrending and tender journey to the cross that commences with “the day Jesus arrived in Jerusalem.” Listen to these lyrics from one who profoundly reflects on the passion of Jesus.
He wasn’t scared of dying, he’d made that commitment
Fulfilling the old prophecy, his bargain he had kept
He was due some satisfaction, but he was deeply troubled,
And that’s why Jesus wept…
Though Peter would betray him, he made him the rock
On which he would build his church to sort of keep him in his debt
A man about to die is allowed some confusion,
And that’s why Jesus wept…
From website http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/
Ralph made his debut in 1968 with the album ‘Eight Frames a Second’ and in 1974 the release of ‘Streets of London’ earned him an Ivor Novello Award. In 1993, Nanci Griffith recorded ‘From Clare to Here’ on her Grammy Award winning album and in 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF92vJx4RyQ
Song of Bernadette by Jennifer Warnes and Leonard Cohen
Posted on February 1, 2008
Filed Under Song of the Month | 14 Comments
During this 150th anniversary year of the Lourdes Apparition, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are pleased to feature the collaborative energies of Jennifer Warnes and Leonard Cohen in this beautiful song with an exquisite melody and meaningful lyrics. Jennifer, singer, songwriter and recording artist reflects:
I was given the name Bernadette at birth. But my siblings preferred the name “Jennifer” so my name was changed one week later. In 1979, on tour in the south of France with Leonard Cohen, I began writing a series of letters between the “Bernadette” I almost was, and “Jennifer”–two energies within me. One innocent, and the other who had fallen for the world.
The letters were just an experiment: “Dear Bernadette, I’m so lost right now.” “Hello dear Jennifer, don’t worry, I’m here, and it’s gonna be okay.”
I showed Leonard my letters to which he replied, “There’s a song in here…just start at the beginning…”There was a child named Bernadette, I heard the story long ago…and then keep going….”
So the song arose in a bus nearby Lourdes. I was admiring Bernadette’s countryside from the bus window, thinking about the great Saint who held her ground so well, and was not swayed from what she knew to be true.
But the song is also about me longing to return to a place that was more pure, honest and true. I still long for this, and I think others do too.
http://www.jenniferwarnes.com/
You may listen to the conversation regarding Famous Blue Raincoat’s Song of Bernadette between Leonard Cohen and Jennifer Warnes http://www.jenniferwarnes.com/pages/fbr20-player-fbr-talk.html?*MPImage%3D%23*MPImageX%3D0*MPImageY%3D0*MPTitle%3DFamous%20Blue%20Raincoat%20conversations* Track 7 1:52
Prayer Song by Danny Flowers
Posted on January 1, 2008
Filed Under Song of the Month | 4 Comments
Danny Flowers may be best known for having penned the classic, “Tulsa Time” (Don Williams, Eric Clapton), or as author of such soulful cuts as, “Before Believing” (title cut for Emmylou Harris’s Pieces Of The Sky) and “Gulf Coast Highway” (Nanci Griffith, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson, Evangeline), among others, but as a solo artist, his bluesy blend of raw emotion combined with a heartfelt yearning will speak to your very soul. Danny’s instrumentality has also earned him a high level of notoriety in the industry. Visit Danny’s website at: 
A couple of years ago I was in Sundance, Utah playing a series of songwriter performances. Every time that I walked down from my cabin to one of the main buildings I passed a statue sitting next to a creek of a Native American elder sitting cross-legged, with his head lifted up to the sky playing a drum & singing. Each time I walked by I would stop & stay a little longer as if my feet had suddenly become too heavy to move. The grace & elegance of the statue was mesmerizing. I found a little card in my room with some information about the statue including a brief quote from the dedication ceremony. I found out that it was sculpted by a great Native American artist named Allan Houser. Mr. Houser had done an enormous amount of work in his life including drawing, paintings & sculpture. His works are displayed in many prominent places throughout the world & are even featured in the Native American Museum in Washington, DC. This particular piece was called Prayer Song. I couldn’t get the statue out of my mind. I got my guitar out & wrote this song in one sitting having been inspired by this amazing work of art. Prayer Song invokes the Heavenly Father to “let there be life” & makes a strong statement about war & the senselessness of it all & how “no one is right”. My dear friend Emmylou Harris was gracious enough to sing harmony with me on the recording & my brother Bill Miller came over as well & played flute & added the second vocal harmony & chanted as well.
I Wonder As I Wander
Posted on December 1, 2007
Filed Under Franciscanized World, Image of the Month, Podcasts, Song of the Month | 30 Comments
Performed by Sister Marsaia Kaster and Sarah Gardner, Postulant. Recorded at St. Clement Parish, Sheboygan WI. The lyrics of this beloved hymn are well illustrated by the stunning windows of St. Clement. The windows came from the Meyer of Munich studios, installed after the dedication (1917).
“I Wonder As I Wander” will produce a variety of images and moods to the listener. Jesus came for everyone and especially “onry (ordinary) people.” In humility He was born in a stable and yet worshipped by poor shepherds as well as wealthy wise men.
The minor key and simple accompaniment can move us to question our response to Jesus, our Savior and King. In this rendition the Church setting with stained glass windows sets a mood that will be unique to each of us.
The words and music of this haunting Christmas song are attributed to John Jacob Niles. He claimed he composed this plaintive carol after hearing a young girl in Appalachia sing a folk song in a similar mood.
I Wonder As I Wander through each day…
Sister Mary Carol
Only Then Will Your House Be Blessed
Posted on November 2, 2007
Filed Under Song of the Month | 3 Comments
“Only Then” is a song that speaks about taking personal responsibility for the world you live in, If you have your `house` together, then that`s all that needs to be done. Then and only then can you offer anything to another.”
All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands
Posted on October 1, 2007
Filed Under Song of the Month | 15 Comments
And I heard from the trees a great parade.
And I heard from the hills a band was made.
And will I be invited to the sound?
And will I be a part of what you`ve made?
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