for me,
it is the quickest way to feel.
to feel anything.
when i want to be happy,
music can make me feel that way.
when i want to be sad,
music can make me feel that way.
you might think it's strange to "want" to be sad.
but being sad and feeling sad are different things to me.
it is the same with all emotions.
music has always been a big part of my life.
my mom being a piano teacher,
i couldn't escape the inevitable result
of piano lessons.
and like most children
i hated practicing.
i definitely didn't become as good as i hope i could be now
but i can dink around on it enough.
piano music always makes me feel.
soon performing came into my life
where music was in everything, of course.
i learned so much about music
and how it isn't just notes,
it isn't just noise.
it is emotion.
and when it comes from the heart
it can be so amazingly powerful...
anyways,
this rant about music all leads to
how i was in an all acapella concert tonight.
it was through my performing studio
where many groups sang different songs
all arranged by our director Kim Clayton
and sang acapella (meaning no instruments).
first off,
Kim Clayton is a genius when it comes to music.
he writes it.
it comes from his heart.
it flows through him.
it is amazing really!
some of my favorite songs he has arranged
have been patriotic songs.
and i believe that through his arrangements of these songs,
singing them,
and his explanations of them
have really developed my appreciation for this country
and are probably a big part of the reason the 4th of july
is my favorite holiday!
and of those songs
one that has really become close to my heart
is called "Lady of Liberty".
This is an original song written by Kim Clayton himself.
he wrote it shortly after the attack against the United States on September 11, 2001.
some of the lyrics are:
"Images ever will remain,
shattered lives, broken hearts.
Time stood still as we watched in vain.
Towers of strength came apart.
Freedoms voice.
America....
Give us the strength for freedom
to stand for justice...
...From the dust
arises strength
and a better world will grow to be our liberty,
and the lives of the lost
never again be the cost...of freedom.
Lady of Liberty
beacon of light,
lighten a darkened world
give hope by your sight.
...
The torch you bare
is the grace of God
leading hearts and souls
to sing liberty
all glory
freedom is our right
justice for all people
mercy is our might
all nations build our nation
color knows no name
we the people, indivisible
one nation under God...
Under God...
Lady of Liberty
beacon of light,
lighten a darkened world
give hope by your sight.
We follow your light..."
I was only in 3rd grade when the twin towers fell to the ground,
so i do not remember much of it
and had not truly realized the significance of it for a few years.
when i was introduced to this song
it all started to have a deeper meaning to me.
how we will not forget it happened
but we will not fall either.
and when i had the opportunity to sing it a few years ago
at the memorial church across from ground zero
in new york city
it really hit home.
i will never. ever. forget that experience and what i felt.
and for that, i am so blessed.
the way this song is put to music
literally stops my heart and gives me the chills.
it is so powerful,
and when i find a recording of it i will post it
because no one should go without hearing it!
i love the way it makes me feel.
i have so many things to be thankful to Kim Clayton for,
and this song as well as his other music arrangements
are some of them.
i love that music makes me feel.
i feel.
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