Love Abides

This was the first set of lyrics that I wrote for the lullaby album. My greatest concern/curiosity at the beginning of the project was whether I could coax out music that sounded soft enough to be pacifying, but still also have the thrumming bass that I strongly suspect will be a needed component of a vibroacoustic soak; therefore, rather than writing an entirely new song, I started out with an existing set of lyrics from “Love Abides No Sundered World” and simplified them down into more of a lullaby form. I gave it music more like that of “Only Fairy Tales Tell the Truth.” I want these songs to have a positive, open, kind message, and I like this one very much… the notion that everyone should be welcome. That’s certainly a message that I have endeavored to instill in my children, including my students. It pursues all of the principles for eliminating social injustice.

I knew that I would get around to writing songs about puppies and kittens and dragons and fairies and all of those wonderful things, but this song was not gonna be that.

Lyrics

We all begin as strangers here

    in welcome's first embrace.

Each tiny soul a traveler

    in search of sheltered space.

Welcome like the starlight clear.

Welcome like the dawn.

Our gentle home will hold you dear

    in love's abiding song.

Before we learn our barriers,

    before we learn our fears,

    in every face, in every heart,

    a friend already near.

Welcome like the starlight clear.

Welcome like the dawn.

Our gentle home will hold you dear

    in love's abiding song.

Our hearts open wide.

Love knows no divide.

Welcome home, welcome home.

From strangers into family,

    from darkness into light,

    the gift of welcome given twice,

    received when we invite.

Welcome like the starlight clear.

Welcome like the dawn.

Our gentle home will hold you dear

    where all the world belongs.

Welcome home, Love...

Welcome home, Love...

Welcome home.