typecast

is He irresponsible?
is He the silent type?
the kind that raises delinquents and broken glasses?
the kind that does it in tough love?

are we animals and beasts,
like the grit of nature?
are we here to fight for our survival?
that we have to tear and wear the burdens
to work the garden,
in someone else’s curse and eloquence?

why would He speak, grandiose and extravagance,
ideas, possibilities to inspire this penance,
only for the naive to crash and burn?
why would He show us things that could never be within reach,
things that steal our joy, passion and devotion?
why would He be God of all and watch as His children crumble?
why should He be God of us and let hunger be the excuse
to kill, steal and plunder the lives of our brothers?

what kind of a person is this God?

is He responsible enough as we expect Him to be?
is He not the embodiment of justice, mercy, grace?
Or are there insufficient obedient ones listening?
That our defiance has produced such oppression.
That our forgotten hunger has made us too comfortable.
That we find no joy in taking care of the lesser folk.

In love, in consistent grace, will You stubbornly spare the oppressors and let the cause and effect and this vicious fly wheel cycle eliminate those who are broken only with an ear turned toward heaven?

are you God or am i just crazy talking to myself?

http://youtube.com/thecommoncouch

Save The Day

Recorded Live at Carmen Tong’s Album Launch as part of the opening set on 22/02/2008. Thanks to Sarah Ann Tay. Featuring GuoJin on Drums, Seong Lee Ang on keys and backing vox, Devon Vong on Guitars, Grace Chin-Lenn on Acoustic, Rodney Chieng on Bass and myself on vocals and guitars.

Adapted from Psalms 120 & 121, this is one of the song of ascents. I often wondered what a modern day psalmist would sound like when they scale their mountains and valleys and what melodies they’d put to these ancient poetry. This is my interpretation, certainly reflective of my personal cry in so many parts of my journey as a son learning to walk in the shadow steps of the Father. This is “Save The Day”.

I lift up my eyes to the hills
where does my help come from
It comes from the maker of heaven and earth
The maker of my soul
Oh yeah the maker of my soul
Oh yeah, Oh Yeah the maker of my soul

[Verse 2]
i call on the Lord in my darkest hour
and He answers me
He has delivered me from my fear
and he hides me under his wings
Oh yeah in the shadow of His wings
Oh yeah, Oh Yeah in the shadow of His wings

[Chorus]
My God, My God
How awesome is your name
My God My God
How awesome is your name
There is no one else like you
No one else who would save the day

[Verse 3]
Save me Oh lord from these lying lips
those that contemplate my soul
Save me oh lord from these meaninglessness
And these shadows that cower over me
Oh yeah, won’t you come and save the day
Oh yeah, oh yeah, I’m crying out to you.

[Bridge-Verse]
i searched for the Lord in hour of rest
and He quiets my soul
He has delivered me fro my fear
oh the Lover of my soul
Oh yeah the Lover of my soul
Oh yeah, Oh Yeah the Lover of my soul

Personal Anthem

guojin on drums, charlieboy on vocals/guitar, all words music charlieboy.

yes i have been youtubed. thanks to sarah ann tay.

It’s close to closing time. Haven’t made up my mind. To what I want from life. It’s gonna be a while, be another hour to play this game of, “seek and you shall find”

//And I get the feeling that I am not alone, though I’m feeling low, mostly, on this road less travelled. But I know the feeling that I am on my own, Just like you said, its my personal fight. (like you always said, its my personal anthem)//

Figures and numbers, prolific dreamers, unfinished business, keeping score all night. I know I don’t play the game well. I break all the rules, I’m letting us down but can you count backwards with me now, 4321…

//And I get the feeling that I am not alone, though I’m feeling lonely, on this road less travelled. But I know the feeling that I am on my own, don’t mean to be an ass, but this is my personal anthem.//

BRIDGE:
I’ve been swimming in my ocean of my words and arguments. These philosophers have failed me so far. But can I stand on your shoulders made of legends and giants. For all i know is when it’s right, I’ll be so much better than I am now, so don’t give up on me.

So don’t give up on me, so don’t give up on me, yeah…