Story Behind The Song

"Shine On"...... The Story Behind the Song It is autumn 2018, and JD and I are playing around with the beginning ideas of a lovely and lyrical piano riff he had started writing a couple of years before. It almost sounded like a classical piano piece, sort of Bach-like, and we loved the way the melody and chords fit together. But when it came to actually turning it into a song, we had no concrete ideas about what direction to go lyrically. In the meantime, and on a totally different wave length, I had been watching some in-depth news shows about American history and the state of our national politics. (Big mistake in terms of retaining a sense of calm and innocent trust.) I was getting increasingly alarmed by what was looking more and more like the systematic dismantling of our American democracy. Into my mind came snippets of quotes from my 9th grade Civics class, like this one from the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." And yes, I had even memorized the entire preamble to the constitution, which begins, "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility...." So, I was fuming around the house, feeling superior and indignant, and I heard myself say, "When in the course of human...." And at that point, the song angels bustled in and said, "Kindness." And I was like, what? What do you mean, Kindness? And they said, "Yes. When in the course of human kindness, it becomes clear the time has come to willingly set aside our blindness, and see the world as One." And I said, "Really?" And they said, "Yeah, go with that." So we did.

Lyrics

Shine On
Words and Music by Jan Garrett & JD Martin

When in the course of human kindness, it becomes clear the time has come
To willingly set aside our blindness, and see the world as one.

Nobody here has yet forgotten all of the joys we've ever known
And following freely what we feel, we're finding our way home.
Shine on....Shine on
Steady on....Steady on

We, the People, come together, bringing the best of who we are
All we remember, tough and tender, leading with our hearts

The future is looking back with love, encouraging every step we take
Guiding us through the darkest times, and blessing us on our way
Shine on....Shine on
Steady on....Steady on

Protecting what is gentle, Protecting what is wild
Connecting what is living in every woman, man, and child
A joyful revelation, the hope comes shining through
In the silver singing river, in the rising of the moon
Shine on....Shine on
Steady on....Steady on

Where are the ones we've lost forever, leaving a longing in our souls
Gathering all this love together, we're setting our sights for home

Every road we've ever traveled, all of the wonders near and far
All of these gifts come 'round again, and bring us to where we are

Shine on....Shine on Protecting what is gentle, Protecting what is wild
Steady on....Steady on Connecting what is living
In every woman, man, and child
Shine on....Shine on A joyful revelation, the hope comes shining through
Steady on....Steady on In the silver singing river, in the rising of the moon

When in the course of human kindness, it becomes clear the time has come.....

© 2019 Foolchild Music & Gill 'n' Goldie Music (ASCAP)