Broken Vow by G4 from album G4

My search for the origins of popera (pop opera) drove me to find a group of talented British lads who entered the X Factor talent show in UK. This group called themselves G4 and sang good songs in harmony. They did not win that year's top spot and yet this group moved on to release 3 great albums full of great harmony songs. I could firmly say that before Il Divo was G4 and I'm glad, that although they are now debunked, their songs still remain.

One of such songs is Broken Vow... made famous by Lara Fabian... a song that was used in the Chinovela "Meteor Garden". Anyway, it is a song of release and letting go. I'm in this stage where I am ready to let go and yet time and time again, visions of past blast through dreams and even in reality when I see the person that I had loved. It really is hard to move on but life must go on.

Here's the lyrics:

Tell me his name I want to know
The way he looks and where you go
I need to see his face; I need to understand
Why you and I came to an end

Tell me again I want to hear
Who broke my faith in all these years
Who lays with you at night when I'm here all alone
Remembering when I was your own

[Chorus]
I let you go, I let you fly
Why do I keep on asking why
I let you go now that I found
A way to keep somehow
More than a broken vow

Tell me the words I never said
Show me the tears your never shed
Give me the touch that one you promised to be mine
Or has it vanished for all time

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
I close my eyes and dream of you and I
And then I realize
There's more to love than only bitterness and lies
I close my eyes

I'd give away my soul
To hold you once again
And never let this promise end

[Modified Chorus]
I let you go, I let you fly
Now that I know I'm asking why
I let you go now that I found
A way to keep somehow
More than a broken vow

Here's the mp3 version:



Here's the Meteor Garden Youtube version: (sung by Lara Fabian)

Here's the G4 Youtube version: (Can't find a whole song video... only part of it)

We let go and forgive, but we never forget 'cause it is a part of us...

恋ごころ by 菅崎茜

Sorry it me a long time to post here. Anyway here's something new for you guys reading... especially if you are into anime.

The song I'm posting here is called Koigoko meaning Sincere Love. It is sung by Akane Sugazaki. It was also used as the 1st Ending theme song for the Anime Detective Scool Q or Tantei Gakuen Q. I really love crime / detective / mystery themed movies, animes, etc. anything that has crime busting in it, I love it :) I fell in love with this anime when I was still in high school because of how the main characters are five children, but by combining their power of logic, photgraphic memory, analysis, strength and technology... they are able to capture the bad guys!

Here's the lyrics: (Kanji, English translation, Romaji)

遠くまで続いてる 雲の流れをながめては
(I continued watching the flow of the clouds)
tooku made tsudzuiteru kumo no nagare wo nagamete wa

君の前で泣けなくて 口笛を吹いてる
(Unable to cry in front of you, I'm whistling instead)
kimi no mae de nakenakute kuchibue wo fuiteru

「いつまでもそばにいて」と ひとことが言えなくて
(Saying "I'll always be beside you" without even saying a single word)
"Itsumademo soba ni ite" to hitokoto ga ienakute

あふれてく恋ごころよ せつない想いは
(My loving heart is overflowing; My sad thoughts...)
Afureteku koigokoro yo setsunai omoi wa

気づかれぬように 宙に消えようとして
(Are things that fade away unnoticed in midair.)
Kidzukarenu you ni chuu ni kieyou to shite

そしてまた ホッとするような せいいっぱいの笑顔で
(And again with a mighty smile of relief)
Soshite mata hotto suru you na seiippai no egao de

君を見送るよ さよなら アリガトウ
(I will see you off; Goodbye and thank you)
Kimi wo miokuru yo sayonara arigatou

それぞれのこれからはどんなふうになっていくのかな?
(I wonder what our future will be like?)
Sorezore no kore kara was= donna fuu ni natte yuku no kana?

そんなことを考えて 夕暮れを待ってる
(I think about these sort of things as I'm waiting for the twilight)
Sonna koto wo kangaete yuugure wo matteru

いつかまたきっと会えると 信じてみたいけれど
(I want to believe that we'll meet again one day, but...)
Itsuka mata kitto aeru to shinjite mitai keredo

ふるえてる恋ごころよ 悲しき別れは
(Oh, my trembling love; A sad goodbye was...)
furueteru koigokoro yo kanashiki wakare ha

始まりの日から とうに近づいていた
(Already close at hand the day we first met)
Hajimari no hi kara tou ni chikadzuite ita

君とここにいれることが わかりあうことが
(Me, being able to be here with you and us, understanding each other...)
Kimi to koko ni ireba koto ga wakariau koto ga

うれしくて こわかったよ
(Has made me happy and sad)
Ureshikute kowakatta yo

誰にも話せない こんな秘密を
(I can't tell this kind of secret to anyone)
Dare ni mo hanasenai konna himitsu wo

心の奥に隠したまま 育てていきたくて
(It's shut away in my heart; I want to hold it)
Kokoro no oku ni kakushita mama sodatete ikitakute

恋ごころよ かなわぬ想いよ
(Oh my love, oh this unbearable feeling)
Koigokoro yo kanawanu omoi yo

生まれて初めて こうもひとを好きになり
(This is the first time to love a person this much since I was born)
Umarete hajimete kou mo hito wo suki ni nari

君がまだずっといるような まぼろしを今も
(Even now, I feel this illusion in my heart...)
Kimi ga mada zutti iru you na maboroshi wo ima mo

胸に感じているよ
(That you will be always here)
Mune ni kanjite iru yo

La la la... 恋ごころよ 朱くなる空よ
(La la la... Oh my love, oh red sky)
La la la... koigokoro yo aku naru sora yo

やがて雲は切れ 夕闇につつまれ
(At last the clouds part and are enveloped by the twilight)
Yagate kumo wa kire yuuyami ni tsutsumare

明日はまたやってくるけど
(Tomorrow will come again, but...)
Asu wa mata yatte kuru kedo

君がいない町は 少し広すぎるよ
(Without you, it's a little vast for me)
Kimi ga inai machi wa sukoshi hirosugiru yo

「もう一度あいたい…」
("I want to see you again...")
"Mou ichido aitai..."

Here's the mp3 version:

Here's the Youtube version: (live and anime)



I hope you'll like this song too!

我只在乎你 by 成龍 and 鄧麗君 from 真的, 用了心

Who does not know the name Jackie Chan? He is well known for his action packed movies, his incredible stunts and his charms. But little did we know that he also sings. This is one of my favorite songs of his... not only because of the meaning of the song, but also because he sings this with famous singer Teresa Teng.

Well, by this time, Teresa Teng was already dead, but through technology, the video was made possible, the new arrangement was also done. I think a new verse was also added to be specifically sung by Jackie. Anyway, this is "I Only Care About You."

Here's the lyrics of the song: (Chinese, pin yin and English translation)

鄧麗君 (Teresa Teng)
如果没有遇见你 (If I do not meet you,)
rú guǒ méi yǒu yù jiàn nǐ

我将会是在哪里 (Where will I be?)
wǒ jiāng huì shì zài nǎ lǐ

日子过得怎么样 (How will I complete my day?)
rì zǐ guò dé zěn me yàng

人生是否要珍惜 (Will I treasure life?)
rén shēng shì fǒu yào zhēn xī

成龍 (Jackie Chan)
通往平静的天梯 (On the ladder leading to peace,)
tōng wǎng píng jìng de tiān tī

是你最美的声音 (Is your beautiful voice.)
shì nǐ zuì měi de shēng yīn

让天空都放晴 (Let the sky be clear,)
ràng tiān kōng dōu fàng qíng

就让世界更光明 (Let the world be brighter.)
jiù ràng shì jiè gèng guāng míng

鄧麗君 (Teresa Teng)
任时光匆匆流去 我只在乎你 (Let time fly. I only care about you.)
rèn shí guāng cōng cōng liú qù wǒ zhǐ zài hū nǐ

心甘情愿感染你的气息 (I'm willingly to be influenced by the way you are.)
xīn gān qíng yuàn gǎn rǎn nǐ de qì xī

人生几何 能够得到知己 (How many times in our lives can we get a close friend?)
rén shēng jī hé néng gòu dé dào zhī jǐ

失去生命的力量也不可惜 (Losing my strength in life is also not a pity.)
shī qù shēng mìng de lì liàng yě bù kě xī

所以我求求你 别让我离开你 (So I beg you, do not let me leave you.)
suǒ ǐ wǒ qiú qiú nǐ bié ràng wǒ lí kāi nǐ

除了你我不能感到一丝丝情意 (Except for you, I do not feel affection for anyone else.)
chú le nǐ wǒ bù néng gǎn dào yī sī sī qíng yì

成龍 (Jackie Chan)
谁的世界没有风 (Whose world has no wind?)
shuí de shì jiè méi yǒu fēng

谁的世界没有雨 (Whose world has no rain?)
shuí de shì jiè méi yǒu yǔ

祇要我们想起你 (As long as we think of you,)
zhǐ yào wǒ men xiǎng qǐ nǐ

彩虹就出现天际 (The rainbow will appear in the sky.)
cǎi hóng jiù chū xiàn tiān jì

就算物换星移 (Even if things change with passing time,)
jiù suàn wù huàn xīng yí

没有人会忘记你 (Nobody will forget you.)
méi yǒu rén huì wàng jì nǐ

你甜蜜的倩影 (Your sweet features,)
nǐ tián mì de qiàn yǐng

永远没人能代替 (Will always be irreplaceable.)
yǒng yuǎn méi rén néng dài tì

成龍 (Jackie Chan) and 鄧麗君 (Teresa Teng)
任时光匆匆流去 我只在乎你 (Let time fly. I only care about you.)
rèn shí guāng cōng cōng liú qù wǒ zhǐ zài hū nǐ

心甘情愿感染你的气息 (I'm willingly to be influenced by the way you are.)
xīn gān qíng yuàn gǎn rǎn nǐ de qì xī

人生几何 能够得到知己 (How many times in our lives can we get a close friend?)
rén shēng jī hé néng gòu dé dào zhī jǐ

失去生命的力量也不可惜 (Losing my strength in life is also not a pity.)
shī qù shēng mìng de lì liàng yě bù kě xī

所以我求求你 别让我离开你 (So I beg you, do not let me leave you.)
suǒ ǐ wǒ qiú qiú nǐ bié ràng wǒ lí kāi nǐ

除了你我不能感到一丝丝情意 (Except for you, I do not feel affection for anyone else.)
chú le nǐ wǒ bù néng gǎn dào yī sī sī qíng yì

鄧麗君 (Teresa Teng)
任时光匆匆流去 我只在乎你 (Let time fly. I only care about you.)
rèn shí guāng cōng cōng liú qù wǒ zhǐ zài hū nǐ

成龍 (Jackie Chan)
心甘情愿感染你的气息 (I'm willingly to be influenced by the way you are.)
xīn gān qíng yuàn gǎn rǎn nǐ de qì xī

成龍 (Jackie Chan) and 鄧麗君 (Teresa Teng)
人生几何 能够得到知己 (How many times in our lives can we get a close friend?)
rén shēng jī hé néng gòu dé dào zhī jǐ

失去生命的力量也不可惜 (Losing my strength in life is also not a pity.)
shī qù shēng mìng de lì liàng yě bù kě xī

所以我求求你 别让我离开你 (So I beg you, do not let me leave you.)
suǒ ǐ wǒ qiú qiú nǐ bié ràng wǒ lí kāi nǐ

除了你我不能感到一丝丝情意 (Except for you, I do not feel affection for anyone else.)
chú le nǐ wǒ bù néng gǎn dào yī sī sī qíng yì

Here's the mp3 version:



Here's the Youtube video:

I really do hope your can say to a certain someone this season, " I only care about you."

When God Ran by Phillips, Craig and Dean from Restoration

This year, I've decided to take voice lessons from a professional voice teacher and one of her assignments to me is this song. When we we're rehearsing this song, I was dubious of myself. I was thinking if I could really sing out this song as the song requires a big vocal range due to the low notes at the beginning and high notes in the chorus. I didn't really focus on the lyrics till I got home and reviewed the song.

The song is about the story of the prodigal son based on Luke 15:11-32. (I actually wrote a devotional based on the same passage which I will post next time.) But more than the focus on the son, the song focused on the father (God) and how he received his returning son (us) with anticipation, excitement and open arms.

Did you know that it was not customary for men to run in those days? But here is a father, not minding the customs, not minding the eyes of his peers, who is eagerly waiting for his son and ran when he saw his son from afar. This is true love.

Here are the lyrics:

Verse 1

Almighty God, the Great I AM,

Immovabe Rock, Omnipotent, Powerful, Awesome Lord,

Victorious Warrior, Commanding King of Kings,

Mighty Conqueror, and the only time,

The only time I ever saw Him run

Chrous

Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms,

Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again",

Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in His voice, He said,

"Son, do you know I still love you?"

He caught me by surprise when God ran.

Verse 2

The day I left home, I knew I'd broken His heart

And I wondered then if things could ever be the same

Then one night, I remembered His love for me.

And down the dusty road, ahead I could see

It was the only time - it was the only time I ever saw Him run.

Chorus

Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms,

Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again",

Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in His voice, He said,

"Son, do you know I still love you?"

He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees

When God ran - I saw Him run to me

Bridge

I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away.

But now I know He's been waiting for this day.

Chorus

Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms,

Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again",

Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in His voice, I felt His love for me again

He ran to me, He took me in His arms,

Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again",

Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in His voice, He said, "Son", He called me Son

He said, "Son do you know I still love you?"

He ran to me and then I ran to Him

When God ran

Here's the mp3 version:

Here's the Youtube version:

I hope this reminds you to also forgive others.

禱告 by 讚美之泉 from 單單只為你

Christian Chinese songs really touch my heart and what a way to start the year (Jan. 1 being a Sunday) to spend time in the Lord's house. Usually, we tend to be overly and eagerly happy because it is New Year. I am one of those who was expecting big song numbers and happy songs, but instead the worship leader chose this to be the first song. At that moment, I wasn't sure if it fit the theme, but looking back, I think it was perfect.

New year. New challenges and problems. New trials. New beginnings and blessings. New endings (at least for me). Everything is unpredictable. Only God knows and He wants us to daily commune with him through prayers and supplications.

I really like the verse because it depicts the attitude of how we should come before our Lord... with humbleness, humility and reverence. I know we can't see God, but He still deserves utmost respect. I also love the promise of God being with us despite the tears flowing out and that His grace is sufficient for our needs. He supplies His daily grace to us when we come to Him.

Here's the Chinese and English lyrics: (both for singing)

禱告，因為我渺小；(I pray, for I am nothing)
禱告，因為我知道我需要 (I pray, for I clearly know I need)
明暸，你心意對我重要。(To seek Your will as it's shown to me)
禱告，已假裝不了；(I pray, for I am searching)
禱告，因為你的愛我需要；(I pray, for Your love is what I need)
你關懷，我走過的你都明白。(On my knees, through the valleys, You walk with me)

有些事我只想要對你說，(Some things I only wanna let You know)
因你比任何人都愛我；('Cause no one loves me like You, my Lord)
痛苦從眼中流下，(Though tears of pain may fall out)
我知道你為我擦。(You're with me I have no doubt)
在早晨我也要來對你說，(As day breaks, Lord I wanna cry to You)
主耶穌今天我為你活；('Cause you so love me, You'll pull me through)
所需要的力量你天天賜給我，(The strength that I need I receive every morning)
你恩典夠我用。(Your grace is all I need)

Here's the mp3 version:



Here's the Youtube version:

Pray to God this start of the year... why pray everyday. Remember, God doesn't need our prayers, it is us who need it more badly.

Dominion: The Battle For Your Heart

What: United Evangelical Church of Malabon 10th Winter Camp


When: December 26 - 30, 2011


Where: Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, Baguio City, Philippines


Theme: Dominion: The Battle For Your Heart

Who has dominion in your hearts? What / Who has taken a hold in your heart? This question is very important because what is inside your heart will naturally flow out in your life. If worldly things have taken up space in your heart then your focus will definitely not be on God. The Bible says we cannot serve two masters.

These other things are what we call our "idols". The definition of "idols" have changed over the years. In the days of Moses, these things refer to crafted images that were used in pagan worship. But in this age, "idols" refer to something / someone that has your priority and value. In short, these "idols" have taken up most of our time, effort, money, life to the extent that, sometimes, we sin to get it or we sin if we do not get it.

The bottom line is: Because our heart is sinful and deceitful, we cannot trust it. The mind says it is wrong, but the heart tells the mind that we should get what we want. But when we accepted Christ into our life, He gives us a renewed heart - a heart that desires after God. He also gave us the Holy Spirit and His Word to guide us in living a life that is pleasing to God.

Theme verse: James 4: 7-8 

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Theme song: Lord I Will Bow To You

Lord, I will bow to You
To no other god, but You alone.
Lord, I will worship You
Nothing hands have made, but You alone.

I will lay down my idols,
Thrones I have made,
All that has taken my heart.

Lord, I will bow to You
To no other god, but You alone.

Some pictures from the camp:

Me... giving the opening remarks

My counselling group

All of the campers, officers, counselors and speakers

My Wacky officers

Hope this inspires you to evaluate your life as well!

Some references:

UECM webite: http://uecmalabon.org/

PBTS website: http://www.pbts.net.ph/

O Christmas by Byron Lim

It has been 5 years since I wrote this song and I believe the message is still as meaningful as before if not more endearing. Thanks Wenslyn for transcribing this onto a music sheet for me.

The beauty of this song is in its internal message. (Clue: something to do with the bold verbs) The melody of the song is purposely written not to be melancholic but to be very solemn and reflective. Christmas is not only a time to be merry but also a time to be silent as we remember the purpose of the blessed event. 

Christmas, O Christmas
A time to care for the people around
A time to hope in the newborn Son
A time to remember of what has been done
Christmas, O Christmas

Christmas, O Christmas
A time to invite someone to the Lord
A time to spread the good news everywhere
A time for thanksgiving and kneeling in pray’r
Christmas, O Christmas

Christmas, O Christmas
A time to make joyful music to Him
A time to allow for God’s work to begin
A time to surrender and turn from our sin!
Christmas, O Christmas

Need a clue? Get the first letters of all the verbs...