Time Runs Through It

Track 11

on "Time Runs Through It" - The prophet Hosea in the Hebrew Scriptures is told to marry a harlot who runs out on him and the kids on a regular basis. Hosea struggles with his love for her.  The story is a metaphor for the way God felt towards people God loved. Will there be a divorce?

Track 12

on "Time Runs through It" - Rembrandt painted himself as the rebellious son (the prodigal) prematurely took his inheritance to live on the wild side.  Eventually, he has nothing and returns home in shame expecting strong rebuke.  Instead the father has a banquet to celebrate that "my son who was lost is now found." This is a story of God's love and forgiveness.

Track 13

on "Time Runs through It" - in honor of strong women who stand up

Track 14

on "Time Runs through It"

"...rock me to sleep, for my eyes weep with gladness...for I have discovered that death is but life under cover...and no matter the scars I hear the chatter of stars singing light into the sadness"

Track 15

on "Time Runs through It" - It is my hope that this song will travel through time in our family.  My son, Toby takes the lead vocal.
Thanks to these musicians who made the album happen: Cheryl Haley - piano; Toby Leaman - bass and other instruments; Mark Linkins - bass, mandolin, banjo; Bob Castaldi - drums; Brian Combs - guitar
Thanks to Toby and Mark for assisting with arrangements.

Track 16

I wrote this song in response to a movie one of my former Lincoln University students wrote and directed entitled "All I Am Worth."  He was able to weave many issues regarding sexual abuse into his story.  This evening, February 19, 2019 as I watched the WHYY evening news coverage of the Pope's decision to discipline members of the Catholic Church who have been charged with sexual abuse, I thought this might be a timely song.  It is a simple Garage Band arrangement, but it speaks from the soul and hopefully communicates empathy, understanding, and hope.

All I'm Worth

All I'M Worth

A jazzy assimilation of nursery rhymes I put together just for the fun of it.  One of my grandchildren's favorites.  All the instruments are Garage Band except for the two guitar tracks, which were played by my friend Brian Combs.

Nursery Nostalgia 3

Nursery Rhyme Nostalgia 2

A "spiritual" written within the enslaved community.  The writer is reflecting upon a Biblical account of town in East Jordan called Gilead where a special balm for healing could be found. In the Biblical text of Jeremiah 46:11 the prophet asks the question of God "Is there no balm in Gilead?" The people of Israel at that time were being held in captivity by the Babylonians, so the prophet speaks their lament.  The enslaved people's in the United States knew this text and in the midst of their suffering and laments held on to the hope that "yes" there is a balm in Gilead. I was asked to sing this song for our church at our Maundy Thursday Service (virtual)as an expression of hope for God's presence for a world suffering from the Corona Virus 19. My wife, Joan, played the guitar and piano. I sang all the vocals. There are many beautiful choral arrangements of this song.

Balm in Gilead

One of my former students, Makiah Brown and I sang this in 2007.  She just did a feature for the NYPD called the Opera Singing Cop. The lyrics were co-written by David Foster (and composer), Carole Bayer Sager, Alberto Testa, and Tony Renis.

mel leaman