“Sandy Sea” Wednesday, 08/05/2020
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In response to completing the F/Eb Horn part to “Duet in Bb - Nuhyallinz Saints Dance” I took a second look at a piece that had been sitting idle since I registered the copyright in 1984. I had already considered it for project one but had left off the notion of using it because the lyrics were quite esoteric and far too personal, in my opinion, to connect with anything but a very narrow audience. I thought if the piece were placed in the right key, this might be a work that Christy and I could play together; she on F horn and me on Bb baritone. After the first draft, we gave it a go and she seemed much happier with this one than with the other duet.
For the recording project, I sensed it needed some kind of percussive element to help drive the flow, so I developed the vibraphone part. Then I realized that although the baritone was picking up most of the necessary bass notes, having a string instrument to enforce or enhance those notes would be nice. Since I had already asked Craig Needham to help on the project, I decided the cello here would make sense. Finally, I just kept wanting to hear some guitar lightly supporting.
When I wrote the original version of this in the 1980’s it was intended as a song of praise and worship describing my personal experience with God. After having received the baptism with the Holy Spirit I could feel His presence like a continuous warmth, energy and peace. Everywhere I went I had a sense of being at one with Him, worshipping, fellowshipping with Him all the time. The notion that I had to “enter into worship” seemed foreign. To be clear, I struggled just like anyone, but the Bible speaks definitively of praise and worship continually progressing in the spiritual heaven in the presence of God. This song describes that sense of being in the middle of that worship no matter what might be going on physically or mentally.
Walkin’ on the sandy sea, I see the light
Strollin’ down the shady street, I can feel the light
Drivin’ down the avenue, I can hear the light
Wisdom all around, delighting in the sound of His love
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Sailing ‘neath the starry sky, I see the light
Rowing with the rolling waves, I can feel the light
Listenin’ to the whistlin’ wind, I can hear the light
Wisdom all around, delighting in the sound of His love
Praising the Lord