When I was preparing the set list for the Long Haul of Love Benefit Concert in January my thoughts were grieved for the survivors of Hurricane Helene. It was so overwhelming. Thankful for Episcopal Relief and Development, many friends gathered to help out in any way we all could.

I was going through some challenges personally and I needed to keep afloat in order to endure. Simultaneously, I was also beginning to learn the cello. These matters came together in this song I wrote one morning while I plucked the happy sounds of the cello’s strings. Yes, this scripture verse embedded in my soul was what birthed this tune, and its catchy melody became my mantra, my lifeline of endurance. It still serves me.

Knowing I wasn’t unique and alone in challenges that life was affording me, this little tune helped me NOT to wallow in my particular daunting state of affairs. Its cheerfully lighthearted melody and goofiness became my constant companion, and it served as a mental crowbar to lift me out of the heavy blues that tried to stop and squish me.

Since anxiety is often my nemesis, I find using cheerful songs and words as a way to “mother” myself through a tough spell of it. Its goofy fun is a deliberate “NO” to the otherwise crushing worries and stressors that would still my voice.  The silly melody and directive words helped me, then, and as my musician friends gathered to rehearse, the song opened up into more happiness and positiveness. This is a “the-more-the-merrier-kind-of-song”.

The toe tapping that happened in our audience when we shared it “live for the first time”, was proof that this little tune’s positive potential cheered up so many.

PS.

The other day I was singing this song as I was walking into Lowe’s to return an item. I taught it to the service counter ladies. It’s a blast to make others smile, even for a minute.

IF you want to hear this jewel of a song in person, just make sure you’re on my email list and I’ll be inviting you soon to my next house concert! You can always share this with a friend and spread the cheer!

Thanks for being a friend.

Rachel