Songs for Lee

“Songs Of Micah” (1:59)
“Beatitudes / Alleluia” (3:38)
“In the Quiet Of the Day” / “It Seems To Me” (5:25)

by Daniel ben Avram, from
“Metanoia — a Universalist Mass”

[Production Notes: , “Songs Of Micah” contains text which, in performance, is spoken. We chose, at the time, to record just the sung text, but the full text is presented here, with the spoken text in italics. My studio chorus consisted of Angie Doctor, Eric Freeman, Jim Hale, John Paddock, Stephen Saxon and Katy Stephan.

“Beatitudes” is performed by the chorus referenced above. For “Alleluia” the pianist was Dr. Sal Ferrantelli, also vocal director for the studio sessions, and Director for Choral Music at Monterey Peninsula College. David K. Mathews added synthesized strings.

The a cappella intro to “In the Quiet Of the Day” is titled, “Jean”, actually, and is based, on the four letters of my mother’s name, using the corresponding notes of the scale (notes above an octave continuing the alphabet.) All those voices are one singer’s, that of our choir director, Mark Tuning. The other musicians in the recording are: Walter Bankovitch, piano; Jerry Cortez, guitar (In the Quiet Of the Day); Curtis Ohlson, bass; Paul van Wageningen, drums; David K. Mathews, synthesized strings. Backup vocalists are my studio chorus. The guitar on “It Seems To Me” (faintly) is mine, as is the vocal solo.

Finally, according to the speed of your Internet connection, the music may take a few moments to load. Patience will be rewarded! —Daniel]

“Songs Of Micah”

(Spoken): And many nations shall go, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths;

(Sung): For the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

And he shall judge among many peoples and rebuke strong nations afar off.

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks;
Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God: shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sins of my soul?
He hath shown thee, O man, what is good;

And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

***

“Beatitudes”

And, seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain.
And when he was set, his disciples came unto him.
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called the children of God.

“Alleluia”

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, praise God!

We are called to be servants of God,
Witnesses to God’s kingdom on earth,
Where peace and justice shall reign,
Where no one shall hunger, or thirst, or want.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, praise God,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, praise God,
Praise God, praise God!

Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

***

“In the Quiet Of the Day”

In the quiet of the day, the call of our passion we obey;
Look within in contemplation of God’s grace.

In the quiet of the day, let the light of compassion lead the way;
Look within in contemplation of God’s face ....

In the quiet of the day.

“It Seems To Me”

It seems to me that you and I could change the world together
We could make it better by being truly who we are.
It seems to me, together, we could learn to love a stranger,
Nullify the danger that confronts us near and far.

It seems to me, if we could see the wounds that must be healed,
We’d move our hearts to yield the compassion that they bear.
It seem to me the earth could be a garden filled with laughter,
To blossom ever after with a beauty all could share.

At night I dream, and in my dream above the hills I’m flying;
Tears of joy I’m crying from the depth of love I feel.

As I descend a hand I lend to one whose fingers fashion
Understanding and compassion, with a touch that surely heals.

Yes, in the end I find, my friend, ‘tis you, my sister/brother.
We find in each other strength we need to carry on.
For in your eyes I realize the joy I find in living.
Now, in wonder and thanksgiving I arise to greet the dawn!

Peace and love be with you all;
Grace divine bestow upon you
As you go forth to live and to serve in truth.