In this column Mike Ward shares some in site on what it takes to write songs of worship. Here you’ll find comical snippets from other artists as well as structure from more serious folks. We hope you gain some ground in the creative process as we journey down the road of songwriting.
It’s great to connect with you again. Okay, let’s dial it up.
Imagine you’re driving along with some family or friends and as you wind up this picturesque mountainside all of a sudden you all notice it, there along the edge of the road is this sweet flowing stream the sun warming the smooth rocks on each side, and the most beautiful flowers you’ve seen in a long time. You and your fellow travelers can’t resist so you pull off to the side and you all pile out of the car and run to dip your toes in the crystal clear flowing waters. Everyone is laughing and having a grand old time acting like a bunch of kids and splashing up water at each other! Woo Hoo!
All sorts of thoughts come to your mind: the feeling of the cool waters between your toes How drenched your car seats will be if you all pile back in right now the thrill of the little adventure you’ve just begun the awesome wonder of God’s creation around you the deep satisfaction in the simple moment Hey! You’ve got a great imagination! I like how you dialed that all up! And that’s exactly what songwriting does to people; it draws them in to the reality of Your moment. Your ‘one on one’ time with life, and the living God.
It’s sweet; the imagery that inspires us to pen the gift of the Father even when we’re not expecting to pass it on to others and more so the blessing others find in it as they dial up their own imagery in their walk with God. It’s amazing to see how God moves in our midst. All of our strongest emotions are poured out from our fingertips like water from a pitcher some with the greatest of ease; some with the greatest of effort all to the glory of God.
Either way, some refining is needed to craft the perfect message to our Father (though words couldn’t really come close!) Yet in our efforts to grow we gain wisdom from each other and learn to hone our skills and bless the Lord. In the following segment we’ll touch on some of the essentials needed to create a strong lyrical piece. Here are some tokens I’ve gathered from a chapter in Sheila Davis’ book ‘The Songwriters’ Idea Book’. (BTW- Sheila Davis is a master when it comes to songwriting look for her books in a fine bookstore near you!) Her books flow from a secular approach, yet they pack a punch in any genre of music.
Here we go:
1.) A Genuine Idea
- About convincing humans in believable situations
- That expresses one clear attitude or emotion
- That’s substantial enough to be set to music
- That strikes a common chord
- That puts the singer in a favorable light
- That people want to hear again
2.) A Memorable Title
- That is identifiable after one hearing
- That summarizes the essence of the lyric’s statement
- That’s one of a kind
3.) A Strong Start
- That pulls the listener into the song
- That establishes the Who, What, Where, When in the first few lines
4.) A Satisfying Progression
- That arranges elements in a meaningful sequence
- That develops an idea from something, through something, to something
- That draws some conclusion- either stated or implied
5.) The Appropriate Music Form
- That supports and enhances the lyric’s purpose
- That delivers the desired effect
I leave you with some marching orders from Psalm 33:1-3 ‘Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.’
Mike Ward is a Songwriter, Worship leader & IT Director at the Vineyard Church of Lewiston, Maine