A note on the composition:
For many years, I was blessed to have a job that required many hours of driving in the car, during which I availed myself of the “wireless seminary” of doctrinally sound Christian radio (e.g., GNN, CSR). That is how I became familiar with the Biblical teaching and expository commentary of such men as Adrian Rogers, Chuck Missler, Ravi Zacharias, and many others. Teachings which expanded my knowledge and worldview, and edified and deepened my faith in Jesus Christ as Creator, Lord, and Savior.
It was while driving home one day, that a sort of little “lilt” appeared within the confines of my cranium. A sort of insistent little “la la la lah…”, which suggested the phrase “bless-ed are you…”. I carried the tune home with me, repeating it to myself in order to hold onto it, for the purpose of seeing if it could be expanded upon.
Got home, had a bite of supper, stretched out on the couch, and was just beginning to drift off into snoozle land… when it was if a voice in my head demanded “get your lazy (rear end) off that couch, and figure this song out, or you’ll lose it forever”. In a rare (for me) instance of following orders: that is exactly what I did.
Figured out the chords. It was clear that the song was connected to The Beatitudes; turned to them in my Bible. It became apparent that grouping the blessings together in a stanza, followed by a stanza of their outcomes, worked best in terms of structure, cadence, etc.
And there you have it. Been carrying this song around for years. Trena and I have used it as a closer on several occasions, as a sort of benediction. My intent was to — “in the fullness of time” — have it recorded properly. Preferably with a church choir. A while back — somewhere in 2019 — an interior (?) voice similar to the one described above directed me thusly: “if you get hit by a bus (or, these days, develop a cough — wink) without making this song available to the world — shame on you.” So, a few months ago, I began working on it. With Trena serving admirably as the “church choir.” But she is not enamored of the recording process, and progress was not swift enough for my liking. I realized “you can work on more than one project a time, you know”.
So I did. With the “Badger/The Sign on the Wall” suite surging ahead in terms of readiness. It was released in March ’20 (links below), with the acknowledgement of how an original composition of “20th Century Pop-Rock” seemed irrelevant in these Covid crazy times.
A sentiment that doesn’t apply to this one. The words of our Lord can never be irrelevant: in fact, nothing could be more relevant to these unprecedented — or any other — times. And while its release was not pIanned (at least, not by me — wink) to coincide with Easter Week, during this most unprecedented of circumstances; it is my sincere wish that “Blessed Are You” is an earnest and suitable expression of those words, and that they may provide the listener with a sense of peace and joy and grace not only during this challenging time, but for all times.
WWS
April 2020
“Blessed Are You” on DistroKid (also on Spotify, iTunes, and all other digital and streaming outlets):
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thedoves/blessed-are-you
"Blessed Are You" video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTJ0g60bqYg&feature=youtu.be
“Badger/The Sign on the Wall” video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ADBeQz1No
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Lyrics:
Blessed are you — when you are poor in spirit
Blessed are you — when you are in pain
Blessed are you — when you are meek and lowly
Blessed are you — who hunger and thirst for righteousness
Blessed are you — blessed for your mercy, and
Blessed are you — if you’re pure in heart
His Kingdom come
His comfort IS
He has inherited to us.
We shall be filled
We shall obtain His mercy, and
we shall see God.
Blessed are you — when you are persecuted
For His sake
Blessed are you — in your righteousness, and
Blessed are you — for the peace that you make
We shall be called children of God
Our Kingdom is in Heaven
We shall rejoice
We shall be glad — our reward’s waiting for us there.
Bridge
We shall be called children of God
Our Kingdom is in Heaven
We shall rejoice
We shall be glad — our reward’s waiting for us there.
His Kingdom come
His comfort IS
He has inherited to us.
We shall be filled
We shall obtain His mercy, and
we shall see God.