song

Like Father Like Son

| Chris

On May 26th, it will have been my dad’s 84th birthday.

Time. Wow! Time can be so merciless. I can still vividly remember him taking me to the barber. And I hated it every time! Perhaps, I’ve always wanted my hair long.

I realize how undeserving of God’s kindness I am. He’s been so good to me all my life. And I am complete today because of him.

Yet, if there was one regret I have in life, it would be that I failed to forge a meaningful relationship with my earthly father. A dreadful iniquity on my part. And the aftermath will no doubt continue to weigh on me for as long as I live.

This song I wrote is not so much a tribute as it is a confession. A longing. A moment in sackcloth and ashes, if you will. It was a difficult one to write, for sure.

I wish I could tell my dad, for both the first and last time, that I love him. Because I truly did! But it’s a bit too late now, isn’t it? I was given countless chances and I blew them all.

Indeed, time’s up.

Someday

| Chris

Heaven.

It seems distant, yet it’s near. It feels far away, yet it’s here.

It’s a promise. It’s my hope.

And hope does not disappoint.

It will come.

Windows Section Panaorama

Someday.


Change these colors of blue and grey
I can’t stand it anymore
The sun keeps rising on the wrong side of town
Don’t you walk out that door
I can’t breath, I can’t see
I call out your name
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home someday

Have you been there, my friend
Searching high and low
Imagine closely a painless world
How can you say no

Don’t you run, don’t you hide
Don’t turn your back away
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
Oh please come home someday

Let me take you to a land
With no castles in the sand
While there is still time
Won’t we do it today
Let me carry you away
From the scene of the crime

Take this rainbow away from the dark
Clear these clouds away
Let me smell your roses again
Send forth the light of day
I can’t breath, I can’t see
I call out your name
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home someday

©2000 Chris Alma Jose

Songs about Heaven, part 5 (Someday)

| Chris

agua!There comes a time when all there is left to feel is sorrow.

Have you been there, my friend?

I mean, the kind that never ceases. Or so it seems. I know it may sound cliche but it’s true. It happens. And if it hasn’t yet, it’s just a matter of time, I’m afraid.

It’s quite ironic too, sometimes, that the discomfort can, in fact, make you feel numb. And lost, too. You forget who you are. The real you. And worse, the people you know and care about, you forget who they are, as well. Yet, there seems to be no way out. You have wandered away from where you belong and your eyes have failed to show you the way back.

Though, a glimmer of hope never fails to reveal itself, in due time. Yes… always in due time. Ready to offer some comfort like an oasis in the desert, it leaves a reminder that all will be well, one day. You may not know when this will be, but the gift of hope carries you through your journey in the hot desert sands of life. The cruel sun may pound on your restless soul like hammer on a nail, but you keep walking as you stare into the horizon. Every step, taking the pain. Accepting the pain. You keep pushing through. With your dream, in tow. A dream that someday… someday, you’ll be home.

Someday

Change these colors of blue and grey
I can’t stand it anymore
The sun keeps rising on the wrong side of town
Ooh, don’t you walk out that door
I can’t breath, I can’t, I can’t see
I call out your name
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home someday

Have you been there ooh my friend
Searching high and low
Imagine closely a painless world
How can you say no

Don’t you run, don’t you, don’t you hide
Don’t turn your back away
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
Oh please come home someday

Let me take you to a land
With no castles in the sand
While there is still time
Oh won’t we do it today
Let me carry you away
From the scene of the crime

Take this rainbow away from the dark
Clear these clouds away
Let me smell your roses again
Send forth the light of day, yeah
Cuz I can’t breath, I can’t… I can’t see
And I call out your name, yeah
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home
I will be home
Yes, I will be home
I will be home someday

©2000 Chris Alma Jose

There’s more than one way to skin a blog

| Chris

… but it sure is tough to find the right way. Especially, when you have limited choices.

Well, that last skin didn’t work too well, did it? Thanks to my friend, Lissa, who pointed out that a dark template does not suit me. I am actaully flattered with that statement, as I usually see myself drawn to the daaahhk side (artistically speaking, that is) even when my personality does not reflect it, at all. What a paradox I am, sometimes! Sigh!

Okay, so let’s do this again. Since I’ve been trying (and trying is the keyword here) to live somewhat green for about a year now, I think it’s time to reflect some of that on my page. And it’s kinda fun that I get to switch headers too. Something I haven’t had a chance to do before. This one I have right now is a photo I took a couple of years ago at the Denver Zoo. I have so may photos that I took but hardly any fits on here. I should go out and shoot some more, eh?

And what now? Oh, that’s right! The title A Dark in the Light is now replaced by the more affirmative sounding A Brighter Touch of Haze. I just thought it’s time to move on from gloomy to hopeful. I am in no way completely detached from the ghost of the past but I am getting there, slowly but surely. I hope my friends get to know the real me from this point forward.

Actually, A Brighter Touch of Haze is an old song of mine. A song of hope with somewhat abstract lyrics. Here it is…

The server’s down temporarily, I think. If the song doesn’t play, try again in a few.

Meanwhile, on to writing a new song…

(Don’t) Wait For Me

| Chris

This week’s SES prompt was a bit easier than the last one. Heck, I even got done writing and producing the song in under seven hours. That’s a first for me. Moreover, I like this one a little better than the first song, Standing in the Rain. I think I’m getting better at this. Well, I hope so.

Here’s my offering. By the way, I had to go the opposite direction as the phrase “Wait For Me” reminds me too much of the old Hall & Oates song. Love the tune but didn’t want mine to sound like it. Anyhow, without further ado…

Don’t Wait For Me

Don’t wait for me
Ain’t coming back to you now
Don’t wait to see
Where this may lead us somehow
I don’t believe it’s wrong
I’ve just been waiting so long
I hang my head low
As I try to find myself again, so

Don’t wait for me
I’ve given all I’ve got
It’s just not in me
To try to be the man I’m not
Can’t we be fair
Seems like we’re going nowhere
Go ahead and keep the door shut
And keep the good ol’ memories, but

Don’t wait for me
Please let me be on my own
Oh can’t you see
Right now I just need to be alone
Nothing else to say
Well then, I’ll be on my way
Nothing else to do
But just one last thing to remind you

Don’t wait for me…

© 2008 Chris Alma Jose

Songs about Heaven, part 4 (Over Yonder)

| Chris

I’ve been away for a couple of weeks on travel. It was nice to just be out of the office for awhile and not to be at my desk. It was good to drive away somewhere and be far from everything. Even if it was all about work still.

But what’s more interesting is that I was able to finally see the gorgeous mountains of north Wyoming and south Montana; and experience the beauty of this part of the Rockies, for the first time.

My mouth was open; simply stunned and made speechless by what I have seen. Mind blowing terrains, towering boulders, tunnel passes under the mountain, long and winding roads, buffaloes, hot springs. Even ghost towns that looked like scenes from a spaghetti western. You name it, I saw it. The big bummer is that I forgot to bring a camera. I didn’t think I’d be passing through scenic routes after scenic routes.

So just trust me when I say I’ve seen a corner of heaven. Where the angels wore boots. I really have! It may be a bit of a drive but from where I live, it’s just ’round the bend! Over yonder… if you will.

Oh, by the way, it’s good to be home. Or should I say, it’s good to find it.

Yonder

I’m incomplete until we meet
When it’s over
Seems so far away from yesterday
Now it’s closer

Light shining at the end of the tunnel, I believe
To help me find my way, way back home today

There’s a house over yonder
Never lost, never wander again
Knock on the door, step inside, walk on the floor
Here in the house over yonder

You don’t have to know, just let it go
Free your mind, heart and soul
Go fly away, yet learn to stay
When you hear the voices say

Light shining at the end of the tunnel, do you believe
To help you find your way, your way back home today

There’s a house over yonder
Never lost, never wander again
Knock on the door, step inside, walk on the floor
Here in the house over yonder

How many times we miss our chances
And when we close our eyes
How much more before we die

There’s a house over yonder
Never lost, never wander again
Knock on the door, step inside, walk on the floor
Here in the house over yonder

©2004 Chris Alma Jose

And here’s the video…

Halle Lou Yeah!

| Chris

Okay! We’ve all misheard song lyrics on the radio many times, but when it happens in a church worship setting… beware! You might just find yourself hastily losing your religion!

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they sing. (thunder cracks)

Songs about Heaven, part 3 (Forever Young)

| Chris

Don\'t look back, cowboy!It’s been awhile, but I’m back with the third installment of my Songs about Heaven series. For those of you who haven’t been following, I’m simply highlighting some songs I have written and recorded in the past which have been influenced by my own creative thoughts of what heaven might be like. Because the future is always bright, no matter how we choose to see it.

This song is about childhood. A time when everything was fresh and new. Untainted with doubt and fear. Untouched by an impure world. And yes, free from back aches as well.

Now that I’m older and a bit guarded, I sometimes long for the days when I could be brave and strong again. When I could put my heart on a platter and serve it without fear of rejection. When I could proudly wear a mohawk and ride into the sunset on my dark wooden horse. Instead of going to work and worrying about paying bills.

This is how I see heaven. It’s a place for children. Pure and unblemished. It’s where wings are grown and freedom is felt. It’s when you’re truly at home, I think.

I can’t wait for those days to be back. And when they are, it will be heaven, indeed.

In the meantime, here’s a song of hope…

Days of My Youth

hear me out for a moment, i won’t take so long to tell you
do you vaguely remember the whispers i made some time ago
in my darkest hours, energy i can’t replace no more
i try to pull back the hands of time to the days my youth, yeah

when you turn out the lights i start to see the road i’m taking
when i look into your eyes i see i am free
in my proudest moments all my trophies are crashing
trashing to the floor
no i can’t wait to travel back

to the days of my youth i promise to you
in the days of my youth i’ll never stray away
in the days of my youth i’ll find the proof
i’ll find it in you, yeah

i’ll find my way back to you and i’m now coming through
call on me and i’ll call back to you, yeah
like a bird on its wings when you tell him it sings
i will fly and will be satisfied in the days of my youth
yeah, in the days of my youth

yeah, in the days of my youth i promise to you
in the days of my youth i’ll never stray away
in the days of my youth i’ll find the proof
i’ll find it in you, oh yeah

in the days of my youth i’ll never be sad again
in the days of my youth i’ll never cry again, no
in the days of my youth i’ll find the proof
i’ll find it in you, yes i’ll find it in you
in the days of my youth

©2002 Chris Alma Jose