Words adapted by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Based on a poem by Mary I. Mesechre
Music by Mindy Jostyn

Arise, arise and shine
It's the dawn of a beautiful day
Light upon light, the dazzling sun
Chases the dreamworld away

Sing praise, oh precious child
For all the Lord has made
For the winds and the tides
The mountains and skies
For the wonder of sunlight and shade

Arise, arise and shine
The gloom of the night time is gone
Another new morning awakes in your heart
And the whole world is dancing along

(For the clients of the Village Center for
Care AIDS Day Treatment Center on
West 20th Street, New York City)

Words by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Music by Mindy Jostyn

In His eyes, you're a fire that never goes out
A light on the top of a hill
In His eyes you're a poet, a painter, a prophet
With a mission of love to fulfill
Outside there's a world so enchantingly strange
A maze of illusion and lies
But there's never a story that ever could change
The glory of you in His eyes

In His eyes you're a radiant vision of beauty
A gemstone cut one of a kind
You're fine as a diamond, deep as a ruby
Rare as a jade in His mind
No need to believe all you may have been told
No need to live in disguise
You're brighter than silver, purer than gold
A pearl beyond price in His eyes

You're an innocent child in the sight of His face
No cause for blame or fear or disgrace
He sees only goodness, His vision is true
And nothing can change the perfection of you in His eyes

In His eyes, you're a fire that never goes out
A light on the top of a hill
You're a rose in the forest, a prelude from Bach
A triumph of heavenly skill
Outside there's a world that keeps breaking your heart
And tearing your dreams down to size
But guiding you homeward, piercing the dark
Is the lovelight that shines in His eyes

Now and forever, that light never dies
You're dearly beloved in His eyes

(For Chris and Heather)

Words by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Music by Mindy Jostyn

Listen to the morning lark
Whistling in the deepest dark
Only a song, but it's straight from the heart
Daylight arrives.  Sun must've heard
So much power for one little bird
Only a song, but it breaks through the dark

I've seen some long nights linger on
I wonder, can I last till dawn
Only a song, but it's straight from the heart
I raise my voice to praise the One
Next thing you know,  here comes the sun
Only a song, but it breaks through the dark

Song of courage, song of grace
Song of freedom, song of faith
From the mountains to the sea
All God's children, you and me

David has his psalms to sing
He plays the harp and the tambourine
Only a song, but it's straight from the heart
He soothes the fears of a troubled king
He stops Goliath with one little sling
Only a song, but it breaks through the dark

In Bethlehem, one winter morn
A star shines forth, a baby's born
Only a song, but it's straight from the heart
Two thousand years gone by since then
We're all still tryin' to sing like him
Only a song, but it breaks through the dark

Song of triumph, song of cheer
Song of love, song of prayer
Risin' higher, ever higher
Many voices, one great choir

Listen to the morning lark
Whistling in the deepest dark
Only a song, but it's straight from the heart
Daylight arrives.  Sun must've heard
So much power for one little bird
Only a song, but it breaks through the dark

Words and music by David Olney
© 1994 Bug Music, BMI/David Olney

None is more proud than the stallion
None is more feared than the lion
None is more free than the eagle
But who is more blessed than I am?

I was never what you would call noble
Beauty and grace I lack
Only a poor beast of burden
But once I bore a king upon my back

Blessed am I of all creatures
Blessed am I of all beasts
I heard the cries of Hosanna
Palm leaves were laid at my feet

Tethered to a tree at the crossroad
Two men appeared at my side
They led me away to their master
And upon my back he did ride

We entered the city in triumph
Every man's heart filled with joy
I raised my ears at their shouting
And added my own humble voice

Before you would taunt me with your laughter
A favor of you I would ask
Remember the king that I once carried
And let your mockery pass

Blessed am I of all creatures
Blessed am I of all beasts
I heard the cries of Hosanna
Palm leaves were laid at my feet

None is more proud than the stallion
None is more feared than the lion
None is more free than the eagle
But who is more blessed than I am?

Words adapted by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Based on a poem by David Bates, used by permission
Music from the Serum Gradual, 1527

Speak gently, it is better far
To rule by love, not fear
Speak gently, let no harsh word harm
The good we may do here

Speak gently to the bitter ones
Forgive and comfort them
Someone's unkindness made them cruel
O win them back again

Speak gently, it's a little thing
Dropped down the heart's deep well
And still, the good it may yet bring
Eternity will tell

Speak gently, it is better far
To rule by love, not fear

Words adapted by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Based on a poem by Ethel Wasgatt Dennis
Music: traditional Irish melody

A grateful heart a garden is
Where there is always room
For every seed of innocence
To come to perfect bloom

A grateful heart a fortress is
A steady rugged tower
And all who dwell therein draw strength
From God's almighty power

A grateful heart a temple is
A shrine so pure and white
Where angels guide us all day long
And watch us through the night

Our prayer is for one gift alone
Of all things grand or small:
The bounty of a grateful heart
That loves and blesses all

Words adapted by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Music: American folk tune
(Concept inspired by Hal Hopson's "Gift Of Love")

Though I may speak with the heat of fire
And have the power to inspire
But have no love, I may as well
Beat a rusty drum, blow an empty shell

Though I may know all there is to know
And prophesy how the world will go
But have no love, then lost I am
My words are vain as grains of sand

Love is not proud,  makes no parade
Love keeps no score.  Love is not afraid
Love always hopes.  Love always hears
Love never fails, never disappears

Words and music by Martha Carson
© 1958 Marpat Music

One of these days, I'm gonna take a vacation
By a quiet and a peaceful shore
I'm gonna cool my feet in those crystal waters
And I won't have to work no more
'Cause my burden has got so heavy
That I can't stand up alone
I wanna lay my head down on one strong shoulder
'Cause I can't stand up alone

(Chorus)
Well, you can't stand up all by yourself
You can't stand up alone
You need the touch of a mighty hand
You can't stand up alone

And trouble, I have seen trouble
All around my door
Go away and leave me, Old Man Trouble
'Cause I don't want your trouble no more

(Chorus)

And a voice came down like thunder
And a light all around me shone
Saying "Child, get up now, take hold of my hand
'Cause you can't stand up alone"

(Chorus)

Words adapted by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Music: unknown

I will lift up my eyes, up to the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
Maker of heaven and earth

He will not let you stumble or fall
He that watches you will not slumber
Behold, he that watches over you
Never will slumber nor sleep

The Lord your keeper is
The Lord, your comfort and defender
The sun will not harm you by day
Nor the moon by night

The Lord will protect you from all evil
He will preserve your soul
The Lord will protect your going out
        and your coming in from this time forth
And even forever more

Words adapted by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Based on a poem by Minny Ayers
Music by Mindy Jostyn

I walk with Love along the way
And O it is a holy day
No more confusion, no more fear
I feel God's presence with me here
And joy that none can take away
Is mine, I walk with Love today

Let's walk with Love along the way
And talk with Love in all we say
Inspired by our Father's care
Beholding beauty everywhere
As carefree children laugh and play
Let's walk with Love along the way

Come walk with Love along the way
Come step into the sun today
With purpose stand, with courage go
Allow your heart to overflow
And peace will shine upon your day
Come walk with Love along the way

Words adapted by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Based on an adaptation by Bertha H. Woods of a hymn by H.F. Lyte
Music by William H. Monk

Abide with me.  Fast breaks the morning light
Our daystar rises, banishing the night
You are the strength, the truth that makes us free
We would unfailingly abide in Thee

I know no fear, with You so close beside
Sin has no power upon my heart or mind
Peace, hope and love in everything I see
For all who trustingly abide in Thee

I know Your presence every passing hour
I know Your light, I know Your gentle power
O Love divine, fulfilling constantly
I need not plead, For You abide with me.

Words adapted by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Based on a poem by Margaret
Morrison, used by permission
Music by Mindy Jostyn

Love one another
Light of revelation
Love frees the prisoner
Love is liberation
Love is what the world needs most
Love's the sign that God is close
Love is the only way

Love knows no evil
No injury, no sadness
Love chases out the fear
Lifts your heart to gladness
Love turns the winter warm
Love calms the raging storm
Love is our answered prayer

Love now is dawning
Over every nation
Showing us our brotherhood
Showing us salvation
Bringing hatred to an end
Peace on earth, good will to men
Love, love alone is power

Words by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Music by Mindy Jostyn

I am an old man from Jerusalem
I'm a merchant of sheep hereabout
From the shadows behind my marketplace stall
I've watched many a drama play out
I haven't learned any great secrets
And I haven't a whole lot to show
But the one thing I know happened so long ago
One day by the Pool of Bethesda

They say that a miracle's struck more than once
(As for me, I'm not all that sure)
But folks who believe, they will travel for months
In the hopes of finding a cure
On the five wide porches surrounding the pool
Scores of afflicted souls kneel
And each of them feels that he can be healed
One day by the Pool of Bethesda

Now one man, he lay there year after year
Crippled for most of his life
Twisted by time, damned by despair
All the angels had passed this one by
I saw him approached by a stranger
As they spoke, he looked up in surprise
With my very own eyes, I saw him arise
That day by the Pool of Bethesda

He got up and he walked, then he danced and he cried
With a joy that I rarely have heard
And the stranger was gone before we knew why
Or how such a thing could occur
Now rumors abound all over this town
Till you don't know what's true anymore
But I heard what I heard and I saw what I saw
That day by the Pool of Bethesda

I watched life pass by from my sheep market stall
In the dust, in the heat, in the rain
Till I saw something happen I still can't explain
One day by the Pool of Bethesda

(For a wedding)

Words adapted by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman
Based on a poem by Rosa M. Turner, used by permission
Music: traditional Irish melody

O dreamer, leave your dreams for joyful waking
O captive, rise and sing, for you are free
Now Love is here and dawn is gently breaking
To lead you out of dark captivity

Love comes to bless you on its wings of healing
To banish pain, to wash all tears away
Love comes anew, consoling and revealing
Love comes to join our hearts as one today

Love comes to give you joy for desolation
Beauty for ashes of the vanished years
For every tear, to bring full compensation
To give you confidence for all your fears

Love comes to call the dumb to blissful singing
The deaf to hear, the blinded eyes to see
Now in our hearts, the bells of hope are ringing
O captive, rise, for Love has set you free

Words from a poem by Mary Baker Eddy
Music by Mindy Jostyn

It matters not what be thy lot,
So Love doth guide;
For storm or shine, pure peace is thine,
Whate'er betide.

And of these stones, or tyrants' thrones,
God able is
To raise up seed -- in thought and deed --
To faithful His.

Aye, darkling sense, arise, go hence!
Our God is good.
False fears are foes -- truth tatters those,
When understood.

Love looseth thee, and lifteth me,
Ayont hate's thrall:
There Life is light, and wisdom might,
And God is All.

The centuries break, the earth-bound wake,
God's glorified!
Who doth His will -- His likeness still --
Is satisfied.

(sung by Megan Helene Neale)
Words from a poem by Mary Baker Eddy
Music by Mindy Jostyn

Father-Mother good,
Lovingly Thee I seek, --
Patient, meek,
In the way Thou hast, --
Be it slow or fast,
Up to Thee.