I'm pleased to announce my first completely solo recording project, The Cow Song, which you can download free from NoiseTrade.
Of all the songs I've written, this one came together the fastest.
It happened because I was frustrated over a lack of "Sunday school" music that would keep my kids engaged. Family worship time was making a grinding transition from "singing" to "memory verse" as I disgustedly dropped my guitar back into its case.
Then my wife spoke up: "Why don't you write something they'll enjoy?"
Oh, sure. Just like that, huh?
I must have looked at her like she was crazy. But I pulled the guitar back out, and sang the first thing that came into my head: "The cow in the field, praises the Lord, she says "Moo..."
To my amazement, she and the girls smiled and started singing along. I was further surprised when our friends' kids starting requesting "the cow song" when we were together.
I recorded the live instruments in my living room, and the vocals in my kitchen, using Apple's Garage Band recording/mixing software. My budget didn't include funds for studio musicians, so I borrowed heavily from Garage Band's library of loops when building the backing tracks. Mastering was done by Channel Fuse Media, entirely over the internet, which also helped with the budget.
The Cow Song is most fun with a small group of children, because then I can take requests for all kinds of animals, spontaneously choosing noises (or motions) and habitat for each request. I don't think we've yet done a rendition as long as Psalm 148, though:
Psalm 148
1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for at his command they were created,
6 and he established them for ever and ever—
he issued a decree that will never pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
I feel blessed to have written something that brings my kids such joy, and honored that my friends have allowed me to share The Cow Song with them as well. Please feel free to pass it on to as many people (especially kids!) as you think would enjoy it.