Sandra McCracken

This Is The Christ (lyrics)

good news from heaven the angels bring,
glad tidings to the earth they sing
to us this day a child is given
to crown us with the joy of heaven

this is the Christ, our God and Lord
who in all need shall aid afford
he will himself our savior be
and from our sins will set us free

all hail, thou noble guest this morn
whose love did not the sinner scorn
in my distress thou come’st to me
what thanks shall i return to thee?

this is the Christ, our God and Lord
who in all need shall aid afford
he will himself our savior be
and from our sins will set us free

were earth a thousand times as fair
beset with gold and jewels rare
she yet were far too poor to be
a narrow cradle, Lord, for thee...
praise God upon his heavenly throne
who gave to us his only son
for this his hosts on joyful wing
a blest New Year of mercy sing.

this is the Christ, our God and Lord
who in all need shall aid afford
he will himself our savior be
and from our sins will set us free.

c 2009 drink your tea music
martin luther/mccracken

Published on December 6, 2009 at 10:33 am | Permalink | 0 Comments

life from the basement

I've been down in the basement a few times more than usual this week, checking on dripping old plumbing, parts and repairs for the ice maker, and looking for warmer clothes in the winter bins.  I had the thought that it is likely that we could survive for quite a long time, if not indefinitely on just the stuff we have under this roof.  Old clothes, picture frames, toys, scrap wood, and memory boxes.  I have a sewing machine and a full kitchen to help me renew and recycle so much of these odds and ends. 

I think the biggest obstacle to more restorative living is organization.  I can't quickly find what I need when I need it.  That is when the big-box stores have in their favor, with rows and rows of labeled, organized products. But easier is not always better.  Faster access to our needs and wants is not always better.  More people, buying more stuff, and more quickly producing more trash.

I noticed last week, while out in the newly developed suburbs south of Nashville, that there is a new storage building just off the highway near all the new stores and strip malls.  Several more farms are gone since I've last been by there, too.  It is a picture of consumer growth, more stuff to buy, more stuff to put in storage. But is this kind of growth and industry sustainable?  Is there longevity to these habits?  And what will our kids be like as adults when this is their childhood experience?

I want find new systems to sort and sift through our stuff, and to make our stuff work for us, rather than our working to buy more stuff.  I want to have less stuff.  And I want to encourage imagination and creativity in our home as we find ways to live simply and fully here in America in the last days of 2009.

Published on November 20, 2009 at 10:55 am | Permalink | 0 Comments

Bouncing babies and Black Eyes

Hello friends-

We're gearing and rehearsing and packing for the Black Eye Tour that starts later this week. Our house is bustling with the kids, the fall leaves, the band, and the circadian rhythms of our neighborhood this time of year. I'm preparing for a Red Balloon focused set on these shows, hopefully with a few stems and elements from the recorded version.  The talented Josh Moore is planning to accompany me during my solo set.  Which actually means, it's not a solo set, I suppose...but I'm looking forward to it.

Life is full these days, from the moment we wake until the moment we hit the pillow.  I am grateful for it, and am trying to slow down enough to soak it in.  I haven't had many long, thoughtful hours for blogging, but I have been jotting the momentary updates of things on twitter.  Join me there if you'd like.  I'll try to continue from the road.

Best to you, and happy autumn.

Love,

Sandra

Published on September 12, 2009 at 9:45 pm | Permalink | 0 Comments

Springtime Nashville

   Things have gone a little quiet (and not so quiet) this year as we welcomed a new baby girl in February and are building a home studio in our backyard. 
   We're also busy finishing up the mixing on a special house show concert Derek and I recorded in December at our home in East Nashville with a small gathering of Belmont University RUF students.  The finished audio recording, Live Under Lights and Wires will be available in June.  (We'll keep you posted on the exact date.) This recording includes special living-room versions of songs from the Red Balloon album, alongside standby favorites and rarities like Ten Thousand Angels, No More Tears, Shelter, Thy Mercy and When the Summer's Gone.
    We also recorded the concert in HD video, courtesy of our friends and Music City Unsigned.  They have uploaded two of the performances to their website.  Click here to watch "Halfway" and "Lose You."
   Best to you all as the winter turns to spring.  I never get tired of watching it happen.

Love,
Sandra

P.S.  I'm now posting on Twitter (@sandramccracken) if you are the type to tweet.  

Published on April 14, 2009 at 2:46 pm | Permalink | 4 Comments