A Touch of Spirit
Music by Franz Schubert; English Lyrics by Carrie Hart
This recording is so special to me. I intended this recording as a way to quickly and effortlessly open your heart and invite spirit into your life. I have been so gratified by its reception; over 30,000 people have downloaded it to date. Here are a few of the many comments I received:
"I listen and my heart opens in gratitude." Nancy Vittum
"Wow, that song is so powerful! I feel as if I am surrounded by a fleet of Angels. Thank you!" Linda
"I just finished listening to it and tears of joy came into my eyes. Your rendition of the Ave Maria is a true blessing" Leonor Campbell
About the other musicians on the song:
Hillary Black is singing the high harmonies on the Latin Ave Maria verse. She and Leslie Chew, who produced this song, are Stucco Rainbow. They are both singer/songwriters with a bit of a folk flair, wonderful lyrics and great music. Go to their website www.stuccorainbow.com, listen to samples and purchase their new album, Blackbird. Kimo Cornwell, who did the keyboards on the song, is with the group Hiroshima.
Ave Maria (Here I Am)
English Lyrics by Carrie Hart (copyright 2006 by Systematique, Inc.)
Here I am
Tender and loving comes your spirit
I open my heart and feel your presence
Full of grace and serenity
Surround me now with compassion and love
And abiding peace
I know that fear and doubt cannot withstand
The pure and shining light of love
I pray that I may have the courage
To shine with love every day of my life
Here I am
Traditional Latin Verse
Ave Maria
Gratia plena
Maria gratia plena
Maria gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus
Dominus tecum
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus
Et benedictus fructus ventris
Ventris tuae, Jesus
Ave Maria
Music by
Saint-Saën; Lyrics by Carrie Hart, Based on Biblical Text
I have always loved the imagery of the 23rd Psalm. In my recording, I have taken the liberty of altering the words to make it more singable and accessible. I hope you like the result.
The melody may also seem familiar to you; it is a slight variation on a classic, Saint-Saëns' "The Swan." I am continuing the approach I used in my version of Ave Maria, using beautiful classic melodies to open the heart and lyrics that allow us to evoke a loving spirit in our own individual ways.
“That is so beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!!! Definitely unique, definitely Carrie. No wonder you love to sing so much!”
Maureen Moss, www.worldpuja.org
About the other musicians on the song:
As with my Ave Maria (Here I Am) recording, the keyboardist/arranger is Kimo Cornwell of HIroshima and the producer is my dear friend and primo musician/producer/engineer Leslie Chew. Kimo and Les are not only talented musicians, but a joy to work with, allowing me the space and peace to reach deeply into spirit as I create.
The 23rd Psalm (You are My Shepherd)
Revised Lyrics by Carrie Hart (copyright 2008 by Systematique, Inc.)
You are my shepherd, I shall not want
You lead me to lie in fields of green
Here beside the still waters
Your love restores my very soul
Though I may walk through the valley
Where death has cast a long shadow
I have no fear, for you are with me
Your rod and staff are my comfort
You lay my table abundantly
See how my cup is running over
Surely now goodness and mercy will follow me
All the days of my life and ever more
The 23rd Psalm
from the King James Version of the Holy Bible
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
He leadeth me beside the still waters
He restoreth my soul
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for though art with me
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
It was my goal to sing this song in a straight-forward way so that you might hear the lovely lyrics. Here are a few of the comments I have received on this recording:
"You sing What a Wonderful World from your heart space; it allows the words to have different meanings." Sylvia L. McConico
"I like your rendition of What a Wonderful World better than any other I've ever heard." Marlene
"I loved “What a Wonderful World” … I could actually “hear” you smiling while you sang!!!!" Julie Smyth
What a Wonderful World
Music by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele
Keyboards by Kimo Cornwell of HIroshima
Produced by Leslie Chew.
I see trees of green, red roses, too
I see them bloom for me and for you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue, clouds of white
The bright blessed day and the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do
They're really saying, I love you.
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I have revised the lyrics of this classic song to emphasize love rather than fear.
I also worked with Kimo Cornwell of HIroshima, the keyboardist, and Leslie Chew, the producer, to come up with quite an original arrangement, with a bit of a World Music feel.
I hope you will sense the deep spiritual connection I felt when I recorded it for you.Here are a few of the comments I have received on this recording:
My heart burst open with crying tears when I heard "Amazing Grace," but the tears are joyful tears." Edza
"I love the arrangement and word changes for Amazing Grace. it has kind of a native American sound to it." Lorie
"I loved your new Amazing Grace lyrics. You’ve brought the song into the 21st century and made it much warmer and loving." Julie Smyth
Amazing Grace
Revised Lyrics by Carrie Hart (copyright 2007 by Systematique, Inc.)
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That came and set me free
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind, but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to love
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Grace has promised good to me
Bright shining as the sun
A life of joy and peace is mine
My true life has begun
Copyright 2009 by Systematique, Inc. All rights reserved.