The Blessing Tree, by Alex Cook

The Blessing Tree

by Alex Cook

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Improvisations, Songs of Deliverance, The Blessing Tree, Defend The People, Kindness Is A Mountain, Tree Of Life, and Arrival. , and , .

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1.	The Name of Today 02:38	lyrics	buy track

2.	Comin' Home 03:56	lyrics	buy track

3.	We Need Your Love 02:52	lyrics	buy track

4.	The Mourners 03:39	lyrics	buy track

5.	Ever Near 02:33	lyrics	buy track

6.	The Prayer of St. Francis 02:24	lyrics	buy track

7.	Psalm 107 05:08	info	buy track
8.	Water Hymn 03:02		buy track
9.	You're Serious 02:55	lyrics	buy track

10.	People Are For Feeling Love 03:00	lyrics	buy track

11.	The Merciful 03:38	lyrics	buy track

about

This album was recorded on tour in 2009. The Blessing Tree - a group that existed only for that tour, was made up of Alex Cook, Ben Vaughan, Ashton Glass and Tim Kitz. We were generously given some free studio time in Portland, OR and this album is the outcome of those impromptu sessions. Tracks 4, 7, 8 and 11 are music by Ben Vaughan. The rest of the songs are by Alex Cook.

credits

released October 10, 2009

Alex Cook: Voice, guitar, triangle
Ashton Glass: Voice, cardboard drums, lentils
Ben Vaughan: Voice, guitar, bass, percussion
Tim Kitz: Bass, flute, rice, cardboard drums, xylophone, toy drum, percussion

Produced by The Blessing Tree
Recorded by Jeff Becker and Ben Vaughan at Becker Studios in Portland, OR, 2009.

Mixed by Ben Vaughan

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about

Alex Cook Boston, Massachusetts

Alex Cook is a singer, songwriter, inspirational speaker and public artist. He has created 6 albums of spiritual songs, given hundreds of concerts in the US and abroad, and created over 160 murals in 16 states and 4 countries. He is available to perform for your church or community group, paint an inspirational mural, and/or give a talk on spirituality and creativity. ... more

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Track Name: The Name of Today: The Name of Today

I woke up this morning and I rubbed my eyes
And as I lay there in my bed I felt a voice from the skies
It said the name of today is LOVE

I jumped to my feet and I touched my face
And I listened once again for that voice of grace
It said the name of today is LOVE

I feel the morning and the light of dawn
And I love to know that Love is shining on
When comes the evening and the stars of night
Well, I love to know that Love is still alright

I got down to business with the things of my day
And as I walked down the street I felt a glorious ray
Of the sun, on my back, saying LOVE

And I ran into a good old friend of mine
He had his head in his hands and he was weepin' and cryin'
Oh, Lord, the name of today is Love

I feel the morning and the light of dawn
And I love to know that Love is shining on
When comes the evening and the stars of night
Well, I love to know that Love is still alright
I love to know that Love is still alright

There's angels all around
There's angels all around
There's angels all around
There's angels all around

© 2009 Alex Cook
Track Name: Comin' Home: Comin’ Home

Oh Father, I’m comin’ home, and I can see the porch light on
You patiently blessed me, while I was away
You sent your angels to forcefully say
You’re better than that, little boy, little boy, little boy, you’re better than that
Remember who you are, my precious little star, oh

I was wandering, in that time apart
But now I can feel, love coming back to my heart
I was hurting, my life washed up on the shoals
But now I can feel the sweet return of my soul

I had a memory, folded up in my Father’s arms
It made me feel so safe, so free from harm
And now when I think of love, the love of God
Stitched up to the stars so far above but it’s not far
I remember His holy hill, His sweet pavilion and the stars
Oh, they shine with love, the stars shine with His love
The stars shine with the love of God,

I was wandering, in that time apart
But now I can feel, love coming back to my heart
I was hurting, my life washed up on the shoals
But now I can feel the sweet return of my soul

© 2009 Alex Cook
Track Name: We Need Your Love: We Need Your Love

Oh Papa oh Papa, Holding me up papa
Filling my cup papa, I need your love
Look at my sweet, Papa, guide her little feet, Papa
Hold her up and never drop her. We need your love

Who can sail a ship without the water all around?
And who can walk a mile without the whole-hearted help of the ground
We need your love, every day of our life as we live it
And like the earth bears up our feet, with every step, you give it

Oh Papa oh Papa, look at all the folks Papa
Their hearts are broke papa, We need your love
Dear Papa, near Papa, always sincere Papa
Take away the fear papa, we need your love

Who can be afraid within the wings of the Almighty embrace?
Show me the tear, that won’t be dried by the sun of His luminous face
Let your calm fall on our eyes like the blanket of night settles down
Let your love swell in our hearts and shine, like a golden crown

Look at 'em all, look at all the folks, in a million ways we want to be good
We want to be understood
Instead we’re weary, hurt, lost,
Double-crossed, always exhausted
Lookin to be, lookin to be the boss, hey,
We need your…

Love…

Cleans up your wounds
And Love
Makes room for you
And Love
Is never far
And Love
Sees you who you are

© 2009 Alex Cook
Track Name: The Mourners: Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted
Track Name: Ever Near: Ever Near

I am the Lord’s song, He sings me
He opens His mouth, and I am free
Every note, sweet liberty
His voice as deep as the open sea
I am the Lord’s song, He sings me

I am the Lord’s song, finely sung
The chiming in the air when all the bells have rung
Never old and never young
With holy throat and holy tongue
I am the Lord’s song, finely sung

We are the Lord’s song, played with might
With joy and glee like a leaping kite
With booming sounds above all height
Like raining stars in immortal night
We are the Lord’s song, played with might

The Lord sings music, ever near
Sweetly cheering, drying tears
Giving life and stilling fear
All with ears, let them hear
The Lord sings music, ever near

© 2009 Alex Cook
Track Name: The Prayer of St. Francis: The Prayer of St. Francis

(Traditional text – last line changed by Alex Cook)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sew love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
And where there is sadness, joy.
Oh, Divine Master, grant, that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
And to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
And it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in life that we are born
And born again
Track Name: You're Serious: You're Serious

You are honest and courageous, you shine like a light
You are patient and forgiving, even in a dark night
You're serious, about living right

You are listening to wisdom's voice, meek and mild
You are going to God to share the gifts with which his lap is piled
You're serious, about becoming like a child

You are watching life, as you walk its path, with your pure eyes
You will change your course as it seems right to you, as you seek the prize
You're serious about being wise

There's a leaping deer, inside your heart who loves to run
She is bounding bright, and rising high, like the morning sun
You're serious, about having fun

© 2009 Alex Cook
Track Name: People Are For Feeling Love: People R 4 Feeling Love

Hammers are for hitting
Axes are for chopping
Saws are for cutting
People are for feeling love

Eyes are for seeing
Noses are for smelling
Ears are for hearing
People are for feeling love

Your heart is for feeling love
Your heart is for feeling love
It's what you were made to do
From the top of your head to the bottom of your shoe
If there's one thing on earth we should all do
It's love

Banjos are for playing
Flutes are for blowing
Voices are for singing
People are for feeling love

Feet are for stomping
Arms are for reaching
Hands are for grasping
People are for feeling love

Your heart is for feeling love
Your heart is for feeling love
It's a gift from the Lord above
It's always right when push comes to shove
Just one little thing I'm thinking of
It's love

© 2009 Alex Cook
Track Name: The Merciful: Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy