Life is Good (Aiane Karla Original)
So long, goodbye, to days without the sunshine. …even more so now
that the clouds have made way for a shade of blue that’s bluer than the sea
I try to be in a super-cali-fragilistic-expi-alidocious state of mind most of the time
I mean, you gotta do what you gotta do
But if you must know, my strength comes from the One above.
Chorus:
There is no secret to a life full of laughter
but remember there is no such thing as happy ever after
You might as well stop wishing and hoping, it isn’t always greener on the other side
Take it from me, life is good, God is on your side
Should the weather choose to rain on your parade on the best day of your life
You should know to dance in ther ain and sing your heart out to
the One who decided to shower You with love
(Chorus)
His love is higher than your highest hopes and dreams, and much wider than your silly grin (2x)
(Chorus)
Take it from me, life is good; God is on your side. :) :) :)
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Song details. This was the very first song that started my love of songwriting. It was written in 2009 while I was driving eight long hours (solo) from Orlando, FL to Marietta, GA. There had been some light pitter-pat of the rain on the freeway (which I loved…because I love rainy days), but the sun also made its beautiful appearance after being a little bit bashful and hiding behind the clouds. …hence the first few lines of the song. I recorded my ideas on my Palm Centro’s voice memo app. Ahhh…those good ole pre-iPhone days! Life is Good has a special place in my heart; it is, to me, an allegory of the soul’s sunshine-after-the-rain days. This was the music video featured in Single Creek, a documentary on Christian singlehood.
“It isn’t always greener on the other side. Take it from me, life is good, God is on your side!”
Oh, yes, HE IS! :)
Song Cover // Mansion Over the Hilltop (Multitrack)
I’m satisfied with just a cottage below,
A little silver and a little gold
But in that city where the ransomed will shine
I want a gold one that’s silver lined
I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
in that bright land where we will never grow old
And someday yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold
Don’t think me poor or deserted or lonely
I’m not discouraged, I am heaven bound
I’m but a pilgrim in search of a city
I want a mansion, a harp and a crown
I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
in that bright land where we will never grow old
And someday yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold
I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
in that bright land where we will never grow old
And someday yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold (3x)
Important note. To turn off the background music (that plays on default upon entering my blog), click on the pause button on the audio player at the top of this page.
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Song details:
- Childhood years. I grew up singing this song during morning worship at school back home in the Philippines. My friends and I also sang it for various gatherings.
- The arrangement. If you’re familiar with this song, you’ll remember how much slower the original version is. I first got the idea to do a ukulele arrangement of this song more than a couple months ago. I’m always itching to hear how (normally slow) songs sound when they’re sung/played with a more cheerful tune. I practiced the ukulele chords several times in the car (I usually travel with my ukulele) and finally decided on an arrangement I liked. …but it all had to wait (and stay in my head) for a while due to the tremendously stressful past few weeks. Sunday was a slow-paced day, so I finally decided to finish the preview track I had started weeks ago.
- Message. When our days on earth are dark and dreary, we need only to think of the bright and sunny days that await us in heaven, and that beautiful mansion made especially for you and me! Smile! :)
Originally posted on April 24, 2012.
So tonight I’m writing a Christmas song…but can’t decide whether to compose with the guitar or the ukulele. The song will most likely be a multitrack with four voices. Any thoughts?
