While driving my 4 year old granddaughter to pre-school in New Orleans, I put on the song Moses, Moses (track 5) which was in production at the time. Little Miriam immediately began to sing the refrain and then to pepper my wife and I with questions about the story of Moses. We happily complied and began to listen to the song over and over and over at Miriam's request, a delightful memory. Moses, Moses is just one of the original songs that I've written for the Children's program at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren in Virginia. Another original, Blessed Are..., was used with a lesson on the Beatitudes and The Offering Song was composed because the Children's Director needed a song for the kids to sing for the offering at Children's Church. All of the originals are those songs that the kids love to listen to over and over and always want to sing. There are several traditional songs included on this CD that have also been used at Children's Church over the past several years. He Came Down and You've Got a Place are often sung in our congregation as well when alternatives are sought out for the Sunday morning hymns. The latter features the performance of Phyllis and Jim Gaskins, my good friends and session companions. Phyllis's great work on the Galax Dulcimer extends to a wonderful book, Galax Dulcimer, A Job of Journey Work. Jim's stylish clawhammer banjo adds just the right old-time feel on this track. Andy Murray is a songwriter and professor now retired. He produced a collection of songs back in the early 70's that highlighted the history of the Church of the Brethren. River Still Running tells the story of the origins of the early Brethren and includes some of the iconic symbols of the denomination. Little John is a talking blues that tells the story of Elder John Kline of Broadway, Virginia and his travels into West Virginia and Virginia during the Civil War. Jacob's Ladder to the Great Bye and Bye combines two great old songs, We are Climbing Jacob's Ladder and the old hymn, In the Sweet Bye and Bye. These two are often sung in hymn sings and occasions around the small town of Bridgewater. This Little Light of Mine is a favorite of the kids at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. I've combined it with an original song by Karen Medley, Let Me Be a Light for Love. Karen's song was used at the final session of the national conference of the American Orff Schulwerk Association in Pittsburgh in 2011. Blessed Are... the album has been a labor of love. What a joy to contribute to the body of music for children and for children at church!