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Chris's
music has been described as "food for the soul," an "infinite
palette of colors." Drawing from a myriad of influences including
melodic rock, jazz, blues, reggae, country and folk, he laughingly
calls it "eclectic," an appropriate catch-all description
which circumvents the temptation to categorize his unique style.
Chris' rich, melodic voice, together with his unique style of acoustic
guitar playing -- blending syncopated rhythms, intricate finger
picking, and various open tunings--beautifully complement the imagery
and intrigue of his lyrics.
His songs are like good friends--they mean more to you with each
encounter!
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The choice of how we live our lives has always been our own
We harvest what we've sown
But the singer sings within the wings
Of this stage of the game of things
Reminding us of what we might have known
from "Sojourn to I AM"
in his "Christmas Presence"
album |
| As
mentioned in his biography, Chris has a unique ability of capturing
in song the various joys, trials, and challenges that are part of
the human journey.
With the major upheavals that are happening in
the world, which further reflects within each of our lives, he is
frequently told that his songs help encourage, inspire, and "serve
as a healing balm" to the listener. The avid "punner"
will enjoy his tongue-in-cheek use of lyrics and many stand alone
as insightful poetry.
There is also the opportunity to commission Chris
to write a specific song for your personal needs or that of an organization
he has an affinity to. (Ani Li Dodi - written for a couple during
their engagement, and This Is Our World - for Friends of The Earth,
are examples on the Ruffs album).
"I look for imagery in lyric-writing
to create pictures for the listener that can change in meaning for
wherever anyone may be in life. Each of us discovers our own truths
in our own special way. For me, songwriting serves as a vehicle
to convey the truths shown to me as I journey through Life's peaks
and valleys." |
Seeing Your Life Through A Song
Looking back over your shoulder
You saw your soul a little bolder
Moving to the future
You never knew what would unfold there
Pages of living
Endlessly giving, and now you're older
Chorus
Seeing your life through a song
Seeing your life through a song
As the sun rose warming your heart
A little rain fell on the sad part
Cooling the anger
Removing the danger of any fear there,
Healing an old wound
Feeling the new tune about a fresh start
Chorus
And when the dusk fades into twilight
You kiss your love another "goodnight"
Then closing your eyes, you're flown to the skies
Made of your best dreams
Turning around, you see what you've found
Will always be in-sight
Chorus
From "Stalkin'
A Country Smile" album
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A TIME FOR CHOICES!
It's Up to You!
The song was originally written for Chris' musical Troubadour Knight in 2002. In 2004, Chris was inspired to partially change the lyrics to encourage voters to consider the choices to be made. The time is now even more crucial for individuals to be fully engaged through the 2008 Presidential election and the years ahead.
The
signs of our times
A sad unfolding of now-prophetic songs
written over the past twenty years relevant to the current turmoil.
Alternative lyrics to "America, The Beautiful"
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It's
Up To You! - I
The best leader, is one who will uphold
the light;
Not only for some, but for everyone
To follow through each human right.
So have the courage
To see what will matter the most;
There are values to hold,
Much more precious than gold
Or oil from some far away coast.
Chorus
It's up to you, if the story is sounding familiar;
Begin anew or draw your own conclusion.
It's up to you to play the hero or villain.
Stand for what's true or bow to more confusion!
It's up to you to move to improve life for all;
Not just for ourselves, or the country we live in;
Unite for the truth or we'll fall!
It's up to you to choose how the story will end;
Are you holding out, or closing the book,
Or continuing to pretend?
Chorus
Copyright 2004: Chris Van Cleave
Revised lyrics: August, 2004
First written in 2002 for Troubadour Knight
Listen
to a song clip at CD Baby
Listen to whole song |
It's
Up To You! - II
My country, 'tis what we choose it to be;
Land of the free, home of the brave
The choice in our hands is to see.
Wars are raging
While the killings they make still accrue;
But when all has been said
And rights have been read,
Who'll pay for the crime if not you?
Chorus
It's up to you, if the story is sounding familiar;
Begin anew or draw your own conclusion.
It's up to you to play the hero or villain.
Stand for what's true or bow to more confusion!
It's up to you, deciding the future for all;
Nations and races, cultures and creeds;
Diversity, our Maker's call
It's up to you to choose how the story will end;
Are you holding out, or closing the book,
Or continuing to pretend?
Chorus
Copyright 2004: Chris Van Cleave
Revised lyrics: August, 2004
First written in 2002 for Troubadour Knight
Listen
to a song clip at CD Baby
Listen to whole song
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America, The Beautiful
(Original first verse by Katherine
Lee Bates
followed by three alternative verses* by Chris Van Cleave)
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain;
For purple mountains majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
*O beautiful when we awake
To live the dream of love;
Where all of life's in harmony,
At one with heaven above!
America! America! May history serve us well
Through those who gave their lives to save
And ring our Freedom Bell.
*O beautiful when we can see
The treasure of your soul;
Where every human race and creed
Achieves God's loving goal!
America! America! Let shine your glorious heart
From every woman, man and child
Who see how great thou art!
*O Beautiful to know the truth
Of those born here before;
Who knew this country's gracious gift
Was valued even more!
America! America! Let all who walk thee know
The blessedness, the preciousness
Of life born here to show!
(Repeat Katherine Lee Bates'
original first verse)
Listen
to a song clip at CD Baby
*Alternate lyrics copyright May,
2000 by Chris Van Cleave |
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Peace
Will Come
(writtten 1984)
Tossin' and turnin' in your sleep
The state of affairs seem shakey
It's pilin' pretty deep
So you're askin' yourself deep down
"What can you do?"
To turn it all around and finally
See your way through
Earthquakes and famine, trouble in the
East
The newspapers horror stories
Flirtin' with the "beast"
Hidin' under covers, tryin' not to see
Cultivatin' other lovers
Than the one you need to be
Chorus
Peace will come, peace will come
Peace will come, when you begin it with you
Peace will come, peace will come
Peace will come when you begin it with you
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This
Is Our World
(writtten 1986)
For time all too soon tells,
by what remains to be seen
Where all the "wished I'd dones"
end up as broken dreams
Museums of what once was
and could still have been
Were it not for the negligence of careless men
Who didn't want to hear it
while there still was time
Too late's the price to pay
to look away from this CRIME!
Chorus
This is our world
It's ours to take care of
Let's make it last
Before the chance has been passed
This is our world
That we've all got a share in
Let's see it through for our children
And their children too
See
whole song |
| Your Song
Lives On
(for Laura Branigan)
Chris was in the folk-rock group "Meadow" with Laura in 1973
I only got the news last night;
I still can't believe that it is true.
They say you passed away
While you were sleeping;
Were you dreaming something new?
I can still hear your voice in my heart,
Singing like you live in every word;
And when I'd sing along,
We shared the song
And had no doubt that it was heard.
Chorus
Your song lives on
In each and every heart and soul you've touched.
Your whole life long,
You dreamed you'd be a star;
And now when we look up and see the sky at night,
Shining on with the rest...there you are!
Bridge
Wherever we may go from here,
I'll trust that it's to Love, that puts to rest our every fear.
I pray that we will meet again,
Remembering that friendship never dies, when we begin again,
My dear friend.
Chorus
Copyright: 9-8-2004
Chris Van Cleave
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