Songs of hope, comfort, and protection
Rather than focussing on travels I’m unable to take right now, I’ve been concentrating on cultivating and maintaining a sense of peace while doing what I can to keep myself, my loved ones, and anyone I could potentially infect (should I contract this awful virus) safe. I know I’ll get back to writing about travels from my pre-pandemic era life eventually – maybe soon, maybe later – but, for now, most of my creative energies have been devoted to photographing the beauty of nature before me, writing songs that focus on hope, comfort, and protection, and creating videos that combine the two.
My favourite of these is ‘Step outside’, which I wrote when I was probably most worried about the impact of COVID-19 (and losing sleep over it), to help calm and assure myself that everything would (eventually) be alright. It includes footage and photos of paddling on beautiful Moreton Bay, an activity that consistently brings me a deep sense of connection with the natural world and, in turn, peace and joy.
‘Rise above’ also includes footage of paddle boarding on the bay, including one of the most spectacular rainbows I've ever witnessed, which appeared at sunrise recently.
‘Look up’, the first song I wrote after this crisis began, was also an attempt to lift my spirits, reminding myself that being present for sunrise and gazing up at the stars would help me do this.
Unfortunately, our worries concerning this virus are far from over. I don’t have videos for my latest songs yet … and I’m not sure I’ll make them. One, ‘Golden Shield’, is essentially a prayer – a wish for my loved ones to be protected from anything and everything that could possibly harm them. They're being extremely careful and practicing social distancing (which is exactly what we all need to be doing right now), but I still like the idea of a protective, steadfast aura around them. Its lyrics are as follows:
Golden Shield
I wish I could guard you with a thin golden shield
that encircled your spirit and never would yield.
Its fibres all made from the toughest of stuff
to protect you from harm when life gets too rough.
Chorus:
Shield you in love, wrap you in joy,
guard you with fierceness invaders can’t destroy.
A glow to reflect the light in your heart -
its shimmer moves with you, with ease and with art.
It would keep out the germs, all sickness, and pain.
Though they might try to touch you, they’d do it in vain.
For the shield would ward off all negative vibes;
it would keep you safe now, for the rest of our lives.
(Chorus)
You could walk up a mountain, in the light of the sun,
seek out adventure, distraction, or fun.
The world would keep spinning, the moon would still rise,
but nothing untoward could approach or surprise.
You could swim in the ocean, dip your hair in the sea,
and when you were ready you could then swim to me.
The dolphins would near you, the whales, and sharks, too -
they’d be drawn to your light, and help protect you.
(Chorus)
But what I do have is the strength in this prayer:
for God to hold you and guide you and guard you with care;
wrap you within the shield of His arms,
and work with you, in wisdom, to keep you from harm.
Final chorus:
Shield you in love, wrap you in joy,
use caution with fierceness, all sickness destroy.
The care that you take guards the light in your heart;
God’s wisdom moves with you, with ease and with art.
- lyrics and music © Kara Murphy 2020. All rights reserved.
I’m sure you have similar desires, wishes, and prayers for your loved ones as well. May you – and they – stay safe.
Thank you for reading and listening.
