Bethlehemian Rhapsody by Mark Bradford

Mary and Joseph

Since I've started reviewing and writing about songs in this site, it is good once in a while to be able to just listen to creative stuff by other people especially when it comes to changing lyrics set into popular music. What's more special about the song that I'm reviewing now is that Christian lyrics are set into the very popular secular music of Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody.

I like the idea that puppets were made as actors in this music video as it makes the story and song rendition more interesting and easy to watch since the scenes shift so drastically.

Here's the lyrics to sing along:

Is this the real birth? Is it Nativity? 

Caught in a census, in the town of his ancestry. 

Open your eyes, look up to the skies & see...

He's just a poor boy, foretold by prophecy 

Because the wise men come, wise men go, angels high, shepherds low; 

This is how God's love shows, it's a wondrous story to me, to me. 

Mary just got the word 

The angel did appear, but he told her not to fear. 

Mary, now it's just begun. Your son is gonna wash our sins away.

Mary, ooooh....

The God who reigns on high has sent his son thru you to die for all.

I see a little sillouetto of a sheep, 

Shepherds watch, Shepherds watch over their flocks at nighttime. 

Angels shine like lightning, very very frightening me. 

Glory to God! Peace on earth! (repeat) 

Unto you is born this day, the only way! 

I'm just a shepherd, nobody loves me.

He's just a shepherd from a poor family. 

Angels said, go to the stable & see. 

Wise men come, wise men go, will Herod let him live?  

Hey Herod, NO he will not let him live...BETTER GO! (repeat) 

GO, go, go, go! 

Oh, Mary, Joseph, Mary, Joseph to Egypt now, 

gotta save your son who came for me, for me, for me!

So you think that it's just a tale of days gone by? 

But this child who was born went to Calvary to die. 

Oh, Jesus, it's the story of Jesus

Wash our sins out, wash our sins right out of here. 

It's a wondrous story, anyone can see. 

Let's give God the glory, it's a wondrous story to me.

Here's the inspiring video:

The most important line of the story is of course the last two lines:

It's a wondrous story, anyone can see. 

Let's give God the glory, it's a wondrous story to me.

Little Drummer Boy by Sean Quigley

I have heard several versions of the song "Little Drummer Boy" but none that has more impact as Sean Quigley's version. Heck, I've been listening to the song every Christmas and yet not know the story behind it nor have I spent time to really listen to the lyrics. And what is more for me to be amazed is how Sean, a 16 yr old Chritsian boy from Winnipeg, could come up with this brilliant project as his gift for Jesus this Christmas.

Sean played drums, sang the song, recorded the video, and even edited the video which is now being seen worldwide. How cool is that and how big a testimony is that showing the world why we celebrate Christmas!

Sean recounts the story of the song in his interview with Larry Updike on CBC. "There was this little boy gets word of Jesus being born, but he doesn't get to see him and he doesn't have anything to give him. I have no money, I has no physical gift, but I can play the drum... And that's more than enough."

Interesting in the video are several friends of his who held "Merry Christmas" in several languages. Sean thought of doing this so that this message can be understood by a lot of people in the world and bring cheer to them this season.

Sean added that it is not for recognition but all for Jesus. Still, his video is getting positive reviews and recognition (especially in school). :)

Here's the lyrics to the song:

Come they told me, (Pa rum pum pum pum)
A new born king to see (Pa rum pum pum pum)
Our finest gifts we bring (Pa rum pum pum pum)
To lay before the king 
(Pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum)
So to honor him, (Pa rum pum pum pum)
When we come.

Little baby, (Pa rum pum pum pum)
I am a poor boy too.(Pa rum pum pum pum)
I have no gift to bring (Pa rum pum pum pum)
Thats fit to give the king 
(Pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum)
Shall I play for you, (Pa rum pum pum pum)
On my drum.

Mary nodded, (Pa rum pum pum pum)
They ox and lamb kept time, (Pa rum pum pum pum)
I played my drum for him, (Pa rum pum pum pum)
I played my best for him, 
(Pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum)
Then he smiled at me, (Pa rum pum pum pum)
Me and my drum

Then he smiled at me, (Pa rum pum pum pum)
Me and my drum


Here's the mp3 version:



Here's the Youtube version:

Happy drumming!

Higher Window by Josh Groban from Illuminations

One of my favorite singers... one that I strive to be... singer with platinum albums... singer with a wide range of voice... singer of classical and pop... singer of inspirational, uplifting music... that is Josh Groban! I've practically followed this singer as he grew and grew from the boy who sang "The Prayer" with Celine Dion to the now grown-up 30 years old solo artist that he has become.

The song "Higher Window" is from his recent album "Illuminations". I love the lyrics of the song particularly the last line of the chorus... "Just don't tell me that it's too late for me to love you." Have you ever felt that you were meant for someone in this world? Someone like a soul mate? My girl and me have practically known each other since were 8 yrs. old. We have grown up with each other in school, church and practically in our circle of friends. I feel she is the one sent by God to me to love and to care. My pops always tell me that life is short and I should get engaged with her already. In a sense, he is right because they are getting older... we are both not getting younger. So this made me gather my guts and tell her how I feel. At least now, she is my girl and it was not too late for us. :) 

Here's the lyrics:

For all the times I tried for this
And every chance at you I missed
I've been known to go my way, but I confess
It made me miss you more

I drew my line across the sand
And set my flag in no man's land
But here I am the one man band
With a song that's meant for two

And there is a light, from a higher window
Shining down on you tonight
And the music floats on the breeze
Bringing an easier time
And all of our cards are on the table
Tell me what you want to do
Just don't tell me that it's too late
For me to love you

How perfect we were meant to be
Our warm and silent symmetry
It's times like these when all, all we need
Is to be reminded

And I have flown a thousand miles
To empty room and crowded aisles
And we went from cathedral bells
To show and tell and wish you wells
And I, I still look at you and I am blinded I am blinded

Because there is a light, from a higher window
Shining down on us tonight
And the music floats on the breeze
From an easier time
And all of our cards are on the table
Tell me what you want to do
Just don't tell me that it's too late
Don't tell me that it's too late now
Just don't tell me that it´s too late 
for me to love you.

Here's the mp3 version:



Here's the Youtube version:

Hope you won't be too late in love :)

神的道路 by 天韻 from 與信心有約

Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

This is the Bible verse where our song for today is taken. It is aptly called "God's Way". It is interesting to note that in the secular world, there's a song called "My Way", but I guess, in the end, God's way is still better especially if you've personally experienced His love, grace and mercy.

This song is sung by one of my favorite Chinese Christian singing group called Heavenly Melody. You can visit their site here.

Here's the lyrics to the song:

神的道路高過人的道路，(God's ways are higher than man's ways)
神的意念高過人的意念。(God's thoughts are higher than man's thoughts)
祂的心裡有藍圖，(He has a blueprint in His heart)
祂的時間不錯誤，(His timing is never mistaken)
一步一步帶領你前途。(Leading you step by step to the future)


祂立大地的根基，(He established the foundation of the earth)
祂讓雲彩空中漂浮，(He let the clouds float in the air)
是他創造生命氣息，(It is He who created life's breath)
是他應許照顧賜福。(It is He who promised to care and bless)
神造萬物各按其時，(God made everything in His time)
耐心等待必要歡呼。(Patiently waiting with joy)
啊！...耐心等待要歡呼。(Ah... Patiently waiting with joy)


Here's the mp3 version:



Here's the Youtube version:

Hope you consider today God's way!

Expressive Hill ~ Harmonics EOLIA ~ from Ar Tonelico Hymmnos Concert

Another one of my favorites from the game Ar Tonelico. It seems this strange, unintelligible language has captured my heart one way or another through its uniqueness and abrupt change in emotion.

This song seems to bring me somewhere else like in a fairy tale, like in a make belief world where maidens are singing calming yet meaningful songs. And in the actual case of the game, these songs turn into powerful spells which aid your characters to defeat the baddies! hehe

Well enough chitchat and here's the lyrics of the song (the lyrics is a re-post from this blog)

Expressive Hill ~ Harmonics EOLIA ~

Lyrics: Tsuchiya Akira
Composition: Tsuchiya Akira
Arrangement: Tsuchiya Akira
Vocals: Shikata Akiko

Rrha ki ra tie yor ini en nha

Come here

Wee ki ra parge yor ar ciel

Strip off everything

Was yea ra chs mea yor en fwal

Because I’ll accept all of you
Ma ki ga ks maya yor syec

Don’t be afraid, entrust your body to me

Was yea ra Was yea ra

I’m happy, I’m happy
chs hymme

being able to become the waves
chs frawr

being able to become the flowers
chs yor

being able to become you
en chs ar ciel ya

being able to become the world

Wee yea ra ene foul enrer

I always think that hymns are mysterious
Wee yea ra ene hymme syec mea

That hymns shake the bottom of my heart more than anything
Was yea ra hymme mea ks maya gyen yeal

As if weaving the magic of happiness, I strum my heartstrings
innna ar hopb syec mea ya.ya!

in the abyss of my deep, deep heart

Amakami o kakemau   tama sasayaki yueba

When you tie the spiritual murmuring that flies in the heavens
Kanmuribi furi michite   nani hito yuki orinase

The crown fire falls to the brim, weaving happiness for everyone

Samidare no aimi o   tada nagaruru koe wa

The voice that simply drifts in the indigo sea of early summer rain
Utsurohi sakanagi   oboroge na furusato no ne

Is the changing and reversed calm, the vague sound of home

Kanade narifuku gaia   sora ni hibiki ainaseba

When the gaia, which plays and calls, mutually echoes to the sky
Habataku   inori no uta   matohite

It entwines with the soaring song of your prayer

Ar tonelico

Ar tonelico

Yasuragi no oka   namida no garasu   kioku no hako   omoi no hi

The hill of peace, the glass of tears, the box of memories, the monument of thoughts
Hitoe ikue no utsurofu kiito   tamashii no ne musubi tsunagu

Single and multiple hollow and raw silk threads tie and connect the roots of souls

Tayutau mu no umi   shourei no kazaiki

The swaying ocean of nothingness, the spirits’ breaths of wind
Toke yufu mandara ni   utahi no miko are

There exists singing maidens in the untying and tying mandala


Here is the mp3 version:



Here is the Youtube version:

Did you feel this song?

Life Without You by Byron Lim

This song came after I read the first chapter of Max Lucado's God Came Near. Isn't it a wonder that we could miss such a big event like the birth of Christ in the midst of our everyday chores. This song reminds me that all we do - our life - is meaningless, incomplete, empty even lost WITHOUT God's grace in our lives. This is my prayer today that I might truly see Him in my life.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Verse 1:
As a page is empty without words or paint,
My life is hollow without You.
As a quilt has holes without its bright patches,
My life is incomplete without You!

Chorus:
O Lord, let me see You, open my eyes.
Lord, let me see Your majesty.
Lord, let me catch a glimpse of Your face.
May I experience Your overflowing grace.

Verse 2:
Like a boat that cannot turn left or right,
My life is lost without You.
As music goes wrong without its harmony,
My life is meaningless without You!

Chorus:
O Lord, let me see You, open my eyes.
Lord, let me see Your majesty.
Lord, let me catch a glimpse of Your face.
May I experience Your overflowing grace.

Ending:
My life is nothing Lord… without You!

Over the Rainbow from GLEE: The Music - Journey to Regionals by Glee Cast

A remake of the timeless classic from the movie "Wizard of Oz" comes back to life... "Over the Rainbow" aka "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was originally sung by Judy Garland in the beginning of the movie. Judy Garland (as Dorothy) just experienced an awful situation, but her aunt didn't mind her and even told her to go off somewhere where she will not be trouble. She imagined a place where there is no trouble... somewhere inaccessible by boat or train... somewhere beyond the moon, beyond the rainbow... This is the background of the song.

Here we see this song played as an end to the Glee season 1 after being beaten by the opponent glee club. Yes, they were defeated but the song implies a positive tone and an optimistic future where brighter days are expected.

I love this version because of the ukelele effect and the blending of the singers is magnificent. I also treasure the message of it!

Here's the lyrics to this song:

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Here's the mp3 of the song:



Here's the Glee version from Youtube:

Here's the original version of Judy Garland:

Somewhere over the rainbow, all my dreams will come true :p