This is a Musical Theater project that I have been working on since 2000. I have a general idea of plot and themes. I’ve written songs for several characters, but I have not recorded any vocals. Right now, I can offer instrumental versions – again in “draft” form with plenty of errors. This is the first time these compositions are published, so they are all © 2019 by Myron Schreck.
Winter to Spring – – musical interlude – no lyrics yet
————————
There is Something that I’m Searching For – – sung by a young journeyman traveling across Europe who comes upon an isolated valley – and he meets the Rabbi’s daughter
————————
Wandering – This is a tale of immigration – inspired by my grandfather’s experience. You can read the lyrics near the bottom of this page and follow along with an excerpt of the composition that fits just the lyrics.
————————
God is Amazing – The Rabbi teaches his followers – families and children – the biblical stories
————————
The Wonder of it All – The journeyman tells stories of the many places he has traveled and the wonders he has seen.
————————
Sparrow – The Rabbi’s Daughter teaches children how to read and write, using analogies and metaphors
———————-
A River of Tears – An old woman in the village – a healer and a spiritual mystic – sings about her life. You can read a draft of the lyrics below, near the bottom of this page.
—————————-
What is Love – What is a musical without a love song? This one will be a duet between the journeyman and the Rabbi’s daughter. You can read a draft of the lyrics below, at the bottom of this page.
———————–
One Man Alone – The ability of a single person to effect change and make a difference. No lyrics yet. But I was thinking of my father when I composed this. Click here to see a slide show accompanying this piece.
—————————–
Oh Pauline – This tale of immigration was inspired by my mother’s experience. She was not just a survivor. She gave her children the tools to survive … and thrive. Click here to see a music video I wrote for my mother.
——————————
Someday – This was originally written as a Bat Mitzvah song – a coming of age event – where proud parents hope for to provide a better life for their children, who will go on to improve the future.
————————-
Spring – musical interlude – trying out various musical phrases and themes that can be incorporated in the musical production. I would like these phrases to evoke concern, anxiety, uncertainty, and ultimately hope.
___________________
Fall-Rise – musical interlude — once again, trying various phrases to see what will work and enhance my collection of stories and themes — seeking a place of refuge, hoping for a better future, improving the lives of others, having trust, having faith, relying on a community, … … failing, falling, but rising again and surviving.
—————————————————————————————————–
© 2019 by Myron Schreck
Wandering – instrumental & lyrics
The flute in this instrumental plays the melody. It should scan with the lyrics below. But it is not perfect … and this is still a work in progress. Before the last paragraph, the music will fade out — because I removed the musical interlude — and the music will fade back in just before the final paragraph of lyrics. To hear the entire instrumental, go to the audio player at the bottom of this page.
———————————————–
Wandering -- © 2015 Myron Schreck
On a dusty old road walks a tired old man
With a cap on his head and a cane in his hand
With a long suff’ring mare and a rickety cart
He sells linens and sheets door to door
Ev’ry morning he whispers: “SHI-MA YIS- RO-EL
AH-DOH-SHEM EL-OH-KAY-NOO,
AH-DOH-SHEM EH-CHAD”
And he blesses the Lord for the breathes he takes
Giving thanks for another day.
One day a vision appears of the end of the world
All the fields all around him all covered with ash
So he cries to the heavens. “Oh what can be done,”
“To keep this from coming to pass?”
So he gathers his children and tells them to pack
For a trip that will take a long time
And he spends all his money
To buy the permissions and
Purchase the passports and passenger tickets.
And they travel on trains and they get on a boat
That will take them a’far ‘cross the seas
Where they’re met at the harbor by a
Statuesque lady whose torch is an offer to
Dream the American Dream ... (musical interlude)
On a busy city street stands a tired old man
With a cap on his head and a cane in his hand
With a child by his side and a rickety cart
Selling linens and sheets door to door
Selling linens and sheets door to door
Selling linens and sheets door to door
River of Tears – lyrics & instrumental
The lyrics do not necessarily scroll with the instrumental music. This is still a work in progress.
————————————
River of Tears © 2001 Myron Schreck
Time Changes everything
I look in the mirror And what do I see
A Child is now an old woman.
All salty and bittersweet Like a river of tears
I’ve lived all my life on this mountain
I draw my own water I grow my own food
Alone -- I cared for my mother.
But then when she died -- I cried
A river of tears
For years my mother taught me how to heal,
I once save a drowning boy --
Some called it a miracle
But then -- I heard voices revealing the past
And sometimes I see – what the future will be
And now, I soar with the wings of an eagle –
With the heart of a lioness, I give comfort and care
I feel – – – – all the pain of humanity
All salty and bittersweet
A river of tears
So come to me if you must know the truth.
I might see your future.
I might see your darkest past.
But stop -- if you have secrets that you need to hide,
And don’t welcome my touch,
And don’t look in my eyes.
For I – I can see with my eyes closed.
I can see through your tortured soul.
I can see through your lies.
That’s why – why so many fear me.
So few dare come near me,
And my river of tears.
And now, --- --- I conjure the voices .
I comfort the tortured. I speak with the dead
Estranged --- Some villagers fear me
They dare not come near me
And my river of tears
What is Love
The lyrics do not scan easily with the music. But you might get an idea of where they fit. Unfortunately, this composition is still in progress and in draft form.
What is Love -- ©2000 Myron Schreck
What is love? What is loving him?
Sometimes joy. Sometimes pain.
When he’s gone I feel lonely
And I wait for the moment I see him again
What is love? Is it physical?
Is it touch? Is it sight? Is it voice?
Or is it something else -- metaphysical?
An obsession over which we have no choice.
I don’t know what is the answer.
I don’t know what is the key.
To this mystery that only we can share.
When electricity ... ... captures the air
With a spark and a crackle that
Covers my skin and my hair
What is love? It’s like laughter.
I feel light. I feel faint. I can’t breathe.
Like the whole world is spinning all around me
And his eyes are the only things I see
I don’t know what is the answer.
I don’t know what is the key.
To this mystery that only we can share.
When electricity ... ... captures the air
With a spark and a crackle that
Covers my skin and my hair
What is love? It’s confusing me.
What I want is not the same as what I need.
And I fear the one I love
Might not love me.
Is this the way of love?
Is this the pain of love?
I don’t know --
All I know ... is how I feel
Myrrh ~ Songs by Myron Schreck 