I've taken the last month off from composing and recording new songs, instead focusing on taking classes and going to conferences to help me be a better educator during the pandemic, as well as spending time with my family and taking drum lessons.  This week's sermon by the Rev. Dr. Phillip Reed of Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church was inspiring, and introduced me to the namesake of this new song. 

Nashon, according to Midrash (a collection of stories and statements studied by Rabbi), was among the Israelites who stood at the edge of the Red Sea, trapped by Pharoah's advancing army.  When Moses declares God will deliver them, a man named Nashon stepped forward first.  He stepped into the sea, and when his nose finally submerged, the waters parted, giving the Israelites their path to freedom. 

My goal with this composition was to put the listener into the mind and body of Nashon, his footsteps (and later heart beat) portrayed with the bass drum, and the sound of the water in the reverse-delayed guitars.  I hope you enjoy it. 

Nashon (Waters Part)
by Dave Martin
I step with faith, do not let me sink.
Cold seas engulf me limb by limb, I seek delivery in the deep.
Let my stride follow the path that leads to You.
Master of the world, what am I to do?
Let my next step be the first to seek your grace.
Not a test of you but of my trust.  I give myself to faith. 
My heart is helpless, but I will not turn around.
Belief propels me. You’ll be with me as we drown.
Waters part!

Father's Day is a song I wrote in 2015 for premiere with the GIPC Band, and I recorded this version for the GIPC's 2020 Father's Day online service on June 21, 2020. 

The lyrics to this song reference Genesis ("And it was good") and refer to God the Father, but there are layers to the words I'd love to explain. 

My father passed in 2013, but one of the things I recall him explaining to me when I was young, was this: He and my mother said they owed my brother and I everything, and in return, we owed them nothing. Instead, we owed everything to our children, if we have them some day. Little did I know, he was describing the concept of grace. This conversation is the inspiration for the lines "I'll give you everything, a gift you can't repay... Just show your children the way."

When I wrote the song in 2015, my children were 9 and 6 years old.  Their individual personalities were well formed, and I would often notice something of my wife or myself in them.  This observation led to the lines "How can you be so much like me and be yourself in so many ways?" and "...and still surprise me with the things that you say?" 

Today, my children are 14 and 11.  They are themselves in every way, yet I continue to see the echoes of not only my wife and myself but also my father in them.  And it is good. 

"Father’s Day" by Dave Martin
When God looked down at all that He had made
He saw it was good, that’s what they say.
And when his children looked up to Him with love,
That was the first father’s day. 
And it was good.
Yeah, it was good.
How can you be so much like me
And be yourself in so many ways? 
I’ll give you everything, a gift you can’t repay,
Your Father’s love is here to stay.

How can you be so much like me
And still surprise me with the things that you say?
I’ll give you everything, just show your children the way,
And every day is Father’s day.

Now every father knows all children must grow,
Change, and move away.
Because those kids, you see, they're really you and me,
And we’re made to stumble along the way.
How can you be so much like me
And be yourself in so many ways? 
I’ll give you everything, a gift you can’t repay,
Your Father’s love is here to stay.
How can you be so much like me
And still surprise me with the things that you say?
I’ll give you everything, just show your children the way,
And every day is Father’s day.
And it is good.
He is good.
​All the time, He is good.

Today, the News-Herald published Sue Suchyta's article on Dave's composing for Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church's online services.  You can read the article here. 

To hear all the songs, scroll down this page or visit Shinyhead Music's YouTube channel. 

This song was written for the 5-10-2020 Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church virtual service. The YouTube video above will premiere at 11:30am, after the service ends. 

Another Word For Love
words and music by Dave Martin
performed by Dave Martin
Mother is another word for love.
Mother means sacrifice and caring,
Mother means selfless and strong.
A mother’s someone to lean on who knows right from wrong.
Mother is another word for love.

And a mother can be family or a friend.
A mother wants to know where you are
and she cares where you’ve been.
She’s a confidant and a helping hand,
But a mother can be family or a friend.

Sometimes mothers are tough, 
sometimes mothers are cool,
But they always  remind you 
when your acting a fool.
They cherish the laughter 
And the sad times too.
And you miss her when she’s gone,
But not as much as when she misses you.
A mother cares and she’ll tell you so,
A mother keeps you in her prayers,
and she might say, or just let it show.
A mother holds you in her heart and she never lets go.
A mother cares and she’ll tell you so.
Every woman you meet has been a mother
To her own or to someone else’s kid.
Because we all need more 
Than what our parents can give,
Every woman you meet has been a mother.
So, Let’s hear it for our moms,
and all our other moms too!
our Sisters and our teachers, friends and
Grandmas, aunts and everyone who
showed us selfless love,
and cared our whole lives through.

To every woman, 
happy mother’s day to you!

Note: This video will premiere at 11:30am on 4-5-2020.  The song will be the anthem for the 10:30 4-5-2020 virtual service at the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church facebook page.  

Written for the April 5, 2020 virtual service for Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church (GIPC.org).  This song is inspired by Matthew 21:6-11 & 26:36-42, and is unapologetically written in the style of Andrew Lloyd Webber. 

Lyrics by Dave Martin
Music by Dave Martin and Douglas Scott
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Strings: Dave Martin
Piano: Douglas Scott

Copyright 2020, Shinyheadmusic.com

Piano was recorded remotely and integrated into the Logic Pro X project. 

"Thy Will Be Done" by Dave Martin

This bitter cup, take it away.
I am alone, awake in my hour of need.
I can recall not long ago
Your fervor knew no rest for the prophet of Galilee.

You sang "Hosanna!" 
You called me "King!" 
You fanned the air with your faith.
You fanned the flame. 

This too shall pass, 
A name is blessed.
The hour comes for glory
To the son of man. 

Father, save me from this night.
Father, glorify Your name. 
I have glorified it, 
And will glorify it again!

Oh, nation see!
Oh, Pharisee!
Your love of praise is greater than your love of me!

​No! I came to save and not to judge. 
Sleep well my friends, just one more hour. 
Lord, Thy will be done.