Wings of Hope

Sometimes magic happens. A chance meeting with author, Wendy Campbell, turned into a wonderful song writing project for me. Wendy asked me if I could write a theme song for her autobiography On Aspiring.

The phrase Wings of Hope was mentioned just once in On Aspiring but I knew as soon as I read those words that Wings of Hope would become the title and the fundamental theme of the song.

On Aspiring is an honest and thought provoking read, detailing Wendy's own personal life struggles and achievements. Beautifully written, I found it easy to immerse myself within the pages and to write Wings of Hope. 

I placed the phrase "I am letting go, and holding on to the wings of hope." at the end of every verse. After writing Wings of Hope I've noticed that I remind myself about "letting go and holding onto hope" as I go through my daily life.

Wendy and Rob Campbell produced this music video of "Wings of Hope" using film from their climb to the summit of Mount Aspiring / Tititea.

Play Wings of Hope on Spotify or Youtube.

          

Wings of Hope

And I will keep on searching along the wings of hope,

Hearing only angels voices, fearing nothing in my way.

And I'll share with you my dreams, as my tears wash my pain away.

Along the wings of hope I fly today.

Where I am, it's not where I'm meant to be,

And this road I find me on isn't really me.

I must find a way, find a way to save me from myself.

I am letting go, and holding on to the wings of hope.

You may be the one who's taken all of my heart,

But the mountains and the stars have captured my soul.

I am drowning, drowning in a sea of fear and glory.

I am letting go, and holding on to the wings of hope.

I've learnt to trust the arms of a stranger,

I've known the summit glow, I've learnt to dare.

And in my prayers, I pray for strength and confidence.

I am letting go, and holding on to the wings of hope.

And I will keep on searching along the wings of hope,

Hearing only angels voices, fearing nothing in my way.

And I'll share with you my dreams, as my tears wash my pain away.

Along the wings of hope I fly today.

Copyright   Jane Laws  2020

Unauthorised copying, public performance, broadcasting, hiring or rental of this song prohibited.

The Ghost of Wild Oats XI - Music Video

The 2017 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race saw Wild Oats XI stripped of her record breaking line honours victory because of an infringement, with LDV Comanche, shortly after race start. To me it seemed important for folks to know how the yacht, Wild Oats XI, felt about the race result. The ghost will hang around until the race record is broken again; I wonder how many years that will be?

The Ghost of Wild Oats XI

From Sydney to Hobart Town
There's a race that's going down.
It should be mine to keep
Can't sleep.

Every race we ride,
the wind, the waves and the tide.
In hope that we might find
The fastest ride of all time.

We couldn't have known,
If the rules are broken.
We were first across the line
Not enough time.

The jury decide.
They haven't conspired.
If we'd crossed the line, in time
All mine.

From Sydney to Hobart Town
There's a race that's going down.
It should be mine to keep
Can't sleep.
I must make my peace.
This war will never cease.
The only trouble is, this ghost could live for one hundred years.


ã Copyright Jane Laws 2018
Unauthorised copying, public performance, broadcasting, hiring or rental of this song prohibited. 

Songs in the Key of Sea

I am very pleased to announce the release of Songs in the Key of Sea, a collection of the maritime songs I have written through the years.

I have been sailing all my life and this most enjoyable pastime has given me a deep love of all kinds of boats, old and new, of maritime adventurers, and the sea.

I wrote my first maritime song in 1996. David Dicks' adventure to become the youngest person to sail alone around the world aboard his Sparkman and Stephens 34' sloop (S&S34), Seaflight, was my inspiration. Para Olympic sailing gold medalist, Jamie Dunross' adventures in a sister ship to Seaflight, Spirit of Rockingham, were the story behind Wings to Fly. At the time, my husband and I also owned an S&S34, Roma II. There is no doubt that my love of S&S34s were part of the reason I was inspired to write these two songs.

I love to read nonfiction stories about the sea and maritime adventurers. Koolama (a Western Australian state ship, sunk by the Japanese during World War II), Adventuring with Shackleton (Antarctic explorer), and Sailing to the Moon (about Rolly Tasker ~ sail maker, boat builder and adventurer) were all inspired after a thought provoking good read.

The Sydney to Hobart yacht race is big in the minds of those of us who sail in Australia. The record breaking 2017 race saw Wild Oats XI stripped of her line honours victory because of an infringement just after the race had started. The Ghost of Wild Oats XI is written from the point of view of the boat, and how she will be haunted by the 2017 race result until the race record is broken again.

The romantic songs on the album are The Spell of Acrospire IV, written for the beautifully restored 1929 Acrospire IV, and Sandy Bay Shore. Sandy Bay Shore is a whaler's tale, set in Old Hobart Town in the mid 19th century. A true historical novel in a four minute song. Based on The Maid of Erin, a whaling ship that was wrecked in Port Davey, the tale encompasses a whaler, his love affair with a prostitute and his final demise.

For variety and inspiration it was a pleasure to work with my new Korg Havian 30 Digital Ensemble Piano on the arrangements for Sandy Bay Shore, The Ghost of Wild Oats XI and Sailing to the Moon.

You can listen to sound bytes on the Songs in the Key of Sea page on my website www.janelaws.com ~ I hope you enjoy listening to Songs in the Key of Sea as much as I have enjoyed writing these songs.