"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 CAN DO HARD THINGS:
I like to read a blog called, "The Daily Stoic". The author, Ryan Holliday's words are inspired by Marcus Aurelius and for me, fill in the lessons I have learned from a religious upbringing with some more worldly, practical advice: how to deal with difficult people, how to pep up the drops in my own motivation, how to stay honest, how to forgive. One day, the line "We can do hard things" popped out at me from Mr. Holliday's blog page, and as I went to a golf clinic later that day to learn how to get out of the bunker, I started to sing the line to the hacking of balls in the sand. By days end, a song about perseverance with enough of a groove to change my weary attitude about hard work, was born. 

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, stocked with a message as strong as home, folds nicely into my “Log Cabin Quilt” hope chest. *

I took the song to Jon Quinn at Quinn Music who worked quietly on the arrangement behind the scenes. When he sent me such a fresh, funky take on the song, at first I wasn't so sure. But then I "did a hard thing"...I trusted him. I got over myself...and together we developed this gem of a song into a finished sound recording. With this tune l will never again accomplish hard things without a spring in my step, a chop in my golf swing, and a melody fit for an ear worm. Go work hard. You got this. 

LYRICS: We Can Do Hard Things
Verse 1:
Life is hard, but it's a gift
and it seems the whole world is complaining
and fighting
while the orange blossoms bloom

Verse 2:
Now I don't wanna think
that I got everything 
figured out
I just wanna find what joy I can
and spread it around

Chorus:
(don't you know) We can do hard things
We're strong and we're brave, we can handle much more than we think
Some we win, some we lose
Some door's gonna close while another swings open for you
for you

Verse 3:
So what are these hard things?
Can you name one for me?
Like say you wanna go out there and climb that tall tree
And what if somebody sees you fall
they might laugh at you and call you a fake
but the truth is nobody's really watching
so that's a chance you can take

Chorus:
We can do hard things
We're strong and we're brave we can handle much more than we think
So stop your thinking now
and move along, move along
and take a breath
between the hard things
You got this
Yeah baby you got this, steady now

*What is a "Log Cabin" Quilt?
https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/quilt-discovery-experience.htm
The Log Cabin block is one of the most well-known and popular of all patchwork patterns. To pioneers traveling West, it symbolized home, warmth, love and security. The center square of the block was done in red to represent the hearth, the focal point of life in a cabin or home.

The name, Log Cabin, comes from the narrow strips of fabric, or logs arranged around the center square. Each fabric strip or log was added to the pattern in much the same way logs were stacked to build a cabin; and because the straight lines and small pieces of the pattern could utilize almost any fabric scrap available, it often became the final step in the recycling of fabric.

Many Log Cabin patterns were worked in two color schemes, lights and darks, divided diagonally in the middle. This represented the sun's east to west movement in the sky. As the sun rose, its light shown on the cabin, creating the light side of the block. As the sun traveled west, part of the cabin was left in the shadow, creating the dark side of the block. This is often called the Sunshine and Shadow pattern.

We Can Do Hard Things

PUT ON CHRIST:
What's in YOUR closet? I was given a writing prompt that said, "Write a song about an article of clothing, thinking: 'Raspberry Beret' by Prince, or 'These Boots Were Made for Walking', by Nancy Sinatra". I looked into my closet and saw golf clothes...nothing at all song-worthy...but then remembered a Bible passage about "putting on Christ”, as if you are being clothed in Him.  After a quick search online, I found the passage in Galatians 3:27, then sat down to write this simple song, "Put On Christ". I hope it helps you with your wardrobe choices. :)

I love to sing this song with any age, but especially children. Put out a box of dress-up clothes, hats, gloves and watch them pretend to put on the goodness of God. It is a great way to start the day. 

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. *

The playful reggae arrangement of this song was created by Werner Alsanger at Wernaldo Productions in Lakeland Florida. I recorded my own vocals in a small home studio that I call, "ReisUpStudio". The pandemic provided an unwanted but ultimately helpful opportunity to force the skills of home recording and DAW production upon me. Thankfully, the joyful nature of the song kept my spirit buoyed throughout the tedious, and ongoing learning curve. 

I hope your own spirits are uplifted too when you listen to, “Put On Christ”. If you’d like to play a little “dress up” along with it, please be my guest.  

LYRICS: Put On Christ
Verse 1:
When you wake up in the morning, put on Christ
with love as your clothing, love as your garment
greet the world 
just a little changed, a little new
See how love covers you

Verse 2:
When you set your dreams into motion, put on Christ
with love as your talent, love as your fortune
greet the world
make a little change, make something new
and see how love covers you

Bridge:
These old clothes of anger, toss em out
garments of fear, toss em out
you've got a brand new look to wear, and you wear it well
to hear what needs hearing
to see the unseen 
because of who, covers you

Verse 3:
And when you have all the power, put on Christ
with love as your vision, lead the people
to a better world
you can be the change, you can make things new
in a place where love covers you
a place where love covers you

What is a "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.

Quilted

Put On Christ

Artists have very busy minds, that push us to create, as a sort of emptying out.
To quiet my mind quickly, I employ a practice called, “deep listening”.
One morning I woke up with a mindful of thoughts and worries. I took a slow breath and began to deep listen while lying in my bed. 
First, I heard a bird singing very loudly outside my window, then listened deeper…
…another bird, and beyond there were more, each with their own unique call, until every pocket of noiselessness was filled.
For fun, I began to phoneticize each bird sound, assigning to them human words. And then I set the words to poetry, and finally to a melody. See, how the practice of deep listening can shift thoughts away from worry and clutter? 

My neighbor, Mike Rodgers was out in the street, demonstrating his bird calls to my husband. 
I asked him if I could record his calls for the song, which you can hear by listening in the pockets of this recording. The beautiful guitar is performed by Bill Henry, and the rest of the instruments and production by Jon Quinn. I am the bird singing throughout, and enjoying the flight. 

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 “Wild Goose Chase” hope chest.
Stay cozy!

Birds of a Feather

My Dad was part of "the greatest generation". He was happy because he served. He served his country, served his family, served his church, because this is how they rolled back then. I was inspired to know him and blessed to be raised by him. I wrote this song after my last visit with him. As I walked toward the door to leave, he grabbed my hand and squeezed it hard. I felt as if he was asking permission to leave, and honestly, I couldn't quite handle the question. So I wrote about it. It was an honor to sing “I Served You Well” at his memorial service reception, resulting in one of my few standing ovations, and probably the most special. 
Thank you to Wernaldo Productions, Quinn Music, and Sterling Skye sound for the roles you played in bringing this recording to fruition. This one "took a village", as it should, for such a special man. 
Since this song harkens back to home and hearth, I am folding it into my "Log Cabin Quilt" hope chest, as part of my “Quilted” series. Stay cozy!

I Served You Well

"All For My Delight" started out as a song celebrating the beauty of creation. It was a song about gratitude from the start. I left the song unfinished for several years until my neighbor, Delight, celebrated her 94th birthday, and invited me to sing at her party. I wondered if I could get this song finished for her in time for the party, and at 1:00 am the morning of, the song woke me up and demanded that I do. This is a story of two neighbors, mother, then daughter, who embodied positivity, self-sufficiency, and friendliness. I am grateful to these neighbors who greeted me and my family, nearly every day, if only from the bay window seat at times. 
Thank you to Sterling Skye Sound for organizing my home studio, teaching me how to make a DEMO recording, and mixing this song for me while I took copious notes. I am so excited to learn these skills and free up my creative process.
Since this song celebrates home and hearth, I am folding it into my "Log Cabin Quilt" hope chest, as part of my "Quilted" series. Stay cozy!

All For My Delight_DEMO

Blue Moon meets an Orange Colored Sky

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

I wrote this song on a plane leaving Nashville, right after attending a conference on the business of songwriting. I had gone there eager to learn what it really means to write songs for others professionally, and whether I could see myself in that world.  The answer seemed both exciting and overwhelming: move to Nashville, play my songs out in writers rounds, network endlessly, hope for an introduction that might lead to a publishing deal, then spend every day co-writing in search of that one cut that makes it to the radio.  The conference filled me with energy, but as the plane lifted off for home, I stared out the window and felt a tear roll down. The truth was hard to admit—I didn’t think I could give everything up for that path.  This song was born from that moment. Like Dorothy on the yellow brick road, this song reflects the journey to “Music City” and the realization that home is where my heart—and my music—really live. For me, that means writing for the love of it, and sharing songs with the people “right in my own backyard”, as Dorothy Gale from Kansas once said.  "Dorothy's Song” joins other “quilts” in my “Quilted” and “Wild Goose Chase” playlists, and as a single song, available now on all major streaming platforms—just search for my name, Dot Reiser.

Dorothy's Song

OUTTA THE LOOP: 
The Bible says: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”  Fast-forwarding this mandate to my life today, I think of gossip.

I once knew a woman who endured a humiliating event. It was so distressing, that she and her family moved away for a fresh start. Weeks later, I bumped into her at the store, smiled gingerly and said “Hi, how’s it going?” She touched my arm and said, “You mean you haven’t heard?” My expression showed enough lack of knowledge that she hugged me and said, "Thank you. Thank you for being 'out of the loop'." That moment, fired with Scripture truth, inspired this song. 

“Outta the Loop” is part of my "Paint Me a Song" album, and was joyfully recorded at Quinn Music in Griswold, CT, with ukulele, guitar, bass, and percussion, by Jon Quinn. The marimba via keyboard was playfully punched by Joe Grieco. Please listen and enjoy the outlandish harmonies and twists and turns of the storyline, and look for me sometime. I will be the one who is “outta the loop”!

I enjoy making videos for my songs and have a YouTube channel @dotreiser.
The concept for my "Outta the Loop" video was inspired by Norman Rockwell’s painting, “The Gossips”. I threw a party with willing neighbors and family who welcomed photographer Ron Cowie of Oyster Farm Productions, Wakefield, RI to direct and capture them in his lens. 
Please view and share the "Outta the Loop" video here:
https://youtu.be/_6N69oPaNRM
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvRmSss7xTumfXvdQvLKfMA

LYRICS: "Outta the Loop"
Verse 1:
If you don't have anything nice to say then, sit by me 
I love to be the one who’s in the know
until the day the dirt was dished on me by thee
Now there’s another show 
where I would like to go

Chorus:
I'm out of the loop
I'm out of the loop and I like it
To tell you the truth,
The world looks better out here, 
When I look at you, 
I see who you are in this moment
What happened before doesn’t score anymore 
when you step step step
Step on outta the looooop
outta the loop
step on outta the loop
outta the loop

Verse 2:
I learned to talk when I was just a baby
And now I gotta learn to talk again
To elevate, not desecrate just may be
a better way of waggin, waggin on my chin

Bridge:
Like did you see Christine with that Easter bonnet
the loudest pink with flowers all around 
The old me woulda said, “Christine, get that offa your head”
But the new me’s goin shoppin, 
shoppin “bonnet bound”
I’m outta the loop!

Instrumental

Chorus:
I'm outta the loop
I'm outta the loop and I like it
To tell you the truth
There’s far more color out here
When I look at you
I see your freak flag flyin
Whatevers been said
Is over and dead, when you step step step
Step on outta the looooop
outta the loop
step on outta the looop
outta the loop

Bridge 2:
You’re always in a struggle, but just look how far you’ve come
The whole worlds talkin bout you - that’s when I play dumb 
To say “you’ll never make it” is a permanent pervasive
I’ll never say never just look at your effort now thats an endeavor inspired forever by up and coming wonders of the world like you!

Verse 3:
If you’ve got anything nice to say then, pull up a chair
Let’s sit outside the loop and watch the show
We can talk about ideas instead of people
And watch our little minds begin to grow, grow, grow

Chorus:
Grow on outta the loop
I'm outta the loop and I like it
To tell you the truth
There’s a great big world out here
When I look at you
I see who you are as a person
Crushed and awed, beautied and flawed
When you step step step
Step on outta the loop
outta the loop 
Step on outta the loop
outta the loop

Outta The Loop (Remastered)

This song holds two love stories in one, really. 
First, it’s a love story about a songwriter, who adeptly incorporates all of the literary devices she has at her disposal to express affection for her beloved. The second love story tells of my personal reunion with a long forgotten love: Jazz. 
As part of my album, "Paint Me a Song", this song was "painted" in Jazz, my favorite genre of old, first sparked during my days of high school choir, and reunited with me recently as a songwriter. 
In this recording, pianist Joe Grieco colors the keys, Jon Quinn takes on trumpet, guitar and bass, Joe Fortin dreams drums, and Quinn Music lavishes a lovely arrangement for my melody and words. 

A little side story:
The writing prompt for this song came up at a songwriters open mic. The game was this: Write down a word on a slip of paper, any word that comes to mind. Drop it into the hat. Next, the host pulled three words out of the hat and told us that to incorporate one, two or all three of these words into a new song and come back to the next open mic and sing it. The words she picked out of the hat were:
Frosting
Jumping
Sideways
Being an overachiever I decided that I must use all three words in my song, and thus "Lyricist in Love" was born. 

I like to make videos for my songs and have a YouTube channel @dotreiser. Please view and share my "Lyricist in Love" video here and at https://youtu.be/01ahR-j3nb4
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvRmSss7xTumfXvdQvLKfMA.

LYRICS: Lyricist in Love
Verse 1:
You’re the frosting on my cake
You’re the twinkle in my star
You’re the yin my weary yang is yearning for
You’re my darling metaphor

Verse 2: 
I’m like a moth unto your flame
and like a crystal, it’s so clear
that I’m as busy as a bee to make you see
you’re such a lovely simile

Bridge:
I oughtta onomatopaoia
You make my heart go pitter-pat
a little light alliteration
you’ve got me jumpin for joy slipping sideways into sweet surrender

Verse 3: 
You know our love was meant to be
and we will stand the test of time
because our love will find a way, so they say
You’re an incredible cliche

Instrumental

Verse 3: repeat:
You know our love was meant to be
and we will stand the test of time
because our love will find a way, so they say
You’re an incredible cliche

Outro:
youre an incredible cliche 
youre a superior cliche
youre a spectacular cliche

Lyricist In Love (Remastered)

Early in my songwriting journey, I attended a Christian/Gospel songwriting conference in Nashville, Tennessee. A talk by industry professional, John J Thompson inspired me most. He told us that success in music has only recently been defined by fame and fortune. Music goes way back before the microphone or public broadcasting was ever invented. Success in music can be gained in many ways, according to your own definition. Playing music with and for friends, building community, educating, story telling, you name it: Success. 

I left the conference hell-bent on not "making it big", but "making it small", and I am enjoying every moment of slow growth, creativity, and community.

"I Can Be Little" was sparked by "making it small" but is also inspired by Scripture: The Beatitudes, to be exact, which celebrates being "little". 
(and in Heaven, that's a BIG deal).

Thank you to Max Kelly who played guitar for me. This recording was created at my simple home studio, ReisUpStudio, and includes the precious vocals and laughter of a three-year gal, the little sister of a singer in my 2016-17 Christian music teen group, "The Cecelias".

LYRICS: I Can Be Little

Verse 1:
Well you know I may not be the brightest little bulb in the box
And when it comes to being clever I guess I'm more a lamb than a fox
Teacher asks a question, she wants to see my hand in the air
And as I'm searching for the answer, there really isn't anything there

In the school of this world well I'll be finishing last                       
But when it comes to loving Jesus I'm the top of the class

Chorus:
Cause I can be little
Listen here what I say.
Yeah I can be little.        
In a big big way

Verse 2:
Well you know my big flat feet are not the kind to float through the air
And when it comes to winning races, I'm really more a tortoise than hare
They tell me to go faster, but something's always dragging me down
And if I knew any better, I'd say my feet are glued to the ground

In the race of this world, well I'll be finishing last
But when it comes to reaching heaven I'll be there in a flash

Chorus:
Cause I can be little
Listen here what I say.
Yeah I can be little.        
In a big big way
Bridge:
Cause blessed are the meek
The humble and small
Blessed are the ones who love The Lord over all
Nothing on earth
Can match the power I know
When I shrink myself down
So that His spirit can grow

Chorus:
Cause I can be little
Listen here what I say.
Yeah I can be little.        
In a big big way

I Can Be Little

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

In December 2019, I held a contest to write a one-verse-one-chorus song for the person whose name was drawn out of my virtual hat on Facebook. Mary Dillon was the winner and she shared this story with me for inspiration:
"I was raised in Montana. Dad died in a plane crash when I was two. I had three sisters and two brothers (one had Muscular Dystrophy). Mom raised us with my favorite saying (whenever we got cuts, bruises, burns, or fractures): "IT IS A LONG WAY FROM YOUR HEART", so basically 'buck up' and get over it. It will be gone soon enough."

This is a song about resilience, home and hearth, and as part of my 2023 compilation called, “Quilted: a colorful patchwork of original songs and the stories that stitched them”, the song folds nicely into my “Log Cabin Quilt" hope chest. * 

I recorded "Long Way From Your Heart" in my ReisUpStudio home workstation, with guitar performance remotely contributed by Jon Quinn at Quinn Music. Jon had just taught me how to play those beautiful chord inversions on the guitar, which teased out the melody as I practiced them, but my hands were not strong enough to play them well. 

LYRICS: Long Way From Your Heart
Verse 1:
‘Wish I were made of rubber
‘Wish I were made of steel
I’d find myself another way to feel.

Verse 2:
Well, I lost my father fast
And I lost my brother slow
And mother’s got the answer to the question
I already know
Oh

Verse 3: That scrape upon your knee
Well it’s a long way from your heart
Don’t let that wound fester
Don’t you ket it get that far

Chorus:
Why do you fall apart?
Why do you fall apart?
Don’t you let your trouble get that far, 
it’s a long way from your heart

Why do you fall apart?
Why do you fall apart?
Don’t you let your trouble get that far, 
it’s a long way, long way, from your heart
Ooh

*What is a “Log Cabin” quilt?
https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/quilt-discovery-experience.htmThe Log Cabin block is one of the most well-known and popular of all patchwork patterns. To pioneers traveling West, it symbolized home, warmth, love and security. The center square of the block was done in red to represent the hearth, the focal point of life in a cabin or home.
The name, Log Cabin, comes from the narrow strips of fabric, or logs arranged around the center square. Each fabric strip or log was added to the pattern in much the same way logs were stacked to build a cabin; and because the straight lines and small pieces of the pattern could utilize almost any fabric scrap available, it often became the final step in the recycling of fabric.
Many Log Cabin patterns were worked in two color schemes, lights and darks, divided diagonally in the middle. This represented the sun's east to west movement in the sky. As the sun rose, its light shown on the cabin, creating the light side of the block. As the sun traveled west, part of the cabin was left in the shadow, creating the dark side of the block. This is often called the Sunshine and Shadow quilt. 

Music Video:
I like to make videos for my songs and have a youtube channel @dotreiser. Please view and share my "Long Way From Your Heart" video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erFTWcnAV6E
Please subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvRmSss7xTumfXvdQvLKfMA

Long Way From Your Heart (in progress)

BOOGIE WOOGIE PEOPLE:
A writing prompt invited me to create a song inspired by a work of art. Artwork by the late Keith Haring, a mural artist whose subjects often include colorful outlines of dancing figures, fit the bill, and then begged the question:
Q: Are you too shy to dance?
A: Well, all you need is a little help from your friends: the Boogie Woogie People.

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

LYRICS: Boogie Woogie People
Verse 1:
Boogie Woogie People, theyre always jumpin and jivin
Oh Boogie Woogie People, they know the way to be alivin
And I ask em about it, how they’re dumpin the doubt 
and just jam, and how I can

Verse 2:
Be a Boogie Woogie People, I wanna jump in and jive yeah
Yeah Boogie Woogie People, I wanna be the one alive-in
Can you show me the way, to jump and sway 
startin ‘ to- day, and they say

Bridge:
“You put your hands over your head, 
you put your flat feet on the ground,
take a deep bend over and shake it all over 
’til your hound dog drops and rolls on the ground
with your heart in the sky, and a friend at your side
you’ll start to fly iiiiii”

Verse 3:
And be a Boogie Woogie People, 
Yeah Boogie Woogie People
Well there aint no denying, 
the way I’m jumpin and jivin, yeah
and if you need a boost, well I got the juice
to turn you loose 
No No no No turnin back, gonna flap that jack
until you ….splat

*What is a "Friendship" quilt?
https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/quilt-discovery-experience.htm
The 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.

Thank you to Jon Quinn of Quinn Music, for producing this song, coordinating remote musicians, and performing bass, guitar, drums and horns. Thanks also to Joe Grieco, for slaying the piano, as I would expect nothing less from this magnificent musician.

Music Video:
I like to make videos for my songs and have a youtube channel @dotreiser.  Please view and share my "Boogie Woogie People" video here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-n9GTXQFXY&list=PLakzpb84rB47QdKSV3yuldNa68rheBwne&index=6
Please subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvRmSss7xTumfXvdQvLKfMA
Thank you to creative animation artist, R A M M Y, for another delightful video, filled with sweet surprises.

Boogie Woogie People

When the Covid lockdowns of March 2020 began, my mood was relatively upbeat. Calendars cleared, our family of six reunited under the same roof, and we all had nowhere to go for what we expected to be a very short time. It was really kind of fun, well, til it wasn't.
'Can't go to the store but we gotta eat? "Let's use what we got!" One day, while rummaging through the pantry to create new concoctions to feed the family, I started to chant "usin’ what we got, what we got, usin’ what we got..." and a silly ear worm of a song was born. 

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

LYRICS: The Pantry Song
Usin what we got, what we got, using what we got
we're using what we got, what we got, using what we got
we're using what we got, what we got, using what we got
we're using what we got, what we got, using what we got

Usin what we got, what we got, using what we got
we're using what we got, what we got, using what we got
we're using what we got, what we got, using what we got
we're using what we got, what we got, using what we got

Hasty, tasty, no tasty!

*What is a "Log Cabin" quilt?
https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/quilt-discovery-experience.htm
The Log Cabin block is one of the most well-known and popular of all patchwork patterns. To pioneers traveling West, it symbolized home, warmth, love and security. The center square of the block was done in red to represent the hearth, the focal point of life in a cabin or home.

The name, Log Cabin, comes from the narrow strips of fabric, or logs arranged around the center square. Each fabric strip or log was added to the pattern in much the same way logs were stacked to build a cabin; and because the straight lines and small pieces of the pattern could utilize almost any fabric scrap available, it often became the final step in the recycling of fabric.

Many Log Cabin patterns were worked in two color schemes, lights and darks, divided diagonally in the middle. This represented the sun's east to west movement in the sky. As the sun rose, its light shown on the cabin, creating the light side of the block. As the sun traveled west, part of the cabin was left in the shadow, creating the dark side of the block. This is often called the Sunshine and Shadow quilt.

Music Video:
I like to make videos for my songs and have a youtube channel @dotreiser.  view and share this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmt6pOM0HhM&t=118s
Please subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvRmSss7xTumfXvdQvLKfMA

About the video: Our kitchen pantry had some old expired odd items inside of it dating back to my dad's fishing trips from years past. With these "novelties", I was inspired to concoct a "unique" cookie and serve it to my family. Needless to say, we were happy to return to the grocery store once more, and move on from "what we got" to "what we can get"!

In keeping with the message of “usin’ what we got”, this song was recorded in my simple home studio, ReisUpStudio, with percussion instruments straight out of the kitchen drawer.

The Pantry Song

Born and raised with an ear for The Blues, and a heart for The Church, I didn't always feel in synch with liturgical music. I spent a little time and energy trying to change things, but one day, I just let it go. It was on that day I mustered up this little song of gentle protest which manifested itself as a letter to my Grandmother in Heaven.  Grandma was a church singer, in the Catholic Church of the 1930s, when the music was Latin, classical, and, if sung by someone as talented as she was, pure Heaven. In this conversation, I lament to Grandma that I don't belong in The Church as a singer, because "Jesus only comes to me in the 12-Bar Blues". As the lyrics unfold, Grandma has a refreshing solution to my problem. I hope you enjoy listening to this little fantasy as much as I enjoyed creating it, and wherever and however you worship, may it bring you life!

LYRICS: Grandma, Jesus, and the Twelve-Bar-Blues
Verse 1:
Hey Grandma!  I'm a singer I'm a singer just like you
I sing to save the sinners in the church like you I do
but not with your vibrato, or a formal attitude
‘cause Jesus only comes to me in the twelve-bar-blues
and He moves me and he shakes me like a savior oughtta do
Yeah Jesus only comes to me in the twelve-bar-blues

Verse 2:
The preacher doesn't know it, doesn't know I sing in there
I sneak in when it's empty when the pews are cold and bare
‘cause if he heard the way I sing, he'd politely excuse
saying, “Jesus shouldn't come to you in the twelve-bar-blues
He can move you, he can shake you like a savior oughtta do
but Jesus shouldn't come to you in the twelve-bar-blues”

Verse 3:
Oh Grandma I feel you with me, feel you with me In this room
I look up at your picture on the wall, as I croon
I feel your smile upon me, I can hear you harmonize
And we sing together for the Lord, with a sparkle in our eyes
And He moves us and He shakes us, like a savior oughtta do
when we sing together for the Lord in the twelve-bar-blues

Solo

I dream about the day that very day when we will meet
just You and me and Jesus right there on that golden street
You'll run right to me smiling just like a long lost friend 
and tell me that the music here in heaven never ends
“The melody is infinite, the chorus is immense
‘cause way up here in heaven, no the music never ends”

Verse 4:
But grandma I'm afraid they'll never let me in the choir
When they hear the way I sing they'll take me to the devil’s fire
“Oh Dear, now don't you worry,” Grandma said, “It’s all arranged. 
‘Cause when the angels heard you sing, they voted for a change.
They see the way the way the Blues just move you to a higher place,
so when the Angels heard you sing they voted for a change”

Solo

Verse 5:
Now everyone in heaven sings, we're singing just like you
We clap and move and shake our wings, just working out a groove
The classical approach was getting old and wearing thin
So way up here in heaven now, it's the twelve-bar-blues we're in
and we're moving and were shaking like an angel oughtta do
Yes way up here in heaven now its the twelve-bar-blues

Come on grandma
Shake those wings, etc.

Grandma, Jesus, and the 12-Bar Blues

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

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