I Shall Walk
© 1989 Larry Dittberner
This recording is from a 1995 (ish) live concert of the group Bread for the Journey. Larry was a guest vocalist on this song, which he also wrote. To hear the whole live recording, or get the companion songbook, see Global Songs 2: Bread for the Journey.
Here’s a song by Larry Ditterberner, a songwriter from St. Paul Minnesota.
w. E.B. Browning; m: Larry Dittberner
3-part round
Yea O God
by Larry Dittberner, © 1978
larryd1945@gmail.com
Yea, O God, you are our mother.
You are our mother and father.
We are the clay. We are the clay.
We are the clay. You are the potter.
We are all the work of your hands.
The work of your hands, the work of your hands.
Midnight Lullaby
Larry Dittberner © 1991
On a Thursday, in the evening
I am sitting in my kitchen.
In the evening in the kitchen
I am thinking of my children.
Ch: And peace, we want peace.
Oh peace, hope for peace.
Yes, peace, work for peace.
Live in peace.
It’s so easy to get greedy.
To want more and more
That’s how it seems.
‘Cause letting go isn’t easy.
How can we without a dream? (Ch.)
Many people the world over
Live simply day by day.
And we can, I do believe it.
It’s a choice that we all can make. (Ch.)
On a Thursday in the evening
I am sitting in my kitchen.
Guitar singing, me I’m wishing.
Sending love out to my children.
In their beds, tucked in and dreaming.
Curled up tight, gently breathing.
In the midnight, children sleeping.
And their angels watch are keeping.
In the midnight, children sleeping.
And their angels watch are keeping.
All In All
w: deWaal, adap. Dittberner
m: Larry Dittberner © 1985
God bless thou thyself in my reaping.
Each ridge and plain and field, in my reaping.
Each sickle curved, shapely and hard in my reaping.
Each ear and handful on the sheaf in my reaping.
Ch: All in all, God bless all. (repeat)
God bless each maiden, God bless each youth.
O bless each mother, and tender youngling.
God bless each woman, God bless each man.
And guard us all in all in our reaping. (Ch.)
God bless Thou Thyself, in our reaping.
Each hill and plain and field, in our reaping.
Each sickle curved, shapely and hard in our reaping.
Each ear and handful on the sheaf, in our reaping. (Ch.)
(CD–1990) A New Perspective: Songs of Simple Living. In this recording (their first), Bret Hesla and Larry Dittberner put together a collection whose popularity endures due to its blend of simple elements, important themes, and the fun musicality. With issues ranging from cooking to soil erosion to peace, the authors sing about everyday living as sacred and important. Many of these songs work well for group singing. (Price includes shipping)
A New Perspective:
Songs of Simple Living
1. When Justice Comes (Bret Hesla) 4:49
2. All in All (w: Celtic Prayer, m:Larry Dittberner) 4:56
3. The Farmer’s Market (Bret Hesla) 3:20
4. Midnight Lullaby (Larry Dittberner) 6:05
5. Bread For the Journey (Bret Hesla) 3:37
6. Stir Fry (Bret Hesla) 3:18
7. We’ve Got to Stop Treating the Soil Like Dirt (Bret Hesla) 3:34
8. Yea O God (Larry Dittberner) 4:53
9. A New Perspective (w: E.B. Browning, m: Larry Dittberner) 3:52
© and ℗ 1991 by Larry Dittberner and Bret Hesla, renewed 2001.