This medley contains guitar and piano tracks for these five songs: My Shining Star, With Me, Take Me Away, The Key and Wonder Why.
Below are lyrics. The links to stories about my songs include recordings with vocals.
My song began with inspiration from a poem written to my mother. I also imagined a future lover speaking to me. But “my shining star” became love from the heavens and was the comfort I needed so I could heal.
MY SHINING STAR
Shining star so bright
you wink to me every night
moonlight glows upon my bed
I hear your voice inside my head
Shining star so bright
surround me with your lovely light
I reach for you in my sleep
you comfort me while I weep
In my heart you will stay
I’ll hold onto our dream forever
the stars above, remind me of our love
each and every day, wherever you are
you’re my shining star
Shining star so bright
even though you’re not in sight
with my eyes closed, your breath I feel
you whisper in my ear to heal
In my heart you will stay
I’ll hold onto our dream forever
the stars above, remind me of our love
each and every day, wherever you are
you’re my shining star so bright
I’ll dream of you tonight
In my heart you will stay
I’ll hold onto our dream forever
the stars above, remind me of our love
each and every day, wherever you are
you’re my shining star
–
Story behind MY SHINING STAR
This song was composed a week after my father’s death in 2012. Feeling my father’s love helped me greatly as I was going through a separation at that time, too. My song also held a spiritual reference to God.
WITH ME
I look at the clouds and see your face
You’re watching me; smiling from space
Not sure where I’m going or when I’ll get there
But you are with me; you’re everywhere
When I’m discouraged, sometimes I crawl
You hold me up so I won’t fall
Not sure of my life now or where I will go
But you are with me; that much I know
With me, when I was born
With me as I mourn
With me in every song
You’re with me to keep me strong
With me every day
With me in every way
With me and always near
You take away all of my fear
Though I can’t see you; you’re not in sight
Through the darkness you are my light
Not sure what will happen or how things will be
Yet I am certain, you are with me
With me, when I was born
With me as I mourn
With me in every song
You’re with me to keep me strong
With me every day
With me in every way
With me and always near
You take away my fear
With me when I cry
With me when I die
Watching my life unfold
You’re with me, as I grow old
You’re with me . . . as I grow old
–
Although I was inspired to write a song about being taken on vacation, my true feelings emerged. I dreamed of holding my mom one more time.
TAKE ME AWAY
I’m on a road; I’ve travelled so far
Not sure where I am or where you are
I long to escape when I go to sleep
But my dreams are so vivid; they make me weep
I know you are gone
I just can’t move on
Take me away to a lovely day
Where I’m holding you again
It’s hard to face
I’m crying while I’m dreaming
of seeing you someday
But in my dreams
you take me away
For the first time I’m on my own
Everything’s changed; all that I’ve known
I wanted to leave my sadness behind
But memories of us fill up my mind
I know you are gone
I just can’t move on
Take me away to a lovely day
Where I’m holding you again
It’s hard to face
I’m crying while I’m dreaming
of seeing you someday
But in my dreams
you take me away
Take me away to a lovely day
Where I’m holding you again
It’s hard to face
that you’re gone forever
Every night I pray
In my dreams
you’ll take me away
Story behind TAKE ME AWAY-PART 1
Story behind TAKE ME AWAY-PART 2
This song was pivotal for me healing. I left my prison of grief when I found the key that released me. The revelation was that he brought it to me.
The Key
After you left I was locked away
In a prison of grief; I cried every day
I couldn’t escape and years went by
I accepted my prison and stopped asking why
When I saw the key, I couldn’t believe
The prison doors opened; I could leave
I lost what I loved; grief swallowed me
Until the day I found the key
I let myself out; life wasn’t the same
I slowly adjusted, but whispered your name
I tried to forget all I went through
But I never let go of my love for you
When I saw the key, I couldn’t believe
The prison doors opened; and I could leave
I never dreamed that I’d be free
But then one day, I found the key
When I saw the key, I couldn’t believe
The prison doors opened; I could leave
What I loved most was taken from me
But you came back to bring me the key
Wonder is a beautiful word. It is about questioning, as well as awe. This song is about my dialog with God because I wonder why there is so much suffering in the world.
WONDER WHY
I’m thankful for life but I’ve lived with grief
Although I am hopeful, I long for belief
I wish there’s a way you could explain
Why life holds so much pain
I look at the mountains into the blue sky
I wish somehow I could fly
Away from sadness, torture and madness
As I cry, I wonder – why?
Life can be sweet, we hope and we dream
‘til tragedy leaves us to scream
Diseases and death, lives are destroyed
Prayer vanishes into that void
I look at the mountains into the blue sky
Searching for answers before I die
For those who suffer, the road is much tougher
As I cry, I wonder – why?
God, I want to believe in you
I just wish I knew
So much of life seems so unfair
People are broken and filled with despair
I look at the mountains into the blue sky
My doubt is something I cannot deny
If it was planned, I don’t understand
God I cry and wonder – why?
