Thursday, April 1, 2010

Happy Easter... or The One With the Soldier Song

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this song. I had a great experience writing it about a year ago, but then when I tried to record it last summer I realized the song just wasn’t good enough, and I ended up tossing it in a drawer for several months. When Tandy had to sing for a baptism a couple of months ago, I suddenly thought of it and dug it out. What was I thinking about when I wrote this? So many things! Jeffrey R. Holland, Band of Brothers, the Atonement, missionaries and the Marine Crucible... it was a lot of inspiration. There is a lot of me in this song, for better or for worse.

I wrote “Right Here Where I Stand” for a man to sing, and although I think it is very touching the way Tandy sings it, she and I both agree that it should still be sung by a male vocalist, if I decide to use it. In the meantime, though, I wanted to post this special recording as an Easter gift, and expression of my love and appreciation for the Savior. Please leave a comment if you enjoy it.


Right Here Where I Stand

Once the Lord of all the earth
Descended lower than us all.
His power spent to purchase grace
No one left to heed his call.
At the last, he stood there, left alone
With only love that has no end.
But as long as I can draw a breath,
He’ll never stand alone again.

I will stand and wait for him.
I will never be ashamed.
I will stand and wait for him
And bear his holy name.
My heart is not troubled
And I am not afraid.
I know that he will find me
Right here where I stand.
Right here where I stand.

You know it is not easy
This war we fight each day.
We are strangers in this foreign land
Soldiers caught up in the fray.
And some days I grow so weary
Until I think I cannot fight
But then I see him suffering there for me
And struggle on with all my might.

In the fiery wind of battle
I can hear the desperate cries
Of wounded men who wander, blind
From smoke that clouds their eyes.
If they can only hold on
And hear the Savior’s call
I will find my brothers and carry them.
I may bleed, but I will never fall.

I will stand and wait for him.
I will never be ashamed.
I will stand and wait for him
And bear his holy name.
My heart is not troubled
And I am not afraid.
I know that he will find me,
He’ll come again in all his glory
And when he comes that day, he’ll find me
Right here where I stand.
Right here where I stand.
Right here where
I stand.

Credits:
* If you click on Jeffrey R. Holland’s name above, you can read the talk that was part of my inspiration for this song. I just love it.
* The painting I featured is “Awaiting the Command” by Jon McNaughton. Go to his website here and click on symbolism. It is incredible!
* Tandy is currently in the MTC in Provo, Utah, learning Japanese as she is serving a full-time mission for the Lord in Kobe, Japan. I love and miss her.

13 comments:

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

So absolutely beautiful.
I have tears.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Mabye a man's voice would be good, but her voice is so very touching.

I bought that print for my son when he was serving. It had meaning for him as he spent a year in Iraq and it appears that he'll go to Afghanistan.

Thank you for sharing this.
You have an incredible talent.

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

Tears came to my eyes. BEAUTIFUL!!!

By the way. I made your bread and added cinnamon chips to one loaf. Oh my stars. You've gotta try it.

Have a wonderful Easter. You've made mine with this song.

Fawn said...

What a great testimony!

RSM Text Factor Gurus said...

love it! Allie loves it, too. I cannot wait for someone like...um..Kevin to sing it.

Cindy said...

Oh, I think Kevin would be good too. Thank you. It is lovely.

Anonymous said...

I love it. The lyrics are amazing. The music gave me goosebumps. I can't believe this wasn't 'good enough'.

You are so talented.

Gr8Life said...

Victoria YOU ARE AMAZING!!! What a beautiful Song! I must quote Fawn who commented "What a great testimony!" I completely concur with her on that! What a Talent!
And I covet Tandy's voice it is so lovely.

JustJules said...

Once again I am speechless. I know the Lord is pleased with you. You have taken your talent, magnified it and blessed His people...especially me! Amen!

alpinekleins said...

The song is beautiful, the artwork is beautiful, and I can't EVEN think of listening (or reading) Elder Hollands remarks without sobbing almost uncontrolably. What a wonderful weekend and conference - I'll be inspired for always!

Kristin

Unknown said...

WOW! Sister McDaniel that is one of the most beautifull songs i have ever heard, the lyrics have for me a very profound meaning, it is trully inspiring.
Im not sure if i can download it, but if you can and its not to much to ask, please! send it to me my email is christianbahu@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I sometimes run across your blog, and I must say that I am always touched and spoken to by your humble, loving words. They speak of Christ, and by that I am blessed. I have long struggled to discern whether there is truth in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. As yet, I cannot say I have stumbled on that grand truth. However, I see such humility and wonder in your words, such awe and love of God, that I know beyond a doubt that there is truth in you. Whether it be through the testimony of Joseph Smith and the prophets, or simply through your personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, I am thankful for the wisdom you pour out. Thank you, and may God continue to bless you!

Stephanie said...

I haven't been on your blog in forever, so I was doing some catch up. First time hearing this song! So amazing! I got repeated chills. Thank you so much for all your touching music - especially those songs about the Savior. It's so beautiful, and it helps me to stop and think about my Savior a little more.