A New Adventure

I am a retired band director/music teacher living in Texas. I still teach private lessons and love it. Teaching music is my passion! I recently had knee replacement surgery and spent quite a bit of time in my recliner and teaching online. I recently discovered an online teaching model which I love. I would like to invite you to visit my new website and get acquainted with my new adventure in online music teaching.

http://www.ladymjmusic.com

for more information about the course in flute I am offering email me at ladymjmusic@gmail.com

Forever We Are Young

February 5, 2025

BTS!  I am ARMY!

If you are not familiar with these phrases then listen up to something that moves me. 

BTS is a K-Pop group from Korea.  They have been together since 2013 and have achieved worldwide fame.  You may be familiar with their hits that became very famous in America – The songs, “Dynamite” and “Butter”.

Of course I love all kinds of music.  Being a music teacher my audio library ranges from opera, classical, broadway,  jazz, 70’s pop, anything on the radio.  But, lately I have been listening non-stop to BTS.  Their story is amazing – I’ll let you read about if you want to.  Their music is amazing but it’s the lyrics that grab me much of the time. 

This song hits home for me – I am in my retirement years and yet I still feel so young and have so much to hope and dream about.  The last few years have been very disturbing for me and many of us.  The news is never ending of just shocking stuff – this song helps bring me back to my younger days when I had so much hope in the future.

Here are just part of the lyrics I love so much.  They mostly sing in Korean so I look up translation all the time.  Enjoy the listen!!!

Forever we are young

Under the flower petals raining down
I run, so lost in this maze
Forever we are young
Even when I fall and hurt myself
I endlessly run toward my dream

[Bridge: Jung Kook, SUGA, V, Jimin, *RM*]
Forever, ever, ever, ever
(Dreams, hopes, forward, forward)
Forever, ever, ever, we are young
Forever, ever, ever, ever
(*Dreams, hopes, forward, forward*)
Forever, ever, ever, we are young

[Chorus: Jung Kook, Jimin, V, Jin]
Forever we are young
Under the flower petals raining down
I run, so lost in this maze
Forever we are young
Even when I fall and hurt myself

Verse 1 RM

The curtain falls and I’m out of breath
I get mixed feelings as I breathe out
Did I make any mistakes today?
How did the audience seem?
I’m happy with who I’ve become
That I can make someone scream with joy
Still excited from the performance

[Verse 2: SUGA]
I stand on the empty stage while holding onto an aftertaste that will not linger for long
While standing on this empty stage, I become afraid of this unpleasant emptiness
Within my suffocating feelings
On top of my life’s line
Without a reason, I forcibly act that I am fine
This isn’t the first time, I better get used to it
I try to hide it, but I can’t
When the heat of the show cools down
I leave the empty seats behind



[Verse 3: j-hope]
Trying to comfort myself
I tell myself the world can’t be perfect
I start to let myself go
The thundering applause, I can’t own it forever
I tell myself, so shameless
Raise your voice higher
Even if the attention isn’t forever, I’ll keep singing
As today’s me, I want eternity
Forever, I want to be young

The 6th of January

Amy Grant released this song just 6 days ago and I hope everyone will give it a listen.  It brought me to tears to think of how the generation from the 60’s and 70’s was so hopeful and full of idealism.  I wasn’t old enough to be at Woodstock (which was held at Yasgur’s Farm) but I did Hike for Hope and I Walked for Clean Water as well as Marched for Abortion Rights in 1972. 

I look at what is happening in our country right now and wonder where did we go wrong?  And more importantly how do we get back?

Listen – share – and start a dialogue……………

Tragedy

I confess – I am a boomer so this song has been in my consciousness for decades. I have told myself to write a blog about this song but have put it off – maybe because the last three years or so have been a tragedy and it hit too close to home? Yesterday I heard the song again and it prompted me to wonder why the word – or the melody- or the song speak to me.

I have a few memories in my life that I feel this word fits. The loss of a love, a deep love that you thought would go on forever and it ends, “with no one to love you you’re going nowhere”.

I have been diagnosed with breast cancer – twice – “When the morning cries and you don’t know why?”

I have been there, but came back from there. How did I do it? I really don’t know but something inside pushed through the tragedy and I became an overcomer.

This song is not a sad song at all. The way the song keeps repeating that word – tragedy – tragedy – tragedy. The melody, the rhythm, the voices and the instruments all come together to remind the listener of something in their life that was a tragedy. At the same time this song is hopeful – its upbeat – to me it musically is pushing forward and gives me a feeling of overcoming tragedy.

Yes, that’s it, its not a sad song it is and overcomer song – put all this tragedy behind, get your soul back, wake up one morning NOT crying and feel in control again.

Maybe the tragedy is not the event that prompted those feelings but the inability to overcome those feelings and remain in the state of tragedy.

Verse 1]
Here I lie in a lost and lonely part of town
Held in time in a world of tears, I slowly drown
Goin’ home, I just can’t make it all alone
I really should be holding you, holding you
Loving you, loving you

[Chorus]
Tragedy
When the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on, It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why, it’s hard to bear
With no one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Tragedy
When you lose control and you got no soul, it’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why, it’s hard to bear
With no one beside you, you’re goin’ nowhere

[Instrumental Interlude]

[Verse 2]
Night and day, there’s a burning down inside of me, aaah
Burning love with a yearning that won’t let me be
Down I go, and I just can’t take it all alone
I really should be holding you, holding you
Loving you, loving you

[Chorus]
Tragedy
When the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on, It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why, it’s hard to bear
With no one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere
(Aaah) Tragedy
When you lose control and you got no soul, it’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why, it’s hard to bear
With no one beside you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Aaahhhh

[Instrumental Interlude]

[Chorus / Outro]
Tragedy
When the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on, It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why, it’s hard to bear
With no one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere
(Aaah) Tragedy
When you lose control and you got no soul, it’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why, it’s hard to bear
With no one beside you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Aaahhhh, tragedy
When the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on, It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why, it’s hard to bear
With no one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere
(Aaah) Aaah, tragedy
When you lose control and you got no soul, it’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why, it’s hard to bear
With no one beside you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Aaahhhh, tragedy
When the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on, It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why, it’s hard to bear
With no one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Aaah, tragedy

Think

Another song that dates me…….but this is the first song on the Osmonds Debut album back in 1970-71.  I fell in love with the lyrics back then –  boy do they resonate today.

I was walking today and this song popped up in my song playlist.  I had just gotten through reading the news and was using my walk to put all that out of my mind.

Ukraine is first and foremost a true tragedy.  Even knowing what is going on across the globe to the Ukrainian society there are people here who have to complain about the price of gas.  Stop and THINK –  you are not taking cover from bombs, or watching family and neighbors trying to stop a military tank from coming into their city.  It was not your wife or Mother in that maternity hospital that got bombed.  How secure are the nuclear plants near your home, because the ones near Ukraine are near failing. 

Just listen and think…………………   

You speak of freedom as if it’s just a word
Something you don’t think of because you’re so secure
Well I wonder what would happen
Do you think you might complain
If one day you woke up and found yourself in chains

Would it make you think, think about life
Would it make you think, think of what’s right
Would it make you think, make you think
Yeah, make you think

Sorrow can’t touch you, you’re too far out ahead
Got no need to worry about who’s dying or who’s dead
Take away your shelter, lay you naked on the ground
With no one to help you, do you think you like being down

Would it make you think, think about life
Would it make you think, think of what’s right
Would it make you think, make you think
Make you think

If some day you looked up, saw the burning sun
Shining down upon you and a voice said, “Tell me, son.
Have you been a true good brother?
Have you been a friend to all?”
Would that kind of grab you, put your back against the wall?

Would it make you think, think about life
Would it make you think, think of what’s right
Would it make you think, make you think
Yeah make you think whoa, think

Hey, would it make you think, think about life
Would it make you think, think of what’s right
Would it make you think, make you think
Yeah, would it make you think, whoa, think

The Prayer

I fall in love with this song every time I hear it!  It is so beautiful and touched my heart as I look around and see the struggles in our world.

The world is not a very happy or calm place right now.  The entire world is dealing with a pandemic.  Right here in our own country there is arguing instead of compromise, fighting instead of handshakes or hugs.   Families are struggling to find places to live and put food on their tables.  Our children are being tossed about in a school situation that is awful (from personal experience – I was a teacher for 36 years).   There is the feeling of being afraid of the future and being out of control.  We have children shooting other children, parents abusing and abandoning their children, and discrimination aimed at anyone who is different that “us”.  How did we get here? 

There really is only one answer – and this of course is my personal belief – and that is FAITH.  I have to believe that there is a God who sent His Son to help us through all of the horrible things that will happen in our lifetimes.  No one is immune from struggle, but I believe there is a loving God who really is in control.  If I can find that place of peace in my own heart, and trust that all is well I can make it through anything. 

I have had my own personal struggles, from personal relationships that failed to overcoming cancer twice!  I have always had a positive attitude and I do believe that came from my Mom whose motto was “Everything Changes”.  The bad times will happen but they will go away and faith is what sustains me during the rough times.

I wish you that faith in tomorrow, that things will be better.  This song is my prayer for all of my family and friends.

I have shared two versions of this song – enjoy!!!

I pray you’ll be our eyes, and watch us where we go
And help us to be wise in times when we don’t know

I pray we ‘Il find your light, and hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
Remind us where you are
Let this be our prayer, when shadows fill our day
Help us find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

A world where pain and sorrow will be ended
And every heart that’s broken will be mended
And we’ll remember we are all God’s children
Reaching out to touch you
Reaching to the sky

We ask that life be kind, and watch us from above
We hope each soul will find another soul to love
Let this be our prayer, just like every child

Who needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe
Need to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

Advent 2021

Well, in just a few months it will be a full two years since the pandemic began.   I must confess that with the pandemic and moving to Texas, I have not yet found a new church home.  So, today on this first day of Advent 2021 I will practice “Forgiveness” on myself.   Not attending a brick-and-mortar building does not mean I have moved away from my faith, on the contrary I still remain faithful in my beliefs but I do not yet have a faith community to share that with.

I have decided to use this Advent season to return to daily reflection and prayer.  In my life music is very important for me so I will blog each day a seasonal song to share with you.

Today, the first Sunday of advent I have chosen the hymn “O Come, O come Emmanuel”.  The term advent in Latin means “coming or arrival”.  How appropriate those words are as we have spent almost the last two years waiting on an end to this pandemic and if you are like me feeling not at all in control of what is happening in the world.   

Advent is a time of waiting and a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ. Before the birth of Jesus, the Israelites were waiting for a Savior to arrive!  The arrival of this Savior was a child and that was not what they were expecting.  The Son of God became a man like you and me.  God did not have to do this – but He did.  Those words strike a chord for me – He did not have to do it but He did! He did it for us so He could also become the sacrifice for our sins.

It took me listening to quite a few versions of this song to decide which one I would share.  I wanted the pure sound of the lonely melody and the feeling of mourning and longing as we wait for the coming of a Savior to rescue us from all the ills of the world.  Maybe this Advent we can remember that God saw our situation and sent the Christ Child.  What we can learn from His birth and life is to wait patiently and know that God is in charge.

Forever Young

I first fell in love with the lyrics of this song when my high school science teacher, gave each one of us in his class a copy of the lyrics as a special gift.  This was in 1976 and they were the lyrics Bob Dylan wrote and recorded. Joan Baez recorded the song a year or two later. That gift hung on my mirror for years and still holds a dear place in my heart.

My mother always had a forever young spirit.  My best and most vivid memories of her are when she was being playful, laughing and doing something fun – like riding the indoor slide at the restaurant on the hill in Phoenix.  My Mom passed in 1997 but I sometimes channel her when I want to feel young again.

Being young the whole world is at your feet.  You can choose your path and go where you want to go and.  I felt this way leaving for college in the 70’s – I could do anything and live forever.  I thrived on that feeling!  As I got older I went through many ups and downs but I believe this “forever young” feeling is what has kept me positive about life. As we approach May of this year, my oldest son will be getting married and these lyrics remind me of what I wish for him!

Bob Dylan wrote this song for his son in the early 1970’s and also recorded it but it was a melancholy tune.  Joan Baez recorded it on her 1977 album.  I think most people remember the version recorded by Rod Stewart – it is much more upbeat!  I always wondered were they the same song? The lyrics are similar and the melody is close to the same but different. Well, today I searched and found out a bit more……

Answers.com

“They are different yet alike. The writer’s of the Rod Stewart song — Jim Cregan, Rod Stewart, Kevin Savigar — subliminally plagiarized Dylan. It’s best explained by this paragraph for Answers.Com:

Rod Stewart recorded a song titled “Forever Young”, which was released as a single and included on his Out of Order album in 1988. The song was remarkably similar to the Bob Dylan song of the same title, sharing not only a similar melody but many of the same lyrics. Upon threat of a plagiarism suit, Stewart acknowledged that he had subconsciously plagiarized the older song, and agreed to share his royalties with Dylan.

The credit for the song now includes Dylan with the other 3.

So, which is your favorite??

Here are the bob Dylan lyrics:

“Forever Young”

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

Here are the Rod Stewart Lyrics:

May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
surround you when you’re far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you’d have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you’ll always stay
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young

May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
with a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain
and in my heart you will remain
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young
Forever Young

And when you finally fly away
I’ll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose
I’m right behind you, win or lose
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young ,Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young
For, Forever Young, Forever Young