Eight Point Star

Quilted

Here's a sneak peek into a recent phone conversation between my 93-year-old mother and me:
Me: “Hey mom, what should I write my next song about?”
Mom: “How about Guardian Angels?”
Me: “Hmmm....ok, what about guardian angels? What do you know about them?”
Mom: “Well. I use to assign one to each of you (8 of us in total) when you were born.” 
Me: “OK. Now, how exactly does that work?” “What would you say to these angels?”
Mom: “Oh nothing much…just, ‘I can’t do this on my own. I am going to need you to help me raise this child’”
(‘Always good to admit when you need a little help!)
This was the conversation that sparked the song, "Guardian Dear". 
Whether or not you believe in guardian angels, I hope that you will enjoy this song and feel a little peace from it. 

"Guardian Dear" is a part of my 2023 compilation called, “Quilted: a colorful patchwork of original songs and the stories that stitched them”. The subject of this song folds nicely into my “God’s Eye Quilt” hope chest. *

The sound recording was made via remote collaboration between my home studio (ReisUpStudio) and that of Wernaldo Productions in Lakeland, FL. during the pandemic lockdowns of 2020. Werner Alsanger created the dreamy and beautiful musical arrangement, so fitting for a bedtime prayer. 

LYRICS: Guardian Dear
Verse 1:
Angel of God, my guardian dear
To whom God’s love commits me here
Ever this day, be at my side
(to light, to rule, to guide)

Mother can’t do this alone
She’s asking you
To bring me home
Safe and sound
With your boots on the ground
Angel, boots on the ground

Verse 2:
Angel of God, my guardian dear
To whom God’s love commits me here
Ever this night, my path to light
(Togaed, to rule, to guide)

The Devil has something for me
An apple from the Knowledge Tree
So guard my mind
With your sword held high
Angel, sword held high

Chorus:
Angels, they never sleep
Angels, our souls to keep
Guardians of us all
Guarding us from the fall, my guardian, dear
Be near, be near, be near
Be near, be near, be near

The lyrics to "Guardian Dear" were adapted from the “Angel of God” Prayer, by Reginald of Canterbury, 11th Century
I wrote the song for my mother, who “assigned” angels to all of her children at birth. I am grateful for that!

*What is a "God's Eye Quilt"?
God’s Eye Quilt: https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/quilt-discovery-experience.htm
America was founded on the principle of religious freedom, so quilts that reminded the homesteaders of their devotion to God were especially meaningful. The trip to new land was filled with danger and daily challenges which tested even the strongest men and women. It was a rare person who did not lose a family member, often a child, along the trail.
The practice of using quilts as burial shrouds was fairly common among westward travelers. Wood was often scarce for coffins, so families used what was available and appropriate. Wrapping a loved one in a quilt was a way of not only preparing the body for burial, but of giving reassurance to the living that the decreased person was still linked to his or her family. A quilt that carried a Biblical name was a source of comfort, and with their enduring faith, kept the family going.
Other popular quilt patterns were Jacob's Ladder, Cross and Crown, Bethlehem Star, Crown of Thorns, David and Goli-ath, Eastern Star and Star of Eden.

Music Video:
I like to make videos for my songs and have a youtube channel @dotreiser. 
Please view and share my "Guardian Dear" video here:
https://youtu.be/dd06XPTuSKU
Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvRmSss7xTumfXvdQvLKfMA

Guardian Dear

I love going to Nashville. The minute I head into airport baggage claim, I see guitars strapped to everybody's backs. Here comes MUSIC.
As a songwriter who, having written my first song at age 47, feels a little late to the party, I have some dreams that are surely within reach, and some that will take a dad-gum miracle to live out. Still, I am delighted to be a part of the club of writers, producers, and performers of original music. This song, "Tennessee Flannel", celebrates my dream to one day sing at the famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, most likely at Open Mic Night, (as encouraged by my husband in Verse 3).

This song is a part of my 2023 compilation called, “Quilted: a colorful patchwork of original songs and the stories that stitched them”. The subject of this song with its dreams and aspirations (or perspirations) folds nicely into my “Wild Goose Chase” hope chest. *

LYRICS: Tennessee Flannel
Chorus:
Put on your Tennessee flannel
and work out that southern style
There’s no need to hurry 
when you got a while, to make it
to the Bluebird Cafe
oh the Bluebird Cafe

Verse 1:
I met a boy of fourteen at the airport
and I asked him what is his brand of guitar?
'Little did  he know that his Epiphone 
is going the same place that me and my Breedlove are
and we’ll be

Chorus:
Puttin on our Tennessee flannel
and working out our southern style
We’re not in any hurry 
‘cause we got a while, to make it
to the Bluebird Cafe
oh the Bluebird Cafe

Verse 2:
My baby says, “We’re going to the Bluebird” 
He’s gonna make me stand in a line
He says’ “It’s Open Mic Night and it’s your right
to shine like a star in the Tennessee sky” and I say,
“I’m not good enough! I’m not good enough!
What do you know about music these days?”
(and he says)

Chorus:
"Put on your Tennessee flannel
and work out that southern style
Old woman, you better hurry
‘Said old woman you better hurry
‘cause you ain’t got a while
to make it
to that Bluebird Cafe, no
no no no no no no no”

Verse 3:
So here I am on the stage of the Bluebird
I’m gonna sing you my special song
and I’m feeling as naked as a newborn child 
'cause it took a while,
a long long while,
said a long long long while, oh

Outro:
blue blue blue
mmm mmm ooh oooh
I made it to the Blue
Do you see me now Blue yeah yeah
There’s no need to hurry
There’s no need to hurry
I said there’s no need to hurry
off this stage
OK?
Bluebird 
Bluebird 
blue blue blue blue blue
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah 
yeah
Oh I made it to the Bluebird

*What is a "Wild Goose Chase" quilt?
https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/quilt-discovery-experience.htmNature was an obvious and rich source for quilt patterns. There are numerous patterns named for trees, flowers, animals and birds.

The homesteaders watched the migration of flocks of geese and created quilts with that in mind. Although the triangle shape is used in hundreds of other quilt designs, in this quilt block, triangles represent the geese. Pioneer women expressed their artistic abilities and creativity in the way they arranged the triangles or geese, and in the colors they used. That may be one reason why the Wild Goose Chase pattern has at least 14 variations.

Other patterns that reflect nature include Bear Paw, Dove in the Window, Hen and Chickens, Dogwood and Sunflower.

Quilting was not just a woman's activity. Over the years, men have also been quilters. In fact, when they were boys, at least two presidents, Calvin Coolidge and Dwight D. Eisenhower, helped their mothers piece quilts.
Special thanks to Jon Quinn of Quinn Music for a bang up arrangement of brassy instrumentals, attitude, Blues meistering, and just having so much fun with this.

Tennessee Flannel

I blush to say it, but my faith oftentimes leans towards the romantic. I guess it's all about relationships. Some of us express love by giving gifts, others by touch, companionship, and so on. God gives ...rainbows, cricket-songs.  He just keeps showing up. I almost have to wonder…is He flirting with me? Well, it’s working. 

This song is a part of my 2023 compilation called, “Quilted: a colorful patchwork of original songs and the stories that stitched them”. The subject of this song folds nicely into my “God’s Eye Quilt” hope chest. *

Special thanks to Wernaldo Productions, Lakeland, FL for such flirtatious Blues instrumentation and for allowing me the space to try my hand at home vocal recording, audio mixing, and mastering--all very creative yet tedious parts of the music making process. 

LYRICS: Flirtatious God
Verse 1:
He sets a rainbow in the sky
Just to tell me that He loves me
What a flirtatious God is He
And he puts a fragrance in a flower
Just to draw me close and whisper
“He is there”
What a flirtatious God is He

Won’t let me stay away for very long
When His little lamb is straying too far
He sends me a song
From a little bird, or a waterfall, 
or a breeze thru the bamboo trees
Like the pitter-pat of little feet

Chorus:
He flirts with me
Oh He flirts with me
Oh how He flirts with me
Til He gets me
Right where He wants me
Oh right where He wants me

Verse 2:
He sends a melody to be heard
And He tells me every word
What a gracious God is He
And He puts the joy into my heart
And it flows through every part
Of this song
What a gracious God is He

Won’t let me stay away for very long
When His little lamb is straying too far
He sends me a song
Of praise, of glory of calling out
Crying “Please Lord, 

Chorus:
Flirt with me
Oh flirt with me
Oh won’t You flirt with me
Til you get me
Right where You want me
Oh right where You want me

Interlude:
Flirt. flirt. Flirt
What a gracious God is He
Flirt. Oh flirt. Mmmm flirt
And oh, He won’t let me get away
He won’t let me get away
When His little lamb will stray
Much too far
He sends me a song
Oh, He sends me

And it goes:
**For the beauty, for the glory, for the love 
Which over, around us lies
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This hymn of grateful praise 

For the beauty, for the glory, for the love 
Which over, around us lies
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This hymn of grateful praise 

*What is a "God's Eye Quilt"?
God’s Eye Quilt: https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/quilt-discovery-experience.htm
America was founded on the principle of religious freedom, so quilts that reminded the homesteaders of their devotion to God were especially meaningful. The trip to new land was filled with danger and daily challenges which tested even the strongest men and women. It was a rare person who did not lose a family member, often a child, along the trail.
The practice of using quilts as burial shrouds was fairly common among westward travelers. Wood was often scarce for coffins, so families used what was available and appropriate. Wrapping a loved one in a quilt was a way of not only preparing the body for burial, but of giving reassurance to the living that the decreased person was still linked to his or her family. A quilt that carried a Biblical name was a source of comfort, and with their enduring faith, kept the family going.
Other popular quilt patterns were Jacob's Ladder, Cross and Crown, Bethlehem Star, Crown of Thorns, David and Goli-ath, Eastern Star and Star of Eden.

Music Video:
I like to make videos to go with my songs. The beautiful photography in this video is credited to my cousin, Jim Magruder, a very talented photographer with a lens for God’s gifts in the mountainscapes of North Carolina.  view and share the video for "Flirtatious God," please go to: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H52wn13xIY0

*inspired by the hymn,
 “For the Beauty of the Earth” by Folliott Sandford Pierpoint, 1864

Flirtatious God

"My Dream" illuminates a daydream about a "unicorn sighting"-- kind of like storm-chasing, only less likely to be actualized. The unicorn's name is "My Dream", which serves as a metaphor for my personal aspiration of making a hit as a songwriter. In the song you will hear the voice of “an agent” advising me to let go of  “My Dream” for a better life. But the truth is, to chase a dream is what makes life meaningful, and “My Dream” needs a lot of time and hard work for her horn (skills, networking) to grow. “Let it grow!”

This song is a part of my 2023 compilation called, “Quilted: a colorful patchwork of original songs and the stories that stitched them”. The subject of this song, being outlandishly difficult to achieve, folds nicely into my “Wild Goose Chase Quilt” hope chest. *

LYRICS: My Dream
Verse 1:
I wander through life with the hope of a unicorn sighting
I picture her glittered and glowing
a pony with horn barely showing
She's playful and prance, so proud of her fancy
appendage
She calls out my name and invites me to call her, "My Dream". 

Verse 2:
Well, My Dream and I gallop into a neon-bright city
We stop in to speak with an agent
'cause My Dream is losing her patience
He listens intently, then lets us down gently
Ah, what does he know?
And he tells me I'm much better off letting go of My Dream

Chorus:
Well dreams are known for 
the glitter and the glow
and My Dream needs time for 
her horn to grow
Let it grow!

Instrumental

Chorus:
Well dreams are known for 
the glitter and the glow
and My Dream needs time for 
her horn to grow
Let it grow!
Let it grow!
Let it grow!
Let it grow!

I took “My Dream” to Quinn Music to develop the sound recording. Jon Quinn produced this moving arrangement of instrumentation and sonic sweetness for my melody, lyrics, and vocals to prance within. As an added bonus, Jon Quinn invited his friend Bill Henry to share his guitar prowess, like in that beautiful flourish of strings you hear at the beginning of the song. 

*What is a "Wild Goose Chase" quilt?
Nature was an obvious and rich source for quilt patterns. There are numerous patterns named for trees, flowers, animals and birds.

The homesteaders watched the migration of flocks of geese and created quilts with that in mind. Although the triangle shape is used in hundreds of other quilt designs, in this quilt block, triangles represent the geese. Pioneer women expressed their artistic abilities and creativity in the way they arranged the triangles or geese, and in the colors they used. That may be one reason why the Wild Goose Chase pattern has at least 14 variations.

Other patterns that reflect nature include Bear Paw, Dove in the Window, Hen and Chickens, Dogwood and Sunflower.

Quilting was not just a woman's activity. Over the years, men have also been quilters. In fact, when they were boys, at least two presidents, Calvin Coolidge and Dwight D. Eisenhower, helped their mothers piece quilts.

Music Video:
I like to make videos for my songs and the magical, pixellated video for "My Dream" was crafted by the young creative, R A M M Y who provided a captivating backdrop for our heroes, sure to make you smile.
To view and share this video, press or copy/paste here:
https://youtu.be/_uldv0JFK3g
To subscribe to my YouTube channel, press or copy/paste here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvRmSss7xTumfXvdQvLKfMA

My Dream

In a "Songwriting for the Pros" mini course offered by Songtown.com, I along with 100 others, was commissioned to interview an up-and-coming singer/songwriter, and write a "hook" for his/her new song. It was a contest and the winning songwriter would continue on to co-write the rest of the song with this artist. The young female artist whom we interviewed seemed to be a bit of an old soul. She wanted someone to bring her out of her shell, make her feel young and alive, and to live in the moment rather than always thinking of the future. In my mind I mused, "Hey kid, act your age!" which inspired my song entry. Although my "hook" was ultimately not the winning selection in the contest, I decided to develop the song to completion. It was fun to live inside someone else's mind for a while and long for a more adventurous life!

This song is a part of my 2023 compilation called, “Quilted: a colorful patchwork of original songs and the stories that stitched them”. The subject of this song, being about friendship folds nicely into my “Friendship Quilt” hope chest.*

I brought this song without a bridge or second, third verses to Quinn Music Studio and my producer and I set to the creative task of tracking. As the arrangement started to take shape, the rest of the song's story teased it's way out. May you always act a little beneath your age and remain young at heart. 

LYRICS: Act My Age
Intro:
Old soul, young heart 
Old soul, young heart

Verse 1:
I’m just an old soul seeking a young heart beating
Won’t you tell me how to act my age?
I’m so wise beyond my years, release me, dear
from a sage cage, from the cage of a sage

Interlude:
Old soul, young heart
Old soul, young heart

Verse 2:
In the depths of my learning, theres a childlike yearning
Can you tell me how to - act my age
I’m so stuck- in my head, so interior-fed
Can you gauge, the lonely heart of a sage

and tell me how to

Chorus:
Act my age
Pull me out on the dance floor
(how to act my age)
Push me on a swing
(how to act my age)
Take a ride on a carousel 
I'd do anything to feel 
Spring

Bridge:
Spring time of my life
No more striving for answers before their time
You show me the way
to hold the questions in tension and feel the day

you keep it light
you keep it light
you keep it light
you keep it light

Interlude:
Instrumental

Verse 3:
You with the life unexamined, intellectual famine
Do they tell you how to - act your age
Get a job, get a life, settle down, find a wife
Turn the page, turn the proverbial page

Is that the way to

chorus:
Act your age
How to act your age
Do you act your age now?
You'd do anything to feel
Spring

Bridge 2:
The sun on my face
The beauty thats all surrounding
You melt away my Winter to Spring

Chorus:
Spring time of my life
No more striving for answers before their time
You show me the way
to hold question in tension and feel the day

Spring time of my life 
no more striving for answers before their time
You show me the way
to hold a question in tension....

*What is a "Friendship" Quilt?
https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/quilt-discovery-experience.htmThe quilts the homesteaders brought with them were a comfort to these women who traded their home, family and friends in the East, for the uncertainty of traveling through vast prairies in the West. A quilt that held special value to the pioneer women was the Friendship Quilt.

Often it was done is secret, and then given to the woman as a going away gift. It usually was a group effort, with each block being sewn by a friend or relative with their name embroidered in the center.

Putting a Friendship quilt on the bed, gave a woman a sense of connection with her former way of life. It kept alive the memory of family and friends, providing comfort and company during the difficult days of homesteading.

One woman homesteader said, "When I get lonely, I read the names on my quilt. "It was like putting her arms around someone and giving them a hug.

Act My Age

We raised a family in Mystic, CT across the street from a woman named Edith. Edith lived for 103 years. She was cheerful, industrious, and grateful. I wondered sometimes, “What was key to Edith’s longevity?” 
I didn’t get my answer until her funeral when her family read from her diary. 
Edith wrote in her diary every day and began every entry with these same three words:
A wonderful day. 
WW1, WW2, the great depression, no matter what was happening, Edith began her report with, “A wonderful day”.
I believe it was this attitude of gratitude that explained her long and happy life. 

Ediths daughter’s name was Delight. 
Delight moved in to help Edith in her later years, 
and just like her mother, Delight was always, cheerful, industrious, and grateful.

Our four kids grew up next to these two ladies who wore gratitude every day like a quilt, 
and I believe we were all made better for it.

I wrote this song for Delight’s birthday party last year, she was 96 years old. She passed soon after, and sharing my gratitude to her for her gratitude exposed goes down as one of the finest moments in my songwriting experience. 
This song is called, “Edith Writes”. 

Edith Writes

In March of 2020, I was inspired to write a song by the Scripture verse: "Draw Near. Hold Fast. Take Care," from the Book of Hebrews. At that time, I was hosting a chamber music group from Juilliard School for a performance, and we were sharing lunch together. Suddenly the cellphones of these young musicians were buzzing "off the hook", informing them that their music school was closing and all of their important performances were cancelled because of the "Corona Virus”. New York City was going into a lockdown. We would not know for how long.

Greece locked down too. I saw an image in the newspaper of a violinist there, playing a song in an empty public square. Every window of every apartment building surrounding the square was flung open, with listeners waving and cheering their gratitude for the musician's precious gift.

Back in the US, A friend who is a nurse told me she was bracing herself for the impending flood of Covid patients in the hospital. 
"Draw Near, Hold Fast" became an expression of honor for all of our healthcare workers. They draw near, they hold fast, and they take care, when no one else can. 

This song is a part of my 2023 compilation called, “Quilted: a colorful patchwork of original songs and the stories that stitched them”. The song's subject, providing direction and purpose in troubled times, folds nicely into my “Eight Point Star Quilt” hope chest. *

LYRICS: Draw Near Hold Fast
Verse 1:
In these uncertain times
when the curtains close, and streets are empty
Rhythm falls out of rhyme
but the Maestro’s wand is at the ready

Chorus:
Hand me the rosin for my bow
the sweetest sound to float the feather
I have a song to dash the foe
Draw near, hold fast and help one another
Draw near, hold fast and help one another

Verse 2:
On this unsettled day
when a wish you well is not forsaken
Connection is held at bay
and a breath is not for granted taken

Chorus:
Draw me into the public square
and open wide the windows shuttered
I have a tune to beat despair
Draw near hold fast and help one another
Draw near, hold fast and help one another

Bridge:
We have to draw in now
We have to begin a walk in the dark unknowing
Fear not, each step of the journey within 
It is vast, it is rich and ever growing
Don’t worry, don’t fear
The Maestro will lead us there

Verse 3:
solfege

*What is an "Eight Point Star" quilt?
https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/quilt-discovery-experience.htm
Stars are probably the most common motif used on quilts. Homesteaders traveling West used the stars for guidance; and they looked upon stars as religious symbols of their faith in God.

There are hundreds of star patterns. Some quilts have just one large radiating star, often called the Star of Bethlehem or Blazing Star, while in other quilts, dozens of smaller stars are used. The simplest and most popular star pattern is an eight-pointed star.

A star pattern is not an easy design to cut or sew. Precision is extremely important as any inaccuracy in cutting or piec-ing is multiplied as pieces are added. If poorly pieced, the quilt will not lie flat when finished. An intricate star pattern was one way for a woman to show her needlework skills.

Many times the quilt maker deliberately sewed a mistake somewhere in the quilt. It is thought, by some, that this reflected the maker's faith in God; for only God can make a perfect thing.

This song features violinist Lucas Stratmann, who recorded his part remotely from his home in New York City and shared it with me via email. The rest was recorded in my home "ReisUpStudio" and mixed and mastered by Quinn Music. 

Music Video:
I like to make videos for my songs and have a YouTube channel @dotreiser. 
Please view and share my "Draw Near Hold fast" video here:
https://youtu.be/pn5GnKpgVuE
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvRmSss7xTumfXvdQvLKfMA

Draw Near Hold Fast

For more songs, stories and links to my newsletter, please visit my website at www.ReisUpStudio.com. Thank you!

Edith Writes

Dot Reiser