I’m thrilled that this collection has found it’s way to you. These are songs spanning the years from 1971 to 2004. In almost every case, they are remakes of original versions. Sometimes, I have updated lyrics or arrangements, with the thought of giving the song the best possible setting. I have also interspersed excerpts of old recordings, to share the color and spirit of the different musical eras.
I have been blessed with a very rich musical experience in this incarnation. I began with guitar and rock bands when I was 9. Over the next 20 years, I played in various bands pretty much continuously. I received a degree in Music Theory/Composition from the University of California, Santa Barbara (and summarily renounced the academic musical orientation immediately thereafter). I’ve sung in barbershop quartets and choirs – most notably a 14-voice men’s chamber chorus called the Schubertians, with whom I toured England in 1979 (see #10 on disc 1). I’ve dabbled with a number of instruments including flute, keyboards, and a variety of guitar styles. And most relevant for me, I’ve done a lot of composing. Songwriting has been my form of journaling – a way of reconciling the mystery of this life experience. Having this outlet for creative expression has been my most treasured gift, and my saving grace. I estimate that across these 4 decades, I’ve been involved in the creation of over 30 albums worth of music, with many of those projects represented on this collection.
For me, when all the elements are considered – melody, harmony, rhythm, orchestration, composition, lyrics, performance and intention – this collection holds its own next to any music. If the music contained herein touches your life in any way, know that I am richly blessed. And, by holographic extension, the collective life of which we are all a part, is blessed as well. Joy and peace be with you, now and always. Doug
Songster Timeline, Vol. 1
1. Mystical House – from “Transforming the Archetypes”; written (while sitting in a hot tub) on the winter solstice 12/21/99, awaiting the coming of the new millennium. This remake is from 2004.
I embrace, with loving wholeness, my sacred contract
I embrace, with loving wholeness, my broken self
In the mystical house of death and rebirth, I awaken in light and I dance on the earth
There’s a voice in the desert, there’s an energy born, in the eye of the storm I’m free
In the mystical house I end and begin, and she’s pouring a wine into a new wineskin
I’m releasing the ties, and turning within, and everyone’s here with me
With the compassion born of that embrace, I see, illuminate and celebrate
Loving wholeness, loving wholeness, in the brokenness of others
The millennium moon is shining on me, in the waters I bathe, in this light I am free
At the solstice of night I am starting to see, as I dance in the mystery
The spirits are here, the angels have come, the mantras recite, the chanting is sung
The veils are lifted, the spell is undone, creating our destiny
Release the fear, release the anger, release the woundedness, release the sorrow
Become the joy, receive the joy, become the joy, send out the joy
2. Excerpt from “Introspection Trilogy” performed by Eidolon, 1977. Eidolon was a “progressive rock” band I played in from 1974 to 1977.
3. Sunrise on the Meadow – written around 1973, this recording from 2004 is
the 4th arrangement.
Morning light pursues the night through hillside and horizon
Shadow dancers slow recede, this renewal approaches me
Sunrise, sunrise on the meadow
Like a breath or candle flame filling all who call her
Morning comes anew, the same, ever here and ever changing
Sunrise, sunrise on the meadow
Morning light illuminates the meaning and the moment
Thank you precious morning light, there is hope in your returning
Sunrise; magic moments, spacious moments in the meadow
Day follows dawn, life goes on, endless movement and play
Building, destroying, despairing, rejoicing, again and again and again
Sunrise – don’t give up on us…you won’t give up on us…of course you won’t
4. The Now Field – originally called Step Into It, from an album called “A Place of Love”, 1999. It was revised with new words and title and recorded a second time in 2001. This 3rd rendition was recorded in 2004.
Whatever you do, the love will still connect us
Where ever you go, you can be sure the love will never leave.
We came for this, be victorious, we came for this, please consider this
Whatever I say, the presence will embrace me
Whatever I know, it’s nothing that the truth can’t wash away
Let go of it, let the story go. Let go of it, in the NOW field
Awakening so abundantly. Step into it…Timeless dancing in the NOW Field
At the center of the presence, there is no drama here
So leave your story at the entrance, it has no meaning here
Everything happens for a reason….Yeah, well maybe so… so the story goes
We never need to know a reason, let the story go, let the story go…
Whatever we do, it’s just another move on the periphery
Wherever we go, the Oneness of the NOW becomes us all
Step into it, let the story go. Step into it, be the NOW Field
There’s only this in our sacred heart
Step into it… Timeless Running in the NOW Field
Now at the center of the presence, there is no drama here
We never need to know a reason, only love is living here
We find the love that is our essence, and we enter it, and we center it
We are the NOW, we are the presence, it’s becoming us
Awakening so abundantly, step into it… Timeless dancing in the NOW Field
5. Angelique – from “Unity Cycle”, written and recorded in 2002
Little Child from the other side, will you walk with me
Little Sister Angel Eyes, from across the sea, walk with me
Through a misty morning light, in a meadow dawn
You return to the silent heart, and enter like a song
There is a time and place together, the re-united family
Behind the changes stands forever, the living truth of Unity
Holy One with the gentle smile, you are in my heart
Tender friend, can you stay awhile? Will you never part? Never will you part.
Little Child from the other side, come and take my hand
Little Sister Angel Eyes, from the promised land, take my hand
There is a time and place together, the re-united family
Behind the changes stands forever, the living truth of Unity
6. Excerpt: from “7 Variations on a Theme of Beethoven”, written and
performed by my piano instructor in 1978, at Lotte Lehman Hall at
UC San Diego.
7. Closer to the Heart – from “Sacred & Secular”, 1985. This remake
was recorded in 2004.
Close the eyes and enter the silence
Where no thoughts arise and ask awareness
If not the body, who am I? If not the senses, who am I?
If not the mind, then who am I? If not defenses, tell me…
I’m moving closer to the heart, returning closer to the heart
The heart of who we are
Stay on course, moving back to the source
Timeless peace at the heart’s release, asking
If not the dream, then who am I? If not the fire, who am I?
If not the fear, then who am I? If not desire, tell me…
The essence of the water, the shining of the sun
The sound of all vibration, the many in the One
This is shown as a primal knowing
as a wind is blowing, as a river flowing
I’m moving closer to the heart, returning closer to the heart
The heart of who we are
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8. Follow the Leader – written and originally performed by Taxi Dancer
in 1983. This remake recorded in 2004.
When the morning comes, she rises to her tears
A stoic dressed in sorrow looks back across the years
The forces of the darkness sought victims to accost
With unsuspecting ignorance her innocence was lost, and
She’ll gladly face the verdict from anybody else, but
She can’t accept the sentence, forgiveness of herself
There’s a time of resistance, there’s a time to belong
There’s a time for insistence, and a time to move on
She obeys – she obeys – she follows the leader
She is not to blame, when she follows the leader
Lead her away
She knows her own intentions, and the motives of her heart
But circumstantial evidence is tearing her apart, so
She fans a flame with bitterness, that every bridge might burn
She seeks external guidance while her inner faith is spurned
She gives in – she gives in – she follows the leader, she’s a
Leaf upon the wind, when she follows the leader
Lead her away
All that we are is of what we believe
All that we are… a manifested dream
With a glorious indulgence, and hatred of her foe
She serves the very demon she seeks to overthrow
9. Looking for Heaven – from an album of the same name, written
and originally recorded in 1996. This remake was recorded in 2004.
It’s not tradition, though it has its place
It’s not the teacher, though he shows the way
It’s not the effort, though it must be made
It’s not surrender, though the price is paid
Looking for heaven, far and wide
Looking for heaven under endless skies
Looking for heaven and I close my eyes
I go inside; I’m illumined by you light
No institution ever turns the key
The gate’s not entered through conformity
I won’t win entrance with wit and debate
It just don’t matter how well I articulate
Looking for heaven in a mountain glen
Looking for heaven in a lion’s den
Looking for heaven in my secret soul
On a holy roam, silently I go
Come out of my secret soul, lead me to your door
The way is different for each one of us
Who really knows how far we’ve come
I can’t evaluate attainment of another
I just try to walk where you have shown
I’ve looked for heaven at the world’s extremes
I’ve looked for heaven in a cosmic dream
I look to the world and get let down again, so
I’m guided by what I understand within
I’m looking, looking, far and wide
I’m looking under endless skies
I’m looking and I close my eyes, I go inside
I’m illumined by your light
Sometimes I wonder what you want with me
I take the next step, its all I can see
You haunt me like an apparition
In heaven’s name, come set me free
For heaven’s sake, come set me free
Looking for heaven
10. Excerpt: The Schubertians, recorded in Sandwich, England, 1979.
I was blessed to be part of this group from 1977 t0 1979. Usually I sang
baritone, but on this one I am accompanying the group on classical guitar.
11. Songs of Change – from an album of the same name, written and
originally recorded in1980. The “Songs of Change “ album became my resume,
so to speak, as I ventured off to New York City. This remake was recorded
in 2004.
It’s so amazing, the way the world unfolds
For every ending, there’s a story left untold
Our thoughts are singing with wide dynamic range
Echo forever, sing the songs of change
We are the dancers, we learn the dance of form
We are creators, we take the world by storm
We are the actors, proud upon our stage
We are the singers, and we sing the songs of change
And underneath it all we are as One
Here in our everlasting spiral round the sun
And underneath it all we give and take
We live our lives out in a world that we create
Where to go, what to know, endless range, sometimes strange
Songs of change echoing into forever
I am a student, asking where to go
I am a teacher, sharing what I know
I am a madman when the world appears too strange
I’m a musician, and I sing the songs of change
12. In the Moonlight – from a 1996 album called “Coming Home.”
This remake was recorded in 2003.
In the moonlight, walking through the darkness
Ever closer, whisper in my heart
I surrender, watching through a window on your world,
In the moonlight
In the moonlight, I can see them singing
Still, the silence blows through me with the wind
I feel the longing, though I would linger I must let it pass
In the moonlight
So I’m letting go of all that I’ve known,
I’m letting go, the joys and the woes
I’m letting go, she’s calling me home
I wish I could stay, but my mama says it’s time to come home
In the moonlight, treasures of remembrance
Timeless moments to travel in my heart
I would linger, but my time to smell the rose has come and gone
In the moonlight
Tabloid headlines at the checkout stand:
“They’ve found the formula for Inner Joy!”
I laugh… I’ve made my own discovery
You sever every heart string, and step into the void
In the moonlight, watching from a distance
Shadow image from the ghost of Christmas past
I would linger, but the time is growing short, the light is dim
In the moonlight
13. Joshua – from “The Road that Starts from Here”, 1999. I wrote this
song while my friend Joshua, at the time only 9 years old, was undergoing
a brain surgery. This remake was recorded in 2004.
Om, be well my friend
Om, be well sweet child of light
Be free, be brave, be whole, be you
And be. Just Be.
You are a great soul, friend-child
I have faith in you, please have faith in me
You’re heart is open, you have so much love for everyone
And you don’t have to take it on for us, God is walking with us too
You can trust that. Maybe only that.
You can trust in Love… there is only Love.
You are the light, the love, the joy and the wisdom manifest in spirit now
SO BE IT
In the darkness, feel comforted. In the silence, know that someone is there
Be free, be brave, be whole, be you
Be at peace and know that we are all so grateful
For the life you bring us, for the child awakening within
We are all awakening within….within
And you show us, and we learn from you
As you walk your life, just the way you are.
You are the light, the love, the joy and the wisdom, manifest in spirit now
SO BE IT – AND SO IT IS
Om, be well my friend. Om, be well sweet child of light
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14. Excerpt: Electronic music assignment, recorded at the sequencer lab,
UCSD 1976
15. Late at Night – from “Songs of Love & Loneliness’”, written in
New York City in 1981. This remake was recorded in 2004.
I was thinking about you, still I’m thinking about you, and I’m thinking too long
But I know I will find you, ‘cause I know you can hear me, and I know I ain’t wrong
All your manifestations are beckoning to me, I want to know you limitlessly
On a timeless progression, in an endless sea, I want to know you limitlessly
Late at night – I’m asking questions, the questions are asking why
How can I make you if I can’t make up my own mind?
You have worn many faces, you have left many traces, and you’re leading me on
But I know I will find you, ‘cause I know you are with me, when
I’m singing your song
You reside in the essence of everything I see, I want to know you limitlessly
Through your obstacle nature, clear a path for me
I want to know you limitlessly, so limitlessly
Sometimes I think that I know your name
But that can change, though you’re still the same, for
You are no one in everything, and I’m the illusion
When the hours go slowly by, I sit alone and I wonder why
We all conceal our real side, we’re the illusion
You can take what I offer, you can take me for granted, I’ve been taken before
But I know I will find you, ‘cause I know that you need me
And I know we are one
16. The Fisherman – from the album, “Unplugged,” written in 1997.
This remake was recorded in 2004. Poetic intro is the voice and words of
David Whyte.
Freedom…
I was a fisherman. I was casting out my spirit in many lines
I was a fisherman in this ocean of delusion,
Now I’m reeling in to the life behind my eyes
I sail in freedom, passing through the storm
I sail in freedom to the light on a distant shore
The heading is freedom, Lord! Help me stay the course
I will know my direction from the compass in my heart
I’ve been a fisherman. I was chasing after the fish of fantasy
I was a fisherman in this ocean of delusion
Now I’m letting it go for the land of liberty
Hey – it’s a beautiful day! Pull up the anchor – let’s go
Whoa! It’s a terrible night, set a course for the light on a distant shore
Hey – anchor’s away, hoist up the main sail, here we go
Whoa! It’s a wonderous night set a course for the light on a distant shore
Make a line to the light on a distant shore
Steer clear of the rocks that would sink me
Cut loose the nets, sever the lines, pull up the anchor, follow the signs
Hoist up the sails, here we go. Set a course for the light on a distant shore
…sure is getting quiet… watch out for the white squall
Freedom
17. Jupiter – from “Gang of Mantras”; written in 2003 and recorded in 2004.
Om Brihaspataye Namaha
Abba, you have not forsaken me
Abba, you will not forsake me
My beloved here, my beloved now, ever present in my heart
Guiding me through my fears, guiding me through all these years
I can trust you now, as I always could… I always could
18. Excerpt: from “The Numinous”, written for men’s chorus, recorded in
1976 (8 tracks of DKR). Unfortunately, I no longer know the source of
the words.
19. For Judy – from “The Blessing and the 7 Mirrors.” Written and
recorded in 2001, in memory of a great soul and special friend.
She is my friend, and she is leaving
She finds a peace that passes understanding
She knows the Blessing. She Is the Blessing.
There was a lover, who had left her for another
She was at peace with him, and she was leaving
So she reached out to him, to free the shadows
Still, he would not come.
He closed his heart in meditation and God’s name.
Still, she blessed him, and let him go.
And now I bless her, in her magnificence
And now I bless him, he does what he can do.
I am the witness, and I send blessings on myself.
Can I not make him wrong?
There was another way.
I feel her peace, that passes understanding
And with the blessing, I let it go.
20. Brahma – a setting of a poem by RW Emerson, “Brahma” is from the
1985 collection called “Sacred & Secular.” This remake was recorded in 2004.
If the red slayer think he slays, or if the slain think he is slain
Then they know not well the subtle ways, for I keep and pass and turn again
Far or forgot to me is near, shadow and sunlight are the same
The vanished gods to me appear, and one to me are shame and fame
They reckon ill who leave me out, when me they fly I am the wings
I am the doubter and the doubt, and I the hymn the Brahmin sings
The strong gods pine for my abode, and pine in vain the sacred seven
But thou meek lover of the good, find me and turn thy back on heaven
21. Life is a Game –This setting of words from Sai Baba originally appears
on the 1999 album, “The Road that Starts from Here.” The remake you hear
on this collection was recorded in 2003.
The wise man is he who keeps his reason sharp and clear
And sees things as they really are
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is love, share it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a game, play it
This is the real pilgrim’s progress, this is the lion’s march across the forest
He is fearless, he is masterful and victorious
22. Excerpt: from “Celestial Cannon”, an early exploration into multi-track recording, written and recorded in 1974.
23. My Friend – from “Unity Cycle”, written and recorded in 2002. A song
in remembrance of another great soul and special friend named Cliff.
My friend, when I look into your eyes again, I see light
My friend. I marvel at the road you’ve walked with your life
And in the beauty I see that you are I am blessed
And all life is uplifted by your very presence
I honor with voice, I dance and rejoice in my heart
Thank you friend, again and again, thank you friend
For the mirror of your love, for the sharing of your life with me
This time, awakening the One Divine, that we are
This play, unfolding as we peel away the façade
And we unite in the light that we shine, that we are
And the truth that we see is the love that we are
I honor with voice, I dance and rejoice in my heart
My friend, the story is a fading dream in the light
My friend, the loving is the timeless seeing, we unite
Yes, we unite in the light that we shine, that we are
And the truth that we see is the Love that we are
I honor with voice, I dance and rejoice in my heart
Thank you friend, again and again, thank you friend
For the mirror of your love, for the sharing of your life with me
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