The story

I've been asked a question on what come first between the lyrics and the music in the context of song writing. Most of the time I lean towards motifs, basic chords progressions, melodies and the followed by words written on the spot. Sometimes I take breaks between verses, choruses and bridges

The song God's promises was written and programmed with verses, bridge and chorus. I hummed the melody because the words and the name were not there. I between humming I used some words that came randomly and that has also helped me in other compositions.

The absence of song name in the beginning reminds me of the song “Xikala Vitu” by Elvira Vegas the Mozambican artist recorded by Moreira's More Music. The meaning simply means "Without a name".

It was during the middle of twenty-twenty two. I had a conversation phone conversation with my sister Shoni. During the call I mentioned that it is time for God. I cannot recall most of the conversation but the words time and God.

After the call I went to my home studio and pulled out the track that I composed without a name and lyrics. I started to write under a theme “God will fulfil his promises in due time”.

I went through the journey to write about God's promises. I wanted to remind myself that I must be expectant as I am waiting for God's promises. Among numerous victories in the bible, I reflected on the story of the men at the beautifully gate who received his healing which he had waited for a long time (Acts 3:2-10).

This period coincided with the period where I battled anxiety. I was lighted, experiencing dizziness, shortness of breath, concerning blood pressure and unexplained headaches.

The worrying anxiety led me to admit myself in the hospital and I spent the whole month off sick, in and out of doctor's office. The first day when I arrived in the hospital before the first consultation with the specialist I fell into deep sleep like it never happened before.

When the nurse came to fetch me, I screamed, he told. He assured me that there is nothing wrong with what just happened. I suppose he was right because he might have seen few incidences in the psychiatric hospital.

In the middle of all that I started a recording of the song which I then called “God's time”. Sam agreed to produce the instrumental of the music while I was in the hospital.

I knew that as the song develops and I start receiving the samples, I will be focusing on a positive activity. The song did carry through the corridors of the hospital. I now associate the song with those particularly challenging times and a victory song.

When we eventually went for vocal recording, the singers were fascinated how the word “remember” sounded and the kept repeating it musically. I picked its stochastic sound during the song writing as I tapped through the three syllables rhythmically.

We then named the song Remember God's Promises. That Sunday afternoon was a blast. I was captivated by the way the singers gave their all in the recording. Apart from the recording I also listen to what the high virtuoso vocalists play around the cadences and motifs from my composition.

In the song I wanted to mention the example of what God has done to remind me and you that God will keep his promises in our lives.

The book of Samuel 30:6 says, "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."

In my creation especially using a piano to compose I often overplayed because I hear many sounds at the simultaneously. This is the part were Sam comes in and use the essential elements.

I emphasised to Sam that the piano should drive the song and it should have a heavy low end and together with Junior Phetla the delivered. Alvin Hedricks on bass and Augustus Ogoro on guitar made the song shine more.

Let the song God’s Promises reminds you of what God has done in the bible, in your life even those around you and assure you that God will do it again. ❦