October 2009 Offering Of The Month:
"When The Labor's Done"
Written by Rev. James A. Martin and Edward Jerlin
© 2009 Everlasting Arms Records & Publishing - All Rights Reserved
"On Broken Wings"
is nearly complete.
The final mixes have been mastered and sound wonderful.
The graphics are done and the proofs have been approved.
The CDs will be made available at the concert on October 18
and will be available on-line next month. This is the third of
three songs from the new CD that we have chosen to preview.
This song is a bit poignant for us, as it was the very
last song that Jim ever recorded in the studio. At the time,
we had no idea that would be the case, but as a result,
the song is aptly titled.
The melody and lyrics were originally written by Jim 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 and 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.
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.
"Let's see if we can do one more..."
Because of that, at first his vocals seemed a bit... weary...
yet as the song continued, it seemed he got a second wind and
after the first few lines finished nicely and 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 and was the feel
that he was going for. I'm thankful that we persevered.
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."
Enjoy!