As part of a "module" (small group) devoted to the creative arts, I was encouraged to express my praise and thanks to God in original song and verse.
This is a somewhat less than complete collection of my poetic and musical
writings which I have tried to gather from the dusty corners of my memory
and old files.
I will try to add the music at a later date.
May you find in them some light of God's grace.
Sing unto the Lord a New Song
Sing to the LORD, all the earth... Psalm 96:1
^^^^^^^^^^ If you have midi, here's the tune...
The Weary Traveler
(@1965)
The day was dark
The road was long
The air was thick and close
The weary traveler hummed a song
A dirge of the mountain steep
How long ago
Now many a year
The peaks had brought him forth
He dwelt among their lofty tiers
They left a memory sweet
Of cool, sharp air in the early morn
To rouse him up from sleep
Of grass and trees that well adorn
The lofty mountain side
The freshness o'er
The morning past
The day of strength now gone
The weary traveler plods along
The end of life awaits
A Reflection on
John 12:27
^^^^^^^^^^ If you have midi, here's the tune...
Some Day
(@1980)
I'm looking for the day
When I won't have to say
If only I had some more time
Things wouldn't work out this way
But thank God that time marches on!
One day soon it will be gone!
It won't be long now,
Hear my song now,
As I SHOUT for joy!
The day's coming when I'll sit down
With my guitar in hand
I'll sing songs of joy with my friends
We'll sing all the songs we had planned
We won't want to get up and go
For a hundred years, or so
It won't be long now,
Hear my song now,
As I SHOUT for joy!
One day God will live with men,
He'll be our personal friend
None of our troubles or pains
Will be remembered again
Jerusalem, What a delight!
The King's on His throne, all is right!
It won't be long now,
Hear my song now,
As I SHOUT for joy!
It won't be long now,
Hear my song now,
As I SHOUT for joy!
Poems and Lovesongs
Copyrights © as noted
by
Dann McCreary
"Antes que morir me quiero echar mis versos de alma"
The Bath Mat
(@1968)
(with apologies to Ogden Nash)
The bath mat; there it sat.
Until tonight, it was not that, but,
Used as party to a tub,
One would stand on it and rub 'till he were dry;
But me? Not I!
Tonight I placed it on the floor
And took a bath on it;
What's more, it now reclines in peaceful bliss
realizing it was meant for this.
The bath mat;
There it lies;
I may surmise, then,
That it's wants have been fulfilled
By the water that I spilled.
(@1970)
In far-flung thoughts I've walked in space
Magellan's clouds make the perfect place
From which to view our spiral galaxy
But what have these thoughts gotten me?
I've bought myself despair;
I find no comfort there
I've plumbed the depths of the ocean blue
Walked hidden tunnels of caverns, too
They've never seen the light of day
Sometimes I wish it was that way with me;
Why was I born?
To a life forlorn?
(Early '70s)
Time.
Events.
Instances in Sequences.
Pain of Now waiting for Then.
Many "Nows" clutter my way.
Shall I pray, "Father, Deliver me!"?
For this Instance
I am Now,
And Then.
And the End?
My Father's glory.
My Love is Yours
(1972)
(Written for my Bride, Pamela, as a wedding gift)
My love is yours in many ways
It does not dim with passing days
Springing from God's love for me,
Rather than a whim,
I give my love to you always.
Not only words, alone,
But my life, to be your own;
How can I love you best, today?
By what I do, and what I say?
Open wide your heart to me,
Help me find a way
To love you,
Today.
Mother of One
(1972)
Mother of one,
With you I have been
And will be.
God willing,
A mother again you will be
Of another,
A son, or a daughter,
By me.
(@1971)
...
And I glide the rapids on a laugh....
On Paper
(@1973)
Celulose wafer,
Bearing precious lines,
Serve,
Preserve in fact,
Hard-bought thought intact.
The Fireplace
(with help from Son Chris, @ 1980)
Let's build a fire in the fireplace,
A fire that will say snap, crackle, pop,
Shining a dancing light through the place,
Sending smoke to the chimney top.
(chorus)
Pretty fire, laughing and dancing,
Rosy fire with your friendly glow
Pretty fire, shining and shimmering,
Thanks for the cheerful show
By the hearth, see the family gather,
On the rug, sleepy cat and dog,
Hear the children saying,
"Daddy, please put on just one more log"
(repeat chorus)
(Note: The following song once got me fired...
but that's another story!
^^^^^^^^^^ If you have midi, here's the tune...
The Hamster Song
(Late '70s)
I'm a little hamster,
Furry as can be
Every day those humans
Feed and water me
But I have a secret,
Kept where they can't see;
I've been planning my escape,
And one day I'll be free!
One day I'll be free, yeah,
One day I'll be free,
I've been planning my escape,
And One Day I'll be free!
Every day I lie still,
Curled up in a ball
People think I'm sleeping,
But that's not true at all!
I'm really planning for tonight;
No one will be about -
They'll be lying in their beds,
And I'll be getting out!
I'll be getting out, yeah,
I'll be getting out,
They'll be lying in their beds,
And I'll be getting out!
I have a little wheel
I use to exercise
They think it keeps me healthy
They're in for a surprise!
I've really been in training
For when the chance may call
Hey! Let's go! Their back is turned!
I'm up over the wall!
Up over the wall, yeah,
Up over the wall!
Hey! Let's go! Their back is turned!
I'm up over the wall!
(Softly)
One day I'll be free, yeah,
One day I'll be free,
I've been planning my escape,
And One Day I'll be free!
^^^^^^^^^^ If you have midi, here's the tune...
Lord, Give Me Wisdom
(1966)
Lord, give me wisdom to use what you have given,
May I to seek Your Face be always driven,
Not what I will, but what alone You will for me,
That will I do.
God, give me passion to seek the lost and dying,
May I to win them constantly be trying,
Not for my glory, but alone to honor
Your worthy Name.
JUBILEE!
(@1993)
(chorus)
Jubilee, Oh Jubilee!
Earth will keep her Jubilee!
Oh, won't you come and go with me
To the final Jubilee!