NORTHLAND
A story of love, of life, of the loss of his homeland New Zealand and his friends in other far-flung countries…
As I reflect on the amazing two year plus process of bringing this album to birth, there are some key themes that have strongly resonated.
Collaboration our life is all about partnership, though this modern world often tries to isolate. We are the bride of Christ, to be married to Jesus the groom. Grateful for – 24 years of marriage to Liz, our boys, Restore Trust and all our supporters. This 20 year partnership with Finland – Jarmo, Andu, Manku, Jussi, Max, Nina and many more. Our stunning music and tech family, Radio Dei, Paiva and many others. Our relentless church whanau (family) The Upper Room – Kia kaha (Be strong)! We in Christ are one.
Creativity our life is all about reflecting and revelling in the Creator’s gifts through all our incredible creation. Transformed by – songs, poems, sermons, books, visual arts, dance… Artists such as Springsteen and Earle, Karen Sewell – what a gift you are sister! Rediscovering Blues roots – You put the music in me, but what goes up must come down. There is somewhere someone just like me, on the other side of the world, my brilliant co-writer Anders Liljestrom – your songs fall from heaven my friend! Your instruments play the sounds of heaven too! As I rode the northland highway n sky I heard the song of orca calling Jesus is mine.Â
Conception our life is all about the next generation and passing the baton. Profoundly touched by – 5 great nephews n nieces now. Babies who touch our lives including Amanda, Theo, Senni, Silvia, and Valtteri. I wonder why, after a while when will the angel of love come again?Â
Cancer our life is all about living in this moment, and a hope to the end. Our lovely bluebird flew in from Canada to touch our lives. The Lovatts have taught us so much, forever in our hearts. Liz is doing well on the rollercoaster ride thank God!Â
Conflict our life is shaped by the wars of the body, soul, mind and spirit, as well as communities and nations. Aotearoa /NZ and Suomi/Finland are particularly defined by the battles we have endured. All Bonhoeffer was left to say to his Lord was I am yours, as he gave his life to the cause of halting an immoral regime. Wear your medals reluctant hero. Marie (Peace) in Jesus name.
DavidÂ
These were among the most exciting 2 days of our lives as we gathered at the Suhe Studio in Helsinki, Finland on November 15th and 16th, 2013 – how we laughed and cried and loved our precious moments together.
Prepping the ground
Manku (Markus Vainiomäki) and Tipi Tuovinen had worked really hard to prepare the studio for live recording of our whole band including lead vocals.
Manku was in a room downstairs on his break down kit, and had provided chord charts for the boys, though the song and arrangements were far from finished!
Teemu Viinikainen and Freda (Matti Fredriksson) set up guitars in the control room with Tipi, playing a mix of electric, acoustic, 12 string and mando.
I was in a small booth beside them for vocals and then Jaakko Kämäräinen playing mainly upright bass in the cupboard beside me – tight grooves in there!
Day 1
It was amazing to see how quickly we managed to flow even with little eye contact, testimony to years of deep relationship between these friends.
We knew we were in a historic moment and tears flowed among various team members as the beautiful music began to grow.
Co-writer and luthier Anders Liljestrom was finishing lyrics with me as we went through and most important of all FEEDING the beast!
We rehearsed a given song and got a full take within the first 3 passes.
Thrilling for me to go with live one-take vocals, and to be able to catch such a gorgeous vibe between the players.
The only snag we hit on Day 1 was a technical problem which really threatened to stall us. Anders and I had a quiet prayer for God to overrule having no idea really just how serious the issue was! Fortunately, we restarted but only closed out 5 songs at the end of the day with 8 to go!!
Day 2
We had another 9 to 5 day ahead, but knew that with the awesome vibe we had an all technical aspects being refined we could make it.
The songs tumbled out and we were loving it. Two late song additions to the set ‘Wonder Why’ and ‘Medals’ came together beautifully with a wondrous bridge being written on the spot by the whole band, and the chorus words for Medals dropping just as we put the song down!
‘Wonder Why’ was the most emotional moment for me, as I remembered young lives that have been lost, yet aware of Jesus’ promise of eternity, the bridge says…
‘God doesn’t count the value of life by the number of days here on earth, for there’s eternity…’
A real highlight was vocally sparring with Teemu as he ripped the stunning solo of ‘What goes up’ astounding playing bro! It’s all much better live as we push each other in to new territory…
We sent Jaakko off to the cab just after lunchtime and we settled in to take ‘I am yours’ and ‘Jesus is mine’ just acoustics and voice with Teemu and Anders – so glad Anders beautiful instruments and playing are featured on this recording as he has also provided the backbone of the material for this precious album – never can get enough of his songs and the incredible musicianship of this band.
Afterglow
We took a break after November as I returned back to NZ and the Finnish boys returned to their many projects and gigs, knowing we have something very special in the can.
We have managed to keep overdubs to a minimum to retain the live feel of these songs, and we recorded these in March and April 2014 – Manku in Helsinki, and I dropping some backing vocals in Auckland with good mate Jamie Cashmore.
Powerful background vocals were added by 2 super talented friends who sing with us live – Nelli Petro and Jemina Pouttu.
Piano added on 2 songs by Manku, and Teemu came in to finish off his lead and rhythm parts.
Finishing the job
We really appreciate the work of Mixing engineer Tipi Tuovinen and Mastering engineer Teemu Kinnunen / MojoLab to see this dream become a reality.
A HUGE thank you from my family to our Lord and this superb team of people who have helped to bring these melodies and thoughts together, from either side of the world, become one global song – let the music play.
Digital Preview & Purchase
Band
David Lyle Morris – lead and background vocals
Nelli Petro, Jemina Pouttu and Markus Vainiamäki - background vocals
Teemu Viinikainen – electric, acoustic and 12-string acoustic guitars
Matti Fredriksson – acoustic guitar and mandolin
Anders Liljestr̦m Рacoustic guitars
Jaakko Kämätäinen – electric and acoustic bass
Markus Vainiamäki – drums and piano
Arrangements by David Lyle Morris Band
Producer: Markus Vainiamäki
Recorded live at the Suhe Studio, Helsinki, Finland November 15-16, 2013 by Tipi Tuovinen
Overdubs recorded in March – April 2014 by Markus Vainiamäki
Mixing engineer: Tipi Tuovinen
Mastering: Teemu Kinnunen/MojoLab
Covers: Samuel Raikkonen
Photos: Antti Kokkola
Music In Me
Celebrating my 50 years lifetime of music and all the wonderful people who have informed it.
Music and words by David Lyle Morris
©2012 Tevita Music, PO Box 99655 Newmarket, Auckland 1149, NZ
(PRS UK)
EJNW-060514-0986-00
Started back in the sixties, days of black and white
Beatles LP’s, the kids were alright
Hand on the skirting board, before I could walk
Bum twist in time, how my folks loved to talk
Older brothers touched me with Beach Boys and Woodstock
You put the music, you put the music in me
As the seventies broke, it was the sound of Fiji
Man on the moon, how we swayed with the breeze
We moved to London Town, fell in love with rock guitar
Bowie and ‘Diamond Dogs’, Stones were ‘Black and Blue’
Status Quo n SAHB, Elton, and The Who
Little Feat, Stevie Ray teaching me the blues
You put the music, you put the music in me
The heartbeat of heaven
The language of love
The song of the spirit
Try to add up numbers, but they won’t compute
Words make more sense, but they hum with a groove
The years of cassette, found me back in UK
Following footsteps where U2 first played
Busking the tubes, Mean Fiddler , Borderline
Andy B ‘Exception’, Stu G ‘Treasure Park’
Hogan saw us at the Marquee, make our mark
Spoke about singer from school, ‘Russ Le Roq’
CD days a blur, kids came along
Noughties found me back in NZ, singing our song
Teenies are MP3’s, digging back to my roots
This life is straddling two separate worlds
This hippy in army uniform is somehow getting through
Record in Finnish at the ends of the earth, gospel blues!
After a While
For precious Baby Silvia
Music by Anders Liljestrom
Words by Anders Liljestrom and DLM
©2012 Anders Liljestrom and David Lyle Morris (Teosto Finland)
FI-TGM
Only temporary, storm just passing through
Not the end of the story
Not close enough the ‘end of line’ for you
Hindsight’s 20/20, in all that we go through
Hard to find an outcome
The punch line is a gift in store for true
After a while, the pain you feel will ease for you
After a while, the clouds roll away and the sun shine through
It’s our battle scars now, show where we have been
So many times we’re knocked down
But there is hope, that we could start again
For when the night is darkest, it’s our time to shine
May seem like we’re defeated?
But in the end, the victory is won
Somewhere, Someone
To anyone feeling lonely out there.
Music by Anders Liljestrom
Words by Anders Liljestrom and DLM
©2012 Anders Liljestrom and David Lyle Morris (Teosto Finland)
FI-TGM
So it was from the very start
I was born and raised with a heavy heart
My dearest friend was a song to sing
I was afraid, of loosing him
I hang my heart and I hang my head
Like a scared dog tail between the legs
Who could hear a lonely cry?
Who cares, or wants to try?
I’m here waiting, and I don’t know if I belong?
One with the world, yet I’m still alone
Always asking ‘Is this the way it has to be?’
I’m wondering is there somewhere, someone
Just like me?
You came to me in a fitful dream
Where I knew you, and you knew me
And the river bed never looked so good
Dive under, as if I would?
Bluebird
For the amazing Carmen and David Tokios and Families, Our Canadian cousins!
Music by Anders Liljestrom
Words by Anders Liljestrom and DLM
©2013 Anders Liljestrom and David Lyle Morris (Teosto Finland)
FI-TGM
I found a bird, lying down and badly hurt
I put her in my pocket, safe in my pocket
Oh you sweet thing, so hungry and hurting
Don’t you cry, cry, don’t you cry, you’ll be fine
Bluebird, the wind is calling your name
Kiss goodbye, before you leave and fly away
On the top of a mountain, we’ll meet again
I took her home, gave her warmth and loving
I laid her in my basket, so soft in my basket
With a torn wing, so thirsty and broken
Don’t you fight, girl, don’t you fight, flight you’ll find
The journey home, so full of fear and ‘where to go?’
Battle all the head winds, rain, sleet and snow
I am certain you’ll learn to soar again
Spread your wings, girl, spread your wings, the sun ignite
Relentless
Inspired by Dr Craig Heilman and our church The Upper Room Newmarket NZ.
2 Peter 1:3-10
upperroom.org.nz
Music by Anders Liljestrom
Words by Anders Liljestrom and DLM
©2012 Anders Liljestrom and David Lyle Morris (Teosto Finland)
FI-TGM
Saw the Spirit over the waters hovering
Forces of darkness cowering
Angels of light gathering
Sails of adventure billowing
I saw a sailboat over the ocean battling
Waves of destruction hammering
Fingers of lightning crackling
Sailors of fortune imagining
You can’t move me by the things you’re breaking
Trouble you’re making, position you’re taking
Move me from this solid ground
You can’t move me by the lies you’re trading
Smile your faking, beating I’m taking
Move me from this solid ground
We’re relentless, we won’t back down
Relentless, we hold our ground
True love don’t hurt one another
True blood is thicker than water
True love don’t give up on one another
True blood is thicker than water
Add to faith – goodness
Add to goodness – knowledge
Add to knowledge – self-control
With self-control – persevere
Add godliness
To godliness add love
Brotherly love, sisterly love
What Goes Up
Music and words by David Lyle Morris
©2012 Tevita Music, PO Box 99655, Newmarket
Auckland 1149, NZ (PRS UK)
EJNW-060514-0985-00
There’s a consequence for every action, our greed has led to debt
Can’t afford extravagance, hearts have bled to death
Built on the wrong foundation, like castles stuck in sand
Turned our backs on the rock of life, but now we’re coming back again
What goes up, must come down
What we sow, will come around
How long will it take us to learn?
We?re like fading flowers, passing showers
We blink and all is gone
We trust in bricks and mortar, all glitter sure ain’t gold
We are more than possession, that we leave when we get old
Our heart is what our God sees, he looks on the inside
Our wealth like withered grass now, it’s our soul that will survive
Sold out on dreams of delusion, in ignorance deceived
All we reap is destruction, now the cat has got the cream
Reach for the life-ring thrown us, as the ship is going down
Her beauty rapidly rusting, life ever after is our crown
Northland, Highway and Sky
Music by Anders Liljestrom
Words by David Lyle Morris
©2012 Anders Liljestrom and David Lyle Morris (Teosto Finland)
FI-TGM
Winterless North, rugged cabbage tree
Stormy beaches, Bream Bay sea
Kaimoana to pick at my feet
Waitangi, bastion of history
Road draw me on, as we sing a song
Beauty of this place, lift me high
Road draw me on, as we sing along
Northland, highway and sky
Ruakaka, poor man’s paradise
Handsome horses break daylight
Stunning orca, cruise in crystal wave
Radiant glow worm, glisten in ghostly cave
Road draw me on, as we sing a song
Brooding of a deep purple night
Road draw me on, as we sing along
Northland, highway and sky
Hear the tears of a thousand years
Softly weeping on dry leaves
As the blood fell from a tattoo face
Now our warrior, caged behind prison gates
I Am Yours
In loving memory of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and for the Kirsten Family in Deutschland.
Music and words by David Lyle Morris
©2012 Tevita Music, PO Box 99655 Newmarket, Auckland 1149, NZ
(PRS UK)
EJNW-060514-0984-00
Who am I, in morning sun ray?
Still the same, at the end of the day
In between, who will hold sway?
Who am I, in dead of the night?
Dreams of grandeur, endless soul fight
Who am I, when shadows come to light?
I am yours, I am yours
No matter who they say I am
I am yours
I am yours, I am yours
Whoever I may be, I am yours
Who am I, they often tell me
Always fool for flattery
Who am I, beyond what we can see?
Who am I, this or the other?
One thing today, tomorrow another?
All emotion or mastery?
I am yours, I am yours
Only listen to one voice
I am yours
I am yours, I am yours
I refuse all other choice, I am yours
Angel of Love
For two precious babies who overcame their heart issues by God’s grace. Theo in Aotearoa/NZ and Senni in Suomi/Finland. Our nations are joined at the heart!
Music by David Lyle Morris and Anders Liljestrom
Words by Anders Liljestrom and DLM
©2013 Anders Liljestrom and David Lyle Morris (Teosto Finland)
FI-TGM
Day you were born was like no other day
After the storm, it’s sun all the way
Clouds pushing back, and the snow melt away
Angel of love
Beautiful baby wrapped in a shawl
Life just beginning, no nous at all
Feeling so helpless, back to the wall
To stand or to fall?
Here in my arms, angel you are perfect
Image of God, I love you forever
Angel you are, angel
Lights are now flashing, all is not right
Your heart is the trouble, you give us a fright
For your life contending, with all of our might
Clinging to God
Learning our lessons, from your little life
Condition of heart is the key to our fight
Pleading for healing, both infant and wife
In Heavenly light
Forever in my heart
Comfort in our arms
Song of Orca
Dedicated to Steve Hathaway, Dr Ingrid Visser and all who work to protect our awesome God-given NZ marine environment.
stevehathaway.com
www.orcaresearch.org
Music by Anders Liljestrom and Teemu Viinikainen
Words by David Lyle Morris
©2012 Anders Liljestrom and David Lyle Morris (Teosto Finland)
FI-TGM
Come and walk the beach with me
Feeling soft sand beneath our feet
Sometimes those shells they cut so deep
Head for high… higher ground
Taking that watch right off your wrist
Getting your face out of that ‘book’
Off with your phone, you will survive
We can escape, sweet sunrise
No reception out here
But for the Song of orca calling
Won’t let this feeling now subside
Our worries are washed out with the tide
Bustle of life is strangely still
Letting go – of a steely will
No reception out here
But for the Song of orca calling
No religion out here
But for the voice of God, on the breeze
Wonder Why
In loving memory of Amanda Pouttu.
Music by Anders Liljestrom
Words by Anders Liljestrom and DLM
©2013 Anders Liljestrom and David Lyle Morris (Teosto Finland)
FI-TGM
How many roads, how many miles?
Til we reach our home?
How many tears, how many cries?
How many ‘wonder why’s’?
We?re born and raised to seek our place
We laugh and cry, we live we die
We fall and rise, both day and night
The minute it all started, time to say goodbye
How many lives, snatched from our eyes?
Till we reach our goal
How many fears, down through the years?
How many ‘wonder why’s’?
God doesn’t count the value of life
By the number of days here on earth
There’s eternity, there’s eternity
Hard row to hoe, as long as we go
It’s a hard road home
Through twists and the bends, making amends
How many passers-by?
Medals
For my dad John Morris M.B.E.
Music by Anders Liljestrom
Words by David Lyle Morris
©2013 Anders Liljestrom and David Lyle Morris (Teosto Finland)
FI-TGM
You have those pretty ribbons
Those glistening gongs of bronze
Stir imagination for 50 years long
There’s a story behind each one
A blood stain on the back
A name engraved, of sacrifice, story blue n black
Of a young man left behind
Who has no known grave
Just a weathered bronze plaque on
a hidden stony nave
In a forgotten and unkempt garden
Weeds allowed to grow
Does anyone remember or even dare to know?
Those medals posted far afield
Held in hands who lost a son
That hollow victory spun
In the awards he’d become
There was a time, not so long ago
when you hid them all away
But wear your medals reluctant hero
Pin them on your chest that day
We sing for love, we seek release
Hearts embrace, as far as we can reach
We lay down arms, we join our hands
We offer peace and not our own demands
There was a price, a cost so deep
To set the people free
A wounding, a trauma, scars that can’t be seen
Jesus Is Mine
Music by Anders Liljestrom
Words by Anders Liljestrom and DLM
©2012 Anders Liljestrom and David Lyle Morris (Teosto Finland)
FI-TGM
I’ve been afraid all of my life,
scared you would leave me behind
I am no longer, your love is stronger, Jesus is mine
Jesus is mine
I fear no longer, your love is stronger
Jesus is mine
I’ve been scared of the world,
somehow caged like a bird
I am no longer, your love is stronger, Jesus is mine
Been in the shade, most of my time
Shy away from heavenly light
I’ll hide no longer, your light shines stronger
Jesus is mine
I fear no longer, your love is stronger
Jesus is mine