New Work For Newtown

A new work to share the emotions brought on by the events in Newtown, Connecticut in 2013. 

 

            The events in Newtown earlier this year shocked the world.  As artists, many of us have tried to share our feelings through music, hoping to bring solace to ourselves and others.   Unfinished Melodies ( https://choralnet.org/306016#unfinishedmelodies2159 ) is our attempt to do just that.   

 

Lyricist Linda Marcus (River in Judea), was also moved.  She sought out a composer and arranger in the Composers of Choral Music Community on ChoralNet.  Jack Senzig accepted the offer to collaborate as composer and Robert Ross agreed to arrange the piece.   Linda also brought Ken Matejka on board to help with the lyrics.

 

It is our hope that directors, singers and audiences will find this work to be a balm to their pain.   We recommend that you inform the families of your singers that you will be performing a song in commemoration of Newtown and that you put a note in your program informing your audience of the subject matter.  

 

We hope you enjoy Unfinished Melodies.  Lyrics below:

 

(Click here of PDF and here for audio)

 

Ballad: Words by: Linda Marcus & Ken Matejka ©2013(ASCAP)

 

Not long ago they brightened our lives

Their laughter and singing brought joy to our hearts

So warm and kind, they loved everyone

They were always ready to play and have fun

But everything changed on that star-crossed day

Without warning, the children were taken away

 

How we wish we had another chance

To walk and talk and hold their hands

 

They left beautiful, unfinished melodies

That will echo without end

They left sweet, loving memories

Precious gifts to help us mend

But they never got the chance to complete…

Their beautiful, unfinished melodies

 

Our very best now lay at rest

Sweet angels were taken from our loving arms

Who knows what dreams they would have achieved

Olympic gold medals or cures for disease

We honor their memories and pray for grace

And mourn the lost music that will never take place

 

How we wish we had another chance

To walk and talk and hold their hands

 

They left beautiful, unfinished melodies

That will echo without end

They left sweet, loving memories

Precious gifts to help us mend

But they never got the chance to complete…

Their beautiful, unfinished melodies

 

Now comes the test of our courage and will

A message we urgently send

We must work to build a better tomorrow

And not let this happen again, Never again!

 

They left beautiful, unfinished melodies

That will echo without end

They left sweet, loving memories

Precious gifts to help us mend

But they never got the chance to complete…

Their beautiful, unfinished melodies