© Words & Music - Dave Hensman & Philip Janz
2005 Shir is Musak SOCAN

There is great debate around our family table about this song. Don’t get me wrong they like it (they have to). The topic of the debate is, does a Bluejay actually sing? I say he sings. My girls say, "He just squawks". I was out walking one day and I sat and listened to the song/squawk of Mr. Bluejay and I liked it. It was raw and passionate; maybe I liked his song because it reminded me of me, I just sort of belt out my praise from my heart. "Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise" Ps 33:3. This song came out of my walks in the woods behind my house. The concept is patterned loosely after Hebrew poetry. Hebrew poetry is built on compounding thoughts more so than our western rhyme style. Wooded trail is a folk tune story; my attempt at a Gordon Lightfoot style with a little Johnny Cash talk/sing in the middle. So whether you sing or squawk, do your best with a pure heart, "and one thing that I know I know" the Lord will like it.

There’s a wooded trail behind my house
Where I go walking on my own
I often sit upon the ground
Among the cedars strong
One day in an evergreen
A blue jay he began to sing
His song of praise was beautiful
As he worshipped you

He sang his song to you
Thanking you for the food and rain
He sang his song to you his creator
He sang his song out loud
So all around, could come and hear
One thing that I know I know
The God of all was always standing near

There’s a wooded trail behind my house
Where I go walking on my own
I often sit upon the ground
Among the cedars strong
Often on those summer days
I’d go to hear the blue jay sing
And in the stillness of those times
You had a lesson there for me

Chorus

There’s a wooded trail behind my house
Where I go walking on my own
As I sit upon the ground
The leaves began to fall
There was no song I heard that day
Remembered words you said one time
When one of these falls cold and still
They never fall alone

Chorus

There’s a wooded trail behind my house
Where I go walking on my own
As I sit upon the ground
You always meet me there
I receive the strength you give to all
To all who call upon your name
The lesson now becomes complete
You love with watching tenderness and care

Chorus

I’ll sing my song to you
Thanking you for the food and rain
I’ll sing my song to you my creator
I’ll sing my song out loud
So all around can come and hear
One thing that I know I know
The God of all is always standing near

___________________
Acoustic Guitars: Dave Hensman & Brian Thiessen
Djembe, Dumbec, Piano: Philip Janz
Whistle: James Isaacs
BGV: Brenda Janz
The Younglings Choir under the direction of Shawna Enns