Charles Albert Tindlay, 1906
The Hymn is in the Public Domain
Illustration Wiki Commons (PD)
Recording assigned Creative Commons 
(Fair Use - Give Credit)

Ed Shaw Hymns

We Will Understand it Better By and By   (PD)

Some days are diamonds

Some days nothing comes
Try as you might
Dive down into the depths
Nothing comes to light
Some days it all makes sense
It all falls into place
But on a day like this
That’s not the case

Some days are diamonds
Some days are coal
Some days you’re reaching for the stars
Some days you’re deep down in the hole

Some nights I can’t sleep
Though I’m tired to the bone
Some nights I crave a little company
At times I’m glad to be alone
Some memories are like old friends
So glad when they emerge
Missed chances, though, and old regrets
Are best left undisturbed

Some days are diamonds
Some days are coal
Some days you’re reaching for the stars
Some days you’re deep down in the hole
 
Verse
Some days the fates are with you
The wind is in your sails
Then hope turns to ashes in your mouth
Every venture doomed to fail

You know the story of Prometheus
Bound and chained to his stone
Every night the eagle tears out his liver
Come the day it has regrown
Time doesn’t flow like a river
Some say time is an illusion
Time is fluid, time is relative
That only adds to my confusion

I’ve had days that never seemed to end
Some days blink and you miss them
I’ve heard ideas that caused my mind to bend
Never easy to dismiss them

Some days are diamonds
Some days are coal
Some days you’re reaching for the stars
Some days you’re deep down in the hole

Some Days Are Diamonds

The St. Louis-based singer/songwriter talks influences and discusses the challenges of making music during the pandemic. 

Host and Producer: Ben Province
Audio: Brad Range
Music: "Back Around" by A.P.S.

Ep. 12: Beth Bombara Interview

Which Dream

which dream
which dream will you choose

the dream of immortality
losing youth in vanity`s
lake of mirrors
hungry eyes of children look 
flipping pages of your book
for an ending clear

waking you`ll know what to do
the mystery
is dreaming you

which house
which house will you build
the heart house shuttered up by fear
pictures whisper when you draw near
leave the door ajar
travelling by compass yearning
raising arches ever learning
where to hang your star

arriving you`ll know what to do
the mystery
is expecting you

which song 
which song will you sing

the song played on a cheap guitar
ageing fingers cannot barre
the moon to impress
a voice with no boast or lament
your bones become the instrument
angels bless

beginning you`ll know what to do
the mystery
sings through you

which dream
which dream will you choose

© Robert Cordrey Oct. 2021

Which Dream

A song about silver linings and two sides of a coin.

Somewhere In The Loss

Somewhere in the night you can feel your debt is due.
You want to make it right, but you fear what may be true.
All the dreams you had for your life can still remain.
Somewhere in the loss you'll find the gain.

Somewhere down the road such a loss will take its toll.
You want to pay what's owed, but not lose your very soul. 
When you look inside you can see you share the blame.
Somewhere in the loss you'll find the gain.

Are you hoping it just will disappear?  
The guilt you hide inside of you.
You can't run away, so face what you fear.  
Time to decide.  You know what to do.

Somewhere in your mind is the cause of all your pain.
You need to find a way to fan forgiving flames.
Somewhere in the loss you'll find the gain.

Somewhere In The Loss

RISE AND SHINE
©2023 Noel Adams, words & music, all rights reserved
Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA): GW68368656
ISWC: T-321036284-4

LYRICS
-------
[INTRO]
Hey, you in the mirror! Come on and...

[A1]
Rise and shine
There’s a new day beginning
Rise and shine
Get out and get sprinting
There’s no time to waste
So rev-up some haste
Just pump up your bravado and ready, set, go!

[A2]
Oh, rise and shine
The world is not waiting
Rise and shine
Be bold and embrace it
Unlock your potential
And become presidential 
Come on! Rise and shine

[B]
Don’t worry if you feel a bit crumpled and broken
And the future looks bleak because the present is woeful
Once you get moving
You get things improving and then, hey presto!
It’s go, go, go

[A3]
So rise and shine
And keep fearlessly striving
Rise and shine
And dazzle like lightning
Get out there and play, now
It’s a thrilling new day, now
Come on! Rise and shine

[SOLO]

Repeat [B], [A3]

[TAG]
Yeah, get out there and play
It’s a thrilling new day
So rise, rise, rise and shine

Rise And Shine

Bad Dreams Bad Luck

You have an idea for a lead line.  Your saxophonist takes it and changes it then your horn player does the same.  Finally you yell move on over as I am taking over.

Via my breath and keyboard controllers I am playing the backing horns (Swam trumpets 1 & 2, and the alto and bari saxes) and the solo Swam tenor sax and the solo Swam trumpet.  I am also playing my fretless bass and lead guitar. Band-in-a-Box is supplying the piano and drum tracks using my sound sources. 



We Will Understand it Better By and By (PD)

ed_shaw