Can You See Me Now

[Jayne Sachs]

Just finished a new song. It's a departure for us musically, but it's to go on a CD compilation for charity marketed to children and their families. It was fun to get out of our box.

http://www.sonicbids.com/JayneSachs
Click on "audio" and then on "Can You See Me Now".

Thanks,
Jayne


Can You See me Now

I close my eyes
open them inside
and see all the colors of me
And if eyes can behold
the beauty of it all
then mine might finally see

The walls could be lifted
the chance could begin
to set all these colors free

(CH)
Can you see me now
arms open wide and I'm ready
Can you see me now
not quite solid ground
but getting steady
Step into the moment
and take it all in
wasted too much time asking how
Can you see me now

A lot too little
and a little too late
so easy to call it a day
And the hardest thing about
keeping your sun out
is expecting it to stay

So the chains could be lifted
the tears could dry out
the dreams could escape
if we would show them the way out

(CH)
Can you see me now
arms open wide and I'm ready
Can you see me now
not quite solid ground
but getting steady
Step into the moment
and take it all in
wasted too much time asking how
Can you see me now

[lizzytysh]

I love your lyrics on this, Jayne. I'll listen to it tonight. Great lyrics for children, as well as adults .


~ Lizzy

[Jayne Sachs]

Thanks Lizzy.
I thought that children might listen and skim around on the surface a bit, but adults might go a little deeper and get it.
Thanks so much.

Jayne

[lizzytysh]

Yes, that's how it seemed to me, too, Jayne. A song that would increase in meaning as the children grow older. And for adults, one they understand and can appreciate already. A tad whimsical and magical, and meaningful with lessons.


~ Lizzy

[Jayne Sachs]

Thank you Lizzy. It's nice of you to check out people's work and offer comments here. Thanks for your generous spirit.

Jayne

[lizzytysh]

Hi Jayne ~

I've never been good at identifying particular instruments in songs. Is that a recorder that sounds kind of like an electric dulcimer that has such a pleasant spiraling sound? Your lyrics evokes those feelings of vulnerability [that little girl/ little boy in us, if you will] whilst falling in love and wanting, hoping, praying to be seen and accepted for who you really are, after all the layers have fallen away. And for children ~ especially those who feel invisible to their parents, and others, for a variety of reasons ~ who know they have many colours, yet they seem to be fading from lack of external recognition of them. It's a very almost, but not quite, pleading for confirmation/affirmation in a 'bittersweet' way. Bittersweet isn't exactly the word I want, but very close. There's nothing worse than for a child to feel invisible, which seems to be why abuse can be tolerated, as at least they're being recognized, albeit in a perverse way.

I really like your song a lot, Jayne. I'll be emailing the link to my friend. I love your song "Queen of the Flies," too. Your voice has such an enchanting, delicate, lyrical quality. It would be wonderful to see you sing in person sometime, Jayne.


~ Lizzy

[Jayne Sachs]

Dear Lizzy,

I love the idea of the magic satin ribbons. That whole idea resonates with me in a big way. I can imagine that a lot of healing can take place within those colorful, satin ribbons.
I'd like to get the book based on that idea when it is available. And I'd like to see the mural. Does your friend have anything on-line about this?

Feeling invisible as a child is so incredibly damaging. It dismisses and disregards the child's soul and spirit. It silences them and neutralizes their colors on the surface. But the real, true colors are way deep inside, waiting to be set free... I think. Your interpretation of "Can You See Me Now" is very thoughtful and thought provoking. Thanks for passing along your thoughts. I sincerely appreciate it.

The instrument that you're hearing is a keyboard made to sound like a kid's toy. We dialed in a certain sound for it to make it sound that way. I wrote the song using my own kids' toy keyboard underhand. I got very used to that particular sound and wanted to duplicate it in the studio. So that is what you're hearing. That was the first time I've ever written with any other instrument other than guitar. So this song was a first in many aspects. Our drummer is playing an instrument in that song that is sort of like an accordian, but you blow into a tube to produce the sound. It sounds a tad like a soft, warm harmonica... but it's called a melodica (I think).

Thanks so much Lizzy. I do appreciate you taking the time.

My best,
Jayne

[lizzytysh]

Hi Jayne ~

I was returning to edit my post from your song's reminding me of my friend's. Yes, the healing is the primary idea that prompted her to create. She's worked as a counselor with children who were sexually abused, as well as with adults for varying reasons.

I called and left a message on her voice mail in the interim, between now and my previous post, and when she calls back, I'll read her our exchanges. I know she will deeply appreciate your comments. I VERY much agree with you about those colours still being present deep inside those children and the damaging impact on them prior to that. I didn't carry my thoughts far enough to include how healing can release those colours. When I worked with abused and neglected children, I saw the devastating impacts and how, with time, some were able to locate their real and true selves and how they blossomed.

I am [somehow] going to try to get something visual to you. I may need to rely on email for it, though.

What a wonderful, innovative idea to use your own child's toy keyboard as inspiration for the sound in your recording. It works WONDERFULLY ! A successful exploration ! WoW. Your drummer's instrument sounds intriguing. I couldn't hear it, but will listen again and try to isolate the sound. I'm just miserable with that stuff. "Melodica" sounds familiar, so I'm guessing I must have heard one before. Maybe that will help , but no guarantees .

Thanks so much for your own comments, Jayne .


~ Lizzy

[Jayne Sachs]

Hi again Lizzy.
I would be honored to have your friend hear "Can You See Me Now". Thank you. If either one of you would like to reach me outside of this forum, please feel free to email Blue88@aol.com

I imagine that working with children and seeing them "blossom" is quite rewarding and life saving in many ways (for the children). My hand and heart goes out to both you and your friend for helping children in their healing journeys.

Since you've worked in the field, I will mention another song called "Twisted Ballerina". It is on the same link as provided above. It has traveled the world raising awareness about Child Sexual Abuse. I warn that it is a tough song to swallow and not very pretty at all, but I can't begin to count the number of emails I've received from CSA survivors around the globe speaking of it in terms of it being a validation. I didn't intend for that result at all, and was quite shocked that anyone would even turn an ear toward it. There are a lot of strong human beings in this world with severe obstacles to overcome and this song has united me with many of them and for that I will be forever grateful.

Thanks again Lizzy for your generous thoughts and have a wonderful weekend.

Jayne

[lizzytysh]

Hi Jayne ~

Thanks for pointing me again to Twisted Ballerina. Your lyrics are very effectively written, capturing for sure so many situations that create lives of dread for too many young girls, with one being too many. I had remembered that song from awhile back when you were here and pointed us to it. I'm glad to hear that you are bringing validation to many who have been tormented. Your songs have a strong social work and counseling element to them.

My friend listened to your songs and "LOVE!"s your voice!


~ Lizzy

[Jayne Sachs]

Thank you Lizzy and please thank your friend for me.

I feel silly that I directed forum members to Twisted Ballerina in a previous post and didn't remember. When you said that you've worked with abused children, it reminded me of it.

You know, in my surroundings there seem to be few people who truly "get" Leonard Cohen. That's why this site is so special. I would assume that most forum members are not surface sliders but in fact have the natural inclination to go beneath the obvious.

Afterall, there is a beuatiful and vast world down below.

Thanks again.

Jayne