Page 60 - Write Away Magazine Dec 2019
P. 60
Signs Of Christmas aaaaa
Signs of Christmas “Signs of Christmas”
Copyright @2017 by Mike Turner by Mike Turner
All Rights Reserved
My musical interests, as a songwriter, performer and
Chorus: listener, are to say the least eclectic, ranging from the
Presents wrapped in paper blues to folk, country, jazz, pop and gospel. A small
Ribbons, bells and bows sub-genre of my songwriting catalog are pieces in
Stockings on the mantle the, “Great American Songbook,” tradition – think
Hanging mistletoe melodies and lyrics by such luminaries as Gershwin,
Tinseled tree in window Porter, Berlin (at least those are my goals – not that I
Wreath upon the door have fully realized them!).
All the signs of Christmas
Here again once more So with the Christmas season closing in, I found
myself wanting to write, not just a holiday song, but
Verse 1: one in the “Great American Songbook” tradition.
Lights in festive colors I was particularly drawn to the idea of a song that
Wink in falling snow recalled some of the great Christmas albums and
Visions of reindeer and sleigh in flight singles of the past by artists like Bing Crosby, Frank
Carolers on our doorstep Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland.
Voices high and low
Singing songs of peace and joy so bright I also wanted a song rich in imagery – partly because
the Christmas season, with all its decorations and
[Instrumental Break] colors, lent itself to such imagery; and partly because
the lyrics of many of my songs tend to “tell” rather
Verse 2: than show, and I wanted to challenge myself to
Snuggling by the fire produce a piece that led the listener to “see” and
Holding you so near experience the story, not just “hear” it.
Wrapped in a soft blanket warm and tight
Words of love and caring In crafting the lyric, first, I went for simple scenes
Whispered in your ear and symbols that many could relate to having seen,
My favorite gift is in my arms tonight and which would readily evoke both images and
pleasant memories – things like ribbons, bows,
Chorus: wrapped presents, wreaths. Second, I brought in
Presents wrapped in paper some other senses – primarily, hearing, with refer-
Ribbons, bells and bows ences to carolers and their songs; and touch, with a
Stockings on the mantle mention of soft, warm blankets.
Hanging mistletoe
Tinseled tree in window And, third, I wanted to capture some of the romance
Wreath upon the door of the season – snuggling with a partner by a fire,
All the signs of Christmas sharing love together – the goal, again, being to get
Here again once more the listener not just to “hear,” but to “feel” the warmth
and joy of Christmas.
Tag:
Yes, signs of Christmas here for us once more The structure follows the genre, particularly in begin-
ning and closing with the chorus. Musically, the piece
To listen follow this link... is mid- to up-tempo, intended for a “crooner” style
delivery.
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