Daughter of the Sky (1969 - Age 22)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1969, 2023

Daughter of the sky
Wherefore do you cry
Have no fear of what you hear
None of us shall die
Don't hide your face in shame
Just hold your head up high
And when it's time to be sublime
All you shall supply

Daughter of the sky
What is in your eye
I cannot see where we might be
I'm sure the end is nigh
Don't hide your face in shame
Just hold your head up high
And when it's time to be sublime
All you shall supply

Daughter of the sky
You will crucify
The one you need whose only seed
You'll want to purify
Don't hide your face in shame
Just hold your head up high
And when it's time to be sublime
All you shall supply

RE: Some Creative Projects Through the Years

 After re-reading many of the entries in my journals, I’ve concluded that, in a lot of cases, I became overwhelmed by the size of my own creative concepts and just couldn’t drum up the enthusiasm to see them through to completion. Many of them still remain unfinished in my file boxes.

 

Daughter of Loneliness (1969 - Age 22)

Written, Composed 
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1969, 2021

She's the daughter of loneliness
As she strolls the streets alone at night
She has no one to love her
She has no one to care for her
She has no one to hold her tight
She's the daughter of loneliness

She's the daughter of loneliness
As she weeps sweet tears alone at home
She has no one to love her
She has no one to care for her
She has no one to hold her tight
She's the daughter of loneliness

She's the daughter of loneliness
As she walks along the streets so late
She has no one to love her
She has no one to care for her
She has no one to hold her tight
She's the daughter of loneliness

She's the daughter of loneliness
As she heads towards the riverside
She slowly enters into it
She sinks without a cry
As the water caresses her lovely brow
She's the daughter of loneliness

[Listen to it here]

Darling, I Love You (1967 - Age 20)

Written, Composed 
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright © 1967, 2021

The moon is bright
The stars this night
Shine down upon we two
I hold you tight
You're just right
Darling, I love you

These are words I love to say to you
Just because you never make me blue

I need you so I'm sure you know
That I'm not feeling blue
Don't you go
Catch the love I throw
Darling, I love you

These are words I love to say to you
Just because you never make me blue

[Musical Verse]

I'm sure you see
That you need me
For, our love is so new
I'm sure you'll be
Around with me
Darling, I love you

These are words, I love to hear you say
And I want to be with you everyday

Our love we'll tie
By and by
I will marry you
You needn't sigh
Don't ask why
Darling, I love you

[Listen to it here]

Darlene (1967 - Age 20)

Written, Composed 
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1967, 2021


You're my beauty queen
And you're so serene, Darleen
I used to love Irene
Now the light I've seen, Darleen

But you're just sixteen
People intervene, Darleen
And I know they mean
To come inbetween us, Darleen

I'll never go away
I'll love you every day

(Musical Interlude)

Dressed in wintergreen
Like a faerie queen, Darleen
Play your tambourine
On the silver screen, Darleen

Though you're just sixteen
With you, I will be seen, Darleen
And a new love-paean
I will sing to even Darleen

I'll take you far away
I'll guide you everyday 

[Listen to it here]

[Listen to an alternate version here]

Darkness of the Dawn (1969 - Age 22)

Written, Composed 
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1969, 2021


What has happened
Where is the sun
There's no daylight
I've got to run
What has happened
Where can I be
The darkness of the dawn
Has closed upon me

[Musical Verse]

What has happened
Why am I here
Where's my sweetheart
Is this a tear
What has happened
Why should I care
The darkness of the dawn
Has filled the night air

[Musical Verse]

What has happened
What is your name
All that's about me
Isn't the same
What has happened
Where is my sight
The darkness of the dawn
Has closed on me tight

[Listen to it here]

Darkness Before Tomorrow (1969 - Age 22)

 

Dark Moon Rise ... Hell-Hound Kill (1968 - Age 21)

Written, Composed 
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1968, 2021


Dark moon rise upon the moor 
Hell-hound kill the evildoer 
Black the night of darkened gloom 
Black the inside of thy womb

Dark moon rise and hide the day
Hell-hell kill the castaway
Blue the sky of sunlit clouds
Blue the people wrapped in shrounds

SPOKEN
Never has there been a world so bleak
War and hate have caused the world to shriek
Love is missing, love is dead, alas! 
People die from bombs are maimed by gas

Dark moon rise, make shadows deep 
Hell-hound kill the mindless sheep 
Red the blood, now, flowing free 
Red the stream through systole

SPOKEN
Never will there be this old world anew
Love and peace are meant for me and you
Love has arrived! Love is here! Rejoice! 
Lift up your hearts, lift up your voice!

Dark moon rise, your nights have passed 
Hell-hound take your final fast 
Gold the future looking free 
Gold the rays of Love-Son's beams

[Listen to it here]

Dark Eyes (1967 - Age 20)

 

Danielle (1966 - Age 19)

Written, Composed 
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1966, 2021


I love you, Danielle
Every day I wish you well
And I say, Danielle
How I wish that you could tell that I love you

I see you, Danielle
And I know how I fell
And I say, Danielle
How I wish that you could tell that I need you

Danielle, every day, 
I can see you by my side
And I sigh, and I cry
But I know that you will be mine

[Musical Verse]

I see you, Danielle
And I hear those wedding bells
And I say, Danielle
Now I know that I can tell that you are mine

Danielle, every day, 
I can see you by my side
And I sigh, and I cry
But I know that you will be mine

I love you, Danielle
Every day I wish you well
And I say, Danielle
How I wish that you could tell that I love you

Danielle, Danielle, Danielle

[Listen to it here]

Crystals Of Life (1969 - Age 22)

Written, Composed 
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1969, 2021
 
Crystals of life gleam in the rain 
Man has broken his soul in twain 
Never shall evermore be 
He has grown old again  

Crystals of life stand ever tall 
Man has risen, and now, he must fall 
Never shall he evermore be 
No more shall he enthrall  

Crystals of life grow out of stone 
Man has broken what once was his own 
Never shall he evermore be 
No more shall his life be sown  

Crystals of life dazzle the eyes 
Man has wondered, but then realized 
Never shall he evermore be 
He shall not be recognized      

[Listen to it here]

 

Crystal Fountain Wanderer (1968 - Age 21)

Written, Composed
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright © 1968, 2021

A ripple in the water
A ripple in the sky
A crystal fountain wanderer
He asks one question, why

The stream of stars is up above
On this sweet eventide
A crystal fountain wanderer
Upon a white horse rides

Unto the palace there steps he
To waken his fair bride
A crystal fountain wanderer
Creeps to her side

Upon a bed of silks lies she
Her breasts rise and fall
A crystal fountain wanderer
Seems to be enthralled

And then he knows just who it is
This woman he has seen
A crystal fountain wanderer
Has chanced upon his queen

He seemed to walk along alone
In places so serene
A crystal fountain wanderer
Now sings a sweet love paean

And then his lips meet hers
She opens then her eyes
A crystal fountain wanderer
Has come to where she lies

She rises from her bed so soft
His love she ne'er denies
A crystal fountain wanderer
Suddenly finds he cries

A ripple in the water
A ripple in the sky
A crystal fountain wanderer
He asks one question, why 

[Listen to it here]

Crying For You (1965 - Age 18)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright © 1965, 2023

I lay on my bed in my room
And I started crying for you
And in the dark of the gloom
I saw your face come through to me

I lay on my bed, tears did fall
And I kept on crying for you
And I know I would give you my all
To have you brush these blues away

Yes, I still cry as I wait for you
And I still sigh, for I miss you, too
But I know I would wait until you come
But I can’t stop myself from crying for you

Cry, Baby, Cry (1965 - Age 18)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright  1965, 2023

Cry, baby, cry
Your tears are almost through
Cry, baby, cry
You’ll soon know what to do
Hide your head in shame
And forget my name
So cry, baby, cry
Cry, baby, cry

Cry, baby, cry
There’s nothing you can do
Cry, baby, cry
Cause I can forget you
So forget my name
And all will be the same
So cry, baby, cry
Cry, baby, cry

Cry (1966 - Age 19)

 

Crucified With Christ (1977 - Age 30)

Written, Composed 
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright © 1977, 2021 


My life as a Christian seemed so incomplete 
I felt there was something that I could not see 
But then came the day that I realized 
Christ wanted to live through me  

And, now, I live the life of the Son crucified in me 
For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty 
Standing in the Spirit and the power of my God 
I live the life of the Son crucified in me  

Speak to yourselves in Psalms, hymns and songs 
Sing and make melody in your hearts to the Lord 
Give thanks for all things in the name of the Lord 
And be filled with the Spirit of God  

That's how I live the life of the Son crucified in me 
For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty 
Standing in the Spirit and the power of my God 
I live the life of the Son crucified in me  

I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live 
Yet not I, for I know that Christ liveth in me 
And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live 
By the faith of the Son of God  

So, now, I live the life of the Son crucified in me 
For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty 
Standing in the Spirit and the power of my God 
I live the life of the Son crucified in me  

[Listen to it here]

Crucified Rose (1974 - Age 27)

Written, Composed 
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1974, 2021 

He was nailed to a cross to bear all my sin 
Yes, He hung on a cross—eternal life to win 
He died on a cross to set me free 
My wonderful Crucified Rose  

I was lost deep in sin, and away from the Lord 
Had no thoughts of His Love or about His Holy Word 
But then, someone came, told me of eternal life 
Through my wonderful Crucified Rose  

“I'm the Way, I'm the Truth, I am the Life 
I give peace, I give love, I give eternal life”
Jesus Christ calls to you, today 
“Come to Me, the Crucified Rose
Come to Me, the Crucified Rose
Come to Me, the Crucified Rose”

[Listen to it here]

Crazy for God

 

Frank Schaeffer

Da Capo Press
2009
ISBN: 978-0-306-81750-2
Memoir, Religion

The subtitle for this in-depth look at the life of theologian and Christian apologist Francis A. Schaeffer’s son is How I Grew Up As One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back.

Those familiar with the Schaeffers will also probably be familiar with some of Frank’s evangelical works which include Addicted to Mediocrity; A Time for Anger; amongst others, as well as the film presentations How Should We Then Live, and Whatever Happened to the Human Race. However, he is also the author of The Calvin Becker Trilogy (Portofino, Zermatt, and Saving Grandma) and Baby Jack, as well as the non-fiction works, Keeping Faith; Faith of Our Sons; and Voices from the Front.

As may be discerned when one reads this book, in many respects, Frank is still an ‘angry young man’, although this time, his anger seems more directed towards himself than at anyone else in particular. This moving memoir takes the reader behind the scenes, so to speak, of the author’s life with his parents and siblings, friends, co-workers, wife and children, and reveals much more than what the reader might expect. That is to say, in ‘real life’, the Schaeffers, like many other Christian ‘icons’—and Frank isn’t afraid to name some of them--were and are just as human as the rest of us, some of them with even greater foibles than we might want to believe.

Frank presents the memoir in four sections—Childhood, Education, Turmoil, and Peace.

Although focusing on his own emotional and psychological tribulations, he manages to help the reader understand how people and experiences helped shape who he first became, and why he gradually distanced himself from the evangelical movement, turning instead, to Greek Orthodoxy.

Frank is remarkably transparent throughout this book, sharing how more and more alienated he felt in spite of the fact that he and his father were popular evangelical authors and speakers, particularly to fundamentalist churches and organizations crying out to them that they needed to “take back America”.

Further, Frank describes his vacillating life as a rebellious young man, a filmmaker and a father, and his eventual journey back to a new prominence as a writer.

The book ends on a poignant note: “…maybe there is a God who forgives, who loves, who knows. I hope so. Anything is possible in world where a daughter forgives her father, for ignorance, for anger, for failure, and places her daughter in his arms.”

For those interested in a different perspective on Francis and Edith Schaeffer, l'Abri, and the fundamentalist right-wing evangelical movement, as well as the touching story of someone deeply involved in it all, this is a must-read.

Book Review by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©2009

CoverGirls

 

Mark Antony Noble is an amateur photographer who dreams of seeing his work on the cover of Vogue magazine. 

Chrystal, La Roux, and Holly are three young women with dreams of stardom in some capacity.

Synchronicity brings Mark in touch with them, and together they press on towards their goals—each person from a different background, each progressing in a different direction, each embracing their inevitable outcome in—CoverGirls

BUY: CoverGirls

Cosmic Wonder (1970 - Age 23)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1970, 2023

I have seen the cosmic wonder
That has torn the Earth asunder
And it makes me want to hide my head in shame
I have seen the Earthmen blunder
And the women clasped in thunder
And it makes me want to vanquish any name

I have seen the cosmic wonder
That has torn the Earth apart
I have heard the sound of thunder
Heard the beats of dying hearts

I have seen the cosmic wonder
And the men who once had shunned her
And it makes me start to think of all I see
I have seen the Earthmen plunder
And the women they pulled under
And it makes me want to swallow every tree

I have seen the cosmic wonder
I have heard the women’s wails
I have heard the sound of thunder
Heard the sound of falling sails

Cosmic Rays, Interstellar Gas (1970 - Age 23)

Written, Composed
Arranged & Performed
by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1970, 2021

In the sky
Starships fly
To the galaxies
Entering
Evening
Making syntheses

Make-believe
Preconceive
Everything you see
Bittersweet
We secrete
Our love, Cybele

Cosmic rays, interstellar gas
Cosmic rays, interstellar gas

Is it hard
We regard
Everything you do
One mistake
Will you break
Everything in two

If you rape
Just a grape
We will surely know
Now, farewell
Face your hell
Going where you go 

Cosmic rays, interstellar gas
Cosmic rays, interstellar gas

[Listen to it here]