It can’t be love. I won’t let you in so deep.

This Affair (It Can't Be Love)

Say Goodbye Tracks

Damned (Serpent Song)

This began as an acknowledgement of my brother and sister-in-law becoming 3rd Order Franciscans (Catholic missionaries).  I completed the verses after volunteering with the Community Health Initiative (CHI), an acupuncture detox project at Baltimore's Women's Detention Center. 

The healing that was taking place, respect for the lives that caused the inmates' addictions and crimes, the hopes and prayers and work being done for the sake of a happier, safer, better community and world...all inspired this song. 

Someday I hope to record it with a choir. I have a lot of unrealized, idealistic hopes. Maybe in my lifetime a few of them will be fulfilled.

OUR PROMISE
By Cathy Benedetto
Oh....oh....

Oh, Brother, Oh, Sister,
You and I are just the same. 
Oh, Brother, Oh, Sister,
Different faces, different names 
Made us who we are today
sent us on our seeking ways
Oh, Brother, Oh, Sister.

Your story, my story
Took us on a path of pain. 
No glory, No glory 
to be lost or to be gained. 
Heart to heart, 
and side by side,
Show your face 
and do not hide. 
Oh, Brother, Oh, Sister.

Speak to me, I'll listen. 
Soon our answers will be clear. 
I hear you...your anger... 
all your sorrow, all your fear. 
Let us sing and let us pray. 
Let's hold on and share the way. 
Be with me. Be with me.

This moment of caring 
carry with you, free of pay. 
Your memory, my memory,
Surely shall keep loss at bay. 
Savor all this time of healing. 
Watch what joy keeps on revealing. 
And know me. 
Yes, know me.

Oh, Sister, Oh, Brother. 
Here's my hand and here's my heart. 
Forever. For ever.
Shame will not keep us apart. 
Feel the power of our touch. 
Soon you'll recognize how much 
I need you.
WE NEED YOU!

This circle, a family. 
We'll grow stronger every day. 
Together our promise
Hope will not be far away. 
Look into my eyes and see
I am you as you are me. 
Oh, family! My family!

In wonder I see you. 
I cannot be unamazed. 
Your courage. Your whole-ness. 
Both our spirits can be raised. 
There's a reason. 
There's connection. 
Good - and bad -
This is 
perfection. 
Our Being.

Oh....Oh...!

Our Promise (Oh, Brother. Oh, Sister)

Cathy, also known as Katka, is an aging child of the ‘60s whose love of international stories and songs—from folk/art/Americana to blues, jazz, and musical theatre—inspires her own voice, words, and compositions.

www.cathybenedetto.com
https://cathybenedetto.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.reverbnation.com/cathybenedetto