The narrative lead in to "What I know" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/what-i-know) from the "Something for you" modern folk Christmas musical project that features the minor characters with major insights into a story many of us thought we knew inside and out. "What I know" is Elizabeth's song to her cousin, Mary, when they meet both pregnant with children who will change the world, by a kind of miracle.

Text:

Soon after, Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant, as the Angel Gabriel had said she would. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “He has shown me his favor, and taken away my disgrace.” As was their custom, Elizabeth went into seclusion for five months - during which Mary, as we have heard, also became pregnant. When she did, Mary hurried into the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth and Zechariah. When Mary entered their home, Zechariah was still unable to speak. So Mary called out her own greeting and, hearing it, Elizabeth felt something unlike anything she had ever felt before.

What I know (dialogue track)

The narrative lead-in to "My Guys" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/my-guys) - King Herod's song to the three wise men in "Something for you" - the modern folk Christmas musical with book and score by Stefan Lanfer, featuring the minor characters with major insights into a story many of us thought we knew inside and out.

Text:

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, three Magi - sometimes called wise men, sometimes kings - showed up in Jerusalem and got themselves an audience with the King - Herod.

“Where is he,” they asked Herod, “the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star and have come to worship him.”

When the King heard this he was disturbed. And when King Herod was disturbed, all Jerusalem was disturbed - he was that kind of king.

And so he called together all the local big shots - the chief priests and teachers of the law, and he asked them where this king was supposed to be born. “In Bethlehem,” they said, “that’s what the prophets said.”

Then Herod summoned the Magi back and told them that Bethlehem was the place, and he urged them, “to search carefully for the child. And as soon as you find him,” he added, “come straight back to me with your report, so that I too may go and worship him.”

Backstory on My Guys: https://stefanlanfer.substack.com/p/the-story-of-king-herods-song 

My guys (dialogue track)

The narrative lead in to "A reason to sing" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/a-reason-to-sing) - the song of the innkeeper's wife from "Something for you", the modern acoustic folk musical retelling of the first Christmas through the eyes of the minor, and more often overlooked characters with major insights into a story we thought we knew inside and out.

Narration:

In those days, Caesar got curious to know just how big a deal he really was and he issued an order that everyone in the Roman world should go to their hometown for a census. 
So, Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, which is called the City of David. 

By this point, Mary was, as they say, “Great with child,” which, given the distance, the terrain, and the detour they almost certainly took around Samaria, meant their journey took a lot longer than the four days it takes the unencumbered, travelling as the crow flies. 

So, they were not in the first, second, or even third wave of arrivals. 

And though Bethlehem was where Joseph was from,  no one from his family or extended family lived there any more -  

Leaving them to search for an inn with room to spare and running out of options…

A reason to sing (dialogue track)

The lead-in to "By another way" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/by-another-way?in=stefanlanfer/sets/something-for-you), the three wise men's song in "Something for you" - the modern folk Christmas musical featuring the minor characters with major insights into a story many of us thought we knew inside and out.

Text: 

Good news. And a place for you - if you want it - in the story. 

The shepherds didn’t waste any time. 

“Let’s go,” they said, and off they went to Bethlehem to see this thing the angels had chosen them to be the first see with their own eyes - Mary and Joseph and the baby, lying in the manger. 
Likewise, after meeting with King Herod, the Magi set off on their way, and the star they had seen before rose and went ahead of them again until it stopped over the place where the child was. 
Seeing the baby Jesus with his parents, the wise men were beside themselves. They bowed down and worshiped him, opening their treasures and giving gifts of gold and the precious oils - frankincense and myrrh. 

They would have returned to Herod then, as they had promised, to tell him all they had seen. 

Except that those three - all three as one - once again dreamed the very same dream.


By another way (dialogue track)

The lead in to "Good news" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/good-news) - the shepherds' song from "Something for you" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/sets/something-for-you), the modern folk musical retelling of the first Christmas story from the perspective of the minor characters with major insights into a tale many of us thought we knew inside and out.

Text:

While Joseph and Mary were there in the care of those innkeepers, who had found them an overflow space - not exactly fit for a king - the time came for the baby to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him up and laid him in a manger - the kind you find in a stable or barn, the wooden box that holds the hay or other food for the animals.

Meanwhile, nearby, out in the fields, a group of shepherds were the first to hear - tipped off by what they described to me as an angel of the Lord.

Good news (dialogue track)

"Good news" is the shepherds' song, the moment they hear from a host of angels announcing the birth of Jesus; from "Something for you" - a modern folk musical retelling of the first Christmas through the eyes of the minor characters with major insights into a story I thought I knew inside and out, and maybe you did too...

LYRICS 

VERSE
We were out in the fields,  keeping watch of our flocks by night
When an angel of the Lord appeared, all around us got blazing bright.

VERSE
Good Lord, were we are afraid. I bet you - you would be too
But “do not fear,” the angel said, “I bring good news to you.”

CHORUS
Peace on earth, good news, all the favor, great joy,
Born to you this day, the one and only baby boy.
God in heaven, the highest heaven, good news, all the glory.
And a place for you - if you want it - in the story.

VERSE
Then the one became many, a host of voices began to sing,
Praising God. We all knew we had to go to see this thing.

CHORUS
Peace on earth, good news, all the favor, great joy,
Born to you this day the one and only baby boy.
God in heaven, the highest heaven, good news, all the glory.
And a place for you - if you want it - in the story.

BRIDGE
“This will be a sign,” he said. “You’ll find the child in a manger bed,
“Underneath a star, very near to where we are.”

CHORUS
Peace on earth, good news, all the favor, great joy,
Born to you this day the one and only baby boy.
God in heaven, the highest heaven, good news, all the glory.
And a place for you - if you want it - in the story. Good news.


Good news (the shepherds)

The lead in to "Endure the night" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/endure-the-night) - the angel's warning to flee the wrath of a vengeful king. "Joy will come one morning light," he sings, "but weeping will endure the night."

From "Something for you" - the modern folk musical project that revisits the accounts of the first Christmas through the eyes of the minor characters with major insights into a story we thought we knew inside and out.

Narrator: 

After the shepherds and wise men were gone, when the first family were alone again, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. King Herod had learned the Magi were not returning as they had promised and he was incensed. He gave orders to kill every baby boy up to two years old in Bethlehem and its vicinity. 

“Get up,” said the angel to Joseph, “take the child and and go. Escape to Egypt. And stay there until I tell you. For Herod is already searching for the child to kill him.”

So Joseph got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and they left for Egypt, where they stayed for years and years, until the Angel returned with news that Herod had died. The cloud of his vengeance had passed and the weeping of parents who would not be comforted - had long since subsided.

And that is why the baby king, who is called the Son of God, would spend his first years as a refugee and an immigrant.

Endure the night (dialogue track)

"Get up, take the child and go. It's not safe, and you don't want to know..."

The angel's warning that a vengeful king has it in for them, which is why the first family spent their first years together on the run, far from home, as refugees and immigrants.

LYRICS (and chords):

VERSE 

Get up, take the child and go. It’s not safe. And you don’t wanna know
What’s in store for you. Just go. There’s no way out but through.
this king you can’t appease, once he counts you enemies.
Hear me when I say to you, just go - it’s what you have to do.

CHORUS

And on the winds, such cries you’ll hear, as good news drowns in all the fear. 
Joy will come one morning light, but weeping will endure the night.
Everything will come round right, but weeping will endure the night.

VERSE

You can’t go home, you can’t stay here. Just go - while the coast is clear. 
There’s no other way to live and see another day.
This king he won’t let go. When it’s safe, I’ll let you know.
Until then, fly as far as you can. And don’t lose faith, there’s still a plan.

CHORUS

And on the winds, such cries you’ll hear, as good news drowns in all the fear. 
Joy will come one morning light, but weeping will endure the night.
Everything will come round right, but weeping will endure the night.

INSTRUMENTAL 

CODA

Get up, take the child and go. It’s not safe, and you don’t want to know
What’s in store for you. Just go. There’s no way out but through.

***

ENDURE THE NIGHT Chords					Key - Fm

INTRO:	Fm     F4/Eb     Fm/Db     F2/Eb     Fm (x2)

VERSE 
Fm		     Fm/Ab         F4/Bb		F2/C		       Fm
Get up, take the child and go. It’s not safe. And you don’t wanna know
Fm		     Fm/Ab         F4/Bb		F2/C		       Fm
What’s in store for you. Just go. There’s no way out but through.
Fm		  F4/Eb	     Fm/Db                     F2/C
This king, you can’t appease, once he counts you enemies.
Fm		  F4/Eb	     Fm/Db                     F2/C
Hear me when I say to you, just go - it’s what you have to do.

CHORUS
       Fm     		     F4/Eb                    Fm/Db                        F2/Eb          (x2)
And on the winds, such cries you’ll hear, as good news drowns in all the fear. 
       Fm     		     F4/Eb                    Fm/Db                        F2/Eb          (x2)
Joy will come one morning light, but weeping will endure the night.
       Fm     		     F4/Eb                    Fm/Db                        F2/Eb          (x2)
Everything will come round right, but weeping will endure the night.

VERSE
Fm		     Fm/Ab         F4/Bb		F2/C		       Fm
You can’t go home, you can’t stay here. Just go - while the coast is clear. 
Fm		     Fm/Ab         F4/Bb		F2/C		       Fm
There’s no other way to live and see another day.
Fm		  F4/Eb	     Fm/Db                     F2/C
This king, he won’t let go. When it’s safe, I’ll let you know.
Fm		  F4/Eb	     Fm/Db                     F2/C
Until then, fly as far as you can. And don’t lose faith, there’s still a plan.

CHORUS
       Fm     		     F4/Eb                    Fm/Db                        F2/Eb          (x2)
And on the winds, such cries you’ll hear, as good news drowns in all the fear. 
       Fm     		     F4/Eb                    Fm/Db                        F2/Eb          (x2)
Joy will come one morning light, but weeping will endure the night.
       Fm     		     F4/Eb                    Fm/Db                        F2/Eb          (x2)
Everything will come round right, but weeping will endure the night.

INSTRUMENTAL: Fm     F4/Eb     Fm/Db     F2/Eb     Fm

CODA
Fm     		    F4/Eb     	    Fm/Db                F2/Eb                     Fm
Get up, take the child and go. It’s not safe, and you don’t want to know
Fm     		    F4/Eb     	    Fm/Db                F2/Eb                     Fm
What’s in store for you. Just go. There’s no way out but through.

Endure the night (Gabriel)

The lead in to (coming soon!) "My whole world" - Mary's song to her newborn baby boy, from "Something for you", the modern indie acoustic folk singer-songwriter Christmas musical focused on the minor characters and minor moments brimming with insights into a story many thought we knew inside and out...

LUKE:

When the shepherds and wise men set off on their way, one night, still in the haze of those early days, Joseph was asleep, uninterrupted by heavenly messengers. 

And so was the baby Jesus, perfectly at peace in his mother’s arms.

Gazing there at her miracle child, Mary was full of the wonder known to new mothers since the dawn of time. 

And, though she knew the only thing she was supposed to do was be present, and to treasure each and every moment, she couldn’t keep her mind from racing into possible futures - all her hopes and dreams for this boy, and her own life transformed as his mother. 

Futures that were only possible. Nothing promised. And yet, her heart filled, nearly to bursting, with longing - 

for it all.

My whole world (dialogue track)

The lead in to "Just a father" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/just-a-father) - Joseph's final song, as the first family finally returns - together this time after a frantic search - from the Passover festival in Jerusalem. From "Something for you", the modern indie acoustic folk singer-songwriter Christmas musical focused on the minor characters and minor moments brimming with insights into a story many thought we knew inside and out...

LUKE:

Years later, when King Herod died, the angel appeared again to Joseph in a dream and told him, “Get up, take the child and go. It is safe to return, for those who were after the boy are no more.” 

So they did. And their lives settled in to familiar rhythms, including a trip every year to Jerusalem, for Passover. 

From Nazareth, that’s 85, 90 miles, four days to a week walking. 

The year that Jesus was 12 - on the cusp of Jewish manhood, but still very much their boy - when Passover was over, Mary and Joseph started on the journey home, not realizing Jesus was not with them - not until traveling on for a day.

They hurried back and looked everywhere. They found him, at last, after three days. He was in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions.

Everyone who heard him was amazed. 

But his parents were in their feelings. 

“Son,” Mary said, “Didn’t you know we would be worried sick? We have been searching for you for days.”

“Why?” the boy asked, “Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s house?”

Obviously, they didn’t know, or understand it all. 

But Mary’s distress soon subsided, More than anything, she was relieved to be reunited. Joseph, on the other hand, couldn’t shake it off so easily. 

As they retread those many miles, he was stuck on repeat - with worry and blame, and with the same doubts that had consumed him from the beginning.

Just a father (Dialogue track)

Stefan Lanfer writes indie folk singer-songwriter songs with the soul of a storyteller and the heart of a seeker. With a vibe somewhere between Ben Folds and Cat Stevens, his music blends lyrical introspection, spiritual resonance, and quiet power. This song library is for fans who want to feel something and collaborators looking for material ripe with possibilities and ready for their magic. 

SoundCloud is Stefan's songwriting sandbox, with work tapes and rehearsal tapes, multiple versions, works in progress, different drafts tracing the evolutions, and ideas from listeners always welcome to help these songs figure out and become what they want to be before they launch into the wider streaming world. 

Thanks for stopping by. Come back anytime. Bring a friend. 

Backstories collected on The StefStack: https://stefanlanfer.substack.com/ - "a SubStack stuff sack of Stefan stuff"

New tracks tagged #something for you