Hi! My name is Art Lee. I’m a nature photographer and a singer-songwriter. I photograph amazing places and write music about it. My first CD is Nature Sings. If you like it, please tell your friends. Here’s a bit of my story: I lost my military career shortly before retirement due to downsizing. In need of solace and time to rethink, I visited a few National Parks. Each was amazing, but Zion was awe-inspiring. On a hot spring day in 1996, sitting on a rock, cooling my feet in the clear waters of the Virgin River, I looked up at the beautiful 2,000-foot canyon walls and thought, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with the rest of my life, but I’d like it to be in a place like this.” With that thought, I walked away from degrees in engineering and military experience to become a nature photographer. After a decade of photographing and limited success marketing in a saturated market, I decided to use my photos on stage. In my first show “A Tribute to Our National Parks”, I showed photos on a big screen, talked about the parks and told stories. Music was integral to the spirit of what I was doing, but synchronization licensing for DVDs and TV was complicated and expensive. I decided to write my own music. In 2006, I got the crazy idea to be the next John Denver -- to sing and write songs about nature. My experiences as a nature photographer proved a never-ending source of ideas. Writing music came naturally. I learned to play the guitar and worked on my singing. Now, my show is called “Nature Sings: A Tribute to Our National Parks” and it’s filled with my music synchronized to my photography. I own the copyrights to everything, so I can make music videos and DVDs and perform on TV without negotiating and paying for licensing. My series of music CDs will be Nature Sings (CD1/Vol.1), Nature Sings II (CD2/Vol.2), etc. The first CD available for download is ready! If you like the sample sound clips and my lyrics (below), please buy my music. I need a little income to get the video production underway. NATURE SINGS by Art Lee 1. HELLO SUNRISE -- Words and Music by Art Lee (Inspired by Joshua Tree National Park) Hello sunrise. Wave hello to the sunrise. Brighten my eyes. Lighten my cries. Wave hello to the sunrise. Hello sunrise. A day in the Joshua trees lightens my heavy load. The boulder fields look like a playground of gold. An innocent playfulness brightens my darkened road. And, magically, joyfully, I don’t seem so old. Hello sunrise. Brighten my eyes. It’s a new day dawning. I’m early to rise. Hello sunrise. Lighten my cries. It’s a new day dawning with beautiful skies. A day in the boulder fields climbing my fears away, connected to earth in a deep primal way. Frustrations and anger are lost when I’m out to play. And, magically, joyfully, I have a great day. Hello sunrise. Brighten my eyes. It’s a new day dawning. I’m early to rise. Hello sunrise. Lighten my cries. It’s a new day dawning with beautiful skies. It’s a new day dawning with beautiful, beautiful skies. 2. A FLEETING FLASH OF FIRE -- Words and Music by Art Lee (Inspired by Sunrises, Autumn Leaves, Spring Flowers, Summer Fires and Sunsets) The sun is slowly rising -- yellow, orange and red, a fleeting flash of fire before the day ahead. Changing of the seasons, fire and ice as one, flames of color spire and brighten in the sun. Autumn leaves are turning -- yellow, orange and red, a fleeting flash of fire before the leaves are shed. Snow will soon be falling, a cover clean and white. Trees and bears will slumber through cold dark winters night. I will dream a new horizon, when spring will come again, when I’ll wake to find the morning like a long lost cherished friend, I will walk among the flowers -- yellow, orange and red. I’ll dance in the spring showers, my wandering spirit fed. Endless summer’s burning -- yellow, orange and red, a fleeting flash of fire beyond the season’s end. I seek to ask the question of what’s the living spark, and look to find the answer or parish in the dark. I will dream a new horizon, when spring will come again, when I’ll wake to find the morning like a long lost cherished friend, I will walk among the flowers -- yellow, orange and red. I’ll dance in the spring showers, my wandering spirit fed. The sun is slowly setting -- yellow, orange and red, a fleeting flash of fire, before I go to bed. Snow is slowly falling, a cover clean and white. Trees and bears will slumber through cold dark winters night. I will dream a new horizon, when spring will come again, when I’ll wake to find the morning like a long lost cherished friend, I will walk among the flowers -- yellow, orange and red. I’ll dance in the spring showers, my wandering spirit fed. I’ll dance in the spring showers, my wandering spirit fed. 3. WAKE IN ME -- Words and Music by Art Lee (Inspired by the Circle of Life) Wake in me the hope I see outside the city wall, a grizzly bear, a honey bee, creatures great and small. “Roar!” says the bear, in the honey tree. Bees fly to find another tree. A honey tree to be, another bear will see, and start again the circle round. Wake in me an ugly worm to be a butterfly. From wet cocoon from which I squirm, I stretch until I dry. Spread my wings. I can dare to fly. Fly away, reborn from earth to sky. Imagine I can be anything I see, and start again the circle round. Wake in me a tiny seed to be a mighty tree. From tiny seed to wistful w**d, I wonder what I’ll be. Winds blow, but I am not a reed. I am a great sequoia tree! When fire singes me, my cones release their seed, and start again the circle round. Wake in me the hope I see outside the city wall. 4. FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH -- Music by Art Lee, Words Added and Adapted by Art Lee (I’ve created all new music and substantially added to and revised words by Folliott S. Pierpont, 1864, primarily in the second verse where my use of the word “her” is in reference to “mother earth”.) For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the sky, for the love which from our birth, over and around us lie, for the beauty of each hour, of the day and of the night, hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light, for the mountain’s crown of white, for the truth in eagle eye, for the wondrous gift of sight, for the soul that soars on high, heaven and earth to the we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise, for the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the sky. In adorning robes of snow, clothed in virtue undefiled, for her peaceful ways to show, for her calm gentle and mild, offering up on every shore, from the earth and sky above, for her caring evermore, her pure sacrifice of love, for each perfect gift sublime, to all life so freely given, wondrous nature so divine, flowers of earth and buds of heaven, heaven and earth to the we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise, for the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the sky. 5. HIGH IN THE ROCKIES -- Words and Music by Art Lee (Inspired by John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” and by my desire to climb Longs Peak, a “fourteener” in Rocky Mountain National Park) High in the Rockies is a place I long to be, big rolling mountains and evergreen trees, by a clear brook and waterfall, aspen trees growin’ tall, high in the Rockies where I long to be. The living hills beckon. They call me to roam. Yet, somehow I reckon, their calling me home, to a place I long to be, a place where my soul is free, a wild place, a whole place, at peace with the land. Where the animals are big and strong, ‘cause we no longer treat ‘em wrong, high in the Rockies where I long to stand. I’m not getting younger, the days goin’ by. But, still I still wonder, if I could still try. Climbing high on a rocky trail, pounding heart, body frail, cautiously stepping ‘tween boulders and ice, can I take it? Very slow! Will I make it? I don’t know! It won’t be obtained without great sacrifice. High in the Rockies is a place I long to be, big rolling mountains and evergreen trees, by a clear brook and waterfall, aspen trees growin’ tall, high in the Rockies where I long to be. I’m not asking for it all, just what I feel. And, in the end if I fall, at least I lived real. For a life lived on rocky trails, makes a dream tough as nails. The journey will last for as long as I give. From the summit, I’ll look to see, another to beckon me. I’m not giving up for as long as I live. High in the Rockies is a place I long to be, big rolling mountains and evergreen trees, by a clear brook and waterfall, aspen trees growin’ tall, high in the Rockies where I long to be, high in the Rockies where I long to be. 6. EVER-CHANGING RIVER -- Words and Music by Art Lee (Composed on a River Journey) Lazy river, winding round, moving slowly, without a sound, slow and lazy river, to the sea... Splashing river, running wild, throwing tantrums, like a child, wildly splashing river, to the sea... Move along the ever-changing river. Just around the river bend, I wonder what I’ll see, along the ever-changing river, to the sea... Roaring river, booming loud, many shouting, like a crowd, booming roaring river, to the sea... Falling river, fanning down, like the draping, of a gown, veil of falling water, to the sea... Move along the ever-changing river. Just around the river bend, I wonder what I’ll see, along the ever-changing river, to the sea... Reflecting river, shimmering river, lovely river, cascading river, pounding river, sacred river, serene river, silent river... 7. BIRDS OF A FEATHER -- Words and Music by Art Lee (I was sitting below a tree in which a small flock of songbirds rested. I had never seen them before or since. I wondered if they were the last of their kind and imagined their precarious existence. As they flew away, I felt joy in their freedom and hope that they would survive. I think about them every time I sing this song.) Birds of a feather live as one. North in the spring, journey’s begun. Warming of days, turn from the sun. Rest in the shade, fate undone. Others are gone, wetlands dry. Don’t be afraid. All things die. Cool of the night, gain strength to try. Raised by the light. Take to the sky. Fly. Fly. Fly high. Fly from the shelter of the tree. Fly to see what there’s to see. Fly high, wild and free. Fly to be or not to be. Birds of a feather live as one. South in the fall, journey’s begun. Strengthening of storms, turn to the sun. Huddle for warmth, fate undone. Others are gone, lost in the fray. Must carry on to find someday. Heightening of dread, but all isn’t gray. Blue skies ahead, showing the way. Fly. Fly. Fly high. Fly from the shelter of the tree. Fly to see what there’s to see. Fly high, wild and free. Fly to be or not to be. Birds of a feather heed the call: north in the spring, south in the fall. Pattern of change, even the small, breaking the chain, struggle for all. Round and around, seasons blend. Home ever bound, till the end. Drawn to the sound, song of a friend. Others are found. Voices ascend. Fly. Fly. Fly high. Fly from the shelter of the tree. Fly to see what there’s to see. Fly high, wild and free. Fly to be or not to be. 8. CANYON ECHOES -- Words and Music by Art Lee (Inspired by Yelling at a Canyon Wall) Hello! (Hello!) It echoes back to me. Who’s there? (Who’s there?) No one I can see. Who’s the person calling out whatever I may say? Who makes me want to scream and shout like a child at play? Canyon echoes sing along with me. Canyon echoes keep me company. Yee-haw! (Yee-haw!) A cowboy’s yip-yi-ay. Hee-haw! (Hee-haw!) A donkey’s silly neigh. With southern drawl or donkey call to find the joy I lack, shouting at a canyon wall to hear what echoes back. Canyon echoes sing along with me. Canyon echoes keep me company. Hey yah! (Hey yah!) A voice from ancient past. Hey yah! (Hey yah!) Rising from the ash. Listen for a distant cry from ruins all but gone. Raise a song of earth and sky. Echoes sing along. Canyon echoes sing along with me. Canyon echoes keep me company. Look out! (Look out!) Below, look out below. Look up! (Look up!) Look up and join the show. Climb the walls of golden stone to reach a Shangri-La. Stand atop the mighty thrown and shout a great hurrah! Canyon echoes sing along with me. Canyon echoes keep me company. 9. I WILL RISE -- Words by Art Lee (Inspired by the Desert; the melody is from a traditional hymn, “Prospect” by Graham, Southern Harmony collection, 1835) I will rise fore the dawn when the earth is a rest, steal away in the dim of the end of night. I will hear the first song of a bird in her nest, taking flight with the rise of the sun’s first light, through the cool of the morn when the shadows are long, when the earth is reborn in the sound of song. I will walk on and on through the heat of the day, on and on, on my way where I’ll want to stay. I will talk with the earth where there’s no one to hear, giving thanks for my birth for this gift so dear. When at last to the place where all time seems to cease, held in quiet’s embrace I will be at peace. As the day presses on and the shadows grow long, when the cool of the eve comes as welcome relief, I will strive to return to the place I call home. On and on I will go on my way alone. I will talk with the sky where there’s no one to hear. All alone I will cry for the end is near. At the end of the day when all will to go on, like the sun dims away in a fading song, in a dream I will soar like a bird on a wing. O’er the earth through the sky I will rise and sing. I will soar o’er the river. I will rise on the wind. Be release from my fear. Find my peace within. I will soar o’er the river. I will rise on the wind. Be release from my fear. Find my peace within. 10. FLY! PHOENIX FLY! -- Words and Music by Art Lee (Inspired by the Phoenix Bird in Greek Mythology) Rising from the ash, I, the Phoenix fly! Still I’m bound to crash. Still I have to try! Still I go on. People still go on. Times come. Times go, turning on and on. We are the earth. We are the sea. We’re in everything. Everything’s in me. Rising from the earth, reaching for the sky, wonder of rebirth, life that mustn’t die! Me, I can change. People still can change. Times come. Times go. Nothing stays the same. We are the earth. We are the sea. We’re in everything. Everything’s in me. Fly! Phoenix fly! Rising from the ash, we, the Phoenix, fly! Still we’re bound to crash. Still we have to try! Still we go on. People still go on. Times come. Times go, turning on and on. We are the earth. We are the sea. We’re in everything. Everything’s in me. Fly! Phoenix fly! 11. GOIN’ TO THE SUN -- Words and Music by Art Lee (Composed while on Goin’-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park) Goin’ to the sun up a highway by a riverbed. The river waters run from the cascades that are glacier fed. The highway to the sky leaves the river far below me now. I’m goin’ to the sun up a highway to the sky. Climb the lofty tracks. See the river far below, to the frozen cracks of the glacier and the snow. Goin’ to the sun, to know the best of time, that only those who climb can really know. I’ve known the best of time when the river flowed a certain course. I’ve seen the very sign of the melting of the river’s source. Glacier in the sky feed the river far below me now, but in the days to come the river may run dry. Please take the word I give from a humble man who’s seen the worst. The future’s how we live. The more we take the more we’re cursed. Billions burning all, yet the wind and sun are freely there. Infants learn to crawl. We can learn to care. Climb the lofty tracks. See the river far below, to the frozen cracks of the glacier and the snow. Goin’ to the sun, to know the best of time, that only those who climb can really know. Consider what’s at stake. Role the dice and hope we win. The future’s what we make. Role up our sleeve and begin. Save the primal call. Redeem the world before we die. Gain a hope for all, as spirits learn to fly. Climb the lofty tracks. See the river far below, to the frozen cracks of the glacier and the snow. Goin’ to the sun, to know the best of time, that only those who climb can really know. Goin’ to the sun up a highway by a riverbed. The river waters run from the cascades that are glacier fed. The highway to the sky leaves the river far below me now. I’m goin’ to the sun up a highway to the sky. 12. THE CHANGING TIDE -- Words by Art Lee, Music Added and Adapted by Art Lee (Inspired by “The Ocean Speaking to Me”; most of the music is new, but the first part of each verse is an old folk melody know as “The Water is Wide” or “O Waly Waly” thought to be from the 1600s) The waves role in and off the shore, on and on for evermore. The rhythm sooths the savage me, calms my soul and sets me free. The waves rise up and bid to me, in pounding surf and crashing sea. I climb the rocks in cooling spray, and hear within what seems to say: (the ocean whispers) “Learn from my past. I’ll show you how. For life to last, the future’s now. Walk by my side. Cast off your wares. Give up your pride and worldly cares.” The tide flows in and out again. The life it brings should never end, but changes stir a fear in me. The die is cast upon the sea. I lay my burdens on the shore, in scouring waves and crashing roar. The waters wash away my fear, and from within I seem to hear: (the ocean says) “Learn from my past. I’ll show you how. For life to last, the future’s now. Walk by my side. Cast off your wares. Give up your pride and worldly cares.” The changing tide speaks to my heart. I’ll gladly bend to bear my part. May we all bend to bear our share, with many hands this burden bear? God help us live in harmony, through troubled times on stormy seas. For in the seas all life is bound, in roaring waves the seas resound: (the ocean cries) “Learn from my past! I’ll show you how! For life to last, the future’s now! Walk by my side! Cast off your wares! Give up your pride and worldly cares!”