What
a wonderful
gathering we
had! I would
like to share
three pieces
of mine in
particular.
You may listen
to them by
clicking on
the triangel
in the audio
control panel
below, then
follow the
lyrics below
the photo.
I'd
like to give
you just a
couple more
links. The
first is to
the story of
the Tree of
Peace, which
began as a
cutting from
the olive tree
in the front
yard of out
Pittsburg
home, and was
planted next
to the chapel
on the base,
and was
dedicated in a
ceremony in
1993. When the
base was to be
decommissioned,
I, with the
help of
friends Mike
Kerr and Wes
Nicholson, got
it
transplanted
onto the
campus of my
church. You
may read about
it by clicking
on “Peace Tree.”
For
sixteen years
I served as
cantor at Fr.
Bill
O'Donnell's
church, St.
Joseph the
Worker in
Berkeley.
During that
time I
composed and
recorded a
mass. I have
since
re-imagined it
in light of
the pandemic
and all else
that is raging
around us,
which require
a profound
repair and
healing of the
world. It is
called “Missa Tikkun Olam.”
Peace,
Daniel
Thank you, Chuck
Goodmacher, for the
great photo!
As we gather in this sacred place
Let us
remember those
who have died
And will die
for our sins
in numbers
beyond
counting.
As we gather in this sacred place
Let us
acknowledge
those who yet
live
To grant us
grace in
blessings ever
mounting.
Let us not forget those whose lives end, as ours
begin
In this sacred
place. Amen,
amen.
So
I talk to you
of peace,
and I want to
save the
world;
I speak of
social justice
with my
banners all
unfurled.
I stand along
some picket
line, or march
with all my
friends,
But when
asked, ‘Will I
be arrested,’
I reply, “Well,
that depends.”
[Chorus]:
Brian,
you never
meant to be a
hero, Didn’t
want to be a
martyr, Did
just what you
had to do. Brian,
I just had to
give a cheer,
Oh, But
I wish that I
could write A
better song to
give to you.
I write
letters after
church, vote
resolutions
every year,
As I try to
find the
answer in a
heart still
locked in
fear.
I take my CD
workshop, talk
of laws the
action bends;
But when I’m
asked to lay
my body down I
say, “Well, that
depends.”
[Chorus]
So I seek a
path to
follow, try to
sort out what
is true;
And I believe
that we all do
the very best
that we can
do.
But, God,
grant me
enough courage
and the
strength of
all my friends
To resist the
urge to say to
life and love,
“Well, that
depends.”
Brian,
you never
asked to be a
martyr, Didn’t
want to be a
hero, Did
just what you
had to do. Brian,
I just had to
give a cheer,
Oh, But
I wish that I
could write A
better song to
give to you. Bop,
… do wah. That
depends. Brian.
Lágrimas brotan de los ojos de Dios
Al suelo del
jardín del
cielo;
Ya crecen las
flores de luz
En el nombre
de nuestro
Señor Jesús.
[Tears fall
from the eyes
of God, onto
the soil of
the garden of
the heavens.
Now
the flowers of
light grow in
the name of
our Lord,
Jesus.]
November 16 of 1989,
Eight precious
children of
God
Were visited
by death at
their
government’s
hand
Spilling blood
where their
humble feet
had trod.
[Chorus]
Blood flowed like fire into the rivers of the
night,
Coursing
through lands
near and far,
Warming the
passions of
those who seek
justice,
Shining with
the radiance
of a star!
[Chorus]
In the heavens of our dreams God
shed a tear
Which
blossomed like
a flower in
the sky;
Seven
teardrops more
lit the velvet
of the night,
Flowers in the
fields where
they lie.
[Chorus]
Now let
us call,
“¡Presente!”
After each
precious name,
“¡Presente!”
What
a wonderful
gathering we
had! I would
like to share
three pieces
of mine in
particular.
You may listen
to them by
clicking on
the triangel
in the audio
control panel
below, then
follow the
lyrics below
the photo.
