Original Song – “Sing Songs Of Joy”

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Mark D. Jones under I - Original Songs (All Lyrics, Music and Commentary), Ig - "Christmas 1990" - Collected Works Volume VII

Sing Songs Of Joy was the second song that I wrote, just after Glory To God. With this song I changed direction from the triumphal and heavenly Glory To God, to a more traditional Christmas carol. With Sing Songs Of Joy, I imagine a group of people out caroling in a neighborhood, all gathered around someone’s front porch. Add a few snowflakes for effect and a snowman in the background with a carrot for a nose, and Christmas lights and decorations on the house – and I think you can visualize what I have in mind. The song focuses on Joy, Praise, Peace, Love, Hope and Thanks – all centered on God and His Son Jesus Christ. So grab a cup of hot chocolate brimming with marshmallows, roast some chestnuts over a fire and enjoy a glass of eggnog – and imagine this caroling group beginning the song with, “Sing songs of joy for all mankind to hear…”

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I recorded my original song “Sing Songs Of Joy” on Set 13 in 1997, and it’s the second song I wrote just after praying for the gift of songwriting. This is a Christmas song that reminds us of all the things in our lives that we have to be joyful for at both Christmas and throughout the year ~ enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

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(Note: Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

Sing Songs Of Joy

Intro:

C, Am, F, G C, Am, F, Dm, G

Verse One:

C Dm Em F

Sing songs of joy for all mankind to hear

C Dm Em F

Sing songs of praise for our Savior is here

C Dm G

Jesus Christ is born

C Dm G

Our Savior Christ is born

Am, Dm, G, F, C, F, G

Verse Two:

C Dm Em F

Sing songs of peace for all people to hear

C Dm Em F

Sing songs of love for the world need not fear

C Dm G

Jesus Christ is King

C Dm G

Christ our Lord is King

Am, Dm, G, F, C, F, G

Verse Three:

C Dm Em F

Sings songs of hope for the world to hear

C Dm Em F

Sing songs of thanks for our Savior is here

C Dm G

Give thanks to our Lord

C Dm G

Sing praise to our Lord

Am, Dm, G, F, C, F, G

Verse Four:

C Dm Em F

Praise unto God for the Light of our lives

C Dm Em F

Angels sing of our Lord from on high

C Dm G

Jesus Christ is born

C Dm G

Our Savior Christ is born

C, Am, F, G C, Am, F, Dm, G

Original Song – “Eyes Of A Child”

Posted on December 4, 2010 by Mark D. Jones under I - Original Songs (All Lyrics, Music and Commentary), Io - "In the Name of the Father" - Collected Works Volume XV

Eyes Of A Child is a Christmas song of mine that describes the simple joys of Christmas through the eyes of a child. Every parent sees and experiences the anticipation building in their children during the Christmas season, culminating in their pure joy and delight on Christmas morning! The song then transitions to recall the memories of Christmases past when we, too, were small children. So take a moment and step into the wonder and cherished memories of Christmas through the eyes of a child – Merry Christmas to one and all!

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I recorded my original song “Eyes Of A Child” on Set 13 in 1997, and it’s a Christmas song that speaks to the joy and delight of children at Christmastime. It also recalls the memories of Christmases past, when we, too, were children ~ enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

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(Note: Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

Eyes Of A Child

Verse One:

C Am G

Lights on the tree burning bright

C Am G

Love and joy fill the night

F G C Am

As children dream of Christmas Day

Dm G

Fast asleep on Christmas Eve

F G C Am

In the eyes of a child, Christmas Day

G Dm G

Is the best day of the year

C Am G

Presents under the tree

C Am G

Wrapped so carefully

F G C Am

Until Christmas Day when children wake

Dm G

Sitting there so patiently

C Dm C D

Dream, dream of Christmas Day

C Dm G C

Dream of the joy that you feel that day

F G C F

Christmas Day is a joy to see

C Dm G

In the eyes of a little child

Verse Two:

C Am G

Snow falling so gently

C Am G

Outside the window tonight

F G C Am

As we watch the snow fall Christmas Eve

Dm G

While the children quietly sleep

F G C Am

In the eyes of a child, Christmas Day

G Dm G

Is the best day of the year

C Am G

Children dream in the night

C Am G

Wrapped up in blankets so tight

F G C Am

And on Christmas Day when they awake

Dm G

They will run to the Christmas tree

C Dm C G

Dream, dream of Christmas Day

C Dm G C

Dream of the joy that you feel that day

F G C F

Christmas Day is a joy to see

C Dm G

In the eyes of a little child

Verse Three:

C Am G

Thinking back years ago

C Am G

When we were children

F G C Am

Dreaming dreams of Christmas Day

Dm G

As we slept on Christmas Eve

F G C Am

In the eyes of a child, Christmas Day

G Dm G

Is the best day of the year

C Am G

Do you remember the joy

C Am G

That you found Christmas Day

F G C Am

(When you) were a child on Christmas Day

Dm G

With your presents under the tree

C Dm C G

Dream, dream of Christmas Day

C Dm G C

Dream of the joy that you feel that day

F G C F

Christmas Day is a joy to see

C Dm G

In the eyes of a little child

C Dm G

Fast asleep on Christmas Eve

G C

Dream your dreams

Original Song – “How Could I Serve Him”

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Mark D. Jones under I - Original Songs (All Lyrics, Music and Commentary), Io - "In the Name of the Father" - Collected Works Volume XV

“How Could I Serve Him” is another tender, heartfelt and very personal Christmas song of mine, as I use myself as a template for the main character of the song – in this case a lowly donkey. Like the donkey I ask, “What could I ever do for God?” In this case, God found two very important jobs for the donkey to do – and changed his entire perspective of what he was capable of doing for God. The meaning of the song is that God sees our hearts through and through, and has a perfect plan for our lives and for what He needs us to do!

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I recorded my original song “How Could I Serve Him” on Set 13 in 1997, and it looks at both the first Christmas day and the events of Easter through the eyes of a lowly donkey. We all feel sometimes like a donkey or worse, with nothing to offer anyone let alone to God ~ but He knows our hearts through and through and has a perfect plan for us ~ no matter what we can do! Enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

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(Note: Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

How Could I Serve Him?

Verse One:

C F F C

“How am I to ever, serve my God?

C F F C

How am I to ever, serve my God?”

F G

Said the donkey one day

Em Am Am Dm F

“I am nothing more than a lowly beast

G G F F

Just a humble soul among the least

G F F C G Em F

Of all the world what could, I, do, for, God?

G C

How could I serve Him?”

C Dm C F

Then one day an angel came

F C G

To whisper in his ear

G F F C Am

“For unto the world a Savior comes

F F G

And here’s God’s plan for you

Am Am G

He knows your heart through and through

Am Am G

And here’s what you are to do

Em F F G

Carry Mary on your back

F C

To Bethlehem

F C F C G

And you shall see, the Christ Child”

Verse Two:

C F F C

“How am I to ever, serve my Lord?

C F F C

How am I to ever, serve my Lord?”

F G

And the donkey went forth

Em Am Am Dm F

“I have seen the Christ Child with my eyes

G G F F

I have seen the love that filled His eyes

G F F C G Em F

But I am just a beast, of, burden

G C

What could I do for Him?”

C Dm C F

After many years went by

F C G

An angel came to Him

G F F C Am

He said, “God has a plan for you

F F G

and needs your help again

Am Am G

He knows your heart through and through

Am Am G

And here’s what you are to do

Em F G

As you stand beside the colt

F C

You must guide his path

F G F C G

For on his back, will ride Christ”

Verse Three:

C F F C

“How am I to ever, serve my Lord?

C F F C

How am I to ever, serve my Lord?”

F G

And the donkey led the way

Em Am Am Dm F

Into Jerusalem Christ rode

G G F F

On a colt that donkey led along

G F F C G Em F

He was just an old, gray, donkey

G C

What could he ever do?

C Dm C F

And he was there that day

F C G

To hear the people say

G F C Am

“Hosanna in the highest

F F G

The son of David”

Am Am G

The Lord knew his heart through and through

Am Am G

And needed him to do

Em F G

The work of the Lord

F C

The same for you

F G F C G

The Lord has a plan, for you too

G F F C F C

No matter what, you can do, A-men

Original Song – “Light Of Christ”

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Mark D. Jones under I - Original Songs (All Lyrics, Music and Commentary), Io - "In the Name of the Father" - Collected Works Volume XV

Light Of Christ is one of a number of very personal Christmas songs that I’ve written which have affected me and deepened my faith as I put myself in the part of one of the song’s characters – in this case a little shepherd boy – who personally receives the Light of Christ at the foot of the manger in Bethlehem. Like the little shepherd boy, I have no gift fitting to give the Lord – so I have asked Jesus to give me His light, the Light of Christ – that will always be with me in my life. The Truth of Jesus shines brightest through the simple perspective of children in their purity and their innocence. May we all adopt childlike hearts, and look at our world through the simple love of a child…as given to us by our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

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I recorded my original song “Light Of Christ” on Set 13 in 1997, and it’s a Christmas song that looks at the very first Christmas through the eyes of a little shepherd boy. It’s one of a number of personal Christmas songs that I’ve written, as I look back at the events of over 2,000 years ago through the eyes of the characters in my songs ~ enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

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(Note: Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

Light Of Christ

Verse One:

C F

He was a shepherd boy all alone

F C C F

Tending his father’s flock one night

F G Em Am

Watching the stars shining bright

G Em F

On a cold, desert night

C F

And he saw in the night

Dm Em G F

A single star shining brighter

C C G

Than he’d ever seen it before

G F F

As he looked to that star

G Am

He wondered how far

Dm C G Em F

It was to that special light, in the night

C C F F

As he stood there on that winter’s night

C C F F

Tending sheep beneath that star so bright

F C F G

There appeared an angel of the Lord

G F G

“Go follow that light

F C

To your Savior tonight

Am F C G

May His light always shine over you”

Verse Two:

C F

He woke his father up with the news

F C C F

Of what the angel had to say

F G Em Am

And they followed that star

G Em F

Burning bright in the night

C F

As they followed the light

Dm Em G F

Of that star through the night

C C G

They came to Bethlehem

G F F

And they saw with their eyes

G Am

Their Lord Christ

Dm C G Em F

A babe wrapped in swadling clothes, on that night

C C F F

As they stood there on that winter’s night

C C F F

Three Kings came bearing gifts that night

F C F G

And they heard the angels sing on high

G F G

“Hallelujah, Christ is King

F C

Our Savior will bring

Am F C G

His light to shine in the world”

Verse Three:

C F

And the shepherd boy standing there

F C C F

Had no gift to give the Lord

F G Em Am

So he bowed down his head

G Em F

And said a prayer

C F

“May the light of Christ

Dm Em G F

That I followed tonight

C C G

Always shine on in my life

G F F

Through the darkest night

G Am

The light of Christ

Dm C G Em F

Will always be with me, in my life”

C C F F

As he knelt there at the feet of Christ

C C F F

That shepherd boy received the light

F C F G

Of Christ into his life that night

G F G

And he heard the angels sing

F C

“Glory to the new born King

Am F C G

May His light always shine over you

Em F F C F C

In your life, from tonight” A-men

Original Music – Studio Recording Sessions: Set Lists

Posted on June 27, 2009 by Mark D. Jones under I - Original Songs (All Lyrics, Music and Commentary)

I have started the process of converting the recordings of some of my songs from DAT (Digital Audio Tape) into CD versions, so that I can eventually post them to this blog as a, “part of my life’s journey.” As a songwriter, I want these rough demos that I recorded to be available for you to listen to, as they are a significant part of what I have accomplished in my life. The whole purpose of recording these songs was so that another musician could listen to my songs and understand how the melodies went, because I couldn’t write them out correctly by hand. These songs are only a portion of the total number of songs that I’ve written, and the others were not recorded as part of this project because I couldn’t play them on guitar, and because my piano playing wasn’t good enough to play them, sing – and do it all correctly at the same time.

In fact, the first time that I ever even attempted to play the piano and sing while recording was on Sets 17 and 18A. I had a lot of trouble playing the studio piano well, because my old piano at home had “slippery” keys, and this expensive studio electric piano had “non-slippery” keys. I found that my fingers didn’t move and slide around as I wanted them to; which was frustrating to me because it all didn’t work out very well and the performances were sub-par at best. I suppose that my sweating palms had a little something to do with it too!

I found a quote in WikiAnswers, from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem, “In Memoriam: 27, 1850,” that says: “Hold it true, whate’er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; ‘Tis better to have loved and lost, Than never to have loved at all.” So in the end, I would rather have dreamed of writing songs, written songs and then recorded my own attempts at translating them for the world, then to have never tried. If no one in the entire world likes these songs, and negatively critiques my abilities to write and record songs – that’s fine – because I actually did something that I had dreamed of doing! 🙂 And, exceeded my own personal expectations in the process. When I originally said a prayer for the ability to write songs; at the time I had never written a song, couldn’t sing, couldn’t play guitar, and my piano playing was only really a distant memory from grade school. I then started writing my first song in the very minute the prayer was finished. The fact that I actually wrote and recorded 18 Sets of songs in this process (and wrote more that are not recorded here) – really amazes me.

During the process of writing songs in the very beginning; I asked a friend of mine, Gordon Olvera, to try and help play them for me – as I didn’t sing and didn’t play guitar. I wrote all of my early songs on the piano only, and had everything else “floating in my head” that I couldn’t get out. I have always personally thought of Gordon as the American version of “Paul McCartney” – as he is the most gifted and talented musician, vocalist and guitar player that I have ever known. We played with these early songs and eventually progressed to a little practice studio to have fun with them. Gordon gave my songs a “voice” in the beginning. I had originally written them, and we then worked on them together, and there was no way to know where my original version and his contributions started and stopped; so when I went to register them for copyright protection I gave Gordon full songwriting credits for all of the early songs we worked on together – indicated by an asterisk (*) below.

As I’ve said before, you can listen, play and perform these songs for your personal use and enjoyment as you like. The only thing I ask is for you to remember that they are copyrighted; so if you want to do anything in a commercial capacity with them – like sell or publish them, I ask that you contact me to discuss your project(s). (mark.d.jones @cox.net – close the gap when sending an email to me) I’ll sort out the details with Gordon as necessary. On Monday I go to a local studio to begin the DAT tape to CD project, and once I have the recordings on CD, I’ll figure out how to get them posted into this blog for you. Each song will eventually be posted as a separate article with the song’s background, lyrics and chords; but this will take some time. So, if you hear a song from this collection and would like the lyrics and chords to it, just let me know – and I’ll get it posted for you as soon as I can get to it! 🙂

Mark D. Jones – Studio Recording Sessions – Set Lists

1996-1998, at ZigZag Music Productions, Cambridgeshire, UK (http://www.zigzagmusic.com)

Set One: (DAT Tape #1, September 21, 1996 – Vocals & Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar)

The Lord’s Prayer
The 23^rd Psalm (Take One)
The 23^rd Psalm (Take Two)
Simple Man
The World Gently Weeps
Hold out for the Dawn (Plus Distortion)
Hold out for the Dawn (Minus Distortion)
Children of Woodstock (Slow Tempo) *
Children of Woodstock (Fast Tempo) *
Walkin’ Shoes
Masquerade
Little Darlin’ *
Open My Eyes
One Man
Dreams Never Die

Set Two: (DAT Tape #1, October 5, 1996 – Vocals & Ovation 12 String Acoustic Guitar)

(16) Green Eyed Sally
(17) Cross of My Lord
(18) Time Stands Still
(19) Labor of Love
(20) Reflections
(21) Love and Life
(22) Answered the Wind
(23) Baby, Baby
(24) Show the World
(25) Changed Man

Set Three: (DAT Tape #1, October 19, 1996 – Vocals & Ovation 12 String Acoustic Guitar)

(26) You’re the One (Take One – With Pick) *
(27) You’re the One (Take Two – Fingers Only) *
(28) You’re the One (Take Three – Fingers Only) *
(29) Love You So (Take One)
(30) Love You So (Take Two)
(31) Dreamer *
(32) Follow Your Heart
(33) Promised Land *
(34) Walk With Me
(35) Lost and Found
(36) Love Again *
(37) Jennifer *
(38) Do You Care

Set Four: (DAT Tape #2, November 16, 1996 – Vocals & Ovation 12 String Acoustic Guitar)

(39) The Dream Lives On (Take One)
(40) The Dream Lives On (Take Two)
(41) Treat ‘em Nice (Take One)
(42) Treat ‘em Nice (Take Two)
(43) Sign of the Times
(44) On My Knees (Take One)
(45) On My Knees (Take Two)
(46) Lord You Know
(47) Papa
(48) Workin’ Man
(49) Need Your Lovin’
(50) Love For You
(51) You Get What You Pray For

Set Five: (DAT Tape #2 or #3, November 30, 1996 – Vocals & Ovation 12 String Acoustic Guitar)

(52) Simple Man (Version II) (Take One)
(53) Simple Man (Version II) (Take Two)
(54) Dance With Me *
(55) Dawn of Morning (Take One)
(56) Dawn of Morning (Take Two)
(57) Live For You (Take One)
(58) Live For You (Take Two)
(59) Love’s Like a Rainbow (Take One) *
(60) Love’s Like a Rainbow (Take Two) *
(61) Love’s Like a Rainbow (Take Three) *
(62) Girl Next Door
(63) Loves Me Crazy
(64) Love is the Key (Take One) *
(65) Love is the Key (Take Two) *
(66) Christ Callin’
(67) Sixteen Candles (Take One)
(68) Sixteen Candles (Take Two)

Set Six: (DAT Tape #3, December 14, 1996 – Vocals & Ovation 12 String Acoustic Guitar)

(69) Mercy, Mercy (Take One)
(70) Mercy, Mercy (Take Two)
(71) Mercy, Mercy (Take Three)
(72) Winds of Change
(73) Copenhagen (Take One) *
(74) Copenhagen (Take Two) *
(75) My Life’s Journey (Take One)
(76) My Life’s Journey (Take Two)
(77) Little Baby *
(78) Too young To Understand
(79) Looking For the Sun (Take One) *
(80) Looking For the Sun (Take Two) *
(81) The Emperor Has no Clothes
(82) One Man Against Time *
(83) One Day

Set Seven: (DAT Tape #4, January, 18, 1997 – Vocals & Ovation 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(84) England (Take One)
(85) England (Take Two)
(86) Thousand Faces *
(87) Mountain Starlight *
(88) Tropical Dreams *
(89) Climbing My Mountain
(90) Penny For Your Thoughts (Take One)
(91) Penny For Your Thoughts (Take Two)
(92) House of the Lord
(93) Like a River (Take One)
(94) Like a River (Take Two)
(95) Still Have Time
(96) When Will We Begin (Take One) *
(97) When Will We Begin (Take Two) *

Set Eight: (DAT Tape #4, February 15, 1997 – Vocals & 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(98) Hand in Hand (Take One)
(99) Hand in Hand (Take Two)
(100) Singin’ the Blues
(101) My Little Lady
(102) Seems Like Rain (Take One) *
(103) Seems Like Rain (Take Two) *
(104) Lonely Eyes (Take One)
(105) Lonely Eyes (Take Two)
(106) Great Divide
(107) Love is Like a Flower (Take One)
(108) Love is Like a Flower (Take Two)
(109) On the Trail (Take One)
(110) On the Trail (Take Two)
(111) On the Trail (Take Three)
(112) Your Love (Take One) *
(113) Your Love (Take Two) *
(114) Oh Lord (Take One)
(115) Oh Lord (Take Two)
(116) Oh Lord (Take Three)

Set Nine: (DAT Tape #5, March 1, 1997 – Vocals & 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(117) Hills of Tennessee (Take One)
(118) Hills of Tennessee (Take Two)
(119) Hills of Tennessee (Take Three)
(120) Blues State of Mind
(121) For You *
(122) Hypnotized
(123) A Feelin’ (Take One)
(124) A Feelin’ (Take Two)
(125) Barriers
(126) Amen
(127) The One I Never Knew (Take One) *
(128) The One I Never Knew (Take Two) *
(129) Dreamin’ Man
(130) Yahweh (God) (Take One)
(131) Yahweh (God) (Take Two)

Set Ten: (DAT Tape #5 and #6, April 26, 1997 – Vocals & 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(132) Fly Eagle Fly (Take One)
(133) Fly Eagle Fly (Take Two)
(134) Times of Our Lives (Take One)
(135) Times of Our Lives (Take Two)
(136) Sail Away (Take One)
(137) Sail Away (Take Two)
(138) Lookin’ For Heaven (Take One)
(139) Lookin’ For Heaven (Take Two)
(140) Tell Me Please (Take One)
(141) Tell Me Please (Take Two)
(142) Dry My Tears (Take One)
(143) Dry My Tears (Take Two)
(144) Someone New (Take One)
(145) Someone New (Take Two)
(146) You Challenge Me (Take One)
(147) You Challenge Me (Take Two)
(148) Can’t Stop That Feelin’ (Take One)
(149) Can’t Stop That Feelin’ (Take Two)
(150) A Better Way (Take One)
(151) A Better Way (Take Two)

Set Eleven: (DAT Tape #6, May 24, 1997 – Vocals & 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(152) You and Me (Take One) *
(153) You and Me (Take Two) *
(154) Story of My Life
(155) Lady, Oh Lady (Take One)
(156) Lady, Oh Lady (Take Two)
(157) Lady, Oh Lady (Take Three)
(158) Lady, Oh Lady (Take Four)
(159) Follow the Light (Take One)
(160) Follow the Light (Take Two)
(161) Breakthrough (Take One)
(162) Breakthrough (Take Two)
(163) Who Do You Love
(164) Time Gives Me No Answers (Take One) *
(165) Time Gives Me No Answers (Take Two) *
(166) Only One (Take One)
(167) Only One (Take Two)
(168) Two Paths
(169) Do You Know (Take One)
(170) Do You Know (Take Two)
(171) Do You Know (Take Three)
(172) For The World (Take One)
(173) For The World (Take Two)
(174) For The World (Take Three)

Set Twelve: (DAT Tape #6, June 28, 1997 – Vocals & 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(175) Man and Wife
(176) Lost in Love (Take One)
(177) Lost in Love (Take Two)
(178) Unconditional Love (Take One)
(179) Unconditional Love (Take Two)
(180) Missin’ Her (Take One)
(181) Missin’ Her (Take Two)
(182) Fly Away (Take One)
(183) Fly Away (Take Two)
(184) Pretty Baby (Take One)
(185) Pretty Baby (Take Two)
(186) Mary
(187) On My Own (Take One) *
(188) On My Own (Take Two) *
(189) Win the Peace (Take One)
(190) Win the Peace (Take Two)
(191) Dreams Come True (Take One)
(192) Dreams Come True (Take Two)
(193) Girls (Take One)
(194) Girls (Take Two)
(195) Follow Your Dreams (Take One)
(196) Follow Your Dreams (Take Two)
(197) Follow Your Dreams (Take Three)

Set Thirteen: (DAT Tape #7, August 30, 1997 – Vocals & 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(198) Christmas Comes But Once A Year (Take One)
(199) Christmas Comes But Once A Year (Take Two)
(200) Sing Songs of Joy
(201) An Old Fashioned Christmas (Take One)
(202) An Old Fashioned Christmas (Take Two)
(203) Glory To God
(204) Light Of Christ
(205) Peace Be With You
(206) Noel
(207) How Could I Serve Him
(208) Eyes of a Child (Take One)
(209) Eyes of a Child (Take Two)
(210) Just as I Have Loved You

Set Fourteen: (DAT Tape #7, September 27, 1997 – Vocals & 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(211) Merry Christmas (Take One)
(212) Merry Christmas (Take Two)
(213) Open Your Heart
(214) Live As One
(215) Love At First Sight
(216) My Lord My God
(217) Amazed
(218) Amazed
(219) Crooked Highway
(220) Smile For Me
(221) I Try To Understand (In Memory of Capt Jerry Lindh and Maj David M. McGuire)
(222) Fountain Of Love (Take One)
(223) Fountain Of Love (Take Two)

Set Fifteen: (DAT Tape #7 and #8, November 15, 1997 – Vocals & 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(224) Crossroads (Take One)
(225) Crossroads (Take Two)
(226) Crossroads (Take Three)
(227) Highway To Nowhere (Take One) *
(228) Highway To Nowhere (Take Two) *
(229) Lord Knows
(230) The One That I Loved (Take One) *
(231) The One That I Loved (Take Two) *
(232) Still Got The Blues
(233) Fruit Of Your Heart
(234) The World
(235) Me and My Piano (Take One)
(236) Me and My Piano (Take Two)
(237) In A Song (Take One)
(238) In A Song (Take Two)
(239) In A Song (Take Three)
(240) Heart and Soul (Take One)
(241) Heart and Soul (Take Two)
(242) Heart and Soul (Take Three)

Set Sixteen: (DAT Tape #8, December 13, 1997 – Vocals & 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(243) Ridin’ That Train (Take One) *
(244) Ridin’ That Train (Take Two) *
(245) Ridin’ That Train (Take Three) *
(246) Ridin’ That Train (Take Four) *
(247) In The Name Of Pride *
(248) Only Three (David’s Song) (Take One) *
(249) Only Three (David’s Song) (Take Two) *
(250) Only Three (David’s Song) (Take Three) *
(251) Paradise (Take One) *
(252) Paradise (Take Two) *
(253) Changes *
(254) A Little Time (Take One) *
(255) A Little Time (Take Two) *
(256) Sunshine (Take One) *
(257) Sunshine (Take Two) *
(258) Sonny (In Memory of 1Lt Steve Sundstrom) *
(259) Do You Think About Me (Take One) *
(260) Do You Think About Me (Take Two) *
(261) When Will You See (Take One) *
(262) When Will You See (Take Two) *

Set Seventeen: (DAT Tape #8, January 17, 1998 – Vocals & 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar)

(263) Comin’ Home
(264) Do You Wonder (Take One)
(265) Do You Wonder (Take Two)
(266) No Reason Why (Take One)
(267) No Reason Why (Take Two)
(268) Lucky One
(269) Wait and See (Take One)
(270) Wait and See (Take Two)
(271) No Man’s Land
(272) Run To You
(273) More Than Friends
(274) Do You Know
(275) Alright Tonight

Set Seventeen (Test): (DAT Tape #8, January 17, 1998 – Vocals & Electric Piano Test Session)

(276) Alright Tonight
(277) Comin’ Home
(278) Do You Wonder
(279) No Reason Why
(280) Lucky One
(281) Wait and See (Take One)
(282) Wait and See (Take Two)
(283) No Man’s Land
(284) Run To You
(285) More Than Friends
(286) Do You Know

Set Eighteen “A”: (DAT Tape #9, March 7, 1998 – Vocals, 12 String Ovation Acoustic Guitar & Electric Piano Test Session)

(287) Sweet Blues * (Vocals, Guitar, Piano)
(288) Where Have You Been * (Vocals, Guitar, Piano)
(289) Louder Than Words * (Vocals, Guitar, Piano)
(290) Sweet Love * (Vocals, Guitar, Piano)
(291) Lady Of My Dreams * (Vocals, Guitar, Piano)
(292) Sweet Blues * (Vocals, Guitar)
(293) Where Have You Been * (Vocals, Guitar)
(294) Louder Than Words * (Vocals, Guitar)
(295) Sweet Love * (Vocals, Guitar)
(296) Lady Of My Dreams * (Vocals, Guitar)
(297) Sweet Blues * (Piano)
(298) Where Have You Been * (Piano)
(299) Louder Than Words * (Piano)
(300) Sweet Love * (Piano)
(301) Lady Of My Dreams * (Piano)

Original Song – “An Old Fashioned Christmas”

Posted on June 7, 2009 by Mark D. Jones under I - Original Songs (All Lyrics, Music and Commentary), Ih - "Christmas 1991" - Collected Works Volume VIII

An Old Fashioned Christmas is my portrayal of everything that is warm, cozy, sincere and authentic about family and their relationship with Christ through three generations at Christmas; focusing primarily on children, grandparents and the memories of the song’s narrator. Everyone has a role and a part to play in reinforcing a loving and nurturing family – from the pure joy of children to the dedication of loving and devoted parents, to the inclusion and warm participation of involved and loving grandparents. Of course no family is the ideal standard to emulate, and every family has its issues to deal with, as a fact and matter of life itself; but this song was my attempt to include all the best features of family and Christmas memories from a timeless perspective into a single Christmas song.

The title is an interesting story in and of itself. Shortly after I had begun writing songs I answered an advertisement to, “Have your song included in an upcoming collection of songs to be called – An Old Fashioned Christmas.” The second song that I ever wrote was a Christmas song called, Sing Songs of Joy; so I wrote out the music, note for note, as carefully and perfectly as I could by hand with the lyrics – as if it was a piece of published sheet music. I mailed away the written song along with my check and waited for their response. Months later I received a single cassette tape with my song included in a compilation with other songs, and sat down to listen to it. What I heard was a singer making a half hearted and almost joking attempt to record my song along with some simple background instrumentation.

I sat there after listening to my song and I had a lot of mixed emotions. As a songwriter and as an author, everything you write is personal, even if you know that some of your pieces are better than others; if a piece didn’t have some kind of meaning to you, you wouldn’t have written it. The melody on the recording was pretty much accurate – if you overlooked the part where the singer got the words all wrong and didn’t bother to do a retake – and the resulting obvious lackadaisical attitude in the studio. Regardless of the recording attempt or quality, listening to Sing Songs of Joy was the first time I had ever heard one of my own songs recorded in any version or format, and for a songwriter that is pretty special. Secondly, I could hear the potential in what “wasn’t” recorded. As I songwriter, I can mentally “hear” the song in my head in a finished format, but for me it was nearly impossible to translate that into something audible. I couldn’t sing to save my life, my piano playing was essentially self-taught and not performance quality, I didn’t know how to play the guitar or any other instruments – so the song was essentially trapped in my head unable to be expressed to the world.

There was a certain amount of self-disappointment for having thrown away “good money” on what was essentially a worthless recording. I felt like a fool, having been taken by an unknown record company in Hollywood. Over time I began to start giving myself a break – how was I to know that it would be a half-hearted and lousy effort? I couldn’t have known that in advance. For all I knew these may have been serious professionals that would see something in my song, and the rest could have been “history” now – as they say when something becomes an “overnight success.” The truth is there are very few overnight success stories – and some of them end up going terribly wrong.

What I learned from this experience is to dig deep, and find a way within yourself to reach your goals without thinking that someone else would hand you something on a silver platter out of the blue. I kept writing songs on our piano and started purchasing equipment over time and teaching myself how to use or play them: a simple 4 track tape deck, a Roland synthesizer, a Fender Stratocaster, an Applause 6 string acoustic guitar, an Ovation 12 string acoustic guitar, a very large Sonar drum kit (a piece at a time it seemed), a Carvin amp stack, a Carvin mixer and used Peavey PA speakers. I taught myself how to sing, play the drums and the guitar – all while moving to England from Germany, learning how to fly the F-111 – first in New Mexico and then in rural Oxfordshire, England – and continued to write songs on the piano and later on the guitar.

Soon after moving to Oxfordshire I began making simple DAT (Digital Audio Tape) cassette recordings at a local recording studio, which was an in-home studio set-up in what was essentially a converted spare bedroom and closet. Eventually I stopped writing music until I figured out what to do with the 200+ songs that I had written – and as you see I’m still working through that process. It was a pragmatic decision because life was just too “full” and there were too many unfinished projects and loose ends to continue adding more to the mix.

Everything cost money over time and served a purpose – to find within myself the ability to express my music. When I retired from the Air Force our family moved to New Hampshire. I played my guitar and sang at a number of open mic sessions at a local hole-in-the-wall bar, playing a whole range of songs – including religious pieces. I realized that the performing life was not ever going to be mine from that experience – as I can’t memorize song titles, music or lyrics – and have to read them off of a music stand. I got pretty comfortable actually playing my songs, and actually enjoyed the experience though. The place was never really that crowded, and folks were spread out at the bar, sitting at tables and playing pool – in various stages of talking, drinking, eating and listening. The apex of my entire open mic “performing career” as it was, came one night when I had finished playing my set and packed my guitar away in its case; I walked past a table and a young woman said, “You’re awesome.” That one little phrase, from that one person, in that one moment in time – really made my day.

My performing went into “retirement” shortly after the time her comment was made, as our family moved west; and after six years of storing everything in a basement and then later in a garage, I gave all of that music equipment to a young aspiring musician with tremendous talent who is now in USAF pilot training. I sold our little upright piano, and the only thing I kept is the 12 string Ovation guitar that someday I’ll pull out from under the bed and get acquainted with again. All things have a purpose and a season, and happen for a reason. Now I’m writing this blog and who knows what I’ll be doing two or five years from now. So now we come full circle and back to An Old Fashioned Christmas.

After the disappointment with the “professional” recording of Sing Songs of Joy, I began to think, “Well what did you expect, Mark?” These people in Hollywood probably don’t know who Jesus really is, so how could they actually “understand” what an old fashioned Christmas was really about? They didn’t have any “understanding” of Christmas or Jesus or the reason for His birth. So I sat down to write a song with the real message of Christmas – one of many that were to follow.

~~~~~~~~~~

I recorded my original song “An Old Fashioned Christmas” on Set 13 in 1997 ~ it’s a fictional song that speaks to cherished childhood memories and the real meaning of Christmas ~ enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

An Old Fashioned Christmas

Verse 1:

C C G F C

I’m dreaming of an old fashioned Christmas

G G F

The way it used to be

F C G F

Ridin’ a one horse sleigh

F C F G

Singing carols on our way

G F G C

With a fresh cut Christmas tree

F G

We had picked ourselves that day

Dm G

To Grandma’s house we’d ride

Dm C

When we were children

Dm Dm G

The fields were white with snow

Dm Dm G

All bundled head to toe

C C F

We sang along our way

F C G F

Christ was born on Christmas day

F C G G F G

Hal-le-lu-jah, Hal-le-lu-jah

G Am G F

Christ was born on Christmas day

F C G F

Jesus was born that day

Dm C

The first Christmas day

Verse 2:

C C G F C

Those Christmas memories bring me back

G G F

To days so long ago

F C G F

With my Grandpa by the fire

F C F G

Reading from his Bible

G F G C

The story of Christ’s birth

F G

And we’d listen to every word

Dm G

As he read to each of us

Dm C

When we were children

Dm Dm G

The tree was filled with lights

Dm Dm G

The fire was burning bright

C C F

We were a family

F C G F

Gathered ’round the Christmas tree

F C G G F G

Singing Hal-le-lu-jah, Hal-le-lu-jah

G Am G F

Christ was born on Christmas day

F C G F

Jesus was born that day

Dm C

The first Christmas day

Verse 3:

C C G F C

My Grandma used to sing Christmas carols

G G F

And knit beside the fire

F C G F

In her rocking chair

F C F G

As we sang along with her

G F G C

She was a joy to hear

F G

Singing songs I still hold dear

Dm G

As she sang to each of us

Dm C

When we were children

Dm Dm G

The Christmas cookies

Dm Dm G

And presents ’round the tree

C C F

We sang on Christmas Eve

F C G F

Christ was born on Christmas day

F C G G F G

Hal-le-lu-jah, Hal-le-lu-jah

G Am G F

Christ was born on Christmas day

F C G F

Jesus was born that day

Dm C

The first Christmas day

Life, Love and the Human Condition

A Philosophical and Autobiographical Blog about Life ~ a collection of my Original Songs, Photos and Thoughts here on my original blog… (Scroll to the Footer for Categories & More)

Tag Archives: Christmas Songs

Original Song – “Sing Songs Of Joy”

Original Song – “Eyes Of A Child”

Original Song – “How Could I Serve Him”

Original Song – “Light Of Christ”

Original Music – Studio Recording Sessions: Set Lists

Original Song – “An Old Fashioned Christmas”