"Make Room For Harmony"

At times I've felt so overwhelmed with Christmas. The making of lists, to do's and gathering addresses sometimes puts me over the edge. I guess that's why I retreat to writing a new song every year. Now I'm putting my songs in videos that hopefully share the message of the lyrics. "Make Room for Harmony" is one of my favorites. I like the bluesy style. I tried to add some humor by using Santa pictures to inspire us to let go and "make room for harmony". Our family likes to play games. It's usually fun and entertaining as I watch the kids battle for who will win. It's been enlightening too to watch the "girls" in the family move on in an beat the "child" (I'll keep him nameless) who seems to always win. It's nice that we've added in some competition over the years. I wish you the Merriest Christmas and empower you to make room for harmony in your life and put it at the top of your "to do" list for the coming year.

"DONT YOU WORRY" A Christmas Salute

"THIS PEACEFUL NIGHT" a Tribute to Jesus Christ

He was born in a manger, lived a life of poverty and suffered for our sins on the cross. He now lives again and we can too. My favorite songs to compose and sing are always the ones I write for Christmas. My gift to you!

FREE SHEET MUSIC, MP3 AND VIDEO DOWNLOAD

CHRIST IS BORN TODAY

One of my favorite types of songs to write are Christmas songs. I feel so blessed to be able to share my testimony through these songs. Each year I write a new one..this year's isn't finished yet---
I thought I'd share some from the past over the next few days before Christmas. Just click on the link and it will take you to Soundcloud. Or you can listen to it from this blog. Please feel free to share this song. If you'd like an updated copy of the sheet music--please email me. It's FREE.

"CHRIST IS BORN TODAY"

And the angels sang in the heavens,

glory to God and peace on earth.

Sing Alleluia! Christ is born today!

Sing Alleluia, Christ is born today!

POETRY AND LITERACY SKILLS GO TOGETHER LIKE GINGER AND BREAD

Poetry is one of the most fun ways to teach Literacy skills. I wrote this cute little activity poem with action directions, Printable Booklet, Gift Idea or Craft, Graphic Organizer and More that will give you activities for your last week of the school year. There's something for every day. PRINT AND GO!

"LET'S MAKE SOME GINGERBREAD" *POEM *LITERACY ACTIVITIES *PRINTABLES {CCSS} - TeachersPayTeachers.com

WHAT MAKES SUCCESSFUL SONG LYRICS AND POEMS FOR CHILDREN?

WHAT MAKES SUCCESSFUL SONG LYRICS AND POEMS FOR CHILDREN?
Although I continue to pursue my craft of writing, I feel like I've come a long way from the scribbled notes of my early teenage years. I've learned a lot about rhyming, alliteration and creating a picture with words. In my children's songs, I also like to include an aspect of movement and/or action.
   

                                  

 

There's rhyming, alliteration and "action" in the very first line of this song.
"Come on down to the barn yard dance where you can fluff your feathers, and practice your prance."

The closing line of this song hints at the action of "seeing".
"Out in space there are green aliens and I have seen them all."

The lyrics to this song are all action:
"Dinosaur feet stomp and step, stomp and step."

Color words help create a visual too.
"Red, white and green, red, white and green are the colors of Christmas, but what do they mean?"

Right now I'm working on some snowmen songs and poems keeping in mind the three goals of "RHYMING, ACTION, VISUAL".  I also like to add a bit of humor when possible...here's one in the making.

When I'm cold my nose get's runny.

It drips down my face and my friends think it's funny.

So I wipe my hand across the goo 

and say;  "Be nice to me or I'll wipe it on you!"

I'm not sure this will end up in a product or a book--but you have to admit--It RHYMES, is VISUAL and has ACTION and HUMOR!




For information on the SONGS you can find them at SING PLAY CREATIVELY

FUN PRIMARY SONGS:
                            
                           DAD'S DAY-FATHER'S DAY SONGS AND POEMS

for my FREE FATHER'S DAY SONGS see this blog post....


                                                  "I LOVE AMERICA"
                                       



FUN CHILDREN'S SONGS:
COME ON DOWN TO THE BARN YARD DANCE

OUT IN SPACE THERE ARE ALIENS

DOIN' THE DINOSAUR

RED, WHITE, AND GREEN-A HOLIDAY SONG

I've also composed several poems and songs in a couple of Holiday Bundles:

CHRISTMAS SONGS, POEMS AND READERS THEATER

THANKSGIVING SONGS POEMS AND READERS THEATER

Thanks for stopping by!
Sandra

SONGWRITING is Doing Something with Feelings

I find that my feelings come out in my songwriting sometimes better than in my words. I'm a girl of action and I "do" rather than "say" things too.  The doing must be the "writing" part of me.  I've been going through some of my old songs and playing them, getting a feel for where I want to go next. I want to dig deeper now that I'm a grandmother--yes, things have a little perspective. And doesn't that make great songwriting?

Here are some lyrics I began working on a while ago--the feelings were too raw at the time to really finish them so I'm giving them another go.

Locked up, behind bars of guilt and despair.
I'm trapped. I'm scared I'm not going anywhere--
but down, down, down into the darkness
I get lost in my regrets.
I'm going round, round, round in hopelessness
and I'm worried I'll forget.

I hold the power to call on His light.
In any hour He's there day and night.

He is waiting at the door. He is waiting there for me.
He can unlock the light-he holds the key.
He is waiting for my heart to come on bended knee.
He is waiting at the door. He is waiting there for me.

I'm okay with most of this...I'm struggling with the lines "in any hour....", but I'll sing through it and eventually come up with something.

If you like what you read-let  me know...too trite?  Just right?

You can find my music at my store  Sandra Lee Hendrickson