My office, standing fair
Without a door, is not quite "there"
It lacks a finish, you'd agree
Absent some perfect symmetry
And yet my printer you could take,
Thermo-hygrometer I'd forsake,
My blotter, where my doodles live,
My yellow folders, I would give
To have a door that I could close,
Keep out the extra curious nose,
Block my neighbor's well meant fan,
What favor seekers I could ban
Then all I'd need for perfect bliss
Some walls to hold the door up with
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Renovation song in progress ps thank you Blake and Frost
"There is a Moment in each Day that Satan cannot find
Nor can his Watch Fiends find it, but the Industrious find
This Moment & it multiply, & when it once is found
It Renovates every Moment of the Day if rightly placed"
MILTON 35:42-45
The hills are looking a lot like November
Their October glory is stripped by the rains
But in a small valley a bright splash of color
Some trees that are clinging to Autumn's remains
And it's all that I need for a moment of pleasure
All that I need for a moment's delight
A bright splash of color in a place unexpected
Changes the instant, renovates, and makes right
The sounds of the city are gathered around us
Man and machines their cacophonies race
But in a brief quiet the sigh of a baby
as she falls asleep in her father's embrace
And it's all that I need for a moment of pleasure
All that I need for a moment's delight
The sigh of a baby in a place unexpected
Changes the instant, renovates, and makes right
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Nor can his Watch Fiends find it, but the Industrious find
This Moment & it multiply, & when it once is found
It Renovates every Moment of the Day if rightly placed"
MILTON 35:42-45
The hills are looking a lot like November
Their October glory is stripped by the rains
But in a small valley a bright splash of color
Some trees that are clinging to Autumn's remains
And it's all that I need for a moment of pleasure
All that I need for a moment's delight
A bright splash of color in a place unexpected
Changes the instant, renovates, and makes right
The sounds of the city are gathered around us
Man and machines their cacophonies race
But in a brief quiet the sigh of a baby
as she falls asleep in her father's embrace
And it's all that I need for a moment of pleasure
All that I need for a moment's delight
The sigh of a baby in a place unexpected
Changes the instant, renovates, and makes right
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Safe Home (song)
When the summer comes down
Before the harvest is brought in
Then the nights begin to cool
And the world is soft again
When the summer comes down
And the sun is not so hard
When the crickets raise their hymn
And the earth lets down it's guard
Then I let it wash over me
Let it fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again
When the summer comes down
Before the gardens fade away
When the heat has lost it's edge
And there's dew at dawn each day
When the summer comes down
And the gentle bees still fly
Between the Rose of Sharon blooms
As they hum their lullaby
Then I let it wash over me
Let it fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again
When the summer comes down
Before the trees with color sigh
And the grasses still are green
And the birds have yet to fly
When the summer comes down
As nature pauses in her stride,
Takes a breath before the plunge,
Makes a space where peace abides
And I let it wash over me
Let it fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again
And I let it wash over me
Let it fall, fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Before the harvest is brought in
Then the nights begin to cool
And the world is soft again
When the summer comes down
And the sun is not so hard
When the crickets raise their hymn
And the earth lets down it's guard
Then I let it wash over me
Let it fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again
When the summer comes down
Before the gardens fade away
When the heat has lost it's edge
And there's dew at dawn each day
When the summer comes down
And the gentle bees still fly
Between the Rose of Sharon blooms
As they hum their lullaby
Then I let it wash over me
Let it fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again
When the summer comes down
Before the trees with color sigh
And the grasses still are green
And the birds have yet to fly
When the summer comes down
As nature pauses in her stride,
Takes a breath before the plunge,
Makes a space where peace abides
And I let it wash over me
Let it fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again
And I let it wash over me
Let it fall, fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Sunday, August 10, 2008
See them marching song in progress
See them marching off to work
Little boys in their fathers' s suits
Armed each one with case and phone
Soldiering in old men's pursuits
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Little boys in their fathers' s suits
Armed each one with case and phone
Soldiering in old men's pursuits
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
My Prayer song in progress
Every generation
pours it's best upon the fires
that are started by it's greed
pours it's best upon the fires
that are started by some need
And if I had Heaven's ear
this would be my sacred prayer
That we learn to say no
that we learn to say yes
that we learn the words that stop the flames
that swallow up our best
And if Heaven cannot hear
then it falls to us to make it clear
we must learn to say no
we must learn to say yes
we must learn the words that stop the flames
that rob us of our best
?
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
pours it's best upon the fires
that are started by it's greed
pours it's best upon the fires
that are started by some need
And if I had Heaven's ear
this would be my sacred prayer
That we learn to say no
that we learn to say yes
that we learn the words that stop the flames
that swallow up our best
And if Heaven cannot hear
then it falls to us to make it clear
we must learn to say no
we must learn to say yes
we must learn the words that stop the flames
that rob us of our best
?
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Simple wishes song in progress
Simple wishes have I
Simple wishes three:
I wish you more
I wish you better
I wish you peace
A better world with every new day
And that which we are all seeking
Peace at the end of our way
Simple…
A better place for your children to grow
Where war is banished forever
And peace is all you know
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Weaving song in progress
Another weekend argument
The anger takes her through the day
And settles in that empty space
Where all the fights just seem to stray
And she wonders as she sometimes does
Why they always choose to stay
Unraveling a little here
Entangled in each other’s hearts
Unraveling a little there
Just tie the dangling threads together
Don’t let everafter tear
She fights the urge to take to flight
And he the one to run to ground
Both gambling that a little time
Will right their lives, bring them around
To where they join, again discover
Love apart is love not found
Entangled in each other’s lives
Unraveling a little here
Entangled in each other’s hearts
Unraveling a little there
Just tie the dangling threads together
Don’t let everafter tear
In between the ordinary
And underneath the everyday
A little glimpse of who they are
Enough to make them feel okay
Feel headed in the same direction
Love admitting feet of clay
Unraveling a little here
Entangled in each other’s hearts
Unraveling a little there
Just tie the dangling threads together
Don’t let everafter tear
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Like a balm in Gilead (for my Dad)(Song)
Like a balm in Gilead
is the grace of a goodbye
How I wish I could fold back the years
Speak the truths between my tears
and feel inside a balm of Gilead,
the grace of our goodbye
Those who knew that you were leaving could not bear to tell me so
and the others, unbelieving, never thought that you would go
So in ignorance I dreamt the night away
And in the silver'd dawn you softly slipped away
Like a balm...
At times I find myself pretending, that you're here to say farewell
Say the words that are heart-mending, words that only you could tell
And I try to find my own to make it clear
Just what you mean to me and how I'll always care
Like a balm...
If the stars had worked together, if the fates had so ordained
Then you might have stayed forever, what we were would have remained
But I'm left to find my way to heaven's door
with hope that I will meet you on that further shore
Like a balm...
is the grace of a goodbye
How I wish I could fold back the years
Speak the truths between my tears
and feel inside a balm of Gilead,
the grace of our goodbye
Those who knew that you were leaving could not bear to tell me so
and the others, unbelieving, never thought that you would go
So in ignorance I dreamt the night away
And in the silver'd dawn you softly slipped away
Like a balm...
At times I find myself pretending, that you're here to say farewell
Say the words that are heart-mending, words that only you could tell
And I try to find my own to make it clear
Just what you mean to me and how I'll always care
Like a balm...
If the stars had worked together, if the fates had so ordained
Then you might have stayed forever, what we were would have remained
But I'm left to find my way to heaven's door
with hope that I will meet you on that further shore
Like a balm...
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Thursday, January 31, 2008
I Choose You Forever 1983 song for our wedding 9/10/1983
To share in the laughter
To comfort the pain
To reach for tomorrows
For walks in the rain
I choose you forever
My best love, my friend
I choose you forever
My best love, my friend
For long lazy Summers
And Autumns of gold
For Winters by fires
For Spring's secrets told
I choose you forever
My best love, my friend
I choose you forever
My best love my friend
For days yet to happen
For those which are done
For one we are living
Now living as one
I choose you forever
My best love, my friend
I choose you forever
My best love, my friend
To comfort the pain
To reach for tomorrows
For walks in the rain
I choose you forever
My best love, my friend
I choose you forever
My best love, my friend
For long lazy Summers
And Autumns of gold
For Winters by fires
For Spring's secrets told
I choose you forever
My best love, my friend
I choose you forever
My best love my friend
For days yet to happen
For those which are done
For one we are living
Now living as one
I choose you forever
My best love, my friend
I choose you forever
My best love, my friend
Copyright © 1983 Mary-Elizabeth Smith
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Called
Unknown, really, which words,
soft, insistent,
were first whispered to the heart.
No matter, either,
that they were repeated,
in frequent quiet.
Little known of them
but that they formed a question
that was asked,
was always asking,
patient, patient,
waiting.
A call,
waiting
to be recognized,
waiting
for an answer.
Having asked so many others,
bearing fullness of Hope that
this answer will be the Yes,
the Yes that requires
Selflessness, Labor,
Dedication, Love,
Patience,
like its own.
What matters, what is known
is that Yes
was freely given.
Translated here by years
of faithful,
loving,
service
to the music...
...and to the Muse
Who, though in heaven,
comes down to earth again
to dwell in hearts
each time text and sound,
joined by Grace,
becomes complete
and lives within us.
written in honor of the 25 anniversary of Walden Moore as Choirmaster at Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven, CT
soft, insistent,
were first whispered to the heart.
No matter, either,
that they were repeated,
in frequent quiet.
Little known of them
but that they formed a question
that was asked,
was always asking,
patient, patient,
waiting.
A call,
waiting
to be recognized,
waiting
for an answer.
Having asked so many others,
bearing fullness of Hope that
this answer will be the Yes,
the Yes that requires
Selflessness, Labor,
Dedication, Love,
Patience,
like its own.
What matters, what is known
is that Yes
was freely given.
Translated here by years
of faithful,
loving,
service
to the music...
...and to the Muse
Who, though in heaven,
comes down to earth again
to dwell in hearts
each time text and sound,
joined by Grace,
becomes complete
and lives within us.
written in honor of the 25 anniversary of Walden Moore as Choirmaster at Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven, CT
Sunday, January 20, 2008
I'll be there song 1978
chorus
Wake me from my slumber's bliss
Wake me with love's tender kiss
I'll be there, I'll be there
Wake me with the new sunrise
With the passion of your eyes
I'll be there, I'll be there
We filled the night, 'til it would fill no more
Shamed the stars, outshone them all
We poured ourselves into one another souls
And made the world just one room small
chorus
I've had enough of wakin' up to find
That love had fled, had lost it's charms
To realize that love had never been
But just a game in strangers arms
chorus
I know that I no longer need to search
I've found my life and love in you
No longer need to dread the morning sun
I know that you have found me too
chorus (change)
Wake you from your slumbers bliss
Wake you with love's tender kiss
I'll be there, I'll be there
Wake you with the new sunrise
With the passion of my eyes
I'll be there, I'll be there,
I'm still here
(Fall 1978 used as original music for Albertus Magnus College production of Spoon River Anthology)
Wake me from my slumber's bliss
Wake me with love's tender kiss
I'll be there, I'll be there
Wake me with the new sunrise
With the passion of your eyes
I'll be there, I'll be there
We filled the night, 'til it would fill no more
Shamed the stars, outshone them all
We poured ourselves into one another souls
And made the world just one room small
chorus
I've had enough of wakin' up to find
That love had fled, had lost it's charms
To realize that love had never been
But just a game in strangers arms
chorus
I know that I no longer need to search
I've found my life and love in you
No longer need to dread the morning sun
I know that you have found me too
chorus (change)
Wake you from your slumbers bliss
Wake you with love's tender kiss
I'll be there, I'll be there
Wake you with the new sunrise
With the passion of my eyes
I'll be there, I'll be there,
I'm still here
(Fall 1978 used as original music for Albertus Magnus College production of Spoon River Anthology)
Copyright © 1978 Mary-Elizabeth Smith
You are so beautiful Song for Jim 5/1975
The day is wearisome, but the night is sure to come
And earth can lay her burdens down
And I am much like she, the evening comforts me
I too can put my cares away
Chorus
You are so beautiful
Your love's like evenin' time to me
I thank you now for entering my life
And coloring my days
The gifts God gives are sweet
To make my life complete
And you dear friend are foremost of that kind
And I can't help but be, richer by your love for me
And thankful for your giving me myself
Chorus
Our days will surely pass
Our life here cannot last
And someday we will be called home
But until that time, these words I sing and rhyme
Will testify to all you mean to me
Chorus
And earth can lay her burdens down
And I am much like she, the evening comforts me
I too can put my cares away
Chorus
You are so beautiful
Your love's like evenin' time to me
I thank you now for entering my life
And coloring my days
The gifts God gives are sweet
To make my life complete
And you dear friend are foremost of that kind
And I can't help but be, richer by your love for me
And thankful for your giving me myself
Chorus
Our days will surely pass
Our life here cannot last
And someday we will be called home
But until that time, these words I sing and rhyme
Will testify to all you mean to me
Chorus
Copyright © 1975 Mary-Elizabeth Smith
Take my Sword (song)
Take my sword and make a ploughshare
For I'm wearied of war
Take my boots and point them homeward
For I care to march no more
For I've held too many dying
Seen too many wounds that will not heal
Too many nights heard grown men weeping
Too many times I could not feel
Take my sword...
All the fathers and the mothers
And the children who must mourn
And the broken hearted lovers
Who must learn to love alone
Take my sword...
We are all soldiers on this field
And if you asked, again we would go
But please try to find the reason
Let this hell be war's last show
Take my sword...
For I'm wearied of war
Take my boots and point them homeward
For I care to march no more
For I've held too many dying
Seen too many wounds that will not heal
Too many nights heard grown men weeping
Too many times I could not feel
Take my sword...
All the fathers and the mothers
And the children who must mourn
And the broken hearted lovers
Who must learn to love alone
Take my sword...
We are all soldiers on this field
And if you asked, again we would go
But please try to find the reason
Let this hell be war's last show
Take my sword...
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
I Am Undone by Love (song)
I am undone by Love
So great, so wide
That shook my heart
'til it fell free
Despite my fear and pride
I am undone by Love
And thus undone
I stand before
Heaven's ever open door
I am undone by Hope
So clear, so bright
In darkest hours
A taste of dawn
To feed me through the night
I am undone by Hope
And thus undone
I stand before
Heaven's ever open door
I am undone by Grace
So free, so fair
That all my days
Spent here on earth
Are brushed by Heaven's air
I am undone by Grace
And thus undone
I stand before
Heaven's ever open door
I am undone by Peace
So soft, so sure
Which bids me end
My restless walk
My soul in God secure
I am undone by Peace
And thus undone
I stand before
Heaven's ever open door
So great, so wide
That shook my heart
'til it fell free
Despite my fear and pride
I am undone by Love
And thus undone
I stand before
Heaven's ever open door
I am undone by Hope
So clear, so bright
In darkest hours
A taste of dawn
To feed me through the night
I am undone by Hope
And thus undone
I stand before
Heaven's ever open door
I am undone by Grace
So free, so fair
That all my days
Spent here on earth
Are brushed by Heaven's air
I am undone by Grace
And thus undone
I stand before
Heaven's ever open door
I am undone by Peace
So soft, so sure
Which bids me end
My restless walk
My soul in God secure
I am undone by Peace
And thus undone
I stand before
Heaven's ever open door
Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)