Hello to all! It has been a looooong time since I have posted anything. So much has happened in my life in the last couple of years. Rachel and I moved back to the Houston area to be closer to MD Anderson. She is staying in remission and getting physically stronger. But we are facing some other battles, and truly appreciate your prayers. Rachel has been diagnosed with cognitive impairment not related to the cancer. We have an appointment with a dementia specialist in June to determine the medical prognosis. She has a very strong family history of Alzheimers. But we know that with God, all things are possible!

I have been so busy with doctor visits and care for her that I haven't had time to do hardly any writing or producing for over a year. But though I miss writing and producing, I treasure every minute I have with her. We are standing strong in our faith and trust in God. I did write a worship song a couple months ago, and wanted to share it. I programmed/played all the orchestration, using Vienna String Ensemble. The rest of the music is RealTracks. I hope you enjoy it. Comments are welcome...

Soundcloud version...
I Bow Down

I Bow Down
©Stephen W. Young

Faith.
Can raise the dead and make the blind to see
Through faith, I have Gods life in me

Hope.
Reminds me just how wonderful you are
The anchor of my soul

And I bow down
And I kneel before the King of Kings
The Name above all other Names
The Lord of my salvation
To every generation
Your goodness knows no bounds
And I bow down

Love.  
I see it in my Savior on the cross.
The greatest power in all the universe.

Peace.
That passes all that I can comprehend
That You would dare to call me friend 

And I bow down
And I kneel before the King of Kings
The Name above all other Names
The Lord of my salvation
To every generation
Your goodness knows no bounds
And I bow down

RT's used...

RealTracks in song: 1536:Bass, Electric, PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealTracks in song: 1542:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealTracks in song: 3693:Guitar, Lap Steel, Background SlowAmbient Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 3113:Guitar, Nylon, Fingerpicking Folk16thsBrent Ev16 060

Steve,

Wonderful to see you back on the board. I am so sorry to hear of the challenges and troubles you have been facing recently . . . I'm wishing you and Rachel all the best. Miracles happen everyday . . . and modern science is a wonderful thing . . . so keep the faith . . . and I hope all will be well. I will keep you each in my thoughts.

As for your song . . . it's just outstanding. Brilliant actually. It's a wonderful write . . . but it's the perfect execution of this compelling song that takes it to a whole other level. Your vocal drips with emotion . . . it sits perfectly in the mix, with just the right touch of reverb. The arrangement has so many nice touches; too many to name, but particularly love your use of the Nylon guitar . . . how it kicks in on that second verse and those sweet fills. I also like that long pause following "The Name above all other Names" (though it took a bit to grow on me, it was absolutely the right call). I love how the penultimate chorus uses the last line "I bow down" as a repeat into the final chorus. The lap steel adds such atmosphere. Just so well done.

Really, this is about as professionally a produced and arranged song as one can get. This is typically not my genre . . . but I can listen to this song all day long. Beautiful and touching. Among the best things I've heard on this forum.

My very humble regards,

Deej

Good to see you back, Steve!

Like Deej said, the song's filled with nice touches, and it's hard to point out any single favorite part. It stays intimate, but has gorgeous orchestral touches like the strings and tubular bells.

OK, I stand corrected - your vocals are the best part, as always.

Thanks for sharing your music and your story! I'll remember you and Rachel in my prayers.

Steve,

First, all my best to you and Rachel. I will keep you both in my thoughts.

The song is gorgeous. The tracks, the vocal, the mix - all the elements are working so beautifully.

As always, you are completely on top of your game.

Bob

Hi, Steve. What a wonderful inspiring song. SO powerful, especially in its sparseness. Like how most people listen more intently to someone whispering. The string arrangement is sweet and uplifting --so appropriate.

Just few days ago I was missing your posts, but then I noticed your new song. I'm really glad you have managed to have time to for new music despite the circumstances. And what a great song you have made, straight from the heart.
Uplifting lyrics in a heavenly sounding ballad, together with emotional vocals. Beautiful arrangement with many details, all perfectly placed on the score. Great programming with the strings, really warmi mood. I'm surprised how well the lap steel works.
All the best to you and your family.

Janne

Hi Steve ...

I can fully appreciate your situation. My wife had a massive stroke a few years back and several minor ones since. She also has dementia and is, otherwise in very poor health. Being a full-time caretaker is so much more demanding than one can imagine. I wish you and Rachel nothing but the very best and will put you in our prayers.

This issimply gorgeous! The gently halting, near-whisper arrangement brings the impact I'm sure you were intending. That's all I can think to say.

God Bless ...

Alan

This is SO beautiful. "That You would dare to call me friend ..." ... full of tears, my eyes, by then. This is such a moving, moving testimony of your faith, and of your humility in handing everything to God.

I will say this: there is a SINCERITY and a HUMILITY in your writing, that sometimes (dare I say) eludes some other "faith music" I have heard. You communicate the essence of faith. It's so easy to sound all high, mighty and pharisaical in one's faith, I find ... you do NOT sound like that in the slightest; you are the anti-thesis of that. In other words, you keep it real.

May God bless you, help you in your personal struggles (genuinely sorry to hear that you are struggling - I don't understand why that happens to people, but there we are ... you're humbler than I am, perhaps, in the way you hand it over to God ...) ... and, when things are too hard for you to walk the path any more, and you kneel, may He raise you up and, if needed, carry you in His arms.

Ok, I will add this (sorry for the double post):

I am full on crying, by now. Oh my word, how on Earth do you do this? The line I mentioned above: "That You would dare to call me friend ...", and the final line: "And I bow down ..." has just completely floored me, on further listening.

This is so much more than "just" a classic. This is personal and universal at the same time. Wow.

Thank you for writing, and especially for sharing this. I have nothing further to say ... I think.

Steve,

This is beautiful! Love it!

Nice to see you again.

Happy Memorial Day!

Brilliantly executed.

What a great song.

Lovely intimate vocal Steve. So nice to be hearing your vocals again. Well done

Steve...what a beautiful heartfelt song of worship...I too can identify with some of your challenges as my wife as well struggles with many physical challenges...but faith, hope, love and peace are gracious gifts that God gives us to cope with and find victory in the midst of the battles and comfort in the tumult of the storms...my prayers will continue for you and Rachael...as for the song...this by far the the best P&W presentation that I have heard on the forum in all the years I have been here...it is lyrically moving and musically profound in it's simplicity...I think I like the pauses as much as the flow and I love them both...the use of every instrument is exquisite in their arrangements...it is obvious it seems from all of the comments so far that you have captured a thought and melody that has affected the listeners in a moving and profound way...it is great to hear your songs again and this is my favorite...best regards Dan

Steve,

A beautiful song.
Gorgeous Production/Arrangement.
Strong Vocals.
A perfect mix.

fj

Your song has everything it needs, but not more.
Perfect.
There are a lot of instruments, but it never feels dense or crowded. Kudos to the arrangement and production in general.
The icing on the cake is your vocals, I think this is the first time I've heard you sing and I'm impressed.

Steve, first of all you and Rachel are in my prayers.

Second this is an outstanding song.

Perfect backing tracks and vocals.

The lyrics took it over the top for me.

Loved it.

This is a beautiful song! Lyrically and vocally it is just outstanding. My only suggestion is to experiment with giving the chorus a melodic lift to really separate and highlight the lyrics there. Keep up the great work!

This lovely song makes us feel like a witness to your personal conversation with God. It’s intimate and yet universal, and you and Rachel reflect how faith, hope and love can bring one peace.

It’s so good to hear your voice again and your open, airy mix and the arrangement that builds to a majestic ending. You’re a master with the strings and where they should come and go.

We’re inspired by your strength and hope you and Rachel continue to be comforted by music and all the good wishes being sent your way.

J&B

Beautiful song, incredible lyrics Great arrangement I like the way that You take your time to build The instrumentation.
Well executed well song great production Good job

Steve

Janice and Bud said it so much better than I can.

Beautiful song.

Peter

Keep the faith. All my best to you and Rachel.

So beautiful and powerful. Convincingly sung. Directly touches the heart.

This is simply an phenomenal song. It's on another level. One of the best I've heard.