JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum One Set Of Footprints-TwinnCampbell

A sunday kind of tune. I can hear Scott on this

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=100639&songID=7737462

Hey LT...

everything right about this song, (and believe me brother, there's plenty right) but for me...it all came down to this phrase:

"thought I was strong enough
used to be pretty tough
ended up he had to carry me"

You know how when you're listening to a song and you hear something that makes you say.."man, that was about me...or written just for me..."? Well, you just did that to me. You captured so much of where I am with that line. Thanks!

Did I mention, I also really enjoyed the song? It had that "Sunday Morning Coming Down" kind of feel...

Thanks Terrill, yeah that's the secret, let him carry you... don't forget to DL yourself a copy

Good song Louis... I really enjoyed the listen!!!

Hey thanks Ed

Nice song and message as usual Louis.

Steve

Sweet and pure gospel sound, Louis. Love it!

Thanks Steve, good to see ya

Kevin, appreciate that

Lovely song.....

Sent ya an email.

Louis changed his avatar! Love the hat!

Scott

Got it Scott..

Scott has added his heavenly harp and angelic harmonies to this one everybody.. Same link above

I like it, the song and the message.

You too really work on this. Willie and Waylon. This is a terrific song, Louis. The whole thing works so well. The sound of the guitar is very good for the mood. The background and harmonica are just right. Nice going guys. You hit this one right out of the park.

Tom

Hi Louis,

I can hear Scott on this tune , too, LOL.

I was always hoping I would be able to get to "the Promised Land" via "the Beach"

It's a nice song, the hook and supporting lyric all solid, vocals, harmonies all enjoyable.

Mike

Louis, I like this treatment.

Unlike the famous poem (distributed by pamphlet), you told us right off the bat that "He" had to carry you. That was a pretty effective way to handle this idea. The only suggestion I would have is that you find a another line instead of repeating the same one in the chorus. I don't know exactly what- maybe something like this:

There is only one set of footprints in the sand
on the way to the promise land
da da da da da da da da da da da da da
There's only one set of footprints in the sand

I did my version of that idea back in 1991. I tracked the original poem closer than you did- I'm not sure that was a good idea. I have sung this song a few times at gospel showcases around Fort Worth. Here is my lyric followed by two versions of the "anonymous" poem. I am told that some famous country singer released a song based on this idea but I have not found it yet.

Footprints 1991 by Samuel Joseph Harris

Adapted from a Christian pamphlet entitled “Footprints in the Sand” by Authors unknown.
The idea is take from the poem but the words and music are entirely my own work.

One night a young man had a dream
He dreamed he was walking on the beach leaving footprints in the sand
And walking right beside him was the lord leaving footprints in the sand
And they walked together friend to friend on the journey of his life
And the footprints stretched for miles and miles
They were the record of his joys and strife
But did he ever walk alone?

MUSIC..

one night the young man was old
He dreamed he was flying like a bird over his footprints in the sand
And flying right beside him was the Lord to help him understand

And the man cried “Lord you promised if I followed you
You would always walk with me
But when times were hard- when I suffered the most
One set of footprints is all I see.

You must have known I’d need you then
Why did you leave me on my saddest days?
I thought you were my friend”

And the Lord said, “Son I love you and I was always there
And to my promise I was true
When your trials were more than you could bear
Those were the times I carried you my friend
Those were the times I carried you

So let us walk together friend to friend
Over water sand and stone
For there are tears to dry and hearts to mend
But you will never walk alone my friend
You will never walk alone


Below are two version that claim authorship to this public domain poem. They are so similar, it is unlikely both of them are the authors. We will probably never know. It's really not a poem- more like a story.

I Had a Dream attributed to Margaret Fishback Powers by her survivors.

One night I had a dream
I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets
of footprints in the sand,
one belonging to me
and the other to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life shot before me
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
There was only on set of footprints.
I realized that this was at the lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This always bothered me
and I questioned the Lord
about my dilemma.
"Lord, you told me when I decided to follow You,
You would walk and talk with me all the way.
But I'm aware that during the most troublesome
times of my life there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You most,
you leave me."
He whispered, "My precious, precious child,
I love you and will never leave you
never, ever during your times of trial and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints
It was then that I carried you."



Footprints in the Sand attributed to Mary Stevenson

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from anguish,
sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints,
so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The years when you have seen only one set of footprints,
my child, is when I carried you.”

Nice job on this Louis. Perfect for your voice. I really like Scott's harmonies - especially where the three-part kicks in.

Thanks Everett

Thanks Tom, next time I get to be Willie

Thanks Mike, yeah the narrow road runs right by the beach

Hi Samuel, yeah I got a little lazy on the chorus I guess. Also really didn't like the melody going down at the end of the 2nd line of the chorus, but was trying to set up the 2nd half musically. I'll put my hat back on thanks for the history behind the poem, it was pretty interesting.

Thanks Colin, yeah Scott's a natural on harmonies.

aha, think I got it.. I'll have to ask Scott for a re-do..
Thanks Samuel

New chorus.

There's only one set of footprints in the sand
on the road to the promised land
cause when your being carried by an unseen hand
there's only one set of footprints in the sand.