Tuesday, January 13, 2009

GIVE ME A CLEAN HEART: Part 2

Here are the chords. My explanation comes after.

(C)
Give me a clean heart
(f)
Give me a clean heart
(C) w/d
Give me a clean heart
Am (D7) (G)
May I be born anew
(C)
Give me a clean heart
(F) w/d (Dm)
Give me a brand new start
(G) (C) w/d (Am) (G) (C)
Give me a clean heart that I may follow you

(C) (F)
Many’s the day I stood by the roadside
(C) w/d (Am) (D7) (G)
No one knows how I cried waiting for you
(C) (F) w/d (Dm)
And then you came here, filled me with love so dear
(G) (C) w/d (Am)
So far away, and yet so near
(G) (C) F w/d C
You always come through

Several weeks ago my friend and fellow writer Lora and I decided to collaborate and sing the following song together, she playing the mandolin and I the guitar. What made this decision "unique" is that Lora has never played a mandolin and I have yet to learn to tune my guitar, let alone strum, play or otherwise do anything but hold it.
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We chose "Give Me a Clean Heart" because it is a simple and beautiful song written by our friend and writing guru Nerissa Nields. Lora and I parted with our intention stated, and nothing more until today, when she emailed me the cords and a note that she is readying.
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I hadn't seen all the words to "Clean Heart" before today, and I read them now with special significance, in more ways than one.
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I should mention that I have never ever played any musical instrument and my last singing engagement was preparing for my first communication at age seven, at which time the nun-in-charge directed me to move my lips and cease all sound from my enthusiastic lungs and voice box. I haven't recovered from that direction yet, so you can imagine I'm wondering why the f--- I've agreed to do this all!
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So if all goes well I will learn to tune the guitar I have never played, and then I will learn the four chords to "Clean Heart". Then, and only then, I will decide if there is any chance in holy hell that I will sing out loud.
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Want to hear this wonderful song? Click here and be inspired:

http://www.amazon.com/Give-Me-a-Clean-Heart/dp/B0019IV8H6

14 comments:

  1. My friend,

    Sing... Sing loud...Sing soft... sing wild and free

    Your voice is beautiful

    And im sure any song would be blessed to have you hold it in your heart awhile,

    Much love, M

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  2. Hello KJ-thanks for checking on me. Oliver will be back tomorrow, and I likely will the day after. I'm just sort of letting things process right now, but I'm ok.

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  3. maithri, how happy i am to see your avatar and words here! thanks for the encouragement that comes uniquely and lovingly from you.

    debra kay, yay!

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  4. Beautiful words to the song.
    I love that you'll be strumming and singing this with your friend!
    I think it's the perfect song and the perfect time to do this because of all the "heart work" you've been doing. I know it will all come together perfectly. Why?
    Because it will be from your heart ;)

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  5. lolo, my heart might not be able to sing on key. and if that's the case, i cannot cannot cannot sing in front of anyone!

    :)

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  6. That is a lovely song. Good luck with learning it - will you post a You Tube version?

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  7. what a wondeful gift to yourselves! and it is awesome to try new things :) swak, valgal

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  8. hey, American Idol just started their new season!

    :)

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  9. My theory is that you don't know if you can sing till you open your mouth, tilt your head back and let go. And the...just sing whatever your heart tells you - to hell with carrying the tune.
    My DH was equally intimidated by a nun - hasn't sung since!

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  10. KJ -- This is Iris' favorite song of theirs -- and I can't wait to hear your version with Lora!! bravo!

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  11. Sing!!! Your book arrived today! It's awesome!

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  12. Ah I see why the song has resonance and good on you for picking up the guitar. I can't play a note but I can hold a tune! Don't worry about singing off key. . .if singing gives you joy, sing loud and bugger the consequences! (Maybe you should practice on World Tour or Rock Band!)

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  13. Hahahha....sounds like such a good Time! Sing your heart out & then laugh, take a breath & sing some more girl! It's not how it sounds but how it feels. Enjoy & keep on strummin'

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