🎶 "Paradise", A Song
In this dark of winter, I want to share something light and magical and hopeful.
Paradise (listen to the song)
Lyrics and melody by Bill Barnhill: http://musicwilliam.com & http://williambarnhill.com Arrangement by Stacey Young Vocalist: Demian Elaine' Yumei
LYRICS: Paradise, flying high above the world You can see for miles Across the fields and wilds Into another land so far away Perfect Paradise Where the air is fresh and clear And the wind will blow The direction that you go And take you where your heart is always free Chorus: And if the thermals catch you They’ll send you soaring high above the clouds Between the mountains and the moon Between the sun and rivers blue That’s where you’ll find me Paradise, in the sky so high above You can ride the wind To the stars and back again With all your cares and worries far behind you Perfect Paradise Riding on a feather’s edge With the sun aglow And your shadow far below You reach on heaven’s wing to take you higher Chorus Paradise... Perfect Paradise...
When I first heard the demo tape for this song by Stacey’s friend and fellow musician, Bill Barnhill, I knew I wanted to sing and record it. I’m so grateful to Bill that he gave us permission.
The lyrics are gorgeous, the melody and music etheric, and singing this song just filled me with so much love and gratitude to be alive.
The perspective from which this song is sung is healing. I think, to a very large degree, that is what healing is… a shifting of perspective, experiencing a support you can’t see but lifts you, marveling at beauty that was previously incomprehensible, “with the sun aglow…and your shadow far below”.
Your shadow far below…
Not weighing on top of you nor left behind in abandonment, or defeated on a field of battle, but traveling with you, distant and a part, gliding over fields and roads of winding memory, and meaning, and the writing of a new chapter.
They say we create our own hell, and maybe our own heaven. I think we create them for others, too. Which means if we can do one, we can do the other.
I don’t have answers for what ails this world. Heck, I barely have any insight into mine, but I’m going to keep believing in us.
Not because I’m a Pollyanna, but because I know how deeply damaged I still am, and I also know where I’ve been, and how far I’ve come. Miracles are possible. Life didn’t give up on me. I’m not giving up either or giving in to the despair this pandemic of fanaticism so desperately wants us to.
In my darkest moments, I want to remember, and will set up my reality, as much as I can, to help me remember… “Look up, shift your perspective, the world is bigger, more expansive, and filled with more wonder and grace than you think.”
So, that is what I wish for you as we step into a new year. When you are in need, may you open your heart as wings, and marvel yourself with wide vistas of possibilities, receiving the healing balm of hope, and grace, and a future you can almost touch. May it be as beautiful as you.
From my heart to yours,
Demian Elaine’ Yumei ~ Silent No More
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It will make my heart sing, and help me to continue writing essays, poetry and song. Thank you!
What a wonderful gift to begin the last day of this year with. Thank you. I've listened twice this morning. Your beautiful voice, the music, the lyrics and the words you have written have connected me with hope, and gratitude and wonder. These words you have highlighted feel like a gentle nudge I can choose to receive each time I look out of the window, or go for a walk: “Look up, shift your perspective, the world is bigger, more expansive, and filled with more wonder and grace than you think.” xx
Beautiful, Demian!! I knew you had a gift when I met you in high school, but what I didn't realize then was that your gift was only going to grow as you unfolded. Thanks so much for sharing such a freeing song. I truly believe these words, beneath all of the noise around us that keeps interfering with my inner peace. Stay on your path, and keep inviting the rest of us along with your music and your voice. Kind of like a "pied piper" of the new age... Looking forward to more as you blossom.