This song is based on a traditional song that Steve Bell first recorded.
Singing: CJ Janzen and Mike Theissen
Guitar: Mike Theissen

Deep calls to deep

Karina Freedom

Freedom For Karina Hansen 4Ve

The Doctors they huddle in fear and in fright.
This illness so strange that they balk and they fight.
They tell us to walk,  get out and get fit.
They tell us “or else” you we'll commit.
 
Are we wrong?
They must be right?
Cuz doctors are never wrong? Right?
To bed I am bound.
To bed am I bound.
To my bed I'm BOUND.
 
ME's an illness cares not who you've been.
An illness of millions denied and unseen.
Some call us lazy think languor in bed.
Some call us crazy or mental instead.
 
Are we wrong?
They must be right?
Cuz doctors are never wrong? Right?
To bed I am bound.
To bed am I bound
To my bed I'm BOUND.
 
ME is crushing to your heart and your soul
We who are lost are a sight to behold
We lay there in pain, suffering in silence 
We lay there distained but our hearts hold defiance. 

Are we wrong?
They must be right?
Cuz doctors are never wrong? Right?    
To bed I am bound.
To bed am I bound
To my bed I'm BOUND.

So little is known of our illness ME.
Research it is rare but we know it's the key.
Come free us from ign'rance of doctors unfair.
Come free us from pain and the suff'ring we bear!

To bed I am bound.
To bed am I bound
From my bed I'll rebound!

A Song For M.E.

This song was written at part of our Advent series.  This song waspart of Imagining God's Song. Imagine in your mind, Mary riding on the donkey toward Jerusalem with Joseph at her side.

The Song of God - Christmas

Four And Twenty Fiddlers

Chickens In The Garden

Daddy Fox

This song is based in my own personal history.  I have had many Little Angels that kept me alive, or kept me going when I felt all was lost.  There are so many people out there every day doing little thing and big things that change things for the better.  If you are a person who has received this kind of help, pay it forward.  When you see someone in need, please, lend a helping hand.  It can make a WORLD of difference to one person.

Don't Give Up

The Lyrics are simple.

Thank You Lord
For today Your Son has risen.
Praise His name,
Jesus, Saviour of all.
Jesus died so our sin may be forgiven.
Light our lives
Let this new day begin.

Hallelujah, Amen

Arise

I wrote this hymn for Wanner Mennonite Church's service called "Authentic Me".  This is a story of my personal journey in faith.

Oh Lord, who am I?
I’m afraid to be alone.
Always fearing the unknown.
I ask Thee come guide me.
 
Oh Lord, who am I?
Am I defined by what I do?
From the pains I have lived through?
I ask Thee come guide me.

Oh Lord, who am I?
May I follow in your steps?
For this world it does perplex.
I ask Thee come guide me.

Oh Lord, who am I?
I‘m a soul upon Your sea
I have giv’n myself to thee
I know You shall guide me.

Oh Lord, who am I?
I’m your servant strong and true
And each day my faith renews.
Because You have guided me.

Oh Lord, Who Am I

This is an intensely personal admission of my faith.  I will sing this song for my Baptism.  The Lord gave me this creative and vocal talent to use in His service and so I shall use it to glorify Him.

I was battered and I was bruise, 
I was lost and so confused,
But the Lord he called me and showed me the way
And guided me here today.

As a child my mother died
As a child, abuse was I
I felt God failed to answer my prayers
I wondered if He even cared

I turned my back from God upon High
For I could not understand why
Into the bottle then I did flee
And then I thought I was free

Then May 2000 and 12 came around
An illness claimed me and ran me aground.
The Lord, He called me again to His side
I stopped my running and tried.

Many dear friends at Wanner I’ve made
Since my coming I’ve never strayed
Each day I see God’s hand in my world
Each day new blessings unfurl

I was battered and I was bruise, 
I was lost and so confused,
But the Lord he called me and showed me the way
And guided me here today.
But the Lord he called me and showed me the way
And guided me here today.

CJ's Batism Song

Being newish to my faith, this picture had a great impact on me.
A friend once pointed out that the door had no handle on the outside.  ONLY the person inside could let Jesus into their lives.
I don't think the will be the only version of this song I will write, but this is a start at attempting to explain a ting sliver of how I feel.

He stands outside my door - Change to:
He knocks upon my door
Dare I invite Him in?
He waits so patiently,
For me, for me.

Chorus:
Jesus my Saviour 
Who died upon the cross.
He Waits for me to trust and see,
In His eternal Love

I would hear His words of love,
As I peeked from around the door.
How unworthy did I feel,
Full of fear, full of fear

Chorus

With the dawning of each day, 
My trust began to grow
At the threshold of my door, 
We would talk, we would talk

Now my door is open both far and wide,
And the joy of love it enfolds me
He's my champion through thick and thin
And I know His love for me, for me 

Knocking On My Door - Rough Draft

Well the Chorus now has 6 part harmony and the verses have 5 parts.  I wish I could write music and SEE what it looks like, so I could remove duplicated areas and bring it back down to 4 part harmony...lol.  This is still a rough draft.  I've really enjoyed this song :-)

Singing Our Praise V3

This song starting writing itself in my dreams last night.  Suffering from a chronic illness, I hear many stories of loss and the passing away of friends.  Losing anyone dear to you is so very hard to cope with.  Many of these lyrics came from my own past grief after my Mom died when I was young.  This might make some folks cry, but I also hope it will embrace others who are looking for solace, that their loved ones ARE still with them.
This is still a rough draft and may still undergo further revisions.

I Will Always Be There


I write this now to you
So when I’m finally gone
Just close your eyes and listen to this song

No more will I be scared
No more will I feel pain 
Not wanting to leave, but I can’t remain


Chorus
But know I always will be there
In Your heart forever  
Yes know I always will be there
Looking down with love


A wish of questions asked
A sadness in your heart
Knowing that your life, must now restart

I’m a whisper if a kiss
An echo of a laugh
Now only a mem'ry in your past


Chorus
But know I always will be there
In Your heart forever  
Yes know I always will be there 
Looking down with love

Know deep within your heart
How much you are still loved
Treasure life each moment  my darling dove

Don’t hesitate to laugh
Don’t hesitate to cry
Grab hold of life, so it won’t pass you by

Chorus
But know I always will be there
In Your heart forever  
Yes know I always will be there  
Looking down with love
Looking down with love


I Will Always Be There - Rough Draft

I wrote this song just for fun.  It'll never win any awards, but it might make a few folks with ME smile.  That's all that matter :-)

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - Key of C 4/4 110bmp starting on G

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a word that’s very hard to say
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, it stole my life away.

This illness it hit me all a sudden
My life came to a jolting stop
No working or playing like I used to
To bed is where I had to drop

Some doctors, they said oh you're just tired,
And others they said you're just depressed.
Well doctors, please let me tell you something.
I think, you‘ve all just made a guess!

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a word that’s very hard to say
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, it stole my life away.

My body, it all has been affected
My mind, it wanders all the time
My words aren’t always there to help me
To say what’s really on my mind.

So light has now become a burden
Your perfume it makes it me want to choke
Your talking is giving me a headache
These pains I suffer aren't a joke.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a word that’s very hard to say
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, it stole my life away.

My friends at first they were supportive
Then next they could not understand
Why aren’t, you ever getting better?
Now few will lend a helping hand.

I thank you, to those who still do love me
I’m the same old person that I was
My body, it really has betrayed me
Yet no one knows what is the cause!

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a word that’s very hard to say
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, it stole my life away.

They think that 20 million have this
Yet so little is known about it still
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
And yes, it sometimes even kills

So now I sing about my story
I help to fundraise for the cause
For research will guide us to salvation
And free us from this illness’ jaws

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a word that’s very hard to say
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, it stole my life away.

And I want it back!!! (yawnnnnn)


Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Song - Rough

I started writing this carol back in 2009 when I was living and working in Indonesia. My first tropical Christmas! This song got lost over the years and other than the chorus and the first verse, I had to rebuild it. This isn't it's finished form, but it's a decent start. :-)  I even have played with backing loops...I still need guidance in that department!  I enjoyed learning through just goofing around!

Tropical Christmas Carol

Music and Words by Steve Bell
Harmonies by CJ :)

Carolyn Janzen's Album

Even So Lord Jesus Come

This song is a song of empowerment for anyone needing it.  It was inspired by Mel Robbin's  Fall 2017 - "Power of You" course.  This song is for all of her students in appreciation of all the love and support we have all received from one another.  I believe in YOU!! <3
This is a rough draft!!

Power of You - Written and performed by CJ Janzen


Sayin’ 5,4,3,2,1 Let’s go
I’m saying 5,4,3,2,1 Let's show
That’s there’s a power in you and there’s a power in me
To change our lives oh don’t you see?!

When I looked into the mirror oh what did I see
I saw a person out of harmony
Full of fears and pain, full of cares and woes
A person who felt their life was out of control

Sayin’ 5,4,3,2,1 Let’s go
I’m saying 5,4,3,2,1 Let's show
That’s there’s a power in you and there’s a power in me
To change our lives oh don’t you see?!

When I wake up in the morning, I don’t check my phone
I sit-down and I plan how I can forward my goals
I don’t have to take a giant step , is what I have found
I just have to do I little to get where I am bound.

Sayin’ 5,4,3,2,1 Let’s go
I’m saying 5,4,3,2,1 Let's show
That’s there’s a power in you and there’s a power in me
To change our lives oh don’t you see?!

Courage can be found in actions both big and small
Standing up for you dreams or maybe just saying “NO”
Learn to trust your gut, take a deep Ol’ breath
Just keep up with what your are doing and let go all the rest

Sayin’ 5,4,3,2,1 Let’s go
I’m saying 5,4,3,2,1 Let's show
That’s there’s a power in you and there’s a power in me
To change our lives oh don’t you see?!

As we journey together, I’m so proud of us all
As we deal with our frustrations and to take back control
We don’t have to be perfect every single day
But let’s learn to live with confidence as we find our way

Sayin’ 5,4,3,2,1 Let’s go
I’m saying 5,4,3,2,1 Let's show
That’s there’s a power in you and there’s a power in me
To change our lives oh don’t you see?!
To change our lives oh don’t you see?!

CJ's Album

Power of YOU

What can I do
What can I do
What can I do today for You?
I know what ever I do to serve the the people, (Lord)
is really serving You

Do they need some clothes?
Do they need some food?
Do they need a place to stay?
Let’s help them find a shelter, a meal, a shirt
And lift their spirits is all pray

What can I do
What can I do
What can I do today for You?
I know what ever I do to serve the people, (Lord)
is really serving You

We come from near and far
The rich the poor
Those who just have love to share
A shoulder to cry on a pray to give
In a world full of despair 

What can I do
What can I do
What can I do today for You?
I know what ever I do to serve the the people, (Lord)
is really serving You

What Can I do?

The chorus to this song is not my property, I believe it to be a trad song from the african tradition.  The verses I wrote for the joy of the Addison Women's choir.
Verses:
The Addison Choir we get together, we sing so joyfully
My sisters and I we sing together in perfect harmony.

My sisters and I we share our music to people both far and near
We travel around with smiles and laughter, to bring to our would some cheer.

My sisters and I we sing of sorrow, of happiness, war, and peace
The music we sing connects all people and we hope we will never cease

Chorus 1: Sing happy happy sing, over and over and over again
Chorus 2: I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing
Chorus 3,4,5: Hey la lay la lay, la lay la lay lo, I'm happy because I sing

CJ Janzen

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