August 2008 Offering Of The Month: "When The Labors Done" Written by Rev. James A. Martin & Edward Jerlin © 2008 Everlasting Arms Records & Publishing - All Rights Reserved The melody & lyrics were written by Pastor Jim originally on guitar. As we worked through it a few times, it was my idea to shift it from a 4/4 feel to a 3/4 waltz feel, which Jim really enjoyed. I also played around with some of the chords & arrangement a bit (as I often seem to do), ;-) coming more from a keyboard feel, yet keeping a bit of the acoustic guitar in there. The song is based on Matthew 11:28-30, in which Jesus says, "Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Jim recorded his vocals at the very end of a long marathon weekend of recording in which his stamina was certainly put to the test -- after we thought we'd already finished. Because of that, at first his vocals seemed a bit... weary... yet as the song continued, it seemed he got a second wind & after the first few lines finished nicely & strongly, which kind of amazed me. I asked him if he wished to re-do the rough bits, but he decided that the "weariness" of his voice fit the lyrical content quite well & was the feel that he was going for. This track was slated to be included on Pastor Jim's solo album, "Songs From The Father", however we've subsequently felt that it fits well in "On Broken Wings", with its "Songs of Healing" theme. Enjoy! Comments & feedback are always welcome at our guestbook. Thank you & God bless! To download the music, RIGHT CLICK and choose "Save Target/Link As": "When The Labors Done" MUSIC 4:34 To download the lyrics, RIGHT CLICK: and choose "Save Target As": "When The Labors Done" LYRICS