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My daughter is getting married next month, and I was thinking that I would/should say something at the reception, like a toast or blessing or something. Then I thought that I should really write them a song. The hard thing will be to sing it without breaking up in front of everyone. You will recognize 1 Corinthians chapter 13 in the chorus.

CHANGES--->[reworked some of the lyrics and the structure, pulled the chorus apart and made a bridge]

Let me know what you think...

It’s All About Love
©2003 Richard W. James

[verse 1]
I’m just a father
Blessed with a beautiful daughter
And a brand new son… she’s been dreaming of
What can I tell them
On the day of their wedding?
Give them some wisdom… some thoughts about love

[chorus]
Always be patient… Always be kind
Give credit where it’s due… for what has been done
Always be trusting… Always be hopeful
Pray for the strength… for what is to come
It’s all about Love

[verse 2]
I have twenty-six years
Full of laughter and tears
If you learn from mistakes, then I’ve… I’ve learned enough
So what can I tell them
On the day of their wedding?
Well, one thing I know, is it’s… it’s all about Love
It’s all about Love

[chorus]
Always be patient… Always be kind
Give credit where it’s due… for what has been done
Always be trusting… Always be hopeful
Pray for the strength… for what is to come
It’s all about Love

[bridge]
They say you need Faith
They say you need Hope
They say you need Love
But the greatest of these is Love
It’s all about Love

[chorus]
Always be patient… Always be kind
Give credit where it’s due… for what has been done
Always be trusting… Always be hopeful
Pray for the strength… for what is to come
It’s all about Love… It’s all about Love

Thanks for your time,
Rick


[This message has been edited by RWJames (edited 07-22-2003).]

[This message has been edited by RWJames (edited 07-24-2003).]

Hi again Rick. First, so nice to meet another real DD fan - and yes I do have the DD Gary Stewart album, in fact I think I've got just about everything he's ever sung, which isn't all that much. I almost got to meet him in Nashville a few years ago but missed him at the bar by a few minutes. I heard he's moved to Austin, which might be a good moove, so much great music comes out of there these days.

NOW, it's good to be first to comment on a lyric, I'm usually last because I'm sleeping while you're all up internetting. My son married in June and I've brought my kids up by myself and was asked to speak at the wedding - also thought about a song but certainly wouldn't have wanted to spoil the wedding...LOL Your lyric is a really lovely and says so much without being overdone. I know you said you're working on music and I had a tune going in my head while reading the chorus. My only thought would be that I think it would work better without the "each others", they're not necessary IMO and since it's fairly short you'd probably sing that chorus at least twice so they may get a bit monotonous. Very enjoyable Rick and hope the wedding goes well. Cheers,Judy

You can't really go wrong in this type of situation RW. I'm sure everyone will be thrilled by your thoughtfulness and initiative. The only thing you need to worry about is keeping it simple, short, (don't wear out your welcome!) and easy to sing. I had a couple of suggestions :
Standing beside my brand new son-
And a soon to be son

On the day of their wedding?
What can I say that sounds like wisdom

On their wedding day
What kind of wisdom
Can I send their way

I wouldn't spend so much time on your story in the second verse-they know you're wise! You might talk about learning from mistakes.

Some advice I've heard is ,when arguing, stick to the subject-don't make it personal.
And... Your job and goal is to make your mate happy. That's the most important thing. If each of you do that, you succeed. Good luck with this. As I said this is one of those times to keep it short and sweet!



[This message has been edited by 9ne (edited 07-22-2003).]

Hi Richard,
Goes along good for me. Agree with Judy on the "each others". They don't seem necessary for the meaning, Since the verses indicate he's going to be talking to them and the 3rd
C line reinforces that. Would change the melody rather drastically to take them out of course. Seems like the 3rd line -V 1 would jibe easier with the same line V 2 if it had another word. Maybe "here" between standing and beside.
Got some repetition in the last 3 lines of the verses, but you may want to reinforce the thought.
Seems like "Don't take away" might be said a bit differently.
All in all, I like it. I hope it works well for you
Wy

Judy:

First -- I think you may be thinking of Rick Work -- I'm honored; his stuff is really good -- but I'm not familiar with "DD Gary Stewart". I tried a search, but turned up nothing.

I actually worked a bit on the melody/chords last night and it's looking promising. But I did kind of cringe each time I hit the 3rd and 4th "each other". I normally like repetitive lyrics, but this was a bit much. I'll definitely take your advice and see what I can do about that.

I was thinking of singing the whole song twice through (it is short) but further down is the advice to keep it short which makes sense, too.

9ne:

Thanks for the advice to keep it short. I had wondered about that. I want to surprise her, so I can't ask for her opinion.

"soon to be son" -- this is after the wedding (the reception), so at that point, the deed is done. And I really wanted a personal touch of calling him my son.

Not directly addressing, this but I had considered adding:

"I’m just a father
With a beautiful daughter
[She's] standing beside my brand new son"

I was concerned that there would be confusion about who is standing next to who. (Of course, the whole thing is pointless if I can't get them to stand at all!)

"On their wedding day
What kind of wisdom
Can I send their way"

Hmm... I was having trouble with that line - it's almost a forced rhyme against line 3. Reworking both of these might be a better solution.

As for the story in v2, well, this is kind of a nod to my wife of 26 years. And I understand what you are saying about making it personal, but since this song will no doubt NEVER be performed again after the wedding day... and it is a very personal event (to be shared with a few hundred of our closest friends )

"make your mate happy" good advice, I like it... something to think about.

Wy:

Appreciate your comments because they affirm what has been said, and what I saw as problems. I think I will take a hard look at line 3 as you suggested.

"Don't take away" -- the Bible verse I was using said never be jealous in one translation, and don't envy in another. Followed with don't boast about yourself. Basically I was going with -- let your mate have their successes and don't try to do one better, or "Oh yeah? I can do better than that!" Essentially support each other in whatever they do, even if you don't understand or appreciate it. I'll look at this and see if I can find a better wording.

Thanks all for your help,
I have a lot to think about,
Rick


[This message has been edited by RWJames (edited 07-22-2003).]

I've put some changes in place. I've pretty much got the music done and it's flowing a lot better now.

Thanks again, everyone...
Rick