Love Has A Name

While traveling this past summer to visit our daughter, who is serving with a church planting team in Seattle called The Commons, the title phrase “Love has a name” came to mind, and that evening I wrote down the initial lyrics (verse and chorus). It was too good to keep to myself, so I asked Rick Founds if he’d like to collaborate, and he followed up with additional lyrics (Rick wrote the bridge) and the music. (You may know Rick from his well-known praise chorus, “Lord I Lift Your Name On High”). I really like the 4/4 rhythm he chose, too, much better than the 6/8 meter that was in my head originally. I’d had the prior privilege of co-writing “My One Desire” with Rick, Elton Smith, and Steve Israel. He also did a wonderful job recording the song. Rick sent me a rough demo, and I sent him back a bass track I played. He was able to include it in his final recording, which you can hear below (mp3). Collaborating over the Internet is a wonderful thing indeed! It is our prayer that this song is a blessing to you as you consider the miracle of God making Himself known through the incarnation of His son. Yes, love has a name, and that name is Jesus. Enjoy!

Play the MP3

The song’s page is at: larryholdermusic.org/lovehasaname.html

Life is a gift
Much more than it seems
When Jesus renews
When Jesus redeems.

Because He cares
Because He came
Love now is real
Love has a Name.

[Chorus]
Love has a Name
The greatest I’ve known
Written in blood
To make me His own.

Mankind to save
Hearts to reclaim
Jesus is real
Love has a Name.

[Bridge]
No other name can redeem us
No other name can set the captives free
No other name can save us
None but the Name of Jesus!

Words by Larry Holder and Rick Founds. Music by Rick Founds. Copyright © 2013 Larry Holder Music (ASCAP) / Rick Founds Music (ASCAP). Rick Founds Music admin. by The Copyright Company, Nashville, TN.

Photo Copyright © 1995 Mary Saxton [Griffin].
Used by permission. From the White Sands Portfolio at
www.zianet.com/msaxton

The Ballad of the Northwestern

larryholdermusic.org/northwestern.html

I wrote the initial lyrics July 2009 during a road trip from Seattle to Tennessee. Just 2 years earlier, I saw the Northwestern as it passed through the locks at the port of Seattle. Those of you who are familiar with the show “Deadliest Catch” will of course recognize this ship. I’m sure John Denver’s ballad “Calypso” and Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad “The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald” were also inspirations, sharing what I call a “heavy 2-count” beat (6/8 time).

This was recorded with 3 vocal tracks, 2 guitar tracks, and a drum track. I play real drums, with no click track, which I think gives it a much more natural sound. Moderate compression was applied to each track, but no other effects. I considered adding mandolin at one point, but decided there was enough treble sound with the guitars. I also opted to minimize the “low end” by omitting bass guitar and quieting the kick drum (although I’ve recently been giving thought to adding a good bass line).

Play the MP3

Now out from Seattle with captain and crew
To make for the ocean, the brave and the few
A course for the Bering, where treasures abound
With blues skies above and the sea all around.

And dreams of the bounty are calling her name
The mighty Northwestern finds fortune and fame
As pots full of crab fill the salt water hold
So the hours pass by as the sea yields its gold.

And what makes a man turn his heart to the sea
Forsaking the land to be out in the free?
And risking it all to take hold of the prize?
There’s salt in their veins, there is fire in their eyes.

With thirty-eight meters from stem to the stern
For Sig and his brothers, a living they earn
In dangerous waters, in darkness and light
The challenge, it calls them, the goal is in sight.

The race for the prize leads the great vessel on
From greenhorn to captain, from dusk until dawn
No rest for the weary from wind and the waves
As ice floes she conquers and tempest she braves.

And what makes a man turn his heart to the sea
Forsaking the land to be out in the free?
And risking it all to take hold of the prize?
There’s salt in their veins, there is fire in their eyes.

God bless the Northwestern through calm and through gale
And be as a Beacon as onward she sails.
Bestow her the bounty for whom she is known
And guide her in safety to harbor and home.

And what makes a man turn his heart to the sea
Forsaking the land to be out in the free?
And risking it all to take hold of the prize?
There’s salt in their veins, there is fire…

Yes, and what makes a man turn his heart to the sea
Forsaking the land to be out in the free?
They risk everything to take hold of the prize
For there’s salt in their veins, there is fire in their eyes.

Copyright © 2012 Larry Holder (Larry Holder Music, ASCAP)