Monday, January 28, 2008

Two Punks Under God

Cloudy days and Mondays always get me...looking for the Sun...for light...today it was found in the inspiration of Jay Baker, One Punk Under God.

We had a wonderful tour through Missouri, Illinois & Indiana this week and just returned home last night around 3 am. After 4 late night shows in a row we were ready for a slow, savory Monday to unload the road. Today we found a pace of grace... We watched a marathon of "One Punk Under God", a 6 episode documentary that was featured on Sundance.

It is the story of Jay Baker, the son of Jim & Tammy Faye and his incomparable mission to start a revolution of grace. It is the story of his journey, of the detours that led him down a different road and off the beaten path into the alley of the alternative.

The billboard of his vision reads "show all people the unconditional love and grace of Jesus without any reservations due to their lifestyle or religious background, past or future".

We pulled off the "road" at the drive-in of the divine, started the marathon & began to unwind. The unwinding was more than a physical one...it was a emotional and spiritual journey into the unchartered territory of grace.

Like Jay, and many of you, we found that "religion kills" and spirituality heals. We were given the gift of having our hearts opened to God in the church. Likewise, we had the heartbreak of seeing the law of the church overrule love many times. We experienced the judgement and holier-than-thou law crucify Christ's law of love...that you "love your neighbor as yourself".

This has been the deadend for so many seekers who have given up on God, because the church gave up on them. The doors of the church have often been shut in judgement of a person's lifestyle, religious background or spiritual struggle. That air of holiness has slammed shut the hearts of many who have truly hungered for acceptance, community and to fulfil their calling.

Jay's ministry is giving heart & home to those who feel abandoned by the church. In one part of the documentary, a women tells Jay that before she came to his church, Revolution, she was giving God "one more chance". She was ready to tell God to F**K off. Jay visits a transgender woman who had her pastor ask her to never return to church again. Both of them were about to give up on God and their life purpose until they found a community that truly revealed to her the incomparable compassion of God's grace & unconditional love.

How many others has the church not chosen to save? How many has it cast into hell here on earth?

Jay's vision, his story, his gifts of grace are truly divine inspiration to live the law of love. So many people feel like outcasts and feel unworthy...they need a revolution.

We all need a revolution, and need to continue to keep that revived in our community of love at Church on the Rocks. We can continue to be ambassadors of unconditional love & grace. We can continue to accept & embrace and welcome into our community those who have never found their place.

A heartfelt thank you to Jay for his good works of grace. Please check out his website at:
http://revolutionnyc.com/
Buy or Rent the documentary "One Punk Under God"
Listen to messages here:
http://www.revolutionnyc.com/media.htour m#Audio

Let your heart be inspired to give more grace to yourself and to others. Long live the spirit! Long live the revolution!!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Recording a NEW CD!!!

Your Troubadours of Divine Bliss are recording a New CD!!!

We are very blissful to announce that many previously unrecorded songs will be included on this album. The process is going very well and has been our best recording experience ever!

There will be harmonies mingling with accordion & guitar, as well as guest musicians playing violin, mandolin, cello, bass & percussion.

Some songs that may be included are:
Wild Darling
53 Years
Learn to Love
Chantepleure
What If
Dream to Wake
Bird Called Hope: On the Lid of a Dreamer's Eye
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Bowling Green
L & N
Ramanama
Cami's Rainbow
Come to the Root
Waterfall
and some more surprises

We have listed some lyrics to these songs in posts below

Stay tuned for more updates on the recording! We will be posting updates on the process and release dates on future bliss blogs!

YOU are the best AWE-dience of them all!!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

CHANTEPLEURE

CHANTEPLEURE
( weeping and singing )

Lost the face on my clock, I went for a walk
I returned with dirt on my shoes
I had nothing to lose, some call it blue.
I'm a collage of faces, a mosiac of places
Lance-a-lot's horse in four directions
I'm racin' and chasin', chasin' and racin'

Thirsty for Water, shivering for Fire
Grasping for Earth in this desire
I'm gasping for Air, I'm praying for prayer
Fill my cup until it spills my pain
God's tears on my face, I'm caught in the rain
but I'm feeling again...I'm feeling again

Broke the vase, found the flowers
pieces and petals and powers
of a garden once lost
found a wildflower field when the sun drank the frost
I am both Angel and Fool ...rush into me
save me from sobriety
I am drunken and dreamin,
sunken and schemin

Thirsty for Water, shivering for Fire
Grasping for Earth in this desire
I'm gasping for Air, I'm praying for prayer
Fill my cup until it spills my pain
God's tears on my face, I'm caught in the rain
but I'm feeling again...I'm feeling again

Tumble in my lock and set me free
in one hand chains,
in the other the key
I want the breath of God. I want the thread.
I want the jewel,
the Ruby after the death

Thirsty for Water, shivering for Fire
Grasping for Earth in this desire
I'm gasping for Air,
I'm praying for prayer
Fill my cup until it spills my pain
God's tears on my face, I'm caught in the rain
but I'm feeling again...I'm feeling again

Waterfall

WATERFALL

Twilight in my heart, trace of light as I face the dark
You were my sunshine...I miss the rays
You were my end of the road
at the end of the day
you were my life...now everything's changed

Don't know who to blame for
empty picture frames and losing my name
You were my fantasy...I miss the dream
I am a princess in a tower
now who'll rescue me
you were my fairytale
where's my happy ending

Like the water...falling down
Letting go...to become the ground
seed of Hope waiting for the Planter's plow
face me toward the Light

What about our wedding vows?
what do they mean to you now?
You were my first love...I miss that feeling
you tell me to let you go
you say it will heal me
Where do I put this ring
and this house of things that used to be a home

Like the water...falling down
Letting go...to become the ground
seed of Hope waiting for the Planter's plow
face me toward the Light

I am weak...running out of strength
trying to support these pillars I'm between
If I let go, if I fall to my knees
Will it all fall apart?
How will rebuild these ruins of my heart?

Drove through our old neighborhood today
nothing seemed the same
Yesterday held my hands under a moon that waned
There were more joys than tears
down this memory lane
as I drove into the night
it finally started to... rain

Like the water...falling down
Letting go...to become the ground
seed of Hope waiting for the Planter's plow
face me toward the Light

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Cami's Rainbow song lyrics for the butterflies

"Cami's Rainbow" for the butterflies
*all proceeds from this song will
go to survivors of abuse

Nobody ever said it was going to be easy
and it's certainly never been easy for you
a little girl's dreams and innocence shattered...
at such a tender age
it's a wonder any soul could make it through
Everything they took from you
made you question what you have
and everything they said to you
still echoes in your head
and like a turtle in it's shell
you slipped inside to save yourself
but your volcano's gonna erupt on day

So come on out and let me in
it's not too late to begin
to say all the things you want to say

CHORUS
If the rainbow was your palette
and your canvas was the sky
how high would you fly, girl,
to paint the masterpiece of your life?
How high would you fly?

Remember when we used to play
dress up in roller skates and hide and seek
in the cornfields out back
whispering under the covers
about nightmares and secret dreams
oh, I would have done anything
to protect you
you know a wolf will heal its wounds
by howling at the moon
only people close their eyes
and hope it will go away soon
But baby sister I'm hear to say
the past don't disappear
it's with you every day
til you release your pain and
set yourself free

CHORUS
If the rainbow was your palette
and your canvas was the sky
how high would you fly, girl,
to paint the masterpiece of your life?
How high would you fly?

I knew you before your walls went up
I knew you before your rage
and I've always seen deep in your eyes
the warmth of a childs playful gaze

and it makes me wonder...
CHORUS
If the rainbow was your palette
and your canvas was the sky
how high would you fly, girl,
to paint the masterpiece of your life?
How high would you fly?

"Bird called Hope...on the lid of a Dreamer's eye" song lyrics co-written by James Oh

inspiration from Emily Dickinson...
Hope Is The Thing With Feathers

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Bird called Hope (on the lid of a Dreamer's eye)

I'm sorry for your pain, tried to shield you from the rain
When the clouds wring out their tears and
the sky starts to fall...
and I know that you feel lost, if I could I'd pay the cost
but I've learned that the Poverty is worth it all

CHORUS
Take this moment...in your hands
it will never come again, my friend
Hope's a bird perched in your Soul
that sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all

As long as the rainbow still follows the rain
As long as a momma's hand still comforts the pain
If when we hear heartbreak, we keep crying
when all seems hopeless, we don't stop trying

As long as our cries don't drown beneath the sea
As long as we can pray to the God in which we believe
as long as the seasons still come and go
as long as we're willing to know there's so much more to know

CHORUS
Take this moment...in your hands
it will never come again, my friend
Hope's a bird perched in your Soul
that sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all

BRIDGE
What am I?
What are we?
We are but dreamers...you and me
We're all the same, whatever your name,
can't we believe, this Bird has wings
this Bird has wings

Where I end...you begin.
We extend, extend my friend
We don't win. We don't lose.
We choose. we choose. we choose


CHORUS
Take this moment...in your hands
it will never come again, my friend
Hope's a bird perched in your Soul
that sings the tune without the words and never stops at all

BRIDGE
What am I?
What are we?
We are but dreamers...you and me
We're all the same, whatever your name,
can't we believe, this Bird has wings
this Bird has wings

there's still hope...

Take this moment...in your hands
it will never come again, my friend

What If? song lyrics

WHAT IF?

What if...we die young?
What if we live to be old...and alone?
What if we venture out... but get lost before we make it home?
[CHORUS]
These are the walls we come up against.
This is the change that we never spent.
This is stopping at the edge of the cliff...what if?
What if we loose our job, our hair, our minds...eventually?
What if we dare to speak up...but no one is listening?
[CHORUS]
What if we prayed to the wrong God?
wailed at the the wrong wall?
What if we'd given up everytime we've taken a fall?
[CHORUS]
What if we die young?
What if we live to be old and alone?
What if we venture out but get lost before
we make it home?
These are the walls we come up against.
This is the change that we never spent.
This is stopping AT THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF...
What if...

"The Root of the Root of your Self" Rumi trans.Helminski as arranged & performed by troubadours

The Root of the Root of your Self

Don't go away, come near.
Don't be faithless, be faithful.
Find the anitdote in the venom.
Come to the Root of the root of yourself.

Molded of clay, yet kneaded
from the substance of certainty,
a guard at the Treasury of Holy Light-
come, return to the root of the root of your Self.

Once you get hold of selflessness,
you'll be dragged from your ego
and freed from many traps.
Come, return to the root of the root of your Self.

You are born from the children of God's creation
but you have fixed your sights too low.
How can you be happy?
Come, return to the root of the root of your Self.

You came here from the presence of that Fine Friend,
a little drunk, but gentle, stealing our hearts
with that look so full of fire; so,
come, return to the root of the root of your Self

You are a ruby embedded in granite.
How long will you pretend it isn't true?
We can see it in your eyes (open your hidden eyes)
we can see it in your eyes ( open your hidden eyes)
so, come, to the root of the root of your Self.

You were born from a ray of God's majesty
and have the blessings of a good star.
Why suffer at the hands of things that don't exist?
Come, return to root the root of your Self

Wild Darling song lyrics

Wild Darling
Kiss my neck and make a woman of me.
Brush your lips against my cheek, Wild Darling.
If I revealed my desire, the world would catch fire
The way we make love is the way we are with God.
When you open your mouth, birds fly out.
When you laugh, children are born.
You are the Golden One
they've spoken of for centuries...
Let me press my head against your heart
and listen to the sea...
The blessing, this shipwrecking, on your shore.
Don't send for me, I don't need to be
rescued anymore
Under the spell of your call, I willingly fall
into the arms of the one who was in me all along
When you open your mouth, birds fly out.
When you laugh, children are born.
You are the Golden One
they've spoken of for centuries.
Let me press my head against your heart
and listen to the sea...
As our love grows from a seed to a tree,
root yourself deeper and deeper into me
each passing season brings a constellation of reasons...
I still come alive 1,000 times when your eyes meet mine
When you open your mouth, birds fly out
When you laugh, children are born
You are the Golden One they've spoken of for centuries
Let me press my head against your heart
and listen to the sea...

Ramanama song lyrics

RAMANAMA

Take me away from the weight of the world..
I'm a punch drunk boxer who can't leave the ring.
I've lost faith in your religion now "Love"...is my God's name
Rush and roll through me, continue ro pursue me-
I'm a boat that doesn't know it needs the sea...it needs the sea...
Don't give up on me, don't give up on me, though I'm restlessly...fumbling...
deep in my Soul I know, deep in my soul I know you well...
*CHORUS*
Take me away...where silence speaks
Take me to your Ocean, let me fall into your grace
Take me to your Sunlight, let it fall upon my face
Let me lie upon your fields, rest inside your shade
Take me where the wind blows, the sound of your name...take me away...

Take me away from the weight of this world
I'm Atlas struggling...my knees are buckling
Take this burden from me, it was never mine to carry soley.
But my mind is a puppy that begs to play fetch
bringing fears of tomorrow and yesterday's regrets..
Heal, steal me, send your spell through me
I'm a reed...make music through me, make music through me..
Pour your paradise upon my head,
whisper Love's secret like it's never been said.
Like a seed through it's shell, like a root through the stone- break me out of these bones, break me out of these bones...
Like a mighty waterfall, an eagle's soaring call Let me surrender, let me surrender all...
Like the ocean flowing, steadily growing,
like the tide I keep coming and going,
going and coming, surges and stillness in the waters of my knowing...
*CHORUS*

"Dream to Wake" lyrics

"Dream to Wake"
Driving down I-65,
she's loaded up her car and she's loaded up her mind
She's leaving everything thing behind..
.gonna make her own rules baby, in her own sweet time

He's cleaning out his desk.. takin his last call..
tellin the boss ain't gonna take your shit no more
Been someone else's doormat...his whole damn life
Well, there's gotta be a better way
to scrape together a dollar and a dime

CHORUS
I HAD TO FALL...SO I COULD FLY
I HAD TO SEEK ...SO I COULD FIND
I HAD TO DIVE...SO I COULD SURFACE
I HAD TO DREAM...SO I COULD WAKE UP....WAKE UP!

She tried to believe it wouldn't happen again..
.she tried to believe he'd become a better man
Can't catch a cannonball without gettin knocked down
Well it's time to tell ol' Misery aint good company
now git on out of town

He's trying to get his life...back on track..
.pullin off that monkey that's been clingin to his back
pullin' out...of a tail spin
Well it's time to kiss that frog and show the world
the prince you've always been!

CHORUS
I HAD TO FALL...SO I COULD FLY
I HAD TO SEEK ...SO I COULD FIND
I HAD TO DIVE...SO I COULD SURFACE
I HAD TO DREAM...SO I COULD WAKE UP....WAKE UP!

BRIDGE
If your treasure is sinking...it's time to spend it
If your fabric is tattered...it's time to mend it
If your garden's over-grown...it's time to tend it
caught up in a craze...lost in a daze..
.find your way out of the maze

CHORUS
I HAD TO FALL...SO I COULD FLY
I HAD TO SEEK ...SO I COULD FIND
I HAD TO DIVE...SO I COULD SURFACE
I HAD TO DREAM...SO I COULD WAKE UP....WAKE UP! repeat chorus wake up...wake up.....wake up... WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OPEN E TUNING WITH SLIDE

"Learn to Love" song lyrics & chords




LEARN TO LOVE ( with capo on 2nd fret)
Em Am Em Am
May Day...May Day... I need some help...
Em Am
Rescue me... from myself
Em Am
I need to be saved...
Em Am Em Am
I'm afraid to embrace this face and Em Am
step into my skin in the fullness of my flesh Em Am
lose all fear...lose all regret...
Em Am Em Am
remember to forget...remember to forget... D Am D
this pain or it will become a chain around my neck
Am C G D Em
I'll stick out my neck, lose my head and gain a crown
C G D Em
lose my head and gain a crown
Em Am Em Am
Rain pour down through the rivers of this Soul
Em Am
cleanse me in your Holy Yoke
Em Am
drench me in Rebirth
Em
and I will surface from the ashes,
Am
like the Phoenix I will rise!
Em Am
Bring my Spirit back to life!
Em Am
It keeps the currents flowing through my veins.
D Am
Makes me feel that I'm made of flame
D Am C
Makes me feel that I'm made of Flame...
G D Em Am C G D Em
a wildfire of roses, a wildfire of roses
Em G
I will dance. I will whirl.
Em G C Am
I will play the violin and beat the drum.
Em G C D
I will tell stories and sing poems.
Em Am
I will learn unfettered focus
C
*hocus pocus*
D Em
I'll be turned into my Higher Self.
D Am
Take my strength down from the shelf
D Am C
Stop trying to please someone else
Em Am Em Am
and Learn to Love my Self...
Em Am Em
Learn to Love my Self.
Em Am
I am the Target and the Archer..
.Em Am
aiming at the bullseye of my heart.
Em Am
I am the Walker and the Watcher..
.Em Am
cheering the show as I play my part.
D Am
It makes me feel that I'm made of flame.
D Am C
Makes me feel that I'm made of flame...
G D Em Am C G D Em
a wildfire of roses, wildfire of roses
Em G
I will dance. I will whirl.
Em G C Am
I will play the violin and beat the drum.
Em G C D
I will tell stories and sing poems.
Em Am
I will learn unfettered focus
C
*hocus pocus*
D Em
I'll be turned into my Higher Self.
D Am
Take my strength down from the shelf
D Am C
Stop trying to please someone else
Em Am Em Am
and Learn to Love my Self...
Em Am Em
Learn to Love my Self.

"53Years" song lyrics

53 YEARS

She was a seamstress
A songstress
A gardener
A poet, Sharpshooter
And a prayer warrior

He was a Boxer
A Soldier, Storyteller
A Barbershop Singer
Kindhearted
Hard Working Feller

They were Valentines
For 53 Years
53 Christmases
In their Love Affair
53 Birthdays
53 Chapters
Of tragedy and triumph, tears and rapture
53 years
And one last prayer
Said he'd waltz her to sunset
With a love so rare
'til she closed her eyes here
And opened them there

He was her Hero
She was his Queen
He was the Anchor
She was the Sea
He was the Melody
She was Rhapsody
From Big Bands to Hymn Books
And the symphony between

They were Valentines
For 53 Years
53 Christmases
In their Love Affair
53 Birthdays
53 Chapters
Of tragedy and triumph, tears and rapture
53 years
And one last prayer
Said he'd waltz her to sunset
With a love so rare
'til she closed her eyes here
And opened them there

As he placed his hand upon her cheek
All of us there began to weep
We sang "There is a Name I Love to Hear"
As he whispered so gently in her ear,
"It's okay, honey"
Then he bowed his head and said
"Say Goodnight Here and Good morning there"

They were Valentines
For 53 Years
53 Christmases
In their Love Affair
53 Birthdays
53 Chapters
Of tragedy and triumph, tears and rapture
53 years
And one last prayer
Said he'd waltz her to sunset
With a love so rare
'til she said Goodnight here and Good morning there
Just before dawn
Opal blew out the candle
Drew back the curtain
Raised the window to heaven
And into the light
Her soul he did lead
From Sunset to Dawn
And her soul was freed

They were Valentines
For 53 Years
53 Christmases
In their Love Affair
53 Birthdays
53 Chapters
Of tragedy and triumph, tears and rapture
53 years
And one last prayer
Said he'd waltz her to sunset
With a love so rare
''til she said Goodnight here and Good morning there

Go to sleep
Close your eyes
We will meet again
On the other side…

"Superman" lyrics & chords

SUPERMAN
G C G D
Here's a song for the unsung heroes

G C D
Men who don't need fortune or fame to make them proud

G C G C
He earns his respect with fairness and heart

G C D
His honor and integrity set him apart

C D G C
He's a king among men A Man of his word

C D G C
Always willing to help another

C D G C
His favorite part at the end of the day

C D
Is coming home to his kids to play

D C G D
So if you're looking for Superman

D C G D
Thought that the good guys were gone with John Wayne

D C G D
Here's to the Heroes who seldom get praise

C D G C
Fathers that do the best that they can

C D G
Men who earn the name "Dad"

G C G D
You can bet he'll be there consistently

G C G D
cause nothing comes before his family

G C G D
He's the boss all day and after work Coach Dad

G C D
Trying to give the love that he never had

C D
Makes his little girls feel special

G C
Lets his boy always win

C D G C
When no one will listen you can talk to him

C D G C
He tells the best stories when he tucks them in at night

C D
And somehow makes them feel that everything's gonna be alright

D C G D
So if you're looking for Superman

D C G D
Thought that the good guys were gone with John Wayne

D C G D
Here's to the Heroes who seldom get praise

C D G C
Fathers that do the best that they can

C D G
Men who earn the name "Dad"

F D G C
Some men never had a father of their own

F D G C
Others had Dads who didn't treat them right

F D G C
But they took a brick wall and made stepping stones

F
To give their kids a better life

D
and fight the good fight...


D C G D
So if you're looking for Superman

D C G D
Thought that the good guys were gone with John Wayne

D C G D
Here's to the Heroes who seldom get praise

C D G C
Fathers that do the best that they can

C D G
Men who earn the name "Dad"



C D G C
Yes fathers that do the very best that they can

C D G
Men who earn the name... Dad

"Bowling Green,KY" lyrics by Holy Joe Benningfield

Bowling Green lyrics by Holy Joe

BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY
lyrics by Holy Joe (Aim Me's brother)
Bowling Green, Kentucky sitting in my cell...
Bowling Green, Kentucky sitting in my cell...
Thinking 'bout my baby
wanting out of this hell
been running for so long
I don't know how to be still
now I'm sitting in my cell
Bowling Green, Kentucky sitting in my cell...
Bowling Green, Kentucky sitting in my cell...
it's not the first time I've been behind bars
sure it won't be the last
at least I'll catch up on some sleep
hoping it will all just pass
while I'm sitting in my cell
cause I love her and she loves me I need her and she needs me I love her and she loves me I need her in Bowling Green
I'm sure she's thinking of a way to break me outta here
Blow up the place with dynamite or bond me out of here
No task is too tall, she just break down these walls and be in my arms tonight
while I'm sitting in my cell
Bowling Green, Kentucky sitting in my cell...
Bowling Green, Kentucky sitting in my cell...
My baby's still out there somewhere
I sure do miss her
Heck we'd never got caught
if we'd just thought
to put some gas in the car
how I wonder where you are
well, I'm sitting in my cell
cause I love her and she loves me I need her and she needs me I love her and she loves me I need her in Bowling Green
Bowling Green, Kentucky sitting in my cell...
Bowling Green, Kentucky sitting in my cell...
thinking about my baby
wanting out of this hell
been running for so long
I don't know how to be still
learning how to be still
sitting in my cell
cause I love her and she loves me I need her and she needs me I love her and she loves me I need her in Bowling Green
Bowling Green, Kentucky sitting in my cell...
Bowling Green, Kentucky sitting in my cell...

musings by the fire on Winter's lap

The eye of fire with lashes of flame
stares through me, into my soul,
to the back of my head- the face I never see..
illuminate the parts of me
that can only be seen when all has fallen and
there's nothing left but naked bones like
the black velvet veins, arteries of sky,
the horizon of lace silhouetted by the January sunset.
The sky puts on her party dress....you know the one...fuscia and orange with a pink sash.
She's going out tonight and leaving me to go warm another face.
The air is wet and warm,it's confused, it thinks it's in New Orleans not southern Indiana.
It's sending a postcard of Spring that says "Wish you were Here" but I relish the burlap, bare season...I don't wish it away.
Spring is a coquette that flirts like everyone wants her but she's not raw and ripe and real like Winter's shawl and all the stories that are remembered in it's long loud silence.
Every part of my being is spinning
like the Earth around the Sun
and at the nucleus is Adam and Eve
the Divine Mystery thats fueled by the play
of Creation and Destruction , of life and death...
put on your little black dress and let's dance on our graves
Dance with me til we're dizzy with delight
from the brilliant shine of it all.