Saturday, February 23, 2013

Week 60 - "I Will Love the Lord"

This is a 3-part round that I wrote for the children at my church.





Lyrics:
I will love the Lord for all of my days.
I will love the Lord in very many ways.

Love Him in the morning and love Him the whole day through.
I will love you, Jesus, in everything I say and do.

Jesus is risen - that's why we sing.
He has the power.  Death has lost its sting.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Week 59 - "Where Will We Go From Here?"

This song is my Valentine's present for my wife Kari.


Lyrics:
Where will we go from here?
Moving on with no fear,
Since you're with me, my dear.

What will we do now that time's drawing nearer?
And will the way become suddenly clearer?

So many questions still waiting for answers.
We can't sit still watching movers and dancers.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Week 58 - "It's a Very Friendly Truce"

Here is another song with lyrics by August Mergelman, for the new musical project.  It is sung by the characters of Eddie and Emily about the compromises of their working relationship.


Lyrics:
Like dinner party diplomats about to go to war,
It's a poker game with every player facing toward the door.

An awkward silence fills the room,
But not the type of doom and gloom.
Within this world of let's pretend
Your rival is your dearest friend.

So keep him close.
You hear that crunching sound?
Only when you walk.
I think I'll have the floors redone in eggshell puce.

We could be cross but what's the use?
It is a very friendly truce.
It's vinegar and honey.
It tastes a little funny.
We could complain, but what's the use?
It's a very friendly truce.

When ladies don't see eye to eye,
They're civilized as are you and I.
It is not common mud they fling.
It's compliments that really sting.

The back-handed kind.
That monologue is really coming together.
Thanks.
It's almost there.
If tension could be bottled, we could sell that juice.
Who'd buy it?

Do not provoke a grazing moose.
And don't upset a friendly truce.
So don't spit in a hog's eye,
And let the sleeping dogs lie.
Perhaps it's all a clever ruse,
Or maybe it's a friendly truce.

When gentlemen do not agree,
They're civilized, like you and me,
But veins are bursting at the seams
When they discuss each other's teams.

Almost unsportsmanlike.
I think your boys had altitude sickness last night.
Yep.
Was that a ball game or a circus act?
To get a fella's goat, you tiptoe past his goose.

I will not stand for such abuse.
It was a very friendly truce.
But no one's green with envy, it's more like chartreuse.
It's no unpleasant rendezvouz,
It's a very friendly truce.

We do a dance as nimble as the Ballet Russes.
White elephants are on the loose.
It is a very friendly truce.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Week 57 - "My Sister Has a Peculiar Way"

This is a song from the new musical project, lyrics by August Mergelman.  It is a duo between two sisters that are arguing about one sister's tendency to "borrow" the other sister's clothes.  It is during a flashback to the old Broadway era.

Lyrics:

ESTHER:
My sister has a peculiar way of lending me all her clothes.
She lends them out of kindness, I suppose.
I can't go into town without a fetching gown.
I can't go out at all without a parasol.
My sister has a peculiar way of lending me all her clothes.
Her heart begins to bleed when I'm in need of tweed.
I sailed to the Bahamas. I packed her silk pajamas.
And why is she so generous?  Who knows.
My sister has a peculiar way.

My sister has a peculiar way of lending me all her clothes.

NORA:
But "lend" is not the word I would have chose.
I think the word is "stealing."

ESTHER:
On you it's too revealing.

NORA:
She wears, of course, my corset, though I do not endorse it.

ESTHER:
My sister has a peculiar of way lending me all her clothes.

NORA:
I'd need a bayonet to guard my best barrette.
What's missing from my shelf?  I hardly know myself.
My spectacles are resting on her nose.

BOTH:
My sister has a peculiar way.

NORA:
My sister has a peculiar of taking clothes from me.
I have to keep them under lock and key.
Absconded with my blouse.

ESTHER:
As quite as a mouse.
I took it for a spin!

NORA:
She had it taken in!
My sister has a peculiar of taking clothes from me.

ESTHER:
I've tricks up my sleeve.

NORA:
That's my sleeve, I believe.
Pretending she's embroidering, I know she's really loitering,
And when I'm gone, my sister's on a spree

BOTH:
My sister has a peculiar way.

NORA:
My sister has a peculiar of...

ESTHER:
Let's just call it "sharing."
She's jealous that the men are always staring.

NORA:
Ha!
If I could have my druthers, I'd trade her in for brothers

ESTHER:
Forsake your next of kin?

NORA:
At least she's not a twin.

BOTH:
My sister has a peculiar way of, let's just call it "sharing."

ESTHER:
But fashion is my passion.

NORA:
They oughta ration fashion
She even lost my locket.

ESTHER:
You found it in your pocket!

NORA:
My pocket in the garment that you were wearing!

BOTH:
My sister has a peculiar way.

My sister has a peculiar way.

ESTHER:
I'll go with this chapeau.

NORA:
But not with my best beau.

BOTH:
My sister has a peculiar way of...

ESTHER:
Lending.

NORA:
Stealing!

ESTHER:
Lending.

NORA:
Stealing!

(simultaneously)

ESTHER:
Lending her clothes!

NORA:
Stealing my clothes!