As a singer/songwriter, I’ve always viewed song lyrics as a form of poetry- poetry that has the potential to touch people’s heart-felt feelings and emotions, with the help of a melody, voice and instruments.

Here is my poetic collection of song lyrics to accompany my inspirational memoir Still Singing, Somehow. For those who have read my personal odyssey, these lyrics will add another dimension, and much insight, into many of the various stories and personal feelings expressed in the book.

To me, songs are like seed versions of much longer stories, but loaded with deep emotions that simply can’t be expressed in mire words alone. That is where the voice comes in. Of all instruments, the human voice has always been the original one. Pathos in a human voice can often hit a nerve; when coupled with good lyrics, this power can be awesome.

Some songs have the power to bring on an emotional release. Many of my songs did that for me. With that introduction, here is my near thirty year collection of poems, or song lyrics, written from the heart and soul. Blessings to all.

Rob Rideout , November 2010

Here is the opening song on the CD - I love this a lot, especially to start off the day. ["SOMEHOW"]

SOMEHOW

(LISTEN)

Another hour, another day
I make it through it
Anyway I can....Somehow

Another moment, just now passed
Forever gone, nothing lasts
I see....Somehow

Somehow I stumble through the darkness
Towards the light
Doing it all again, but this time
Trying to get it right....Somehow

Another year, just now passed
Here comes another
Will it last any longer....Somehow

So on we go, round and round,
Another moment just went down
Right now....Somehow

Somehow I’ve made it this far
Living day to day
Enjoying each moment of my life
All along the way....Somehow

Another hour, another day
I make it through it
Anyway I can....Somehow

Composed January 2008

AND ~ Here is one of my songs off my CD that was inspired by ACIM, obviuosly! It's called ["YOU'RE ALREADY THERE"].

YOU'RE ALREADY THERE

(LISTEN)

Forever searching for answers
Outside of ourselves
Drugs, bottles and therapy
Didn’t bring much help
Until you see what you’re looking for
Is the One who is looking
You’ll be chasing shadows evermore
Never tasting the food that is cooking

You don’t have to do anything
You’re already there
So simple, it’s hard to see
Into a mirror we stare
Reality is everywhere and nowhere
You don’t have to do anything
You’re already there

Who needs do nothing
Has no need for time
For in that quiet place within
Sits the divine
Believe it for just one instant
And it all becomes so clear
Love surrounds you always
Right now, right here

You don’t have to do anything
You’re already there
So simple it’s hard to see
Into a mirror we stare
Reality is everywhere and nowhere
You don’t have to do anything
You’re already there

January 2005

Here is one more ACIM inspired song I think you'll like.

HEALING THE HOLES IN MY HEART

(LISTEN)

I’m healing the holes in my heart
Of the pain that I never faced
Fearing fear no longer
Allowing the room for grace
Forgiving myself and others
Is the medicine that I now take
My whole heart is beating so strongly
Correcting perceptions mistakes

I’ve been afraid to live
But I’m not afraid to die
Running from myself
With nowhere to hide
I’m gonna get this right
‘Cause I’m tired of being down
The wake up calls are over
I’ve realized here and now

Healing the holes in my heart
Is what life seems to be all about
Sidestepping the pain only prolongs it
But forgiveness will heal without a doubt
Yeah, forgiveness will heal without a doubt
Forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness
Will heal without a doubt

March 2005

And here too is the last song, my title song that I want to stay in your head for awhile.

STILL SINGING SOMEHOW

(LISTEN)

Is there anything that you’d like to say
Before I sentence you today
Asked the balding Superior Court Judge

Yes, Your Honor- I’m a very sick man
Who sees prison as a part of the plan
A place where I can finally get well

Well, I did just that and a little bit more
And when I walked out that prison door
I knew that my life would be different now

Well, I’m still singing, still singing somehow
And I’m still standing, here and now
As long as I’m breathing, breathing in and out
I’ll still be singing, still singing somehow

Way back when I was a married man
I had a cabin and a piece of land
But the fire took that and gave us a baby boy

Then I quit playing music and took a bad fall
I fell twenty feet, twelve breaks in all
I thought I would never walk again

But walk I did right out that door
Leaving a life I would live no more
And today, I can say, I finally found myself

And, I’m still singing, still singing somehow
And I’m still standing, here and now
As long as I’m breathing, breathing in and out
I’ll still be singing, still singing somehow

June 2010

Enjoy

Namaste, Rob

~*~

*Singer/songwriter Rob Rideout is the award winning author of Still Singing, Somehow. He lives on a farm with his three cats Baba, Maya and Olive overlooking Colville Washington. He recently published a second book of poetry, based on his song lyrics. His CD of nearly thirty years worth of original songs is due for release in June 2011. This CD is entitled the same as the book and meant to accompany both books. Readers who have already read Rob's inspirational memoir will get a whole new feeling and insight into the author, as they listen to him sing.

Rob has published 25 articles @ selfgrowth.com
To view the articles, click here http://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/robert_rideout

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