Alive Jewish Music

The Real Truth

When I was in my twenties, I looked for someone to live with.
Now, as a widower in my sixties, I'm looking for someone to die with.
Fortunate to have the beautiful and authentic voice of Jessica Guinness to sing this with me. Thank you, Jes!

Let Me Die In Your Arms

This is the second prayer in the Amida, perhaps the most ancient of non-Biblical Jewish liturgy. It refers to resurrection, for if God is all that was, is, and will be, then God must transcend life and death. A translation:

"Sustainer of the living with loving kindness, gives life to the dead with compassion, supports the falling, heals the sick, frees the bound, and fulfills ultimate faithfulness to those in their nameless final sleep. Who is like You, master of greatness! And who can be compared to You, Sovereign of the dead and the living, and source of salvation.'

Refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amidah to learn more about it.

Mechalkel Hayim

This is a calypso take on one of the great psalms, #136, also called the great Hallel. It is sung in the morning of each sabbath, festival, and holy day (e.g. Yom Kippur). It subject covers the whole godly experience, from the creation to Redemption. 

Hodu - Psalm 136

Thank God for Close Calls
                                                                                             -Samuel Asher, 2015
Denise PurpleDays Reese - Lead Guitar
Sam Asher - Vocal, Rhythm

Sometimes I don’t try, sometimes I move too fast
I like to take it to the edge and … make it last 
In times of trouble, I pray it will pass
And: Thank God for close calls.

I heard sirens near the scene of the crime
A near miss, I got out in the nick of time
Caught a lucky break and was happy to survive
Dodged a bullet, and made it out alive

It was a near-death experience, but you slipped through a crack
You’re thinking, “Anyone can do it,” but, baby, you’ve got the nack.
You cheated death, and now you’ve come back
Thank God for close calls

Many circumstances fall on your lap, and
It’s your job to separate wheat from the chaff, and, yet
We are products of accidents that never happened
Thank God for close calls.

No time for atonement, when you’re dancing on the wall!
Live in the moment. And: Thank God for close calls.

I first glimpsed paradise in my girlfriend's bed
She was happy to take it anywhere it led
But her old man surprised us and I ran away instead 
Thank God for close calls

The road was slick with ice and I hit a patch
I saw my whole life pass before me in a flash
An inch from heaven, but I didn’t get a scratch
Thank God for close calls.

No time for atonement, when you’re dancing on the wall!
Live in the moment. And: Thank God for close calls.

Of all my memories, the ones I cherish most
are ones that didn’t break me ... but they sure came close
You haven't lived until you've seen your own ghost.
Thank God for close calls

Close Calls

A rabbi was reading an anti-Semitic newspaper.
His student was horrified. "Rebbe, why are you reading the articles of people that hate us?"
The rabbi answered, "When I read the Jewish papers, they talk about all the Jews leaving the faith, and how everyone attacks us and hates us. When I read the anti-Semite paper, they say we are the most powerful people in the world. They say we control all the governments, banks, and media. It makes me feel better!"

This is a satirical look at anti-Semitism. Some of the things that pass are so ridiculous that they are actually funny.

Blame it on the Jews

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All the music on this account is original, either words and music, or just music. If my songs speak to you, either making you laugh or cry or just think, then I've done my job.
You may not have come to this site to learn about my philosophy, but my songs will tell you that, with or without explanation. They contain many personal experiences, mine and those of others, from the craziest carefree fun, to beautiful love that has prevailed over much pain, to profound grief that has no comparison. It's all here. 

I also have here some of my Jewish music, mostly in the form of prayers which I have put to new settings. Many of these pieces are ones that we sing at Shabbat, Festival, or High Holiday services at my worship group, Ohel Avraham. The Hebrew songs come from traditional liturgy or the Bible.

Feel free to copy, repost, share with friends and family and sing them yourself. If you need lyrics or chords, just ask. To me, that is the highest compliment.