Sing Like a Child

  • Thread starter Thread starter jdblessing1970
  • Start date Start date
J

jdblessing1970

New member
Sing Like a Child
©2007 J. Blessing

In a department store at Christmas time
A boy and his dad were next in line
When a carol played over the intercom
The little boy would sing along

Some people laughed and some people stared
He paid them no mind, his heart was laid bare
And as he sang, his dad watched and smiled
And I learned what it meant to sing like a child

Sing like a child for his Father’s ears
Sing like I don’t care who else might hear
Sing strong and bold, not meek and mild
Lord, free my soul to sing like a child.​

He changed some words and sang off-key
He added some note to the melody
But with all of the things that he got wrong
My old heart yearned to sing along

Sing like a child for my Father’s ears
Sing like I don’t care who else might hear
Sing strong and bold, not meek and mild
Lord, lift my soul to sing like a child.​

<BRIDGE>
I remember the verse that taught all girls and boys
That all the Lord wants when we sing is joyful noise

Now when I sing a song that I feel
Deep in my heart, I make it real
I free myself to feel young and wild,
Let my voice ring and sing like a child

Sing like a child for my Father’s ears
Sing like I don’t care who else might hear
Sing strong and bold, not meek and mild
Lord, bless my soul to sing like a child.​
 
What a great story! This is what classics are made of - something new and unique, familiar and touching. I really like it. Can't wait to hear it put to music!
 
I love it !!
This is great peice of truthful observation that noone can deny.
Thanks
 
I am absolutely crazy about the entire song except

jdblessing1970 said:
Sing Like a Child
©2007 J. Blessing
<BRIDGE>
I remember the verse that taught all girls and boys
That all the Lord wants when we sing is joyful noise
Click to expand...

the bridge. I read it many times and it simply reads clunky to me. I like what it says and it fits the song/story but it just seems cumbersome to me.

The rest of the tune is GREAT and ido1957 is right on the moola with his remarks. Nice job. ;)
 
up-fiddler said:
the bridge. I read it many times and it simply reads clunky to me. I like what it says and it fits the song/story but it just seems cumbersome to me.

The rest of the tune is GREAT and ido1957 is right on the moola with his remarks. Nice job. ;)
Click to expand...

I admit easily that the bridge needs work or removal. Here's a question for you guys, do songs REALLY need a bridge, or will this be better if I remove it completely? If a bridge is necessary for this tune, I'll see what I can do to fix it up; but over all I wrote this in a matter of minutes and I'm quite pleased that the Lord chose to give it to me.:D

How about this rewrite for the bridge:

I remember the verse that taught all girls and boys
That the Lord only wants us to make joyful noise
 
The irony of it all is that I do like my voice but have am very nervous singing in front of others. Lord, I wish I could live this song.
 
In the 80s My drummer sent of a lot of songs we wrote to several agencies.
One of them came back and said no one wrote songs like that anymore.
You know....Verse>chorus>bridge etc.
Well as we all know that was a Bogus Prophecy
 
First off - great story well presented!!! I really like it!!!

I agree that while the bridge follows the story line - it does seem awkward.

Does this song need a bridge? Not hearing it there is no way to tell. To me, a bridge is more of an arrangement factor. If the verses and the chorus are too much the same, or if the chorus does not propel the song - then maybe a bridge is needed. In the case of this song, the actual words do not add anything of significance and losing them would not compromise the story line.

I personally like to hear a bridge in a song (I'm a fan of more tradional writing) - but there are many great songs that did not need a bridge.

For what's it's worth, the song that has earned me more money than any other song I've had published was a "Christmas themed song" - every year they make Christmas movies and every year they release Christmas CDs (either compilations or single artists). The Christmas themed song we wrote (I was a co-writer - only Christmas song I've ever worked on) keeps generating BMI money year after year.

If this was my song, I would get a solid musical araangment (I personally think a country genre would give you the best chance of getting published), find the best vocalist you can afford (while this could be male or female perspective, I would choose a female vocalist) - and get this out to some publishers. It's too late for this season - but Christmas comes around every 12 months.
 
mikeh said:
For what's it's worth, the song that has earned me more money than any other song I've had published was a "Christmas themed song" - every year they make Christmas movies and every year they release Christmas CDs (either compilations or single artists). ... It's too late for this season - but Christmas comes around every 12 months.
Click to expand...

This song didn't start out as Christmas-themed, however being that the season is coming up, and that Christmas carols were the most likely to fit the story line, it's how it wound up. I'd have preferred to make it more timeless, but Christmas was cool by me. I just worry that this may be too much like the "Christmas Shoes" story since that also premiers a child in line at a store being silently observed by someone else in line.
 
mikeh said:
If this was my song, I would get a solid musical araangment (I personally think a country genre would give you the best chance of getting published), find the best vocalist you can afford (while this could be male or female perspective, I would choose a female vocalist) - and get this out to some publishers. It's too late for this season - but Christmas comes around every 12 months.
Click to expand...

Frankly, I'm not good at musical arrangements for my lyrics. I'm always open for collaboration if anyone thinks they can come up with something that works well. Thanks for all the solid input and advice. I truly appreciate it.

Jeff
 
I just stumbled on this site today searching for info on my old fostex recorder and had to comment on your wonderful song jdblessing1970.

You could insert a childs voice simply reciting the exact verse you are refering to as the bridge. I feel that whatever you do, you have to keep the reference in there. Of course I'm just a novice at songwriting, arranging or whatever but you are on to something here. Good Luck with it!

Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top