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My Grate ful list (Not contained in the lyrics of the songs!)
Joyce, my ever-true companion of 33 years. Where would I be without your love and support? (I can’t even imagine!) Seven years ago, devastated by relational challenges in our local church community I lost my words, and you remained faithfully by my side through it all. As far as I knew I was done with songwriting, but you knew differently. These songs exist because you believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I’m grateful for another day to share with you. To my fellow bandmates in The SHIYR Poets. Songwriting was a precious part of my past, but not part of my present or anticipated future until we started singing the Psalms together and my creative soul slowly came back to life. Brian, Calum & Teresa, thanks for your friendship and incredible creative talents. We’ve made some special music together. www.theshiyrpoets.com
To my co-writers: After recovering from losing my words, the songs slowly started coming back. But several of these songs would have not seen the light of this day without you. Special thanks to Jaylene Johnson (If you have not heard her stunning album ‘Potter & Clay’ you must!) Josh Fox & Steve Mitchinson. And special thanks to Brian Thiessen, Teresa Trask & Calum Rees, my fellow Poets who blessed me on my birthday in November 2016 when we were traveling in India. ‘Grateful For Another Day’ crossed the finish line because of the three of you. Todd & Maryanne Rutkowski. Thank you for your faithful friendship and pastoral care through all these crazy last 20 years. You were the first person I entrusted these songs to in their raw and unadorned form – and you believed in them and spurred me on. Thank-you. Allen Doerksen. My big brother; I love who you are and what you do as an Anglican priest. Thanks for introducing me to the beautiful tap-root of liturgy in the Great Tradition and for asking me to learn ‘We Cannot Measure How You Heal’ for one of your services. I seriously love singing this song and I think you are one of the best preachers on the planet.
John Bell. We have never met but I respect you. Your words in ‘We Cannot Measure’ are beautiful and profound. I hope our arrangement and recording will help this song connect with a new audience.
Roberta Landreth. I’m very thankful you agreed to do the design for this project. Your visual designs reflect my songs and heart. You are seriously good at what you do.
Nestor Rivera. What a gift your contribution has been to this album. Your orchestrations added just the right touch. I still smile thinking of how we met via Steve Rendall in Three Hills.
Last, but perhaps the biggest thank-you goes to Mark Troyer & Steve Rendall. What a gift to have both of you in the producer’s chair for this project. I needed some fresh yet seasoned ears to help guide me and you’ve both been amazing. Special thanks to Alisa Troyer for wonderful hospitality while we recorded at Evergreen.
To my students at Prairie College in Three Hills. Hearing your fresh expressions helped reignite me as a songwriter. To my fellow faculty, thank you for your patience as I learn to navigate a new college world. www.prairie.edu/worship Special thanks to all the musicians for helping bring these songs to life, and to OCL studios in Chestermere, Alberta for being such a welcoming place to make music. Rachel Pick. What a great photographer you are. Special thanks for tramping into the forest to get those shots and to your husband Zaac for assisting. Wasn’t that owl something?
G r at e f u l F o r A n o t h e r D ay Brian Doerksen, Calum Rees, Teresa Trask, Brian Thiessen ©2017 Shining Rose Songs I’m grateful for another day This gift of life all lit with grace A day to let judgments go A day to love peace and let it grow I’m grateful for another day A chance to trust come what may A day to risk loving more Let’s see what God may have in store A day to see the reasons A thousand gifts receiving A day to trust that God will see us through A day to stop complaining A day to start reclaiming BACKING VOCALS: Teresa Trask & Brian Thiessen BASS GUITAR: Chris Byrne DRUMS: Lyle Molzan
A day to trust that God will see us through
I’m grateful for this gift of time I’ll live it knowing love is mine A day to let worry go A day when compassion stirs and flows A day to see the reasons A thousand gifts each season A day to trust that God will see us through A day to stop complaining A day to start reclaiming A day to trust that God will see us through
I’m grateful for another day This gift of life all lit with grace A day to let judgments go A day to love peace and let it grow
KEYBOARDS: Mike Little ELECTRIC GUITARS: Russell Broom
The World Turns Brian Doerksen Š2017 Shining Rose Songs The world turns towards the sun To be reborn through its light and in its warmth The night is gone, horizons glow The wait was long but now God has sent the dawn Here we are again Grateful to see the sun
Your mercies are new every morning Your kindness unleashed like the spring Your mercies are new every morning Great is your faithfulness
(Instrumental) Your mercies are new every morning Your kindness unleashed like the spring Your mercies are new every morning Great is your faithfulness Great is your faithfulness
Our hearts turn towards the Son To be reborn in your light and in your warmth Our night was dark, sin’s grasp was cold Our own way hard but now You have sent us hope Here we are again Grateful to see the Son Here we are again Grateful to see the Son
The world turns towards the sun To be reborn through its light and in its warmth Here we are again Grateful to see the sun Here we are again Grateful to see the Son
BACKING VOCALS: Ryan McAllister & Teresa Trask BASS GUITAR: Chris Byrne DRUMS: Spencer Cheyne
KEYBOARDS : Mike Little ELECTRIC GUITARS: Russell Broom STRINGS & ORCHESTRATION: Nestor Rivera
F I R S T LO V E Brian Doerksen & Josh Fox ©2017 Shining Rose Songs & Simple Smashing Records I remember the day You awakened my heart With your beauty and truth You revealed who You are I remember I remember the day When I first sang your praise Felt You crash over me You sent wave after wave Here I am once again Jesus be my first love Jesus be my first love My everything begins with this love Jesus You’re my first love
From devotion to You And my tears fall from pain I remember I return; I repent You embrace me again Will your kindness and grace Ever come to an end? Here I am, once again Jesus be my first love Jesus be my first love My everything begins with this love Jesus You’re my first love
This is what you long for Right from the start Above all else, You desire my heart (repeat)
If Your word I forsake And I wander away
Jesus be my first love Jesus be my first love My everything begins with this love Jesus You’re my first love
BACKING VOCALS: Carly Reirson BASS GUITAR: Chris Byrne DRUMS: Lyle Molzan
KEYBOARDS: Mike Little ELECTRIC & NYLON GUITARS: Russell Broom STRINGS & ORCHESTRATION: Nestor Rivera
Scars On His Hands Brian Doerksen ©2016 Shining Rose Songs My king has got scars on his hands My king has got scars on his hands His risen body forever marked My king has got scars on his hands
My king is acquainted with grief My king is acquainted with grief He won’t recoil when in sorrow I weep My king is acquainted with grief
My king has got scars on his hands My king has got scars on his hands My Lord my God I know who you are I know by the scars on your hands
My king is the servant of all My king is the servant of all He humbly kneels and washes our feet My king is the slave of us all
BACKING VOCALS: Teresa Trask ELECTRIC GUITARS: Brian Thiessen
PERCUSSION: Mark Troyer STRINGS & ORCHESTRATION: Nestor Rivera
If Jesus Is The Face Of God Brian Doerksen & Jaylene Johnson ©2017 Shining Rose Songs (SOCAN/ASCAP) & Jaylene Johnson (SOCAN/ASCAP) If Jesus is the face of God We have seen the face of love And looking in the face of love We know that God believes in us If Jesus is the face of God We have heard forgiveness call If mercy is the heart of love We know that God receives us all
We can see truth We can see grace We can see love In Jesus face If Jesus is the face of God We know God is on our side If God is for all humankind Our longing for justice will be realized CHOIR: Marcus Mosely Ensemble conducted by Darlene Ketchum Arranged by Bill Sample & Darlene Ketchum Featuring Marcus Mosely ENSEMBLE Heather Gray-Grant, Tracy Moar, Marika Witkamp, Darlene Ketchum, Bill Sample, Marcus Mosely
Our hopes will be realized
We can see truth We can see grace We can see love In Jesus face (repeat) God won’t shame us He reclaims us Never leaves us Nor deceives us God pursues us His Spirit woos us To love and to be loved If Jesus is the face of God We have seen the face of love And looking in the face of love We know that God believes in us Believes in us Believes in us Jesus believes in us BASS GUITAR: Chris Byrne DRUMS: Spencer Cheyne KEYBOARDS: Mike Little ELECTRIC & ACOUSTIC GUITARS: Russell Broom
Million Miracles Brian Doerksen ©2017 Shining Rose Songs Come explore with me The miracle of life The gift of this existence Our place among the stars Impossibly precise We’re witnesses of wonders We’re surrounded by a million miracles All around us living proof We’re all here because a million miracles Came together to make it true
Golden prairies glow In the early morning light The world wakes up to harvest A sparrow starts her song As she waits to take her flight From the trees that give her shelter BACKING VOCALS: Teresa Trask BASS GUITAR: Chris Byrne DRUMS: Lyle Molzan
We’re surrounded by a million miracles All around us living proof We’re all here because a million miracles Come together to make it true
Storm clouds sail away then centre stage above The sun’s light ignites the promise Man and woman meet, pledging life-long love Generations tumble after We’re surrounded by a million miracles All around us living proof We’re all here because a million miracles Miracles Miracles We’re still here because a million miracles Come together to make it true Still come together to see us through Come together
KEYBOARDS: Mike Little ELECTRIC & ACOUSTIC GUITARS: Russell Broom STRINGS & ORCHESTRATION: Nestor Rivera
Micah Six Eight Brian Doerksen & Jaylene Johnson ©2017 Shining Rose Songs (SOCAN/ASCAP) & Jaylene Johnson (SOCAN/ASCAP) Lord in these times of change When human bonds are strained We look to you we look to you again Where are the ancient paths? Where is the peace that lasts? We look to you we look to you again You have shown us the way in Micah six eight
Do justly Love mercy Walk humbly with your God Do justly Love mercy Walk humbly with everyone Lord in these days of war When nations fight then mourn We look to you we look to you again Forgive our pride and greed May every slave be freed BACKING VOCALS : Teresa Trask BASS GUITAR: Chris Byrne DRUMS: Spencer Cheyne KEYBOARDS: Mike Little
We look to you we look to you again You have shown us the way in Micah six eight
Do justly Love mercy Walk humbly with your God Do justly Love mercy Walk humbly with everyone This is the good way This is the good way This is the good way
we will walk in it help us walk in it we will walk in it
Do justly Love mercy Walk humbly with your God Do justly Love mercy Walk humbly with everyone You have shown us the way in Micah six eight You have shown us the way when we see Jesus face
ELECTRIC GUITARS: Russell Broom STRINGS & ORCHESTRATION: Nestor Rivera
Man Of Sorrows (Isaiah 53)
Brian Doerksen ©2017 Shining Rose Songs
Tempted like us Yet you never sinned
Jesus man of sorrows Prince in disguise Royalty veiled You were despised
Jesus man of suffering You were betrayed Abandoned by all Yet you forgave
Jesus man of sorrows Acquainted with grief Tasting our tears Teaching us peace
Pierced for our sin Crushed for our pride You bore our weight
Pierced for our sin Crushed for our pride You bore the weight Of our iniquities
Jesus man of suffering You walked in our skin
BACKING VOCALS & PIANO: Carly Reirson PEDAL STEEL: Mitch Jay STRINGS & ORCHESTRATION: Nestor Rivera
Pierced for our sin Crushed for our pride You bore the weight Of our iniquities
Jesus man of sorrows The king in disguise
Man of Sorrows Hymn
Words & Music by Philip P. Bliss 1875 Man of sorrows what a name For the Son of God, who came ruined sinners to reclaim Hallelujah, what a Saviour Hallelujah, what a Saviour Hallelujah, what a Saviour
VOCALS: Philip Janz, Ryan McAllister & Brian Thiessen, Steve Rendall, Mark Troyer, Carly Reirson, Loralee Thiessen & Teresa Trask
O n T h at S u n d ay M o r n i n g (Jesus Christ is Risen) Brian Doerksen ©2017 Shining Rose Songs What was it like to hear these words on that Sunday morning He is not here He is risen Why do you seek the Living One among the dead in this tomb He is not here He is risen What was it like to feel surprise To see the Lord with their own eyes
Jesus Christ is risen He’s alive Hallelujah Jesus Christ is risen He’s alive Hallelujah What was it like to hear these words on that Sunday morning
He is not here He is risen Remember his words “I’ll be betrayed and die the death of sinners But I will live again on the third day” With grateful hearts we join their joy Because He lives forevermore
Jesus Christ is risen He’s alive Hallelujah Jesus Christ is risen He’s alive Hallelujah Oh . . . on that Sunday morning Oh . . . resurrection morning Oh . . . on that Sunday morning Death swallowed up by life
Oh . . . what a glorious morning Oh . . . resurrection morning Oh . . . on that Sunday morning Death swallowed up by life
Jesus Christ is risen He’s alive Hallelujah Jesus Christ is risen He’s alive Hallelujah What was it like to hear these words on that Sunday morning
BACKING VOCALS: Philip Janz & Loralee Thiessen CHOIR: Marcus Mosely Ensemble conducted by Darlene Ketchum
CHOIR: Marcus Mosely Ensemble conducted by & Darlene ARRANGED BY Bill Sample Darlene Ketchum Arranged by BillKetchum Sample & Darlene Ketchum Marcus ENSEMBLE - HeatherFeaturing Gray-Grant, TracyMosely Moar, ENSEMBLE Heather Gray-Grant, Tracy Moar, Marika Marika Witkamp, Witkamp, Darlene Darlene Ketchum, Ketchum, Bill Bill Sample, Marcus Mosely
BASS GUITAR: Chris Byrne DRUMS: Spencer Cheyne KEYBOARDS & ACCORDION: Mike Little BASS GUITAR: Chris Byrne ELECTRIC GUITARS: Russell DRUMS: Spencer Cheyne Broom KEYBOARDS: Mike Little ELECTRIC & ACOUSTIC GUITARS: Russell Broom
We cannot measure how you heal Words and Arr. John L. Bell Copyright © 1989, WGRG, Iona Community, Scotland GIA Publications, Inc., exclusive North American agent. This Arrangement ©2017 Brian Doerksen & Nestor Rivera
The fear of what the future holds Are present as if meant to last But present too is love which tends The hurt we never hope to find The private agonies inside The memories that haunt the mind
We cannot measure how you heal Or answer every sufferer’s prayer Yet we believe your grace responds Where faith and doubt unite to care Your hands, though bloodied on the cross Survive to hold and heal and warn To carry all through death to life And cradle children yet unborn
So some have come who need your help And some have come to make amends As hands which shaped and saved the world Are present in the touch of friends Lord, let your Spirit meet us here To mend the body, mind and soul To disentangle peace from pain And make your broken people whole And make your broken people whole Come make your broken people whole
The pain that will not go away The guilt that clings from things long past DUET VOCAL: Loralee Thiessen
STRINGS & ORCHESTRATION: Nestor Rivera
A New Commandment (John 13:34) Brian Doerksen & Steve Mitchinson ©2017 Shining Rose Songs I am giving you a new commandment I am giving you a new commandment Love one another Love one another In the same way I have loved you In the same way I have loved you Love one another Love one another
Love one another Love one another In the same way I have loved you In the same way I have loved you Then everyone will know, who we follow Then our lives will show, we are changed Then everyone will know, it’s you we follow Then our lives will show, how we are changed I am giving you a new commandment I am giving you a new commandment
I am giving you a new commandment I am giving you a new commandment
BACKING VOCALS: Philip Janz & Loralee Thiessen
KEYBOARDS: Mike Little
BASS GUITAR: Chris Byrne
ELECTRIC GUITARS: Russell Broom
DRUMS: Lyle Molzan
ELECTRIC SITAR: Brian Thiessen
S ay i t w e l l Brian Doerksen Š2017 Shining Rose Songs Love Such an easy word to say Such a hard word to live I want my life and words to say it well
Love Sometimes the giving flows with joy Sometimes receiving stops me cold I want the give and get to be aligned
Love Such a good and lovely thought Yet so tough to act upon I want the things I do to say it well
When you look at me will you see evidence Of faithful caring love Of kindness between friends When you look at us will you see evidence Of faithful caring love Of kindness between friends
When you look at me will you see evidence Of faithful caring love Of kindness between friends Love Such a pretty word to pen Yet upon the page so plain I want the words I write to be divine
I want to say it like a poet Whose words awaken wonder I want to say it like an artist, Who helps us feel and see I want to say it like a leader Who envisions peace & justice
I want to say it like my Saviour As I kneel to wash your feet I want to say it like a father, Who provides for all his children Like a mother’s care and wisdom, Feeds her family I want to say it like a worker Who labours for your welfare Like a husband’s words of tribute On their golden anniversary
I love you Love Such an easy word to say BACKING VOCALS: Carly Reirson BASS GUITAR: Chris Byrne DRUMS: Spencer Cheyne KEYBOARDS: Mike Little ELECTRIC & NYLON & ACOUSTIC GUITARS: Russell Broom
It takes character to live I want my life and words to say it well Oooo . . . . I’ll say it well
Everlasting Arms Brian Doerksen ©2017 Shining Rose Songs We don’t know when this storm is going to break But underneath all things, the everlasting arms When we don’t know how much more our hearts can take Underneath all things, the everlasting arms
Underneath all things are the everlasting arms Underneath all things Everlasting arms of grace Underneath all things are the everlasting arms Underneath it all is love We don’t know when this fiery trial will pass But underneath all things, the everlasting arms We don’t know how long this pain will last Underneath all things, the everlasting arms
BACKING VOCALS: Teresa Trask ELECTRIC GUITAR: Brian Thiessen
Underneath all things are the everlasting arms Underneath all things Everlasting arms of grace Underneath all things are the everlasting arms Underneath it all is love Just when I thought life was over Just when I felt like love was gone
Underneath all things are the everlasting arms Underneath all things Everlasting arms of grace Underneath all things are the everlasting arms Underneath it all is love Underneath it all Love
STRINGS & ORCHESTRATION: Nestor Rivera
T
he last song I wrote before the darkness closed in and I lost my words was titled ‘Will You Love Me In The Winter?’ It was my finishing flash of inspiration for the Level Ground project in 2010 and then the songs stopped. Disorientation set in. Listening to that song later I realized that I knew what was coming, yet even so, I wasn’t ready. (Who signs up and is ready for a season of suffering?) Even though I didn’t feel ready, God, like a good shepherd was preparing the way ahead of me. That doesn’t mean I felt his presence because for the most part I didn’t, yet somehow, I made it. (My ‘Grateful List’ names the primary people who helped me make it.) I’m on the other side of that long hard winter now but still, I don’t understand why this season happened and I don’t have any clarity why the winter had to be so long. I don’t have answers. But I do have one thing.
Gratitude.
I remember the day when I told my wife Joyce that I was even able to thank God for someone at the centre of the conflict that helped trigger this relational winter - because it was this pain that drove me to seek the ancient paths and to sing the ancient words from the Psalms including the Psalms of lament. Lament is one of the biblical doorways to joy and emotionally healthy spirituality. In the end, everything belongs - even the hard circumstances and the winters in our lives. This is how we become fruitful and how we grow in our ability to relate to others in their suffering. (Go to www.theshiyrpoets.com if you want to hear what I’ve done with my friends as we continue to create new musical settings of the Psalms.) Today I’m thankful for so many things. The wonder-filled world where we live and the millions of miracles that sustain us every minute. The people that love us and stick with us. The people
that hurt us and help us grow in character. The gift of music and all the arts that help us see and feel. The ancient words that help us pray when we lose our words. I hope this album helps and encourages you on your journey through the spring-times of rebirth and the winters that will eventually follow. Gratefully, Brian Doerksen P.S. I’d love to hear from you. What are you grateful for? briandoerksen.com
BR I A N DO E R K S E N
G R AT E F U L C r e d i t s P RO DUCE D BY: Mark Troyer & Stephen J Rendall RECO RDED, E N GIN E E RE D AND MIXED BY: Mark Troyer
@ Evergreen Sound Studios, Calgary Alberta. Band tracks recorded at OCL Studios, Calgary. ADDI TI ONAL TRAC KIN G AT: Whitewater (Roy Salmond), Hi Tyme
(Philip Janz), Upper Room (Brian Thiessen), Five Acres (Ryan McAllister) & Prairie College. MASTER E D BY: Brock McFarlane at CPS Mastering Vancouver, Canada
T h e
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BA SS G UITAR: Chris Byrne DR UMS & PE RC US S ION : Lyle Molzan & Spencer Cheyne KEY BOAR DS : Mike Little ELECTR I C GUITAR OV E RD U BS: Russell Broom STR I NGS & ORC H E S TRAT IONS: Nestor Rivera ELECTR I C GUITARS OV E R D U BS & ELECT RIC SITAR: Brian Thiessen FEMALE VOC AL S : Carly Reirson, Loralee Thiessen & Teresa Trask MALE VOC AL S : Philip Janz, Ryan McAllister & Brian Thiessen
thank you.