Pen Jen's Inkwell: September 2023

Saturday, September 30, 2023

"Arise and Walk," A GOSPEL SONG

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

VERSE:

If the sun rises,

And you cannot see its rays.

If the clouds are darkest,

And it seems the worst of days,

Be glad you have another breath.

Your story isn’t finished yet.

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

VERSE:

If you can’t sleep,

But you’re tired to the bone.

If you wake at night,

And you’re feeling all alone.

Joy can find you at the break of dawn.

Soon your troubles will be gone.

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

BRIDGE:

Love never ceases.

Darling, have peace.

Kindness never comes to an end.

On this you can depend.

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

TAG:

And there was morning, mercy is new.

Every morning, for me and for you.

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

"Tuesday Evening Blues," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

Made it through the weekend.

Didn't shed a tear.

Forgot to remind myself,

He no longer holds me dear.

The sun went down this evening.

The stars refused to shine.

Loneliness came knocking,

Saying he’s not mine.

CHORUS:

I got the Tuesday evening blues.

The two of us are through.

Don't know if I'll see him again.

I got the Tuesday evening blues,

Alone in solitude.

It's all too much for me to comprehend.

I've lost my love and my closest friend.

VERSE:

My mind debates the reasons,

He wandered from my arms.

The more I think about him,

The more my heart is harmed.

No logic to his leaving.

No answer to my whys.

No ending to my heartache.

I can only cry.

CHORUS:

I got the Tuesday evening blues.

The two of us are through.

Don't know if I'll see him again.

I got the Tuesday evening blues,

Alone in solitude.

It's all too much for me to comprehend.

I've lost my love and my closest friend.

BRIDGE:

Maybe by Wednesday these feelings will pass.

Maybe by Thursday true love will come at last.

CHORUS:

I got the Tuesday evening blues.

The two of us are through.

Don't know if I'll see him again.

I got the Tuesday evening blues,

Alone in solitude.

It's all too much for me to comprehend.

I've lost my love and my closest friend.

TAG:

I got the Tuesday evening blues.
I got the Tuesday evening,

The Tuesday evening blues.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

"Peace," A GOSPEL SONG

VERSE:

Somebody’s standing at my front door.

He’s got a shot gun that’s loaded for sure.

Don’t know what he really wants from me.

If I knew, I might kindly ask him to leave.

CHORUS:

You can give away your heart.

You can lose a lot of time.

You can let out your every breath,

But if you want to make it through this life,

Keep your peace, keep your peace.

Keep your peace, oh, keep your peace.

VERSE:

There are certain things that you just can’t lack.

What you choose to give, you can’t always get back.

Take whatever you want from my bank account.

But leave me with harmony in a greater amount.

CHORUS:

You can give away your heart.

You can lose a lot of time.

You can let out your every breath,

But if you want to make it through this life,

Keep your peace, keep your peace.

Keep your peace, oh, keep your peace.

BRIDGE:

It’s more than the absence of war.

It’s being filled with conviction to your core.

CHORUS:

You can give away your heart.

You can lose a lot of time.

You can let out your every breath,

But if you want to make it through this life,

Keep your peace, keep your peace.

Keep your peace, oh, keep your peace.

TAG:

Keep your peace, keep your peace.

Keep your peace, oh, keep your peace.

"Who Do You Say That I Am?," A GOSPEL SONG

VERSE:

I say to You . . .

"Lord, who do You say that I am?

Am I broken? Am I beautiful?

Am I hopeful? Am I dutiful?

I hear what everyone else is saying,

And it can be rather dismaying.

If Yours are the words of eternal life,

Then, I’d rather take Your advice.

REFRAIN:

Who do You, who do You say that I am?

Who do You, who do You say that I am?"

VERSE:

Then, You say to me . . .

"Child, who do you say that I am?

Am I a prophet? Am I a teacher?

Am I a savior? Am I a preacher?

I hear what everyone else is saying,

And the thoughts they’re conveying.

If you hold life and death in your tongue,

Then, speak the truth from your lungs.

REFRAIN:

Who do you, who do you say that I am?

BRIDGE:

In a world where you can be

Whatever you really want,

What would you choose to be,

If you had faith enough to believe?"

VERSE:

So, You say to me . . .

"Child, who do you say that I am?

Am I weak? Am I strong?

Am I a King? Am I a pawn?

I hear what everyone else is saying,

And the music that's been playing.

If you can sing a song above the noise,

Then, stand up and raise your voice.

REFRAIN:

Who do you, who do you say that I am?

TAG:

Then you might finally know who you are.

Then you might finally know who you’ve always been.

Then you might finally know who you are.

Then you might finally know who you’ve always been."

Sunday, September 17, 2023

VERSE:
You're as familiar to me
As the setting sun
And the wind that blows
Through the trees.
You must have smiled my way
A thousand times before today,
But for the first time,
I see you.

VERSE:
I was always looking
Over your shoulder
When I should have
Looked in your eyes.
A person of strength and grace
Was staring me right in the face,
But for the first time,

REFRAIN:
I see you, I see you, I see you.

BRIDGE:
You’re as striking as the blossoms
That bloom in the spring.
You’re as precious as the nectar
Only honeybees bring.

VERSE:
If you’ll take my heart,
It's yours for the keeping.
It should've been yours
A long time ago.
Maybe my chance was wasted.
Don’t say love is too late.
Now for the first time,

REFRAIN:
I see you, I see you, I see you.

REFRAIN:
I see you, I see you, I see you.
I see you, I see you, I see you.
I see you.

Copyright 2008 Jennifer Waters

"She Won't Sit Among the Shadows," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

She has two children to feed.

She needs shoes for her feet.

She’s trying her hardest

To make ends meet.

Her husband works too hard,

And doesn’t get that far.

Each morning she faces,

An empty money jar.

CHORUS:

But she won’t sit among the shadows.

She won’t let her heart grow cold.

She won’t sit among the shadows.

Light overflows from the love she knows.

VERSE:

She keeps watch at night.

She never loses sight

Of heavenly bodies

That shine in her life.

In her midnight hour,

She leans on a higher Power.

God is her rock.

Her fortress and strong tower.

CHORUS:

She won’t sit among the shadows.

She won’t let her heart grow cold.

She won’t sit among the shadows.

Light overflows from the love she knows.

BRIDGE:

Though she could stay in darkness,

She refuses to let it have the final say.

Let the shadows fall away.

CHORUS:

She won’t sit among the shadows.

She won’t let her heart grow cold.

She won’t sit among the shadows.

Light overflows from the love she knows.

VAMP:

She won’t sit among the shadows.

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

"Shelter," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

We've traveled hard; we've journeyed long,

With throats as dry as the desert.

Our feet are swollen, and our legs are tired.

Before we move on, we need reviving.

CHORUS:

Take me in your arms.

I’ll take you in my heart.

Together we will find shelter.

A refuge from the storm,

A haven safe and warm,

Together we will find shelter.

VERSE:

We’ll build a shield of lasting love,

A temple to withstand time,

A dwelling place that’s pure and holy,

A shrine engraved with jewels and gold.

CHORUS:

Take me in your arms.

I’ll take you in my heart.

Together we will find shelter.

A refuge from the storm,

A haven safe and warm,

Together we will find shelter.

BRIDGE:

Cover me from the darkness that pervades,

And I’ll stand before the sun and bring you shade.

CHORUS:

Take me in your arms.

I’ll take you in my heart.

Together we will find shelter.

A refuge from the storm,

A haven safe and warm,

Together we will find shelter.

"One Heartbeat Away," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

On the edge of disaster.

On the brink of discovery.

It’s a fine line to walk,

And a whole lot of talk.

CHORUS:

One heartbeat away from heaven.

One heartbeat away from hell.

One heartbeat away from truly living.

One heartbeat away from almost missing,

A new day, a new way to love.

VERSE:

In the middle of genius,

In the middle of madness,

It’s a big mess to clean,

And a lot more to glean.

CHORUS:

One heartbeat away from heaven.

One heartbeat away from hell.

One heartbeat away from truly living.

One heartbeat away from almost missing,

A new day, a new way to love.

BRIDGE:

Who knows what will happen,

As you take your next breath.

Whatever comes after,

It’s never what you ever expect.

CHORUS:

One heartbeat away from heaven.

One heartbeat away from hell.

One heartbeat away from truly living.

One heartbeat away from almost missing,

A new day, a new way to love.

"If I Ever Loved Someone," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

I’ve seen too many faces.

I’ve met too many names.

None of them impressed me,

But your essence left me

Wanting more.

CHORUS:

If I ever loved someone,

If I ever risked it all,

If I ever gave my heart,

If I ever took the fall,

It would be you, you, you, you, you,

I would choose,

If I ever loved someone.

VERSE:

I’ve known my share of hard times.

I’ve lived through dark days,

But you make my world good,

And I’m hoping that this could,

Last forever.

CHORUS:

If I ever loved someone,

If I ever risked it all,

If I ever gave my heart,

If I ever took the fall,

It would be you, you, you, you, you,

I would choose,

If I ever loved someone.

BRIDGE:

Please consider the proposition

Of you and me.

I can’t help but think

What might be.

CHORUS:

If I ever loved someone,

If I ever risked it all,

If I ever gave my heart,

If I ever took the fall,

It would be you, you, you, you, you,

I would choose,

If I ever loved someone.

"Make New Music With Me," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

I’ve heard all the rhythms.

I’ve sung all the rhymes.

I know all the chords.

I’ve danced in cut time.

Somehow it all sounds the same.

I’m tired of the empty game.

CHORUS:

Oh, make new music with me

With treble and bass

With love notes and grace.

The kind of thing

That only we can write.

Darling, I invite you to

Make new music with me.

VERSE:

I hear the band playing.

It’s jamming our song.

Everyone else

Is singing along.

Right now it all feels surreal.

I think my heart might finally heal.

CHORUS:

Oh, make new music with me

With treble and bass

With love notes and grace.

The kind of thing

That only we can write.

Darling, I invite you to

Make new music with me.

BRIDGE:

It's always a stretch at first,

But once you find the words

Never let them go.

CHORUS:

Oh, make new music with me

With treble and bass

With love notes and grace.

The kind of thing

That only we can write.

Darling, I invite you to

Make new music with me.

TAG:

Make new music with me.

"Chasing Shadows," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

Your figure eludes me.

Your movements confuse me.

One minute you’re here,

Then you’re gone.

CHORUS:

Tell me if I’m only chasing shadows,

Running down another dead end road.

Tell me if I’m only chasing shadows.

I don’t want your face to haunt my soul.

Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me,

If I’m only chasing shadows.

VERSE:

I still see the outline

Of yesterday’s sunshine,

But the brightness fades
With each hour.

CHORUS:

Tell me if I’m only chasing shadows,

Running down another dead end road.

Tell me if I’m only chasing shadows.

I don’t want your face to haunt my soul.

Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me,

If I’m only chasing shadows.

BRIDGE:

I still have time

To look for the light,

If I turn back now.

CHORUS:

Tell me if I’m only chasing shadows,

Running down another dead end road.

Tell me if I’m only chasing shadows.

I don’t want your face to haunt my soul.

Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me,

If I’m only chasing shadows.

VAMP:

If I’m only chasing shadows

"Act of Faith," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

I've never walked on the sea,

Or turned lukewarm water into wine.

I've never healed the lame,

Or restored a wanderin' blind man's sight.

REFRAIN:

My greatest act of faith is loving you.

VERSE:

This belief is not foolproof.

My simple doctrine hangs at stake,

But against impossible odds,

I'm completely convinced we can make it.

REFRAIN:

My greatest act of faith is loving you.

BRIDGE:

Trust me when I say I'm an accomplished sinner,

But I couldn't let you slip through my nimble fingers.

VERSE:

Maybe a miracle will happen,

And you'll love me forever without a doubt,

But if you never see the light,

The saints and angels will still be proud.

Heaven will rejoice with a mighty sound.

REFRAIN:

My greatest act of faith is loving you.

VAMP:

Won't you believe? Won’t you believe?
Won't you believe? Won’t you believe?

Copyright 2008, 2023, 2024 Jennifer Waters

"All of My Life," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

The moment I first laid eyes on your smile,

It was like you stepped out of my dreams.

The man who I thought could never exist

Was standing there staring at me.

CHORUS:

I can't help but feel that I've known you,

I can't help but feel that I've known you

All of my life.

VERSE:

If I could've painted a picture of love,

And chosen its colors and hues,

The image my mind would surely create

Would be a portrait of you.

CHORUS:

I can't help but feel that I've known you,

I can't help but feel that I've known you

All of my life.

BRIDGE:

Maybe it's just the idea of love,

The thought of a dream come true.

Maybe I'm just imagining things,

And you don't feel the way I do.

VERSE:

The thoughts you share, the fears you hide,

The person you’re longing to be,

The scars you bear, the struggles you face,

They’re all quite familiar to me.

CHORUS:

I can't help but feel that I've known you,

All of my life.

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

"Forgive the Moon," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

Standing under the open sky,

You wonder if she knows

The tears she made you cry.

She's probably forgotten you by now,

But you still can't excuse

Her mistakes somehow.

CHORUS:

If you forgive the moon

For hiding its face,

Forgive the sun

For its burning rays,

Forgive the stars

For falling from place,

Then you can forgive her, too,

If you forgive the moon.

VERSE:

Matters of the heart can grieve,

And wounds take time to heal,

But sometimes scars don't leave.

Still, it's possible to pardon a wrong.

You can choose to move on,

And prove you are strong.

CHORUS:

If you forgive the moon

For hiding its face,

Forgive the sun

For its burning rays,

Forgive the stars

For falling from place,

Then you can forgive her, too,

If you forgive the moon.

BRIDGE:

Hanging onto the past

Only traps you in pain.

It doesn't matter anymore

Who's to blame.

CHORUS:

If you forgive the moon

For hiding its face,

Forgive the sun

For its burning rays,

Forgive the stars

For falling from place,

Then you can forgive her, too,

If you forgive the moon.

TAG:

If you forgive the moon.

Monday, September 4, 2023

"My Baby is Grand" in KISSES

Milton and his wife, Kitty, and his mother, Fanny, sing "My Baby is Grand" at the piano together after his father, Henry, passes away in 1904.

VERSE:

My baby is grand.

My baby is beautiful.

He never cries.

He only sings.

He doesn’t worry

About little things.

Larger than life.

Stronger than death.

He takes away my breath.

CHORUS:

He knows just how to croon on key,

Standing tall or on one knee.

VERSE:

My baby is light.

My baby is soft as snow.

He doesn’t shy.

He always smiles.

He’ll never leave me,

Even through the trials.

Closer than air.

Sweeter than sunshine.

His love is mine, all mine.

CHORUS:

He knows just how to make me fly,

Spreading wings and soaring high.

BRIDGE:

Sometimes he’s like the rainbow.

Sometimes he’s black and white.

He’s every single color.

A star in darkest night.

CHORUS:

He knows just how to croon on key,

Standing tall or on one knee.

TAG:

My baby is grand. My baby is beautiful.