Gotta Know Your WHY
music album & catalog
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Album release is in November. Will make a great stocking stuffer for Christmas!!
PREORDER
- PayPal
- Zelle
- Venmo
Send $15 along with your mailing address. I’ll cover postage. Indicate if you want CD or USB-B/C. Downloads coming soon.
I’ll include a gift with every preorder.
(I’m working on a more sophisticated ordering process for when it’s released)
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If you know your WHY, you can bear any WHO, any WHAT, any WHEN, any WHERE, and any HOW.Listen to the hook…

The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you discover WHY. — Mark Twain
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Album Chapters | Songs | Theme
I. Finding Your Why (songs 1–3) Purpose, perspective, resilience.
II. Understanding Our World (songs 4–7) Attitude, mutual respect, travel, history.
III. Examining Ourselves (songs 8–10) Self-awareness, vision, relationships.
IV. Living With Character (songs 11–13) Perseverance, integrity, intuition.
V. Leaving Something Behind (songs 14–15) Wisdom, heritage, legacy.
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1. Gotta Know Your Why ASCAP ID: 933524738
2. Kinda Like Being Shot At and Missed ASCAP ID: 927111132
3. I’m History & I’m Sick & Tired of Repeating Myself ASCAP ID: 927111112
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4. The Mischief Maker Attitude ASCAP ID: 931713581
5. Hurricane Bigotry ASCAP ID: 927111072
6. Spin The Globe ASCAP ID: 931713596
7. The Aftershocks of History ASCAP ID: 938976745
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8. Selfaholics Anonymous ASCAP ID: 927111149
9. Vision Rich, Cash Poor ASCAP ID: 927111127
10. Business Partner Blues ASCAP ID: 931713576
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11. In Praise of Limping ASCAP ID: 931713577
12. Bulldog With a Smile ASCAP ID: 927111117
13. When You Know, You Know ASCAP ID: 927111150
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14. Unpack Your Library Within ASCAP ID: 927111138
15. Alex Haley, Roots, and the Rosetta Stone ASCAP ID: 933970133

All lyrics written by Joel A. Freeman
ASCAP Publisher ID: #7576808
• Publisher IPI: #1258605441
ASCAP Writer/Composer ID: #7576810
• Writer IPI: #1258605539
All Songs Registered: #11009951
© & ℗ 2026. Joel A. Freeman. All Rights Reserved.
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I am a lover of the blues. And that is the genre of music of many of my songs. The blues allow for more creativity both lyrically and melodically.I’m also a sucker for live music. When Shirley and I travel, she sometimes goes for four hours sightseeing and finds me at the same spot listening and watching. What causes people from various parts of the world to stop, pause, and listen…and then to throw some change into an open guitar case? Fascinating psychology of behavior.Hoping that the lyrics of my songs — a bit of pop, a little country, and whole lot of blues — will be an inspiration to you on your journey. — Joel

Teenager Joel

I’m an off-key singer and a terrible dancer. But I have been writing lyrics for a number of years.Gotta Know Your Why is what happens when country takes the bumpy back road, pop rolls down the windows, and the blues take over and start driving…

1. Gotta Know Your WhyBACKGROUND: Viktor Frankl wrote the book, “Man’s Search For Meaning”. In that book he stated: “If you know the why, you can endure any how.”That quote is amazing. I began thinking about the “how” — and then added the “who, what, when, and where” elements to the lyrical concept.Here’s the title song for this album.LYRICS:
There’s always someone doubting, throwin’ shade across your name,
People pointin’, whisper-shoutin’, tryin’ to make you feel some shame.
But when your why is steady burnin’, like a beacon in the night,
No “who” can pull you under when your heart knows what is right.Gotta know your why.
Connect it to the Most High.
When pressure mounts, look it in the eye.
Valleys low or mountains high,
It’s the truth that breaks the lies.
You can carry any burden
When you know your why.It’s always somethin’ — some new trouble, some new test,
Plans that crumble with no warning. The weary have no rest.
But when your why is carved in granite, not in sand that shifts away,
No “what” can break your spirit or derail the rest of your day.There’s always some timing tangled — dreams delayed or doors shut tight,
Moments where the clock feels ruthless, stretching morning into night.
But if your why becomes your compass, pointing forward through the wait,
No “when” can steal your promise or rewrite what God creates.There’s always some place uncertain —foreign ground or strange skies,
Where your foot steps in quicksand, and your courage is surprised.
But when your why becomes your guide, like a lighthouse bright and tall,
No “where” can stop your journey when your purpose starts to call.There’s always some method missing —steps unclear or roads unpaved,
Times you feel the silence louder than the answers that you crave.
But if your why is strong and rooted, faith will show you what to do,
No “how” can halt your progress when your why pulls you through.Gotta know your why.
Connect it to the Most High.
When pressure mounts, look it in the eye.
Valleys low or mountains high,
It’s the truth that breaks the lies.
You can carry any burden
When you know your why.So when your journey feels uncertain and battles multiply,
And you’re searchin’ for a reason when your plans go awry.
Remember. Purpose isn’t fragile when its anchored from above…
Your why is rooted deep in God,
And carried on in a life of faith and love.

2. Kinda Like Being Shot At and MissedBACKGROUND: A song I wrote about confronting our mortality. Sometimes it takes a tough situation to capture our attention, letting us know that our time here on earth is tentative — “making plans with nervous laughter”.Looking for a metaphor? You now have one…LYRICS:
Driving home on a rainy night,
Lost control, headlights in flight,
Saw the year on the final side of the dash.
Spun around. Eyes closed. No crash.
It’s kinda like being shot at and missed.Heartbreak came when he walked out the door,
Love was lost. That’s her on the floor,
Healed over time, found a love that's true,
Nothing’s wasted. God got her through.Kinda like being shot at and missed,
A second chance, a twist in the risk,
Life can change when a bullet whizzes past,
Let’s make plans for tomorrow with a nervous laugh.War zone memories, bullets zipping by,
Comrades falling, thought we’d all die,
Made it home safe, scars and all,
Wide awake most nights. Hit the wall
Missing a leg, but still standing tall.Cancer scare, thought his time was near,
Doc said it’s benign. Took the edge off his fear.
Faced mortality, looked death square in the eye,
Feet on the ground, with an eye toward the sky.
Bullet proof until it’s my time to fly.Kinda like being shot at and missed,
A second chance, a twist in the risk,
Life can change when a bullet whizzes past,
I’m making plans for tomorrow, with a nervous laugh.
Kinda like being shot at and missed.

3. I’m History and I’m Sick and Tired of Repeating MyselfBACKGROUND: This first was a spoken word piece about confronting our mortality narrated by voiceover artist, Herman Veal. I then turned it into a blues song.What if HISTORY spoke? Been thinking of these lyrics for a long time. This song provides a bluesy glimpse into the personification of “history” over the centuries.LYRICS:
Been watching for centuries. Seen it all unfold.
Humans are humans, all from the same mold.
I was there when Satan swelled with pride
I was also there when Jesus Christ diedBeen watching Africa, Israel, and Algeria
Russia, China, Persia and Syria
England, Rome, the Huns and Bombay
Turkey, Greece, France, and the USA.From slavery's dark days to civil rights wrought
Black history's chapters, battles hard-fought
Segregation, discrimination, we must remember
But it's time to unite and make amends, together.One thing I've seen
Since I was just a teen,
A lot of good people
Outweigh the few evil.Break the chains, break the cycle,
Let's move forward, let love be our revival
No more repeating the mistakes of the past,
It's time for change, let's make it last.I'm Sick and Tired, let's break free,
And embrace uncomfortability
No more ignoring, let's heal the divide
Learn from our past, let love be our guide.In America's story, chapters filled with pride
But also deliberate acts of shame we won't hide
Native lands stolen, oppression and pain
It's time to acknowledge, it's time to reclaim.From the Civil War to battles for justice and peace
The fight for equality will never cease
We can't erase the past, but we can grow
Let's build a future where the truth will glow.I'm Sick and Tired of Repeating Myself
But hope lingers on, it's time to delve
Into a world where history's lessons we've learned
Let's rewrite the future, let unity be earned.Break the chains, break the cycle,
Let's move forward, let God bring revival
No more repeating the mistakes of the past,
It's time for change, let's make it last.

4. The Mischief Maker AttitudeBACKGROUND: This was the original title for the album, but I changed it to “Gotta Know Your WHY”. However, this is the theme song for the Mischief Maker Show…where Sinatra meets the blues.LYRICS:
In a world where the questions were few,
Rose up creatives who saw something new.
While others stayed silent, they boldly spoke,
Breaking the tension with humor and hope.
Just a bit crazy? That might be the prize.
Boring routine is where wonder dies.Value the Mischief Maker’s latitude,
Arms open wide. All gratitude.
Asking “What if?” in the quiet room,
Listen for the music. A cheerful tune.
Strange, yet wise. Misunderstood.
That’s the Mischief Maker attitude!When problems come dressed in tradition’s disguise,
Meet it head-on with curious eyes.
Not for the title, not for the fame,
Discover solutions. Not someone to blame.
See every setback as part of a game.
Examine dumb rules, without any shame.
In crowded spaces or corners alone,
New voices are welcomed like seeds freshly sown.
Trust isn’t earned, it’s freely shared,
But gaslighting frauds are rarely spared.
Each conversation, a door swung wide,
Plenty of fun on the curious side.Value the Mischief Maker’s latitude,
Arms open wide. All gratitude.
Asking “What if?” in the quiet room,
Listen for the music. A cheerful tune.
Strange, yet wise. Misunderstood.
That’s the Mischief Maker attitude!Some say, “Be quiet”. Some roll their eyes,
But mischief makers refuse to compromise.
They stir up the waters others have ignored,
Turned broken systems into something restored.
Not rebels in name, but re-thinkers by trade.
Builders of paths where no maps were laid.I’m not an expert, not trying to be,
But I’m a student of all I see.
So here’s your invite, plain and clear.
Bring your quirks, your questions, your cheer.
The world gets better when we intrude.
With the Mischief Maker attitude.Value the Mischief Maker’s latitude,
Arms open wide. All gratitude.
Asking “What if?” in the quiet room,
Listen for the music. A cheerful tune.
Strange, yet wise. Misunderstood.
That’s the Mischief Maker attitude!

5. Hurricane BigotryBACKGROUND: This is my lyrical “love letter” to America and beyond. I tend to walk (sometimes run) toward uncomfortable topics.This song is designed to be a conversation-starter, helping to create a space for healing the divide through the gateway of understanding and mutual respect.It also provides a metaphor for people currently leaning into the hurricane force winds at varying degrees of intensity.At the sustained speed of 75mph, wind gets a name. Katrina. Andrew. Fran. Bigotry. You get the picture.And may there never be a hurricane named “Hurricane Joel”.LYRICS:
At ten years of age, a young Black man heard the words that sting,
As years passed he leaned into the wind, like Howling Wolf and B.B. King.
Different rules applied, based on skin,
A broken world! Where do we begin?Life's lens altered, a new reality found,
Injustice and prejudice, seemed all around.
Yet he chose to rise, amidst the storm's roar,
Finding strength within, like never before.Hurricane Bigotry, swirling so strong,
Even with God it’s tough! Where do we belong?
Category 5, with its force unyielding,
But he stood tall, against the winds revealing.Like Katrina's fury, with its wrath untamed,
He faced adversity, yet remained unchained.
Like Andrew's power, destructive and fierce,
But his spirit endured, never to pierce.Through the years, he learned to navigate,
The tempest of bias, fueled by hate.
Leaning into the wind, with steadfast grace,
His equilibrium intact, in life's race.In the eye of the storm, he found the Truth,
Resilience and hope, his guiding sleuth.
Hurricane Bigotry, may rage and shout,
But his spirit endures, there's no doubt.Hurricane Bigotry, swirling so strong,
Even with God it’s tough! Where do we belong?
Category 5, with its force unyielding,
But he stood tall, against the winds revealing.

6. Spin the GlobeBACKGROUND: This is a song I worked on for a while. It’s about taking our children to various places in the world when they turned 15. And then encouraging other parents to do the same.That what I did with all four. David chose Israel. Jacob chose Italy and Egypt. Jesse chose Australia. Shari chose Barbados, and later Ghana and Kenya. I have a website that shows you the benefits before, during and after such a trip. And also how to do this with your kids and grandkids. Let me know if you’re interested in learning more — (TripsWithDad.com).LYRICS:
Fifteen candles, all our stuff is packed,
Maps laid out, no turning back.
One last adventure, just you and me,
Before the road calls. Before you’re free.From Mark Twain’s pages, emerged the thought,
Of beliefs taught. And values caught.
Prejudice fades where horizons bend,
You’ll see for yourself, it will become your good friend.Spin the globe. Think and probe.
Before you fly on your own two wings,
Let’s talk ‘bout life. Discuss bigger things.
Respect, love, and the years ahead,
Anywhere in the world with Dad.Backpacks stuffed, journals in tow,
Writing down stories as we’d go.
Jerusalem lights or Sydney streets,
Deserts or jungles, mountains or reefs.The road teaches more than books can say,
How people live, how strangers pray.
We walked through history, tasted the past,
Laughed at our stumbles, made memories that last.Now you’re driving, working fast food late,
Life is fleeting, but this won’t fade.
You’ll watch the news with different eyes,
You’ll see the people, not just the sides.Spin the globe. Think and probe.
Before you fly on your own two wings,
Let’s talk ‘bout life. Discuss bigger things.
Respect, love, and the years ahead,
Anywhere in the world with Dad.So here’s to parents who take the chance,
To walk with their kids through a foreign dance.
It’s not just travel, it’s planting seeds,
Of love, of trust, of what they’ll need.

7. The Aftershocks of HistoryBACKGROUND: When an earthquake occurs, aftershocks generally follow. So it is with history…more to come.LYRICS:
The ground don’t always shake beneath our feet,
Sometimes it trembles in the words we speak.
A hundred years can echo through a room,
Old seeds bloom, old ghosts escape their tombs.
We’ve traded listening for louder noise,
Breaking every bridge with angry voices.
If every headline ends in accusation,
Who’s left to build a better conversation?These are the aftershocks of history—
Still rolling through you, still rolling through me.
Not every fault line means everything must fall,
Sometimes it’s a warning, sometimes it’s a call.
So bring your questions, I’ll bring mine too;
Trade your echo chamber for a new view.
Maybe healing starts when we agree…
To face the aftershocks of history.One says, “Look backward — there’s a debt unpaid.”
Another says, “Look forward — don’t let hope fade.”
Some wear their scars where everyone can see,
Some carry wounds beneath invisibly.
Truth rarely fits on a bumper sticker,
Or thirty seconds where the tempers flicker.
If every answer starts before we hear,
We’ll never cross the distance born of fear.No TV shouting match can heal a nation.
No slogan can replace a conversation.
Read every chapter history forgot,
The victories, the failures, all the knots.
The saints and sinners sometimes shared one face;
Greatness often walked with deep disgrace.
The strongest minds aren’t frightened by complexity.
They chase the truth with courage and humility.These are the aftershocks of history—
Still rolling through you, still rolling through me.
Not every fault line means everything must fall,
Sometimes it’s a warning, sometimes it’s a call.
So bring your questions, I’ll bring mine too;
Trade your echo chamber for a new view.
Maybe healing starts when we agree…
To face the aftershocks of history.What if the table was the sacred ground?
Where “I was wrong” becomes a welcome sound.
Where every story earned a patient ear,
Without giving up convictions held sincere.
Justice without mercy leaves us cold;
Mercy without justice can’t be bold.
The strongest nation isn’t one that wins each fight.
It’s one still brave enough to search for light.Our children didn’t write the opening page,
But they’ll inherit every hope and every rage.
Let’s hand them more than slogans in the wind,
Or broken cycles destined to begin again.
May they remember when this chapter’s through:
We asked hard questions, and listened too.
“Tell me what you’ve learned…”
Before another bridge is burned.History will always leave aftershocks.
But after every earthquake…
Someone picks up a hammer.
Someone clears away the rubble.
Someone builds a bridge.
Maybe…This generation…
Will be remembered
For that.

8. Selfaholics AnonymousBACKGROUND: Hi, I'm Joel, and I'm a recovering selfaholic. This is my "love letter" to Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, and other similar 12-step-type programs around the world. Perhaps this can be viewed as a song to be played five minutes before a meeting starts, signaling for people that it's time to grab a cup of coffee and get to their seats.It seems that self absorption and selfishness are at the root of any addiction that supplies short-term gratification, coupled with a long-term kick in the teeth.In fact, self-centeredness may be the most all-consuming addiction that needs to be confronted in and by all of us — the root of all addictions with negative consequences. I am a follower of the Jesus of the Bible. In my view, He is the Answer.LYRICS:
We admit we're powerless, over self absorption,
Our lives unmanageable, drowning in distortion.
Came to believe in the Power, greater than our pride,
The redemptive plan that restores us to sanity inside.Negative impacts linger, from the selfishness we've sown,
Isolation, broken bonds, a heart of heavy stone.
But when we choose unselfishness, three blessings come to light,
Peace within, true connections, and a future shining bright.Selfaholics Anonymous, we gather here today,
To find the Higher Power who shows us a better way.
Turn our will to Someone greater, let go of our own,
Walking through these lonely steps, we’re never alone.A searching moral inventory, of our private fears,
Facing every selfish act, with repentance and tears.
Direct amends to those we've harmed, healing broken ties,
Unselfishness brings freedom, light within our eyes.So let’s continue seeking a life beyond our needs,
Unselfishness, a journey, planting humble seeds.
Together we’ll discover, the beauty of this path,
Selfaholics Anonymous, reclaiming what we lack.

9. Vision Rich, Cash PoorBACKGROUND: A blues vibe in the spirit of B.B. King. Wealth comes in different forms. This is a song that talks about a couple in love, wondering early on if they can make it financially.Spoiler Alert: at the end, they’re still vision rich, cash poor.LYRICS:
I found the love of my life, a woman so fine.
We talked about marriage, how we want our lives to shine.
She's got her own dreams, and so do I.
But it seems like we don't have enough to even try.I got a business plan, an idea so great.
But I need the cash, with low interest rate.
I know it's risky, but I believe in me.
And I know my love, she's my guarantee.Money's tight, but our dreams are bright.
Together we'll make it, we'll be alright.
We got love. That’s the score.
Vision rich, cash poor.My girl has doubts, about our future life.
She worries about the little money, if it's enough to be man and wife.
But I reassure her, that I'll do all I can,
To make her dreams come true, and work the plan.Money's tight, but our dreams are bright.
Together we'll make it, we'll be alright.
We got love, so let’s explore.
Vision rich, cash poor.We got married, with little money in hand.
But we had each other, and that was the plan.
Years clicked by. Life had its ups and downs.
But we stayed true, to our dreams. Our love unbound.Money's tight, but our dreams are bright.
Together we made it, and we're happy tonight.
We got love, and that’s for sure.
Vision rich, cash poor.Looking back, we still have some regrets,
But we don't forget, all the good times and lost bets.
We're not millionaires, but we've got so much more,
God, grown kids, and each other — that's worth living forMoney's still tight, but our dreams are bright.
Together we made it, and we're happy tonight.
We got love. Who needs more?
Vision rich, cash poor.Bones are creaking, got a new knee,
But young at heart, with our love as the key.
Crazy about each other, and that’s worth more.
Still vision rich, cash poor.

10. Business Partner BluesBACKGROUND: Business partnership is kind of like marriage. And like marriage, the business divorce rate is high and extremely painful.I have worked with a number of business entrepreneur/partners around the globe. This song has received a remarkable response because there’s a lot of pain among business partners, transcending cultures.“When in the jar you cannot read the label.”There’s hope. I have developed 25 wisdom lessons for business partners with mutual respect, who are willing to communicate, to be transparent, and accountable to each other.LYRICS:
Started out dreaming, hands in the air,
Worked hard to build something, a vision to share.
Attacked hell with squirt guns, thought we were tough,
But business and friendship — Wow! It can get rough.Then came the dollars, along with the doubt,
Late-night worries and figures to count.
One was saving, the other was spending,
Both knew that their trust in the other was bending.Lawyers on standby, papers to sign,
Friendship eroded one dollar at a time.
Was it the ego, or was it the greed?
Maybe just two different versions of need.But there’s a way to stand the test,
To keep a friendship and not make a mess.
Write it all down, be clear and wise,
Shake on the deal, but don’t close your eyes.Respect the roles, don’t cross the lane,
Split the profits. Split the pain.
If trust gets thin, step back. Reset.
Cuz friendship’s a fortune you don’t wanna bet.The best way to ruin a bond that’s true
Is to mix in money and gaslight the view.
If you wanna stay friends and make money together,
Be humble and smart — and respect God FOREVER.

11. In Praise of LimpingBACKGROUND — A bluesy song inspired by the story of biblical Jacob fighting with an angel who made him limp the rest of his life, hearing stories of people “wrestling” and also by living life for 70+ years. Plus, I have been to the approximate site on the Jabbock River in Jordan where biblical archaeologists believe the wresting match happened.LYRICS:
Jacob was a fighter, but he fought to deceive,
A man of ambition, with tricks up his sleeve.
He stole Esau’s birthright, played the game of control,
Jake’s life was broke and God reached for his soul.
By the river they wrestled, till dawn’s early light,
Left with a limp. Somehow got it right.Get the big head. Fall flat on your face.
Walk with a limp, it’s the mark of God’s grace,
Think you’re a big deal? You’re just startin’ to fall,
But a limp is the mark of surrendering all.Saw the man chasing dreams that he had designed,
Built his kingdom. Left meekness behind.
The walls came down, and his plans fell apart,
He lost what he built, but then he got smart.
As the years clicked by, he had a scar to remind,
That God does His best work when pride has died.Get the big head. Fall flat on your face.
Walk with a limp, it’s the mark of God’s grace,
Think you’re a big deal? You’re just startin’ to fall,
But a limp is the mark of surrendering all.She was a woman who carried the weight,
Of loss and betrayal, a cruel twist of fate.
Her dreams were shattered, her heart torn in two,
But in her surrender, God made her brand new.
She now limps with a purpose on earthbound streets.
Her once-empty canvas is a masterpiece.The world says the strong are the ones who will rise,
But God lifts the lowly, confounds the wise.
It’s upside down. Who gets the prize?
The broken rise up where pride is despised.
He chooses the broken, the weary, the small,
To show that His strength is above it all.So, if you’re limping today, don’t be ashamed,
It’s a sign that God’s love has rewritten your name.
Remember this, when life takes its toll.
A bad day for your ego is a good day for your soul.

12. Bulldog With a SmileBACKGROUND Perhaps there is an autobiographical element to this song, but I was thinking more about the desire to inspire all listeners to become bulldogs with a smile.A bit of country mixed with a bit of blues. Work hard. Work smart. Enjoy the journey…LYRICS:
I'm a bulldog with a smile, never backin' down,
Workin' hard with laughter, spreadin' joy around.
Through the sweat and the trials, I find a way to laugh,
But I’ll never bow down to the golden calf.Integrity's my compass, guides me true,
In a world of shortcuts, I see things through.
I balance time like a juggler in the ring,
Knowin' when to grind and when to let my heart sing.I've seen the highs and lows, the sun and the rain,
But I keep on pushin', I don't complain.
With a heart full of kindness, and hands ready to give,
I show 'em what it means to truly live.I'm a bulldog with a smile, never backin' down,
Workin' hard with laughter, spreadin' joy around.
Through the sweat and the trials, I find a way to laugh,
But I’ll never bow down to the golden calf.Yeah, I'm a bulldog with a smile, come what may,
With integrity and humor, I'll find my way.
On the road of life, I'll walk that extra mile,
'Cause I'm a bulldog with a smile.

13. When You Know, You KnowBACKGROUND: Stand on a beach with the relentless waves pounding the fragile sand. Sit on a log in the forest, with the hoot of an owl off in the distance. Look through the lens of an electron microscope. Cast an eye to the majestic sky late at night in a Montana wilderness.What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you feel?When you know, you know…LYRICS:
The hummingbird flaps its wings. Fifty beats a second,
A marvel of creation. Precision that can't be reckoned.
The butterfly's migration, spanning across the seas,
Guided by an unseen hand, carried by the breeze.The coral reef’s kaleidoscope, a vibrant, living art,
Ecosystems intertwined, playing every part.
When you know, you know, and it's clear to see,
Intelligent design in all its majesty.The Northern Lights, a dance of colors in flight,
Electrons meet the atmosphere, a stunning sight.
The honeybee's precision in a hive of symmetry,
A pattern so remarkable, it speaks of divinity.When you know, you know. There’s a hand behind it all,
A touch of the divine in every rise and fall.
Each irrefutable design, from the stars to the sea,
Points to the Creator, in perfect harmony.Look into the heavens, see the stars align,
The dance of constellations, each one in perfect time.
The spiral of a galaxy, the vast Milky Way,
Whispers of a grand design, lighting up the night and day.The DNA within us, a code of life so grand,
Three billion letters long, written by the Master’s hand.
From the smallest atom’s spin to the elephant’s grace,
Every intricate detail, a testament to faith.When you know, you know. There’s a hand behind it all,
A touch of the divine in every rise and fall.
Each irrefutable design, from the stars to the sea,
Points to the Creator, in perfect harmony.

14. Unpacked Your Library WithinBACKGROUND: At every memorial service I attend, I think about the library within that never got out. It’s gone.A mechanic who could hear an engine sound and knew the exact problem with the car that needed to be fixed. An historian who had traveled to many archaeological sites throughout the world. A former inmate who had read over 3,000 books during his incarceration. You get the picture.Therefore, I want to gently challenge those of us still alive to unlock the library within by every means possible. Film. Video. Literature. Painting. Blog. Podcast. You get the picture…with just a bit of a country twang.LYRICS:
Bobby grew up in a small town, a dreamer with big eyes.
Joined the Air Force. Saw the world from unfriendly skies.
He was curious. Studied hard. Read books of every kind,
Amassed a wealth of knowledge, but kept it all confined.In lands far and wide, in the vigor of his youth,
Life hit Bobby hard. And he remained aloof.
He kept quiet about his stories — from K to gray,
Late in life he opened up. As Bobby would like to say.Unpack your inner library. Next generation needs to know.
Release your hidden treasures. You got seeds to sow.
The world needs your stories. Both the bad and the good,
Empty the library within. You should. You could. If you would.He watched the rise of nations. The fall of ancient walls.
Saw little hope in the chaos. Heard the silent calls.
But all of life’s adventures, both seen and heard.
Remained his hidden library, with chapters blurred.Now let me ask you gently, what wisdom will you reveal?
What nuggets of gold? What tales of tempered steel?
Bobby took stock of his life; his counsel in demand,
What a shock! He opened up, so others could understand.Unpack your inner library. Next generation needs to know.
Release your hidden treasures. You got seeds to sow.
Write a book. Tell your stories. Both the bad and the good,
Empty the library within. You should. You could. If you would.Don't wait for life's conclusion, to share what you've amassed,
Each day’s a new chapter, don't let the moment pass.
Your journey holds the answers to questions yet unasked,
Step outside your comfort zone. Leave a legacy that lasts.So take a look inside. I hope you’ll agree,
To use all types of media, for the world to hear and see,
Pass on your Godly wisdom. Leave a legacy.Don't wait for life's conclusion, to share what you've amassed,
Each day’s a new chapter. Don't let the moment pass.
Your journey holds the answers, to questions yet unasked,
Step outside your comfort zone. Leave a legacy that lasts.

15. Alex Haley, Roots, and the Rosetta StoneBACKGROUND: I wrote this song to tell the story of how the Rosetta Stone inspired Alex Haley to use the few African words he had heard as a young boy on the porch in Henning, TN. Haley utilized those words as clues to unravel the mystery of his ancestors in The Gambia.What emerged became known as “Roots”.LYRICS:
1964. London calling his name,
Sent to chase a star of silver screen fame,
Julie Christie filming, and the meeting never came,
So he lingered to see spoils from the old world untamed.
A guided tour paused in the museum hall,
Where a fractured black tablet made Alex recall.Some codes hide quiet ‘til the right key is turned,
Every locked-up past waits to be known,
From bloodline whispers to a world of stone,
Roots speak loud through the Rosetta Stone.Three voices carved from a distant time,
Hieroglyph, Demotic, and Greek in a line,
Champollion listened where others guessed,
Let the known words lead him into the rest.
Secrets unlocked. Egypt became the trend.
What was sealed by time came alive again.30,000 feet on the flight back home,
That stone kept tapping in his mind like a drum,
Kin-tay said his name, Ko strummed the tone,
Kamby Bolongo where the deep waters run.
Fragments of language, broken but strong,
A map in the music of a mother tongue.Some codes hide quiet ‘til the right key is turned,
Every locked-up past waits to be known,
From bloodline whispers to a language on stone,
Roots speak loud through the Rosetta Stone.Henning, Tennessee, most voices gone,
Only Cousin Georgia still holding on,
80 years heavy, bed-ridden and frail,
‘Til Africa stirred when telling a tale.
She sat straight up when Africa was named,
And the past caught fire in the words she claimed.No charts, no ledgers, no paper trail,
Just scattered clues that refused to fail,
The UN and Hamilton. One face at a time,
‘Til Gambia answered what the world declined.
One man heard home in the words he’d said,
And the door swung wide to the names of the dead.Some codes hide quiet ‘til the right key is turned,
What was taken can still be grown,
From porch-lit tales to a journey full-blown,
The roots of Alex Haley — and the Rosetta Stone.
…………………….
After listening to the music, click below to watch the music videos of each song.

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