SONGWRITING: LYRICS

I have always written songs in the same basic way. I connect with something, and then collect it by writing it down in a book, of which I have many. I always carry a small book and pen in case something should strike my fancy. The trick is to capture the fancy-striker, to catch it in order to release it eventually into the world...as a song. I am a scribe, a hunter- gatherer, a fisher person, a dog on the hunt. Once I am on the track of something, the feeling of excitement grows and grows.

Usually, the words come first, get sculpted into a song-shape (verse, chorus, bridge), and then I try and find the music. These days, that means listening to the words themselves that ring with melody and rhythm, sending out clues for me to follow. Words and music come together like colors and textures on a flat surface, revealing a dimensional picture.

The first song that came to me at 16 came through me, and I had but to capture it. I've had a few arrive like that, but mostly, songwriting is a work of inspiration and perspiration, an honest effort that is always worth the work.

Here are lyrics and "maps" for the latest CD – Pray,Tell. It took two years of work, and a lot of studying about the spiritual path all the while being on that path and moving forward into the Mystery. They are, in effect, lessons learned at the feet of the masters.

- Cris

MY NEW RELEASE: PRAY, TELL

2 DISCS: 24 SONGS

DISC ONE:

1. SANCTUARY

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Everyone is in need of true sanctuary, to the point of being "weeping-ripe", an olde phrase I found that seemed so right. The object of the journey through storms and struggle is to finally arrive Home.

CHORUS
Through the ocean of storms
Through the sea of crises
We feel the ice ease its hold upon the heart
O, we are weeping-ripe for sanctuary
Carry us home, let sanctuary start

And the rising tide lifts all boats
Little boats that ride upon the sea
Seas of sorrow, running tears of pain
We'll sail tomorrow, we'll sail tomorrow
We'll sail tomorrow, 'til we are home again

CHORUS

So hoist your sails when the wind is fair
May harbor-home prevail, for the heart is there
Let sanctuary start, all lost will be found
By the willing heart, by the willing heart
By the willing heart

BRIDGE
Home ground, home town, hide-out, hide away
Safe hold, safe place, cast out, castaway

CHORUS

2. JAI YEN-YEN

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

I ran across this Thai phrase, which counsels us to keep a cool heart when anger rears its head and begins to take over our lives.

CHORUS
Jai yen-yen, keep a cool, cool heart
Don't let it end, let the loving start
Broken hearts will mend
Though they've been torn apart
Jai yen-yen, keep a cool, cool heart

I laid hard wages on a suit of steel
To steel my heart against the pain...oh
But anger fired and burned my buildings down
And left me standing in the rain

CHORUS

My armor's rusting, got to lay it down
Down upon the humble ground...oh
Stake my life inside my secret skin
The dragon turns, and the wheel goes round

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Radio free heart, radio free heart...

When the red line's rising into tooth and claw
Claws of dragons at my door
Jai yen-yen, I've got to cool it down
Don't burn my heart up anymore

CHORUS

3. BETWEEN

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Another antique phrase enters here, that of being a "boon companion", helping provide two wings for flight through the places betwixt and between.

CHORUS
Between a rock and a hard place
Between the four walls and you and me
Between one place or another
Between the Devil and the deep blue sea
Oh, be a boon companion
Birds cannot fly on just one wing
Oh, be happy while you're living
Betwixt and between

Pray tell, be well
You fell, now get up again
Free fall, so small
Footfall, hit your knees, amen

CHORUS

Fair fight, all night
Hold tight 'til the light of day
Stretched thin, tailspin
Begin to tell and pray

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Between the worlds, blackbirds do fly
Between the worlds, the dark and the light
Between the worlds, the day and the night
Between the worlds, over the line

CHORUS

4. MIRACLE

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Miracles happen every day in so many ways, from the smallest events to the larger, from the sun rising and birds singing on another brand new day, to the larger deeper events of every life.

CHORUS
Nothing short of a miracle
Nothing short of a brand new day
Nothing short of a miracle
It doesn't matter what other people say
See your face in the mirror
Do you like who you are today?
Nothing short of a miracle
Nothing short of a brand new day

One day in the world
One day in the miracle
You can brave this, you can brave this
You can travel your chosen road
One day at a time
One day in the Mystery
You can brave this, you can brave this
Take a step on your chosen road

CHORUS

One day in the life
One day in the leap of faith
You can brave this, you can brave this
Open the gate to your chosen road
One day in the night
One day in the dark to light
You can brave this, you can brave this
Put your foot down on your chosen road

BRIDGE
When hard times come, do not cut and run
Do not turn away from the call
Lay down your load, put your foot upon the Road
It's only change after all

CHORUS

5. SLEEPING TIGERS

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Some songs are made of collage, in this case, a proverb overlaying May Sarton and, thanks to my sister, John O'Donohue's Celtic wisdom.

The tree grows up, the tree grows down
Branching into the light all around
The tree grows up, the tree grows down
Branching into the ground

CHORUS
Nothing stays, it needs be loved
On the wings of a song
For soon it will be gone

Sleeping tigers and slippery stones
Try getting by, knowing deep in your bones
(That)sleeping tigers and slippery stones
Try getting by, too, on their own

CHORUS

BRIDGE
I don't know where we go
We're only here for a short time
I don't know, but it sure seems to me
That love is the key, oh, love

6. A WAY TO GO

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

We need two wings to fly, we need the opposite to find the center. In each thing lies the Other. In the heart of everything lies the Mystery, and even though we do not know, we take one step at a time, trusting it's the way to go. The 25th Stone is the blank Rune, signifying everything and nothing.

In the heart of the dry land, there is a spring-filled secret
In the heart of the Stranger, there is a way to go
In the heart of the fearful, there is the Will of Heaven
In the heart of the Mystery, there is the 25th Stone

In the heart of a star, oh, there is a dusty diamond
In the heart of a tree, oh, there is the warrior's bow
In the heart of the burden, there is an open gateway
In the heart of the darkness, there is a way to go

CHORUS
A way to go, a way to go Even though you cannot know
A way to go, a way to go
One step at a time, oh A way to go, a One step at a time, oh
Through the 25th Stone

In the heart of the Standing, there is the leap of Faith
In the heart of the Blessing, there is the Great Unknown
In the heart of gladness, there is a vale of tears
In the heart of the wavelength, there is a way to go

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Time and again, it rises
Time and again, it beckons
Time and again, it is in motion
There's a current of change in the ocean

In the heart of the long night, there is a voice so still
In the heart of the Wanderer, there is a call to Home
In the heart of the blossom, there is a cause for grieving
In the heart of the Journey, there is a way to go

CHORUS

7. LIGHT AND THE EYE

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

In order to see, we need abiding light, and in order for our hearts to align, I believe we needs must always return to the Beauty.

Light and the Eye
To see the danger, and to stop short in time
True wisdom, take the safe road
Always abiding, Light and the Eye

Light and the Eye
Appear obstruction in the course of time
Introspection of your own country
No fate bewailing, Light and the Eye

CHORUS
Beauty calls you back into the world
Oh, Light in the dead of night
The power of the Spirit, you fly your flag unfurled
Gathering companions, joining forces for the fight

Have faith in the Light and the Eye
Enter the chamber, music rising high
Celebration, Festival of Lights
Forever shining, Light and the Eye

CHORUS

8. HOPE-FEATHERED

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Written in a threaded style, this continues Emily Dickenson's words that became my mantra: "Hope is the thing with feathers..."

Lonely hearts, hearts sad
Sad mission
Mission-mad

Mad and grateful (on my)
Grateful knees
Knees bending
Bending down for please

Please keep us safe
Safe-harbored now
Now is the anchor
Anchor us somehow

Somehow this soft god
God on this glorious day
Day full of mercy
Mercy angels stay

Stay...Hope-feathered
Stay...Hope-feathered
Stay...Hope-feathered
Fly away, fly away

9. GRATEFUL

Music and Words by Cris Williamson

Counting our blessings with a sense of quiet joy is no small thing. We pray for our own welfare, for the well-being of this world that it may surround and protect all the children.

CHORUS
And I am grateful
And I will count my blessings
In the acts of kindness
In the sky above me
Oh, the love of children
May this world surround them
May we remember this quiet joy

The water is so deep, oh, do not sleep
Open up your eyes, the better to see
And the water moves around
And it wears the Stone Child down
And it empties all into the same vast sea

CHORUS

Oh, won't you take heart
You know you must do your part
Compassion waits around the bend
Oh, the heart can hear now
All the Stone Child's tears somehow
See the water pouring, world without end

BRIDGE
The wild air sows the seeds of change
Sit still in the middle of the fire
Oh, do not fan the burning flames
Sit still in the middle of the fire
The Water, the Wind, the Earth, the Strange
Sit still in the middle of the fire
Oh, it's newly here...the Ancient Change
Sit still...still

CHORUS

10. SHINE

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Based on a Teddy Roosevelt quote, this song echoes my mother's adage: "All you can do is the best you can." Shine and grow right where you are.

CHORUS
Shine like a star
Do all you can
With what you have
In the place you are

Shine like a star
Do all you can
In the time you have
In the place you are

Everybody falters, everybody falls down
Everybody feels afraid most all the time
In the dark, bravely, like a star in a stone boat
Like a magic lantern, go ahead and shine

CHORUS

Out there, out upon the hard ground
Impossible beauty shines in bloom
Sometimes, somebody try to steal the shine
'Cause they found it beautiful, what you gonna do?

CHORUS

BRIDGE
It's not fool's gold
Not the Golden Calf
It's the lightning flash
When the love shines

CHORUS

*Based on words by Theodore Roosevelt Additional lyrics Cris Williamson
© 2009 Cris Williamson/ Bird Ankles Music (BMI)

11. HAND ON YOU

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Many children grow up never knowing the hands of kindness and love, saying that everything is all right. This song is for you, Judy.

You're that little girl in the picture
With blueprints in your hand
Living a life you never asked for
A life you never got to plan
You didn't have a voice
When they gave you up and away
But now you choose where to walk
And you choose what to say

CHORUS

You did not get to choose
The opening day of your birth
You could not choose the way
You came upon the earth
You were not given any choice
About the story that they made
But now you choose where to walk
And you choose what to say

BRIDGE
Say you will, say what you want to
Say goodnight, say that you love you
They gave you no picture, they gave you no choice
They gave you no future, they gave you no voice
You made your own picture, you made your own choice
You made your own future, your own voice

CHORUS
They never laid a hand on you
To say that it's all right
They never laid a blessed hand on you
To get you through the night
And when your heart was breaking
And all your world was blue
They never laid a hand upon your heart
They never laid a hand on you
And when your heart is breaking
And all your world is blue
Let me lay my hand upon your heart
Let me lay my hand on you
Let me lay my hand upon your heart
Let me lay my hand on you

12. CARRY THE ONE

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Remember in math class when they would tell you to "carry the one"? It occurred to me that we need to carry the mindfulness of the One everywhere we go.

Carry the One
From the dark to the Light
Come back to life
From the middle of the night

Carry the One
Past the howling moon
Daylight is coming to the darkened room
Carry, oh carry the One

CHORUS
We are the lucky stars
We are the hungry ghosts
We are the jealous god
We are the least and most
We are the touch and go
We are the joy and pain
We are the open heart
We are awake again

Carry the One
Past the Where and Why
Through the morning window
You see the future sky

Carry the One
And read the velvet Rune
The midnight conversation
In the darkened room
Carry, oh carry the One

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Carry the fire like Prometheus
Light up the day bright as the sun
Carry the fire like Prometheus
Carry the One...

CHORUS

From the Dark into the Light, oh, carry, carry the One
From the middle of the night, oh, carry, carry the One
Through the window of the darkened room...
Through the daylight past the howling moon...

DISC TWO:

1. ON AND ON

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

The Divine Path wends its way through all things - dark and light, up and down, and, I think, in and of itself, never, ever ends.

On the edge of the edge
On the thin, thin ice
On the mountain
On the upward climb

On the journey
On the up and down
On and on, on and on, on and on
On the path Divine

CHORUS
Let the winds of Heaven
Blow sweet and sound
Let them dance between us
Let them dance around

In the turning
In the roar of the road
In the circle
In the coming closed

On the journey
On the up and down
On and on, on and on, on and on
On the path Divine

CHORUS

BRIDGE
As we change course
As the years go by
Lay burden down
In the wind and tide
Trigger of anger
Anger at bay
Bay at the moon
At the moon again

Over the stars
Over the moon
Over the side
Overwhelming

On the journey
On the up and down
On and on, on and on, on and on
On the path Divine

CHORUS

On and on, on and on
On and on, on the path Divine

2. THE SINGING BIRD

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

The words by Langston Hughes about how life becomes a broken bird if you don't hold fast to your dreams, nested nicely with a Chinese proverb having to do with growing the garden green so that the singing bird will come. I put the prairie-dreams in the verses.

CHORUS
Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die
Then life is a broken bird that cannot fly
And if the heart grows green and rises high
Then the Singing Bird will come
Then the Bird will fly
Then the Singing Bird will come
Then the Bird will fly

Oh, wings and feathers, feathers and wings
Come together, go on and dream
Six years turning, ashes to wings
Out of the burning, the Songbird sings

CHORUS

When your dreams are drifting, lean into the wind
Stand in the dry land, go on and dream of rain
Sun, wind and rain run like dreams upon the plains
See now, the Bird comes and sings it green again

CHORUS

* Based upon words by Langston Hughes and Chinese proverb with additional lyrics by Cris Williamson

3. INVOCATION

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

I've recorded this song before, but I wanted it again for this cd. I felt it would be at home here with these other songs with its constant reminder from the inner Voice that filling the eyes, ears, heart, mind, Soul and one's very life with Spirit is how we stay in tune.

When in dreaming Sacred comes
(Let our eyes be open)
Music frightens Fear away
(Let our ears be open)
Knowledge of the Blood abounds
(Let our hearts be open)
Hatred holds such fearful sway
(Let our minds be open)
Wisdom be with us this day
(Let our souls be open)
Living long where Love abides
(Let our lives be open)

CHORUS
Open our eyes, open our ears
Open our hearts, open our minds
Open our souls, open our lives
Let our lives be open

4. THE LITTLE BOAT

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

I fancied the idea of a little boat out there in the deep water, and her job is to save the stranded ones, the castaways. She is Mercy itself, and Mercy itself also watches over her.

CHORUS
The little boat, the little boat comes in
Into the heart of the storm
Storming time, time to turn
Turning your heart around

Around so you see the Mercy coming
Coming for you, you know it's true now
Now it comes for the little boat
The little boat comes in

She's heard the cries of the lost and lonely
She's turned on her heel to sail down the wind
Her angels are there on the Jacob's ladder
So sing out your name and she will bring you in

She follows the course that her heart has reckoned
She'll walk the waters, she'll ride the sea
She'll hoist her colors and fetch up all standing
The Mercy is coming for you and for me

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Hold fast, hold tight
Hold on to the Light
So good, so right
So sail with the wind tonight

She's sailed in by starlight, by moonsail, by night
She'll make for the harbor, she'll run for the bay
Where she'll ride at anchor, she'll rock on the water
Holding in Mercy all the castaways

CHORUS

5. HOLY SPIRIT

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Hildegard Von Bingen, who lived from the end of the 11th into the 12th Century, wrote this prayer - so simple, so elegant. It simply called out to me. So, choosing some lines to repeat, I set it to music so that I might bring it to you, so that you might know it, too.

Holy Spirit
Root of all things
Giving life to all life
Root of all things
Moving all creatures
Washing them clean
Holy Spirit
Root of all things

CHORUS
Erasing mistakes
Healing their wounds
Luminous, wonderful
Root of all things

Awakening the heart
From its ancient sleep
Holy Spirit
Root of all things

6. SAILOR

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Arnie, this song's for you and for your family and your friends. I wanted to honor your life, your voyage, and your courage right up to the end. You set the bar high, Brother. I miss you very much.

CHORUS
Sail on, Sailor, over the deep, blue sea
Sail on, Sailor, into the Mystery
Catching the brave west wind
Sailing away, and back again
Sail on, Sailor, into the Mystery

You've sailed into ports of friendship
You've sailed into ports of pain
You've sailed into ports of mMstery
Sailing away, and back again

Now the seas are rising higher
Now the seas are flooding in
Now the seas are set to carry you
Sailing away and back again

CHORUS

Now the wind is blowing stronger
Now the wind she fills the main
Now the wind blows on you, Sailor
Sailing away and back again

So ride the day fast fading
So ride the bounding main
So ride the waves' run, Sailor
Sailing away and back again

You've sailed beneath true colors
You've sailed for love of friends
You've sailed for faith in freedom
Sailing away and back again

Now you'll run into the sunset
Now you'll run before the wind
Now you'll run the rigging, Sailor
Sailing away and back again

BRIDGE
You've taken the holy orders
And you are sailing into the sun
And you are guided by the north star
In the sea change...in the sea change

CHORUS
Catching the brave west wind
Sailing away and back again
Sail on,Sailor, into the Mystery.

7. MORNING GLORY

Words by Cris Williamson
Music by JS Bach

I wrote new text for this classic hymn. The melody by Bach is an adaptation of a secular song by Hassler written in 1601. I thought it should have all three parts, sung in classic style, and as an a cappella piece.

The morning star is rising
Across the Great Divide
The song is crystallizing
And sung the whole world wide

O, praise the morning glory
Hosanna loud and clear
O, sing the old, old story
Let sorrow disappear (Let loving hearts draw near – 2x)

O, Sisters, hear the Calling
O, Brothers see the light
So weep we in the Falling
Then rise in great delight

The longing of the story
All hearts in one accord
Take up the morning glory
Put down the thorn and sword

8. LIGHTHOUSE

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

There's a Japanese proverb: There is darkness at the foot of the lighthouse; and another proverb that says: a drowning man need not fear the rain. These led me into the heart of this piece, where, if you walk by faith, you will become the change. No matter what, shine the Light.

CHORUS
At the foot of the lighthouse
Darkness reigns
And so we walk by Faith
So we become the change

If you feel you're drowning
Don't fear the rain
Just know you'll walk by faith
You will become the change

Light on, throw the light on me
Light on the refugee
Light on, it's only then I see
Light on, on the sea

CHORUS

Light out, no one here can stay
Light out, we run away
Light out, light the castaway
Light out, save the day

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Darkness, darkness, rise & shine, oh
Lighthouse, brighthouse, seek & find, oh

CHORUS

Light up, stars are shining now
Light up, their light shines down
Light up, we'll find the Way somehow
Light the beacon now

CHORUS

9. LARKS

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Again, another proverb gave birth to this: If the sky should fall, we shall catch larks. That image was so tender, so beautiful, and I thought of the Western meadowlark the bird of my childhood. I would catch that bird if it were falling, for it's so precious to me, to my memory, to my joy.

CHORUS
We shall catch larks if the sky should fall
By holding birds in our hands, we hold songs after all
An exultation of larks falling down with the sky
We're holding songs in our hands, the larks are learning to cry

Birds fall down
Down feathers snowing down
Down where we make our stand
Catching the birds by hand....oh

Larks abound
Falling without a sound
Something's gone sadly wrong
We'll catch the falling songs

CHORUS

No small thing
Raining down mercy wings
Out of the falling sky
Larks with their angel eyes...oh

The Falls's begun
Catching larks one by one
So when the sky falls down
We shall save the songs

CHORUS

10. IN DREAMS, IN SLEEP

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

This song, the newest, came out of the horrors of the Boston Marathon. Somehow, we manage to keep the beauty and keep running the race of life.

This special place
This state of Grace
This endless race we keep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh
This endless race we keep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh

This holy space
This commonplace
This bright-born face we keep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh
This bright-born face we keep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh

CHORUS
Thicker than water, running like rain
Thicker than water, blood in the vein

Tomorrow the sun
Tomorrow's begun
Tomorrow the run we keep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh
Tomorrow the run we keep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Lift up the good, open your heart
Lift up the good, open your shores
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh

This piece of Light
This peace of night
This peaceful sight we keep, oh
This endless race we keep, oh
This bright-born face we keep, oh
Tomorrow the run we keep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh
Even in dreams, in sleep, oh

11. THE WORLD TURNS TONIGHT

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

I've tried to write a lullaby for every CD, and this is the one for this piece.

CHORUS
The world turns tonight
And turns 'til the morning light
She'll shine her glow on the earth below
Oh, the world she turns tonight

Precious little, little light
Light little star, wish I may, wish I might
Might I say that I love you? May I hold you tight?
On this turning, starry night

CHORUS

Little Wonder, wonderful
Full of your day's many dreams...beautiful
Beautiful as the angels, ever merciful
As they keep us on this turning world

BRIDGE
Nobody owns the sky
Nobody owns the light
Nobody owns the angels
So rest in my heart tonight

CHORUS

12. DANCING STAR

Words and Music by Cris Williamson

Chaos plays a big part in mythology, and for years I've been captivated by Friedrich Nietzsche's quote: "You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star." Also, I wanted to write a song that centered around the belief that underneath the skin, we're the same heart. Finally, happily, I put it all together in this song.

CHORUS
Underneath the skin (we're the same heart)
Underneath the skin (we're the same heart)
Underneath the skin (we're the same heart)
Beating...oh, meeting

Floating on Chaos (through the Gate of Horn)
Floating on Chaos (in the sea and storm)
A star is born...a Dancing Star
A star is born

Moving through Chaos (up against the hard)
Moving through Chaos (be a Dancing Star)
How you really are...only time will tell
Be a Dancing Star

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Share the joy and the blessing
(As if it were your own)
Feel every pain of another
(As if it were your own)
Become a master of kindness
Become a master of love
Be magnificent, we're the same heart
Be a wonderful one

Walking through Chaos (find the common ground)
Walking through Chaos (hear that starry sound)
Look at what you've found...you're a Dancing Star
Turn your heart around

CHORUS


© 2021 Cris Williamson/Wolf Moon Inc. All Rights Reserved. Site by Werle²

SONGWRITING: LYRICS

MY NEW RELEASE: PRAY, TELL

2 DISCS: 24 SONGS

DISC ONE:

1. SANCTUARY

2. JAI YEN-YEN

3. BETWEEN

4. MIRACLE

5. SLEEPING TIGERS

6. A WAY TO GO

7. LIGHT AND THE EYE

8. HOPE-FEATHERED

9. GRATEFUL

10. SHINE

11. HAND ON YOU

12. CARRY THE ONE

DISC TWO:

1. ON AND ON

2. THE SINGING BIRD

3. INVOCATION

4. THE LITTLE BOAT

5. HOLY SPIRIT

6. SAILOR

7. MORNING GLORY

8. LIGHTHOUSE

9. LARKS

10. IN DREAMS, IN SLEEP

11. THE WORLD TURNS TONIGHT

12. DANCING STAR

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