4 Star Commended Entry in the 2021 UK Songwriting Contest

For anyone, who has had to live in any form of isolation or restriction, like many of us in 2020/2021, it's mostly the small, simple, everyday things that you miss.

Waiting  for  the  world  to  get  back  upon  its  feet,    
Been  so  long  waiting  in  the  wings,  
Getting  hard  to  remember  how  things  really  were,   
How  I  miss  the  ordinary  things,  

Like,  casual  conversations  with  strangers  that  you  meet,   
Hanging  out  with  friends,  and  simply  walking  down  the  street,                  
How  I  miss  the  ordinary  things,  
   
Like,  sitting  at  the  coffee  shop,  watching  people  passing  by,   
Seeing  mothers  pushing  push-chairs  while  their  little  babies  cry,   
How  I  miss  the  ordinary  things,  

Waiting  for  the  world  to  get  back  upon  its  feet,   
It's been  so  long  waiting  in  the  wings,  
Getting  hard  to  remember  how  things  really  were,                  
How  I  miss  the  ordinary  things,  

Like,  taking  a  bus  ride,  three  stops  down  the  road,   
Meeting  friends  for  dinner,  and  hosting  them  at  home,   
How  I  miss  the  ordinary  things,  

Like,  shopping  unconcerned,  without  watching  my  back,   
Making  pointless  journeys  and  other  things  like  that,   
How  I  miss  the  ordinary  things,  

Waiting  for  the  world  to  get  back  upon  its  feet,   
I've spent so  long  waiting  in  the  wings,  
It's getting  hard  to  remember  how  things  really  were,       
How  I  miss  the  ordinary  things,  
How  I  miss  the  ordinary  things,

©2021 Words Of Wonder Music

The Journey Of Life

Ordinary Things

4 Star Commended Entry in the 2021 UK Songwriting Contest

We  sometimes  feel  sad, we  may  feel  blue                                                              
The  troubles  in  life  can  be  many  or  few
A  winding  road  soon  straightens  out,
So  trust  in  God  to  help  you  out                              

His  light,  His  light  shines  through , It  shines  on  me.  it  shines  on  you,
His  light,  His  light  shines  through,  It  shines  on  us, whatever  we  do

We  pray  for  peace, in  a  world  of  strife                                                            
We  hope  for  a  long  and  fulfilling  life
Working  together  makes  good  sense,
So  trust  in  God  to  give  you inner  strength

His  light,  His  light  shines  through , It  shines  on  me.  it  shines  on  you,
His  light,  His  light  shines  through,  It  shines  on  us,  whatever  we  do
                              
The  gift  of  life, is  a  priceless  gem                                                               
Given  by  the  Lord  to  all  women  and  men
We  should  make  the  most  of  our  time  on  Earth,
And  trust  in  God,  to  realise  our  worth

His  light,  His  light  shines  through , It  shines  on  me.  it  shines  on  you,
His  light,  His  light  shines  through,  It  shines  on  us,  whatever  we  do

His  light,  His  light  shines  through , It  shines  on  me.  it  shines  on  you,
His  light,  His  light  shines  through,  It  shines  on  us,  whatever  we  do

His Light Shines Through

His Light Shines Through (Graham Williams)

5 Star Commended Entry in the 2021 UK Songwriting Contest.

Written after an early spring morning breakfast by the local river surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. I had plans to record more instruments but decided the simplicity of just the acoustic guitar & vocals sounded just right and suited the mood of the song.

Going to the riverside, in the early morning,
Find a place to sit down, stretch and do some yawning,
Sitting by the riverside, watching life go by, life go by,

Birds are looking busy, gathering different grasses,
Busy building nests in amongst the hidden branches,
Sitting by the riverside, watching life go by, life go by,

The peaceful waters flow, so slow, downstream,
Laying down I know, I can go into a daydream,

The ducks are tipping forwards, I guess they're going fishing,
I can't see what they're catching, that's something that I'm missing,
Sitting by the riverside, watching life go on, life go on,

There's no one else here, to see the fish a-jumping,
Just the sounds of nature and gentle waters rumbling,
Sitting by the riverside, watching life go on, life go on,

The peaceful waters flow, so slow, downstream,
Laying down I know, I can go into a daydream,

Going to the riverside, in the early morning,
Find a place to sit down, stretch and do some yawning,
Sitting by the riverside, watching life go by, life go by,
Sitting by the riverside, watching life go by, life go by,

The Riverside Song

5 Star Commended Entry in the 2021 UK Songwriting Contest

Waiting for the world to get back upon its feet,
Been so long waiting in the wings,
Getting hard to remember how things really were,
How I miss the ordinary things,

Like, casual conversations with strangers that you meet,
Hanging out with friends, and simply walking down the street,
How I miss the ordinary things,

Like, sitting at the coffee shop, watching people passing by,
Seeing mothers pushing push-chairs while their little babies cry,
How I miss the ordinary things,

Waiting for the world to get back upon its feet,
It's been so long waiting in the wings,
Getting hard to remember how things really were,
How I miss the ordinary things,

Like, taking a bus ride, three stops down the road,
Meeting friends for dinner, and hosting them at home,
How I miss the ordinary things,

Like, shopping unconcerned, without watching my back,
Making pointless journeys and other things like that,
How I miss the ordinary things,

Waiting for the world to get back upon its feet,
I've spent so long waiting in the wings,
It's getting hard to remember how things really were,
How I miss the ordinary things,
How I miss the ordinary things,

©2021 Words Of Wonder Music

Ordinary Things (Acoustic version)

Ordinary Things (Acoustic Version) - (Graham Williams) - ©2021 Words Of Wonder Music

A 4-Star Commended Entry in the 'Crisis & Protest Songs' category of the 2022 UK Songwriting Contest.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all fellow human beings trapped in war zones.
(A bit of a rush job. Written and recorded in an afternoon and posted onto SoundCloud the same day)

This song's message is anti war, I don't want no guns, no more,
People of the world want to live in peace, the simplest way is for war to cease,
Fire one bullet and you've got it wrong, Why don't you listen to the message that's in this song,
People of the world, stand up and unite, all sing together for a peaceful life,

Peace, not war, we want for sure; peace, not war, we want for all,
Peace, not war, you've heard before; peace, not war we need for all

Peace, Not War

Peace, Not War(Graham Williams)©2022 Words Of Wonder Music

4 Star Commended Entry in the 2022 UK Songwriting Contest

I put out acoustic versions of of a couple of my songs last year and found they were well received - one even has more plays than the multitrack version. So that gave me the idea for this song.

Unplugged music, as nature intended,
If it sounds this good there's no need to defend it,
Unplugged music, as nature intended,
It's songs like these that can be recommended,

The song is a song and that's as good as it gets,
There's no need for any electronic effects,
When the singer sings a song in an ordinary voice,
Without auto-tune it's the obvious choice,

Unplugged music, as nature intended,
If it sounds this good there's no need to defend it,
Unplugged music, as nature intended,
It's songs like these that can be recommended,

The guitar drives the tune as the strings vibrate
Blended with the voice it sounds really great,
The amplifier's useless in the corner of the room,
The power of the music's in its simple tune,

Unplugged music, as nature intended,
If it sounds this good there's no need to defend it,
Unplugged music, as nature intended,
It's songs like these that can be recommended,

It's songs like these that can be recommended,
Unplugged music, as nature intended,

Unplugged Music

Unplugged Music (Graham Williams)

4 Star Commended Entry in the 2022 UK Songwriting Contest

The damage we keep doing to planet Earth in the name of progress needs to be addressed right now. Hopefully, for the sake of future generations, we haven't reached the point of no return quite yet. But we must be very close.

Planet Earth is suffering, it's health is getting poor,
Millions of people here, are shouting out for more,
We are generating waste and the globe is warming fast,
Everybody's asking now, how long can this all last,

We've got to act right now, to change the world somehow,
While we've still got the time, to put an end to its decline,

Planet Earth is suffering, it's health is getting worse,
The ordinary people here are crying for their Earth,
Governments of nations seem to turn a deaf ear,
Can't they hear the message of despair and real fear,

We've got to act right now, to change the world somehow,
While we've still got the time, to put an end to its decline,

Planet Earth is suffering and running out of time,
Its wounds, they keep on bleeding, with the fossil fuels we mine,
The younger generation are working hard to make us hear,
There's no time for hesitation when our children's views are clear,

We've got to act right now, to change the world somehow,
While we've still got the time, to put an end to its decline,

Planet Earth is suffering, it's health is getting poor,
Millions of people here, are shouting out for more,
We are generating waste and the globe is warming fast,
Everybody's asking now, how long can this all last,

Planet Earth

Planet Earth (Graham Williams)

A first collaboration between Heliopolis 5 and Graham J Williams. I had the great pleasure of adding vocals to this brilliant track put together by Nick/ Heliopolis 5. Check out more of Nick's excellent work by visiting his page: @user-555484870. 
Words & Music - Heliopolis 5
Vocal - Graham Williams
Backing Track - Heliopolis 5
Produced by Heliopolis 5 and Graham Williams

I'm Not A Fool

4 Star Commended Entry in the 2022 UK Songwriting Contest

He came from above, He came from above, to give us God's love, to give us God's love,  
He came from above,
He walked on the Earth, He walked on the Earth, we celebrate his birth, we celebrate his birth,
He walked on the Earth,
He showed us the way, He showed us the way, spread peace every day, spread peace every day,
He showed us the way,
He died on the cross, He died on the cross, we were saved by his loss, we were saved by his loss, 
He died on the cross,
He was God's only son, He was God's only son, and here for everyone, and here for everyone,
He was God's only son,
He was the son of the father above, we celebrate glorify and love,
He was the son of the father above, we celebrate glorify and love,
We celebrate His life, We celebrate His life, and shine in His light, and shine in His light,
We celebrate His life,
He came from above, He came from above, to give us God's love, to give us God's love,  
He came from above,

He Came From Above

He Came From Above (Graham Williams)

4 Star Commended Entry in the 2022 UK Songwriting Contest

Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes' Night takes place on November 5th each year in Great Britain with bonfires and firework displays. It recalls the Gunpowder Plot of 1605; an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Guy Fawkes was captured before he could light the fuse to 36 barrels of gunpowder. Back in the day, children would make a scarecrow-like effigy of Guy Fawkes to be thrown on the communal bonfire during the 'celebrations'. In the run up to the evening they would ask for "a penny for the guy" to spend on sparklers, sweets or other treats.

We must remember every November, we must remember the fifth of November,
For the gunpowder, treason and plot, the gunpowder, treason and plot,
With Mr Guy Fawkes evil intentions, he certainly got all of our attention,
For the gunpowder, treason and plot, but did it succeed, it did not.

Penny for the guy, build your bonfire high,
Let the old boy fry, with fireworks in the sky,

Look at the fireworks lighting the night sky, building the bonfires, building them so high,
Flames burning golden and hot, for the gunpowder, treason and plot,

Penny for the guy, build your bonfire high,
Let the old boy fry, with fireworks in the sky,

Poor Mr Guy Fawkes, remembered to this day,
With burning bonfires and a firework display,

Penny for the guy, build your bonfire high,
Let the old boy fry, with fireworks in the sky,

We must remember every November, we must remember the fifth of November,
For the gunpowder, treason and plot, the gunpowder, treason and plot,

Penny For The Guy

Penny For The Guy (Graham Williams)

A great Christmas carol written by Michael Perry (1942-1996). Written to the tune of the Calypso Carol, it's a song I enjoy singing at this time of year.

See Him Lying On A Bed Of Straw

See Him Lying On A Bed Of Straw (Michael Perry) © Mrs B Perry/Jubilate Hymns

A 5-Star commended entry in the 'Love Songs' category of the 2023 UK Songwriting Contest.

If You Want To Write A Love Song

"Following In The Footsteps" was a 5 Star Highly Commended Entry in the 'Christian' category of the UK Songwriting Contest 2023.

Following In The Footsteps

Following In The Footsteps (Graham Williams)

I'm sure we all look back as we get older.

Do You Remember?

Do You Remember? (Graham Williams)

A man with a mission, like in the books you have read. (Lyrics below credits)

Words & Music: Graham Williams
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass & Percussion: Graham Williams

Our story begins many years ago,
On a moonlit night with the street lamps aglow
Enter a stranger, a tall man indeed,
He emerged from the station, looking hungry and lean,
Some saw him heading for the central cafe,
And later at the cemetery kneeling down to pray,
He continued his journey as the rain started down,
Not taking shelter like some misguided clown,

And he kept on walking right down the road,
His collar turned up his face never showed,
All of the time he stared straight ahead,
A man with a mission, like in the books you have read,

He stopped only once to wring out his scarf,
Looking this way and that with a furtive glance,
Then in a phone booth he made a two minute call,
To whom, we must ponder the significance of it all,
He continued his journey and glanced at his watch,
The meaning was clear, no time to be lost,
So he quickened his pace looking up for a sign,
He was searching for something that can't be defined,

And he kept on walking right down the road,
His collar turned up his face never showed,
All of the time he stared straight ahead,
A man with a mission, like in the books you have read,

He was approaching the dark house when events took a turn,
The man had to stop, maybe some doubts had returned,
He checked in his pockets to see if it was there,
But before he could be certain a sound shook the air,
It was the dead of the night when he witnessed the crime,
Though he thought he was mistaken and had misread the signs,
He heard several voices from the pool room inside,
But the shot that he heard was obscured by the 9:09,

And he kept on walking right down the road,
His collar turned up his face never showed,
All of the time he stared straight ahead,
A man with a mission, like in the books you have read,

A car headlight cast his shadow on a wall,
Though you couldn't see it then his face told it all,
There where signs he was weary and nearing his goal,
But alas there's no end to this story being told,
Where did he go on that miserable night?
Was he travelling with intent or running in flight?
All that we know is what we read the next day,
A man in his prime found dead on the highway,

He's no longer walking right down the road,
But his collar's turned up his face never shown,
All of the time he still stared but was dead,
A man with a mission, like in the books you have read,

They looked in his pockets but could find no ID,
Just a man with a mission who died mysteriously,
They looked in his pockets but could find no ID,
Just a man with a mission who died mysteriously.

The Man With A Mission

The Man With A Mission (Graham Williams)

5 Star Commended Entry in the 2024 UK Songwriting Contest
Graham Williams - Vocals, guitars & bass; Katie Gill - Piano; Israel Pereira - Cajón.

I found a demo of this song from 2018 - just a run through for The Peace Band really - recorded on my Tascam DR-05. It was just me on acoustic guitar and vocals with help from Peace Band members Katie Gill on piano and Izzy Pereira on Cajón. I loaded up the recording into Cubase and recorded a new double tracked lead vocal over the top. I then added some backing vocals, electric guitar, bass and strings. There's an ocarina track in there as well. Katie's piano has got a bit lost in the mix unfortunately. I was originally going to record this song from scratch until I came across the demo.

If you're looking for a heaven on Earth, you can make it so,
Like planting seeds in a garden with love, flowers bloom and grow,
To make this world into a better place, all you need is just a little faith,
If you're looking for a heaven on Earth, you can make it so,

Heaven on Earth, heaven on Earth, we’re looking for a heaven on Earth.
Heaven on Earth, heaven on Earth, we’re looking for a heaven on Earth.

When you’re looking for a heaven on Earth, things of things you know
Rain falls upon the mountains above, makes the rivers flow,
To give this world the magic stroke, all you need is just a little hope,
When you’re looking for a heaven on Earth, things of things you know

Peace and love, peace and love, peace and love come from heaven above,
Peace and love, peace and love, peace and love come from heaven above,

If you're looking for a heaven on Earth, you can make it so,
Like planting seeds in a garden with love, flowers bloom and grow,
To make this world a better place, all you need is just a little faith,
If you're looking for a heaven on Earth, you can make it so,
If you're looking for a heaven on Earth, you can make it so

Heaven On Earth

Heaven On Earth (Graham Williams)

5 Star Highly Commended Entry in the 2024 UK Songwriting Contest
Vocals, Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Bass guitar - Graham Williams
Strings & Percussion - Cubase
Cover art inspired by Keith Haring

When you say that you love me, what I feeling I get,
When you say that our love is forever, I'm so glad that we met,
It makes me so happy, to have a love we can share,
Life can be so wonderful with something so precious and rare,

When you say that you want me, when you say that you care,
When you say that you can't live without me, and you'll always be there,
It makes me so happy, to have a love we can share,
Life can be so wonderful with something so precious and rare,

I'm like a love struck teenager in love for the very first time,
I hope this feeling lasts for my whole lifetime,

When you say that you love me, what I feeling I get,
When you say that our love is forever, I'm so glad that we met,
It makes me so happy, to have a love we can share,
Life can be so wonderful with something so precious and rare,
It makes me so happy, to have a love we can share,
Life can be so wonderful with something so precious and rare,

When You Say...

5 Star Semi-finalist in the 2024 UK Songwriting Contest

Mysterious Ways

Mysterious Ways (Graham Williams)

5 Star Commended Entry in the 2024 UK Songwriting Contest
Let's try and do more to look after the planet we live on.

High and mighty, Lord on high, You are the master who lives in the sky,
Lord of the forests and mountain ranges, all of the wonders that daily amaze us,

From the mountains to the valleys below, the warming light from the sun as it glows,
The desert sands and a new fall of snow, a world of wonder wherever ... wherever we go,

You are the one Lord, creator of all, we've only got one world you gave to us all,
You are the one Lord, creator of all, we've only got one world to save for us all,

High and mighty, Lord on high, You are the master who lives in the sky,
Lord of the forests and mountain ranges, all of the wonders that daily amaze us,

From the glaciers to the fields of grain, a windy day or a sprinkling of rain,
Lakes with water and streams that flow, a world of wonder wherever ... wherever we go,

You are the one Lord, creator of all, we've only got one world you gave to us all,
You are the one Lord, creator of all, we've only got one world to save for us all,

High and mighty, Lord on high, You are the master who lives in the sky,
Lord of the forests and mountain ranges, all of the wonders that daily amaze us,
Daily amaze us ..... they daily amaze us

World Of Wonder

World Of Wonder (Graham Williams)

4 Star Commended Entry in the 2024 UK Songwriting Contest
When asked to write a children's song for an all-age church service, I recalled the song, 'All Things Bright And Beautiful', which I remember singing many times as a child. This was my attempt to write something similar which hopefully will appeal to listeners of all ages.

All Of The Creatures

All Of The Creatures (Graham Williams)

This is the final track on my upcoming Christian album, 'Spirits Rising'. It has a more rockier edge than some of my more recent tracks.

Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Bass and Vocals - Graham Williams

Heavenly Lord

Heavenly Lord (Graham Williams)

An updated recording of a song that I posted as a demo a few years ago. It pays homage to some of the Rock & Rollers of the past. Songs referenced in the lyrics are:
Twist And Shout (Medley-Russell)
Glad All Over (Bennett-Tepper-Schroeder)
That's All Right (Mama) (Crudup)
Love Me Do (Lennon-McCartney)

Give Me Rock 'N' Roll

Sit down at the end of the day with a mug of glühwein or a mug of hot chocolate and imagine a typical village Christmas scene on the front of a Christmas card. This is a song of that image.

Words and music - Graham Williams
Vocals, all instruments and production - Graham Williams

Christmas Lights On Frosty Nights

Word's and Music - Graham Williams
An acoustic/stripped down version of this song originally released in time for Valentine's Day last year. (https://soundcloud.com/graham_j_williams/when-you-say-graham-williams) A couple of additional percussive elements have been added together with a new, subtle, acoustic bass line.

When You Say... (Acoustic Version)

A song from 'way back when' newly recorded for Valentine's Day.

Words & Music - Graham Williams
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar & Bass - Graham Williams
Percussion & Strings - Cubase

Artwork inspired by Keith Haring.

Another Love Song

Fasten your seat belts and head into space with this guitar driven track. Another collaboration between Graham J Williams and Heliopolis 5.
Words & Music: Graham Williams   -   Produced by Graham Williams & Heliopolis 5
Lead & Backing vocals: Graham Williams
Lead Guitars & Rhythm Guitars: Graham Williams
Brass, Bass, Drums & Keyboards: Heliopolis 5

Check out more of Heliopolis 5's excellent work by visiting his page: @user-555484870.

Sooner or Later

I thought I'd have a go at remixing this track and hearing how it would sound in instrumental form.
Music: Graham Williams - Produced by Graham Williams & Heliopolis 5
Lead Guitars & Rhythm Guitars: Graham Williams
Brass, Bass, Drums & Keyboards: Heliopolis 5
Photography and artwork: Graham Williams

Check out more of Heliopolis 5's excellent work by visiting his page: @user-555484870.

Sooner Or Later (Instrumental Version)

Sooner or Later (Instrumental Version)

I received a pair of 'Happy Socks' as a birthday present. This inspired me to write this fun song.

Words & Music: Graham Williams
Vocals, guitars & bass: Graham Williams
Drums: Cubase

'Happy Socks' is a registered trademark.

Happy Socks

Recently remastered to brighten it up for the spring!

Seasonal Songs EP

Spring Is Springing In

5 Star Commended Entry in the 2021 UK Songwriting Contest.
Written in the 1st lockdown of COVID-19.  It's been a long tunnel but there's light at the end of it.  

             "It's such a powerful song of hope." - Leo Cripps CKUA radio Alberta

This is an optimistic song about hope. It urges us to keep going until we see light at the end of the tunnel. Good strong staccato rhythm and striking chords on guitar particularly in the chorus where good use is made of voice percussion. Excellent! (Reviews Unlimited)

There's light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can't see it yet,
It's not so far away and it's getting closer every day,
Yes, there's light at the end of the tunnel,

So stay strong, along the way,
We're getting closer, to a brighter day,

Yes there's light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can't see it yet,
It's not so far away and it's getting closer every day,
Yes, there's light at the end of the tunnel,

Keep looking forward, don't look back,
Up ahead the clouds, they don't look so black,

Yes there's light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can't see it yet,
It's not so far away and it's getting closer every day,
Yes, there's light at the end of the tunnel,

Don't look down in defeat,
A brighter future, is there for us to meet,

Yes there's light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can't see it yet,
It's not so far away and it's getting closer every day,
Yes, there's light at the end of the tunnel,

So say strong, and look ahead,
Very soon, we can start to forget,

There's light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can't see it yet,
It's not so far away and it's getting closer every day,
Yes, there's light at the end of the tunnel,
There's light at the end of the tunnel,
Light at the end of the tunnel.

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

First of all thanks for dropping in on my page.
I sing, write songs and play rhythm guitar. I'm trying to learn a bit of bass. People tell me I've got a reasonable voice and I have a liking for melody. As I make my way with multi-track home recording, I'm hoping the the end result will be greater than the sum of the parts!
So again, thanks for dropping by. Hopefully you will take a listen to some of my songs and if you like what you hear, it would be great if you could leave a comment.

Graham J Williams

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