ABOUT
HER MUSIC
Sarah Hart
About
Your music... How would you describe it?
Sarah shares, "Acoustic / pop; hopeful! Written with those in mind for whom
faith has not been a simple journey; songs about the beauty of this world fused
with the next."
She artfully uses the
lyrical forms of folk ballads, psalms, poetry with just the right compositions
with elements of acoustic ensemble contemporary pop, and even a touch of Celtic
sounding melody in some songs, to create her own style of well-composed, well
played songs which are delightful to listen to in their uniqueness, and bring
a hopeful peace and joy to the soul.
Chrsitianmusic.com
has to know: How do you compose your songs? Do you compose from a keyboard, or
guitar?
Sarah comments, "It's always
so different! Sometimes I write when I'm alone, sometimes on an airplane, sometimes
in a room with a co-writer, in my car, sitting down at a really nice piano, and
even while shopping for diapers and laundry detergent. It's never the same thing
twice."
Are your songs based on what
you have learned spiritually, or life experience or leadings of the Holy Spirit?
OR How were you inspired to create your music?
Sarah explains, "I think, if you are a person of faith, you can not help
but write from a spiritual perspective, whether you are writing about God or writing
about the New York subway system. Belief in God has a way of making itself evident.
I am a HUGE believer in doing our best to emulate Creator God; working to offer
our best, and not something second rate. So I agonize over lyrics and music both.
Probably too much!"
Sarah's favorite songs...
Her
favorite songs on the CD were inspired / written for her little angels, Celia
and Evie.
Sarah shares, "My favorites
songs are two I wrote for my girls; (FOR A LITTLE WHILE and MY EVENING PRAYER).
They (her daughters) just mean so much to me, and I am grateful to be able to
give them something special and different for posterity. Cause I'm a lousy scrapbooker!!"
BRAVE
NEW WORLD is also one of Sarah's favorites. It was inspired by her young daughters,
with the theme of stepping out bravely in faith. Lifetime Television's hit TV
show, "Strong Medicine"used this song in episode 11, called "Broken
Hearts," (season 6).
SPIRITUAL TRUTHS
AND THEMES IN SONGS
Sarah Hart does a great
job covering important spiritual truths to help the listener as well as her family
to live by, during the sunny days and the storms which we all experience during
our life times, revolving around having faith that the Lord will help us through
anything we experience, for our good.
Need
to step out in our Faith with Courage, even when we've been hurt - We can turn
to the Lord and rely on Him for strength, discernment and healing so we can persevere
and evolve.
DOOR
SWING WIDE * BRAVE NEW WORLD
Words
like love don't always express the depth of our feelings for loved ones, but actions
do.
WITH ONLY LOVE
The
Lord is faithful and is with us in all our times of challenge and trouble: We
can ask Him for help.
BE WITH
ME LORD * HIS NAME IS JOSEPH * LOOK UP
Children
are a blessing from the Lord, temporarily in our care.
FOR
A LITTLE WHILE
Jesus was our
sin offering and is our Lord and Savior who loves us: We need to thank Him and
be grateful.
SO WE WILL WORSHIP
* LOVE THAT IS YOU * HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY NAME
When
we belong to Jesus, we can have an inner joy and peace no matter our circumstances,
and can look forward to eternal life with the Lord, free of earthly troubles as
we experience joy and peace in His presence.
THE
HILLSIDE * GO IN PEACE * LOOK
UP
INTO THESE ROOMS Songs: Individual
Commentary and Review
* * * + + DOOR SWING
WIDE - Words and Music by Sarah Hart.
2nd favorite
song of this reviewer! Peppy, acoustic Christian pop ballad with effective dynamics
which has a infectious, joyous melody, a light pop beat, supported by bass guitar, easy drums, and piano work. This musical ensemble
provides an interesting counter-melodies which work well with the guitar accompaniment,
which has a duel purpose: supporting both the melody and piano counter melody.
This nice arrangement of inner voices with soft underlying of a base electric
guitar as a base support, creates a delightful musical vehicle for the bright
vocals and clever lyrical metaphor; describing a person as a house built by the
Lord.
Love the short key modulation segue from
the chorus to the Hook.
Reviewer's comment:
When hurt by life, it is easy to hide within oneself - afraid to try again. We
need to depend on the Lord and step out in faith, be open to new experiences and
new relationships. Sometimes we need God's help to do so.
Scriptural
References: (Proverbs 3:5-6, John 8:12)
Lyrics:
Love built this house long ago / Gave it a beauty all its own / And it was warm
and free and welcoming / But I learned to hide amid the rooms / Till slowly it
became the tomb / Where I have shut away the light of day./
Bridge
1: Now I'm longing to be known / Will you come and move this stone.
Chorus:
Let the door swing wide and the walls come down / Don't let me hide where I'll
never be found / I have been so blind, but I want
to see / Call the darkness out let the sun come in / Breath life into these rooms
again / And I'll let / the door swing wide.
Each
storm that came, I lost heart. Traded the welcome mat for iron bars / Pretended
I was not falling apart / Who did I think I would fool? / How could I ever hide
from You / For this is Your home, too, and so You know./
Bridge 2: That what's out there is my worst fear / But I'm tired of the view from
here.
Chorus:
Hook:
And it may take a mighty blow / To free me from what binds me so / I don't mind,
cause it's time / I just wanna see the light.
Chorus:
*
* * + WITH ONLY LOVE - Words and Music by Sarah Hart.
(Written for Sarah's husband) - An acoustic pop easy beat ballad which explores
the problem of saying words to express deep feelings for a loved one. Nice blend
of piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass, organ and drums adding so
much to the melody and spirit of the song. Lovely back-up vocal ensemble. Sarah's
vocals are dynamic and sweetly sit on top of the composition.
Sarah
Comments: "When I came up with this song for my husband, I was running for
an airplane. As soon as I got there I sat down and thought about how it had been
one of those nutty mornings. My husband had rushed to drop me off at the airport,
while the kids were still in their PJ's. I thought about how I just kissed him
quickly and said "I love you. Bye!" I realized that was SO lousy! "Love just
can't cut what you really want to say to someone. It's just not a good enough
word for the things we feel for one another."
Scriptural References: (Cor. 13)
Lyrics:
I
know I don't really say it enough / But I never liked to say the word, "love" /
Not that I'm afraid./ Or that it's something I just can't say /It falls short...
This word that I have heard since before I could speak / It seems to mean about
a hundred million things /Not that it's not nice /But I've been trying a real
long time/ To mean more..
Chorus: But I can't
say what I want / There is not a revelation for my heart / To make clear what
I dearly long to say / With only "love".
So
to take you as my example / You're in my skin, this very heart and soul / Deep
calling to deep / Keeper of my brightest dreams / I am yours...
Chorus:
Tag: "I love you" sounds so small
/ It isn't what I want to say at all. Yeah, yeah yeah.
Chorus:
* * * + BE WITH ME LORD
Melodious
heartfelt prayer hymn, with great dynamics. Begins softly with acoustic accompaniment,
light bass support which helps establish the rhythm, reinforced by light percussion.
As dynamics swell, string ensemble join the lovely melody support and counter-melody
resulting in a heavenly sound, the perfect vehicle for this heartfelt contemporary
prayer hymn.
Features a lovely, poignant duet;
Sarah and Curtis Stephan.
Scriptural References:
(Psalm 91)
Lyrics:
Refrain:
Be with me Lord, when I am in trouble / Be with me Lord, be with me / Be with
me Lord, when I am in trouble / Be with me Lord, be with me./
You
who rest in the shadow of the Lord / And abide in his presence of God / Say with
your heart, "My shelter and strength, My God, in You I trust."
Evil
will not fall upon you / No affliction will find your door / For the angels have
been sent to protect you / To guard you in all your ways.
Call
and I will answer, says the Lord / Trust and know I am here / Cling to me with
your life / There is nothing you shall fear.
*
* * + FOR A LITTLE WHILE - Words and Music by Sarah Hart.
Lovely
piano ballad with delicate support and a string ensemble, with great dynamics
in both Sarah's soaring, airy vocals and musical accompaniment. Poignant lyrics
remind parents to take joy in moments with their children, as they are blessings
from God, which grow up before one realizes it. The usual great dynamics are present
in both the quiet to soaring vocals and the musical composition.
(
Inspired by daughter, Evie)
Sarah Comments:
"For Evie's song, I came home from the studio late one night, just in time
to rock her to sleep and give her a bottle. My heart broke, thinking that I'd
missed a whole day with her. I started writing, FOR A LITTLE WHILE, right there,
finished the lyrics the next night and cried for two days straight."
Scriptural
References: (Psalm 127:3-4, 1 John 4:19, 2nd Cor. 1:3-4, Romans 5:8)
Lyrics:
Her eyes will see a million wonders I cannot
imagine / But here and now, I only want them to look into mine / I have no words,
no song to sing that could do justice to her / Wishing this sacred night could
freeze in time / Just so I could hold the world / And I could be her world for
a little while.
I know her heart will find the
joy of love, the sting of breaking./ And in this stillness in its keeping, perfect
time with mine./ I pray that somehow she would never see the face of sorrow /
Knowing someday she will / but not tonight / Not when I can hold the world/ And
I can be her world for a little while.
I admit
that I never understood the love of God for me./ Confessing I had hoped for it,
but never quite believed./ And in this tiny life came all the revelation that
I need / I never knew His love, until I knew this love.
My arms are strong, but they don't have the strength to let her go yet./ A few
more minutes, one more whisper, one last quiet kiss./ I lay her down, I take a
photograph inside my head / One day I'll struggle to remember this. / There is
just so little time. Just too little of this life.
*
* * + + SO WE WILL WORSHIP - Music and Words by Sarah Hart.
A
praise and worship song which has everything which makes it a great choice for
any contemporary service. An inspired blend of piano, guitar, easy drum beat,
upbeat rhythm and bit or organ as well, which all comes together to create a memorable
melody, to support the meaningful lyrics, expressed so well by Sarah's heartening
vocals. Chorus is easy to remember, which would encourage audience participation.
Scriptural
References: (Ephesians 2: 4-9, 1 John 4:19 & John 3:16)
Favorite
praise and worship song of this reviewer!
Lyrics:
Nothing we could ever do could save us / Anything we try to prove won't change
us / For by grace and grace alone / You made us yours, O Lord.
Chorus: So we will worship / So we will praise you / So we will bow down / So
we will shout it loud / We have been chosen / For you have spoken / Nothing could
change it / So we will worship.
We could never
say enough to thank you / We could never give enough to repay you / For you sent
your only Son / To die for us, for love.
What
else can we do / But sing our praise to you / Fall upon our knees / Before the
Lord of everything / You, our strength and song / You the Holy One.
Chorus:
*
* * + + HIS NAME IS JOSEPH - Words and Music by Sarah Hart.
(Dedicated
to Sarah's Papa (grandfather) and for great step-dads everywhere).
Fourth
favorite song of this reviewer. An attractive, dynamically sensitive ballad depicting
Mary's thoughts and feelings the morning after the angel visits her, as she shares
them with the Lord in a prayer.
A song perfect
for Christmas! First verse begins softly with just vocals and a simple, soft piano
accompaniment, in sort of a duet. Second verse has a wonderful delicate blend
of piano, guitar and some strings join in this inner voice ensemble which floats
and flows along nicely with the smooth airy vocals. Sound builds to the chorus.
Light Drums enter during the 3rd verse, and instrumentation goes up a notch in
volume and notation.
Sarah excels in performing
the heartfelt vocals, as her wonderful, voice expresses the happy yet concerned
thoughts of a young women who willingly accepts this awesome assignment, but petitions
the Lord to get Joseph on board as well, if it is the Lord 's will.
Scriptural
References: (Luke 1:26-38, Matt. 1:18-21)
Lyrics:
This new morning seems so strange /
Beautiful, but not the same / Last night the angel came to speak / And today there
is new life within me.
I admit that I'm scared
/ I was really not prepared / But let the world think what they will / for today
your promise is fulfilled.
I will not worry
for the whispers that will surely surround me / But I ask your reassurance for
the love that found me.
Chorus: His name is
Joseph, he is a carpenter / I believe our hearts are destined for each other /
And when you find him, please tell him gently / This is something I can't think
he'll understand / Oh, send Your angels to sing to him / His name is Joseph.
So You have chosen this for me? / I accept it willingly / But as for him, I cannot
tell / I can only pray you've chosen him as well.
It is one thing for me to walk into this glorious unknown / But another Lord to
think that I must do it alone / If he goes, life will not end / but I could truly
use a friend.
Chorus:
His
name is Joseph ( interlude) His name is Joseph ( closing interlude).
*
* * + + THE HILLSIDE - Words and Music by Sarah Hart.
Favorite song of this reviewer. Written in a minor
key, this memorable 3/4 meter psalm-like anthem flows over the listener in a most
delightful way. Features lovely, expressive, broken chordal support by excellent
guitarist Phil Keaggy, swirling, soft synth & strings providing chordal support
and counter -melody, a hauntingly beautiful melody with effective intervals and
poignant, airy heartfelt vocals by Sarah; which musically all soars together,
reminding this reviewer of a Celtic ballad - Simply a brilliant musical vehicle
to showcase the meaningful lyrics, which brings the message of comfort and hope
we have in Jesus Christ, now and eternally.
Scriptural
References: (2nd Cor. 5:1-2, 7 & 16-18, Romans 5:1-5, Rev. 21)
Lyrics:
O my soul, weary and restless / For so long,
far too long / O my voice, lost to the wilderness / With no song, far too long
/ Here in the shadows / We must stay/ Walk the gray road / This brutal terrain
/ Until the wind blows and sings / Until the sacred light brings us.
Chorus: Home to the Hillside / The river, the sparrow-song / Sunrise in hues of
our wildest imagining / Home to the valley / The new rain, the lilies / The brightest
horizon we ever will see.
Now O my feet you
must carry me/ O'er this road these cruel stones / heart of mine, break not for
what you see / but be moved, moved to love.
Here in this barrenness / We survive / This fearful land / These terrible times
/ Until the clouds roll away / Until that beautiful day, dream us.
Chorus: Home to the Hillside / The river, the sparrow-song / Sunrise in hues of
our wildest imagining / Home to the valley / The new rain, the lilies / The brightest
horizon we ever will see.
Hook: Hope of me
bloom now / Among these thorns / Reach with your dying breath / To the sun / Soon
ends the bleakness of night / Soon you shall rise up and fly.
*
* * + + BRAVE NEW WORLD - Words and Music by Sarah Hart.
A spirited, joyous acoustic contemporary song which sparkles in both the vocals
and composition. An inspiring guitar ensemble, with a touch of sythns, and perhaps
a bass which cooks along, supporting the spirit of the fine lead vocals and back-up
vocals in chorus.
Scriptural References: (Joshua
1:9, Hebrews 6:10-12 & 11:1, Phil. 3:13-14, 2nd Cor. 5:16-18)
Sarah
comments on her CD cover: Dedicated to the Hart women who made me strong, and
to my sister Jess, who applied the Teflon coating.
This
song is one of Sarah's favorites. It was inspired by her young daughters, with
the theme of stepping out bravely in faith. Lifetime Television's hit TV show,
"Strong Medicine"used this song in episode 11, called "Broken Hearts,"
(season 6).
Lyrics:
I
had that dream again last night / The one where I am flying / Through a hazy,
peaceful blue / Everything seems nice / All the world is right / Till I open my
eyes.
To the stinging alarm / And the chip
on my shoulder / One more day to live and breathe / To get a little bit older,
uh-huh / But a little bolder.
Chorus: Cause
every day is a brave new world/ Gotta have faith, gotta be courageous / Every
day is a brave new world / Where I must go.
So
I'll breathe in deep again / And put on the colored glasses / I have no idea what
I'm doing, Lord / But I can't afford to give up now (when).
Tag: Maybe the red shoes didn't fit /And I'm still stuck in Kansas / But it's
beautiful So beautiful here....anyway (where)
*
* * + LOVE THAT IS YOU - Words and Music by Sarah Hart.
Another,
lovely dynamic prayer and petition hymn, written in a minor key with a catchy
melody - Nice build up to the chorus. Begins with a lovely intro of broken chord
melody played with piano and strings, light drums, and light touches of acoustic
& electric guitar and perhaps some keyboards as well.
Scriptural
References: (Romans 5:8 and 8:35-38, 1 Cor.6:19-20)
Lyrics:
Your love is a mystery / Complicated by my
own self-hatred and / I want so much to see / What you do..what you do.. / Your
love is unquestioning / Never done in by my own shortcomings and / I want just
to believe.//
That it's true...that it's you
/ Come and reveal it / Lord, let me feel this.
Chorus: Love that is you / Love that is you./
The
cross should have been enough / but the sad condition of the days I live in is
/ In my distractions I / forget to remember You / Break
me and free me / Lord let me see this.
/ Love
that is You / Love that is You.
Bridge: Love
that has no expectations / Void of selfish intimations / Moving with a gentle
patience / I am not worthy of.../ I am not worthy of ...this LOVE.
Love
that is you / Love that is you. Oh this Love that is you / Love that is you./
*
* * + + GO IN PEACE - Words and Music by Sarah Hart.
(To
the funeral choir of St. Mary's Church, Lancaster, OH).
3rd
favorite song of this reviewer. A lovely poignant hymn of hope sure to comfort
anyone who has had a loved one pass on, going to their eternal home. Reminds the
listener that believers have eternal life with the Lord to look forward to, and
paints a lovely picture of being welcomed into heaven by the Lord himself.
Composition
begins with lovely duet of piano and guitar to carry and support the melody, giving
the sweet vocals fine support as well as setting the peaceful, comforting mood
as well. Dynamics build nicely, light support of strings adds body in parts of
composition.
Scriptural References: (John
6:48, Rev. 21, Romans 6:33, 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 51-57, Phil. 3:21)
Lyrics:
There will be no more darkness / There is
no more night, no more night / There will be no more sadness / Only joy and light,
joy and light / Lift your eyes beyond the hills / And see the dawn / There is
beautiful mercy / In the arms of the Holy One.
Refrain:
Go in peace, God be with you, Go in peace, be at rest / With the saints and the
angels / Now you are free / Go in peace.
See,
the Father is waiting / With a robe of white, purest white / Go and feast at his
table / With the bread of life, bread of life / Lift your heart, rejoice and sing/
For you are home / Home at last and forever / In the arms of the Holy One.
Refrain:
Go in peace, God be with you, Go in peace, be at rest / With the saints and the
angels / Now you are free / Go in peace. Repeat
Tag:
Now you are free / Go in peace / Go in peace.
*
* * LOOK UP - Words and Music by Sarah Hart.
(
For Celia) - Peppy contemporary Christian pop song of hope, pointing to the Lord
as the source of strength, encouragement, love, and forgiveness, when we look up
to Him. Nice harmonies, strong vocals, and an energetic musical accompaniment
played with again effective dynamics sure to get the listener out of any dour
mood into a more positive frame of mind!
Scriptural
References: (Hebrew 6:19-20, Matt 11: 28-30, 1 Peter 5:7, Ephesians 3:16-18)
Lyrics:
If your eyes only envision only sadness /
If your ears can only hear the madness / If you are down so low, you go no further
to go / Look up.
If your heart's a prisoner
to frailty / If you long to speak your truth and come clean / Think you're on
your own and you just want to be known / Look up.
Chorus:
Rest assured that a brighter day is coming / And a dawn like nothing else you
have ever seen / Set your gaze up and over the horizon / to a new life rising,
yeah, yeah.
Oh let not your burdens and tempations
/ Keep your soul from reconciliation / Everyone falls down, but the lost have
been found / Look up.
Chorus: Rest assured that
a brighter day is coming / And a dawn like nothing else you have ever seen / Set
your gaze up and over the horizon / to a new life rising, yeah, yeah.
Tag: It's a beautiful sunrise / It's an unbelievable life / It's a beautiful sunrise
/ Open your eyes... open your eyes / look up.
Chorus:
Rest assured that a brighter day is coming / And a dawn like nothing else you
have ever seen / Set your gaze up and over the horizon / to a new life rising,
yeah, yeah.
* * * + + HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY
NAME - Words and Music by Sarah Hart.
A glorious
praise anthem written in a 3/4 meter which flows along in a swift tempo, supported
by some very fine, driving piano work, strong percussion. Has a lot of interesting
inner voices and counter-melodies, strong, expressive lead vocals, and very nice
back up harmonic vocals. Also features an irrisistable melody which will draw
the listener into singing along, forgetting any current troubles or annoyances.
A great song to follow LOOK UP, the song listed above.
Scriptural
References: (Rev. 4:8,11 & Psalm 9:1-2, 1 Thess. 5:16-18)
Lyrics:
Holy God, we praise Thy name / Lord of all,
we bow before Thee / All on the earth Thy rule acclaim / All in heaven above adore
Thee / Infinite, Thy vast domain / Everlasting is Thy reign / Infinite, Thy vast
domain / Everlasting is Thy reign.
Hark! The
loud celestial hymn / Angel choirs above are raising / Cherubim and seraphim /
In unceasing chorus praising / Fill the heavens with sweet accord / Holy, holy,
holy Lord / Fill the heavens with sweet accord / Holy, holy, holy Lord.
Holy Father, Holy Son / Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee / While in essence only
One / Undivided God we claim Thee / And adoring bend the knee / While we own the
mystery / And adoring bend the knee / While we own the mystery.
* * * + + MY EVENING PRAYER - Words
and Music by Sarah Hart.
(for my Adelaide)
A
lovely, inspiring prayer hymn written in 3/4 meter that ends the CD on a uplifting
note! Loved the beautiful melody carried forth by an inspired mix of piano, guitar,
and strings, perfectly composed for the meaningful, moving lyrics sung so well
by Sarah originally for her daughter, and now for the listener!
Sarah
Comments: "For Addie, she was always my 'restless sleeper.' EVENING PRAYER
was my plea for her little heart, that she would know God's peace through those
difficult nights, and in waking see him in her everything. Now, she sleeps like
a rock!"
Scriptural References: (Romans
12:2 & 15:13, Philip 4:4-8)
Lyrics:
God,
be in my head / And in my understanding / Be my every thought / And be my evening
prayer / In the darkness alone with the moon and her stars / Let me know that
you are / Here, be in my head / God be my everything.
God
be in my heart / As I lay deep in slumber / Let the shadows depart / And sweetest
dreams be mine / Send the angels to breathe heaven's peace into me / Thought the
night, Father be/ Here, be in my heart / God fill my every dream.
God
be in my eyes / When I awake to morning / And be first in my sight / All that
I long to see / Seeking out only that which is lovely and true / All the beauty
of you / Here, be in my eyes / And in my head / And in my heart / God, be my understanding.
Reviewed
by Julie Carr for ChristianMusic.com
Hart's Saintsong Review
