Albums, music, new album, new release, New Single, Poetry, Video

How Well Do You Know ‘Za?

‘Za is the fourth single release from December’s Trio album. A sparse reimagining of the tradition trio setting.

This song has a metaphorically smiling lyric that should challenge the listener a bit. The title was actually from a magazine article that I had stumbled upon. I immediately recognized what I wanted to say, or maybe play with is a better explanation. I’m always looking for a way to stir up a listener’s imagination, and hopefully conjure up some emotional response from them. In this case, maybe even some abstract thinking.

Lyrics:
Early in the morning, any time of day
Any time’s a good time, any kind of way
I can take it cold, any time at all
It goes down easy, in the local church hall
So tell me?
Tell me, please?
Won’t you tell me?
How well do you know ‘Za?

If I had my way, I’d always have more
More than may be normal, a note of folklore
Some cry, ‘oh no!, you can’t do that!’
Preaching to the misfit, like some green-eyed cat
So tell me?
Tell me, please?
Oh won’t you tell me?
How well do you know ‘Za?

Don’t give me substitutes, don’t give me theories
No hypothetical miniseries
Just give me a slice, a verse or two
Yeah, I’m a greek guy, but any version will do

I go traditional, I go New York
I go with fold it, or a knife and fork
I don’t go judging, so don’t judge me
Just offer me a bite, and let my manna be
So tell me?
Tell me, please?
Won’t you tell me?
How well do you know ‘Za?

© 2022 Eddy Mann
Hissongs | ASCAP

Album: Trio
Video Credits: EM | Pizza by Alfredo (Dafont.com)
YouTube Link
Website

Albums, music, new album, new release, New Single, Poetry, Video

The DReam

A combination of things brought this song to life rather quickly. It was a year ago February (Black History Month), when I was inspired by the poem, ‘As I Grew Older‘ by Langston Hughes. The softening of time touched a nerve within me and I felt the need to comment on it, and so I did.

Musically as 2022 arrived I had been taking a deep dive into the organ trio Blicher, Hemmer, Gadd and their album, ‘Omara.’ Recalling a season quite a way back where I played 300 some dates in an organ trio, this arrangement became an outcome of the many smoke filled nights from that different world. I truly believe that when we write, perform, and listen to music it seeps deep into our soul and often needs some time to brew down there before creatively rising up in a new form.

The studio process was seamless, it really was uneventful other than my rather large grin that continued to grow through the sessions. There’s no excess on the whole Trio project, just the essentials.

I should add as a clarification that I included the DR in the title, ‘The DReam’ to honor Dr. Martin Luther King.

Lyrics:
A long, long time ago
So long ago I’ve forgotten
A notion filled my mind
A dream divinely begotten
But suddenly a distance appeared
Vanquished, the dream disappeared

A long, long shadow
Grew ever longer every day
In the darkness I struggled
Contentious in my way
But nothing by chance impressed
The dream dimmed and was suppressed

My credence, my steadfast credence
Strengthened my enchanted moonbeam
My journey will not be abandoned
Providence will shelter the dream

A long, long tomorrow
As long as the aim can see
Good fortune will indwell me
I’ve been reassured lovingly
That in the cards works a love supreme
A love that’ll ascertain the dream

Album: Trio
Video Credit: E.M. | 愚木混株 Cdd20
YouTube Link
Available at http://www.eddymann.com

Albums, Gifts, Mannerism, music, Newsletter, Poetry, Video

Pray On!

Those of you who know me well, know that I’ve been using “Pray on!” as a farewell for twenty-plus years. So I guess it was only a matter of time before it became the focus of a song. A short while ago, I was meditating on Proverbs 1:33 when this evolved into a song idea.

‘Peace lies in the heart of the believer
Calm lies in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one, who’ll pray on, so pray on’
~ E.M.

It seemed timely when I first wrote it, and now today it feels even more fitting as we find our way forward through this time challenging season.

Though it hasn’t seen the light of day as of this writing, I’m excited about introducing it here in video form, and looking forward to unveiling it live in the near future.

Album: Unreleased

Video Credit: Pagina Waldryano / E.M.
Available at http://www.eddymann.com
© 2020 Eddy Mann

http://www.eddymann.com
http://www.twitter.com/eddy_mann
http://www.instagram.com/eddy_mann
http://www.facebook.com/eddymann.musician

Lyrics:
Peace lies in the heart of the believer
Calm lies in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one
who’ll pray on, so pray on

Quiet’s in the heart of the believer
Grace lies in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one
who’ll pray on, so pray on

Fair is the lone star that smiles amongst the clouds
Bright’s the tiny light amongst the darkness
When love shines in the midst of judgment
Hope is the one that’ll pray on

Joy lies in the heart of the believer
Mercy’s in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one
who’ll pray on, so pray on

Pray on
Pray on
Pray on
On and on

Albums, Gifts, Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

All Are Welcome

‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28 ESV), and there you have it, in God’s eyes we are one.

There’s a church not far from my northern home, which looks like, and sounds like, the harmony, and color of the world. I believe it’s exactly as God had imagined. All are welcome in His house.

This was written as a gathering song for worship, it has brought my ministry into places that I never would have imagined. It is impossible to understand the hand of God and how he uses our gifts, but every once in a which we catch a glimpse, and when we do, it’s divine.

Pray on,
Eddy

Album: Something Beautiful & New

Video Credit: Gerd Altmann / E.M.
YouTube Link
Available at http://www.eddymann.com
© 2020 Eddy Mann

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Lyrics:
All are welcome to gather as one
All are welcome to worship the Son
All are welcome every color and creed
All are welcome whatever your need

So rise up and praise the King
Lift your voice to Him and sing
All glory to the risen One
To the Savior, God’s own Son

All are welcome to hear His voice
All are welcome to shout and rejoice
All are welcome to hear His word
All are welcome to share what you heard

All are welcome here
All are welcome here

All are welcome as sister and brother
All are welcome as one another
All are welcome across the land
All are welcome God’s Kingdom’s at hand

Albums, Gifts, Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

Come, Let Us Walk

An unreleased song inspired by Psalm 86:11 ‘Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.’

A few years ago, as I was residing in a beachfront room, on Manasota Key, FL, with the Gulf of Mexico literally lapping a few feet from my front door, I read this Psalm at daybreak and I was taken with the vision of walking in His truth, and what that might look like. Though I’ve shared it many times at live events, this song hasn’t been released yet, but hopefully it will before the 2020 year comes to an end.

The video is a personal call encouraging the world to check their pulse concerning children of need. I’ve been a sponsor of children for over twenty years. and have sponsored through Compassion for the past five. My child is from Togo, a West African nation on the Gulf of Guinea. My life has been enriched beyond words through our growing and loving relationship. Please follow the Spirit if led, to compassion.com, and walk in His truth.
Pray on, Eddy

Album: Unreleased

Video Credits: E.M. / Photos from Compassion.com
Available at http://www.eddymann.com
© 2020 Eddy Mann

http://www.eddymann.com
http://www.twitter.com/eddy_mann
http://www.instagram.com/eddy_mann
http://www.facebook.com/eddymann.musician

Lyrics:
Come, let us walk
Come, let us walk together
Come, let us walk together for good

Come, let us walk
Come, let us walk in hand
Come, let us walk in hand as one

Come, let us walk
Come, let us walk with one voice
Come, let us walk with one voice of peace

Come, let us walk
Come, let us walk in the light
Come, let us walk in the light of love

Albums, Gifts, Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

Pray On

This is an unreleased song from an upcoming album. Those that know me well, know that I’ve been using “Pray on!” as a farewell for twenty-plus years. So I guess it was only a matter of time before it became the focus of a song.

I was meditating on Proverbs 1:33 when this evolved into an idea. Though it hasn’t seen the light of day as of this writing, I’m excited about introducing it here in video form, and looking forward to unveiling live in the near future.

Album: Unreleased

Video Credit: Pagina Waldryano / E.M.
Available at http://www.eddymann.com
© 2020 Eddy Mann

http://www.eddymann.com
http://www.twitter.com/eddy_mann
http://www.instagram.com/eddy_mann
http://www.facebook.com/eddymann.musician

Lyrics:
Peace lies in the heart of the believer
Calm lies in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one
who’ll pray on, so pray on

Quiet’s in the heart of the believer
Grace lies in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one
who’ll pray on, so pray on

Fair is the lone star that smiles amongst the clouds
Bright’s the tiny light amongst the darkness
When love shines in the midst of judgment
Hope is the one that’ll pray on

Joy lies in the heart of the believer
Mercy’s in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one
who’ll pray on, so pray on

Pray on
Pray on
Pray on
On and on

Albums, Gifts, Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

I Never Walk Alone

This is an unreleased song from the upcoming ‘Chapel Songs’ album. It was inspired by Psalm 139 quite a few years ago. Since that time it’s been a staple of my worship repertoire and often is a requested song. Unlike most of my songs this one has pretty much stayed the same over the years, but now it gets a new treatment. I’m not sure if it’s because of the current season we’re experiencing, but the time just felt right for a remake. Hopefully it continues to strengthen and reassure those who are hurting, doubting, and living in a fearful world.

Album: Chapel Songs – Unreleased
Album: The Twelve

Video Credit: Engin Akyurt / E.M.
Available at http://www.eddymann.com
© 2020 Eddy Mann

http://www.eddymann.com
http://www.twitter.com/eddy_mann
http://www.instagram.com/eddy_mann
http://www.facebook.com/eddymann.musician

Lyrics:
I never walk alone
You linger by my side
I never walk alone
You are with me

You go before me and follow me
You place Your blessing on my head
You hem me in behind and before
You lay Your hand upon my head

Gifts, Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

Hope of the World

An unplugged version of a worship song written quite a few years ago and featured on ‘The Twelve’ album. It’s now getting an acoustic remake on the unreleased ‘Chapel Songs’ project.

So much has been written about mankind’s need for hope, and there’s never been a time when we didn’t need it. Scripture says, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.’ (Romans 15:13 ESV)

Album: Chapel Songs – unreleased
Album: The Twelve

Lyrics:
Hope of the world
Shine on us
You are the Answer

Fill up our hearts, fill up our souls
Lure us away from all that’s wrong
Fill up our hearts, fill up our souls
Give us the strength to carry on

Here we stand, blessed with each new day
Here we stand, humbled works of clay

Albums, Gifts, Homily, Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

His Words Are Good

Listen carefully to my wisdom;
take to heart what I can teach you.
You’ll treasure its sweetness deep within;
you’ll give it bold expression in your speech.
~ Proverbs 22:17-18 MSG

I was inspired by these verses two years ago and composed this song. It took until this past February for it to see the light of day. And when it did, the light of day was being challenged by the darkness that surrounds our current season.

Our words and actions are dimmed when we rely on our own cleverness, but the Holy Spirit can bring clarity that’s crystal clear, it can strengthen emotions that are confused and fragile, and it can build up character to face the most imposing challenge.

Have I applied these words to my life? That’s a question I ask myself everyday because by nature I want to be in control and take care of my problems, my way! But that’s not how God’s plan is designed. There are many instances where he wants us to bring the issues to him, to allow him to handle the fears and doubts, to acknowledge that he is all loving, and all powerful God!

Friends, in these coming days I’d like to encourage you to allow God to drive, and to enjoy riding as we used to say, shotgun. Allow Him to handle the things that are out of your control (that’s called faith), and pray for the strength and wisdom to handle what’s within your realm. I say this because, His words are good!

Album: Love Strands

Lyrics:
Incline your ear and listen closely
Rest assured his words are good
Apply your heart and know his knowledge
Walk in confidence his words are good

Keep them close; keep them within you
Rest assured his words are good
Keep them ready; on your lips
Walk in assurance his words are good

Listen up and hear the wisdom
Rest assured his words are good
Know his peace and understanding
Walk in freedom his words are good

Albums, Homily, Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

Save Me (Don’t Let Me Go Under)

During this breath of time, we’re moving in uncharted waters. No one has ever sailed through such a time as this, and whether we like it or not our faith, or lack of, is being revealed to the world. The unknown is challenging our senses, it’s unearthing fears we never knew existed. Those fears are evolving anxiously anyway the wind blows, and they needn’t do that.

We should only worry about what we have control over. The things of life that are beyond our control are what we hand over in faith. I love the vision of Jesus with his hands out. He’s said not to have come with his hands in his pockets but reaching out to us to relieve us of such burdens.

A while back I was in the midst of a deep dive into Psalm 69. As is often the case for me, I was inspired to write and composed a song called Save Me. I’m offering it up today as an answered plea for help and guidance during this unfamiliar season.

There is always hope in the name of Jesus. There is always love in a benevolent God. And there is always faith for the heart that surrenders.

Quicksand underneath me
Swamp water rushing over me
Going down on the count of three
Save me

Bleary-eyed searching for the key
Raspy dry from my endless plea
Darkness surrounding my marquee
Save me

Save me
Don’t let me go under
Save me
O’ God of wonder

O’ heaven and earth praise him
The seas and everything that lives in them
I shout my love and thanks, amen
Saved I am
Saved I am

Works

One Mann's wandering thoughts…

Tag Archives: poem

The DReam

All Are Welcome

Come, Let Us Walk

Pray On

I Never Walk Alone

Hope of the World

His Words Are Good

Save Me (Don’t Let Me Go Under)