Song Lyrics
click on title for download link
Let Freedom Ring
My Country ’Tis of Thee
Cried in a dream to me
For Thee I sing
Migrants were runnin' hard
Chased with guns near and far
Families were grieving
Dearest ones were leaving
While tidal waves of blood
Broke in an angry flood
Frightened and betraying
Then I heard an angel saying:
"The life you see is more than what it seems
Find yourself awake inside the dream
See yourself awake
Feel yourself awake
Be yourself awakened in this dream”
In Truth forever stand
Breathing Grace with the land
Healing wounds with kindness
Loving through the blindness
My Country ’Tis of Thee
Whispered in hope to me:
Let freedom ring
Let freedom ring
copyright © 2025 by Colleen Akiko
See The Mountain
Your call came late to my mountainside motel room
You spoke it straight, though the news you gave
was a harbinger of doom
The map we drew of our golden dreams
was burning now in flames
"That's OK," we said, "Someday we'll try again"
I tried to sleep beneath a mountain of sadness
Destiny had fallen so far from its axis
See The Mountain, how it barricades the sky
See The Mountain, feel it crush away our lives
See The Mountain cast a shadow decades wide
where my crumbled faith has died
I See The Mountain, all I see is the mountain
Morning washed my darkened eyes with sunlight
I gathered up my pieces, brought my clumsy feet outside
Climbed a rocky canyon where a crescent moon shone through
Until the vista widened and a lake came into view
I walked up to a shore of waveless reflection
The looming mountain's mirror perfectly beckoned:
See The Mountain on the water's skin so clear
See The Mountain shining as the lake's veneer
See The Mountain, oh the stories that it tells
where my hope unfolds so well
See The Mountain, all I see is the mountain
A gust of air declared this mirror broken
I raised my head in angry dread to ask the heavens, "Why?"
My gazing then was captured by the mountain's gleaming light
And a voice spoke deep inside me and my heart was lifted high:
See The Mountain beaming through the storms
See The Mountain, in its beauty pure and strong
See The Mountain, with its face up to the stars
Feel the Mountain that you are
With your open broken heart, let the stories fall apart
Feel the mountain 'til all you can see is the Mountain
See The Mountain ’til all you can be … is the Mountain
Be the mountain
copyright © 2024 by Colleen Akiko
Your call came late to my mountainside motel room
You spoke it straight, though the news you gave
was a harbinger of doom
The map we drew of our golden dreams
was burning now in flames
"That's OK," we said, "Someday we'll try again"
I tried to sleep beneath a mountain of sadness
Destiny had fallen so far from its axis
See The Mountain, how it barricades the sky
See The Mountain, feel it crush away our lives
See The Mountain cast a shadow decades wide
where my crumbled faith has died
I See The Mountain, all I see is the mountain
Morning washed my darkened eyes with sunlight
I gathered up my pieces, brought my clumsy feet outside
Climbed a rocky canyon where a crescent moon shone through
Until the vista widened and a lake came into view
I walked up to a shore of waveless reflection
The looming mountain's mirror perfectly beckoned:
See The Mountain on the water's skin so clear
See The Mountain shining as the lake's veneer
See The Mountain, oh the stories that it tells
where my hope unfolds so well
See The Mountain, all I see is the mountain
A gust of air declared this mirror broken
I raised my head in angry dread to ask the heavens, "Why?"
My gazing then was captured by the mountain's gleaming light
And a voice spoke deep inside me and my heart was lifted high:
See The Mountain beaming through the storms
See The Mountain, in its beauty pure and strong
See The Mountain, with its face up to the stars
Feel the Mountain that you are
With your open broken heart, let the stories fall apart
Feel the mountain 'til all you can see is the Mountain
See The Mountain ’til all you can be … is the Mountain
Be the mountain
copyright © 2024 by Colleen Akiko
Mother, Mother
A planetary Lady joined the cosmos She opened wide her heart and birthed all life Kangaroos, flowers, fish, trees and bees and rhinos How is it they now disappear before our eyes? Her skin was robed in gorgeous living colors Jungles, mountains, fields and oceans clear Now she’s raped and torn, scraped and burned all over How can we stop this torturing while we are here? * CHORUS: Mother, Mother Ever giving, ever offering your all Though you suffer Still you hold us when our vigilance is lost Mother, Mother Are we sleeping in the thunder of your fall? Sacred Mother Will we love you as you love us all? We take and take and take to feed our greed Then take some more in case our stores run short Oil, coal, water, trees, animals for trophies Then mutilate your body with our mercenary wars * CHORUS As heat is rising, all die by degrees A few have noticed change in how you breathe We feel you shake and fight in this hell and brimstone night Now we're awake to cool your fever Ease the pain, be the healers See our children’s children dancing in your light! Mother, Mother Ever giving, ever offering your all Though you suffer You sustained us when our vigilance was lost Mother, Mother We'll protect you and keep you standing tall Sacred Mother How we thank you, for nurturing us all Precious Mother How we love you, for how you love us all copyright © 2016 by Colleen Akiko |
High Beams
chorus:
Beautiful soul, turn your high beams on
The night is too dark for the dims
Beautiful soul turn your high beams on
Go on… turn your high beams on
Your engine's been racing, the gasoline's low
Life is still waiting for you to pass go
Lift up your eyes, feel the stars above you
I and a million hearts are loving you
This ain’t no dry run
Here on earth no other one
can shine on through this life as you
- chorus -
The traction is slipping, you’re grinding those gears
The tires aren’t gripping when the road disappears
Your GPS knows where to go
to bring your weary wandering back home
What if you just stop
Look under the hood, feel the wonder that you are
And drive those bright lights through the dark
- chorus -
Magnificent soul, come on
Turn your high beams on (4x)
copyright © 2024 by Colleen Akiko
chorus:
Beautiful soul, turn your high beams on
The night is too dark for the dims
Beautiful soul turn your high beams on
Go on… turn your high beams on
Your engine's been racing, the gasoline's low
Life is still waiting for you to pass go
Lift up your eyes, feel the stars above you
I and a million hearts are loving you
This ain’t no dry run
Here on earth no other one
can shine on through this life as you
- chorus -
The traction is slipping, you’re grinding those gears
The tires aren’t gripping when the road disappears
Your GPS knows where to go
to bring your weary wandering back home
What if you just stop
Look under the hood, feel the wonder that you are
And drive those bright lights through the dark
- chorus -
Magnificent soul, come on
Turn your high beams on (4x)
copyright © 2024 by Colleen Akiko
Peace Prayer
(Adapted from the Prayer of St. Francis)
I Am Thy instrument of peace
Where there is hatred, I sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there’s despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
Where there is sadness
Joy
O Divine may I not so much seek
To be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love
To be love, to be
Love
For it is in giving we receive
It’s in pardoning we are pardoned
And it is in dying we are born
to eternal, eternal
Life
copyright © 2024 by Colleen Akiko
(Adapted from the Prayer of St. Francis)
I Am Thy instrument of peace
Where there is hatred, I sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there’s despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
Where there is sadness
Joy
O Divine may I not so much seek
To be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love
To be love, to be
Love
For it is in giving we receive
It’s in pardoning we are pardoned
And it is in dying we are born
to eternal, eternal
Life
copyright © 2024 by Colleen Akiko
Aloha Ke Akua
Aloha Ke Akua honors the oneness and unfathomable divinity breathing in and as everything, everywhere.
Across the heavens, earth and oceans
Spirit lives in us as Love
After fires and mountains of ashes
A voice arises clear and strong
Singing us, reminding us
We all breathe as One
Aloha ke Akua
Aloha ke Akua
Aloha, ke Akua (repeat)
copyright © 2024 by Colleen Akiko
SPECIAL NOTE: Maui has been a cherished part of my life history. In August of 2023 devastating Maui fires destroyed thousands of structures and took more than 100 lives. Many were left with only ashes and memories. This song came in response to the painful trauma and loss there.
A portion of proceeds from Aloha Ke Akua's downloads and streaming will be donated to the nonprofit, FOOTPRINTS PROJECT to support front-line energy resilience for communities in crisis in places like Lahaina. And UKRAINE! I love the collaborative nature of their work in providing disaster relief (e.g., micro-grids) and building resilient and green infrastructure. Feel free to click on their link above to learn more.
Mahalo for holding ongoing work like this in your heart! 💕
Aloha Ke Akua honors the oneness and unfathomable divinity breathing in and as everything, everywhere.
Across the heavens, earth and oceans
Spirit lives in us as Love
After fires and mountains of ashes
A voice arises clear and strong
Singing us, reminding us
We all breathe as One
Aloha ke Akua
Aloha ke Akua
Aloha, ke Akua (repeat)
copyright © 2024 by Colleen Akiko
SPECIAL NOTE: Maui has been a cherished part of my life history. In August of 2023 devastating Maui fires destroyed thousands of structures and took more than 100 lives. Many were left with only ashes and memories. This song came in response to the painful trauma and loss there.
A portion of proceeds from Aloha Ke Akua's downloads and streaming will be donated to the nonprofit, FOOTPRINTS PROJECT to support front-line energy resilience for communities in crisis in places like Lahaina. And UKRAINE! I love the collaborative nature of their work in providing disaster relief (e.g., micro-grids) and building resilient and green infrastructure. Feel free to click on their link above to learn more.
Mahalo for holding ongoing work like this in your heart! 💕
I IN THEE
I in Thee rests in the mystical wonder of no separations, building to the celebratory mantra, “I Am Pure Love.” This song sparked from Jesus' prayer, " I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be made perfect in One..."
I am awakening to the miracle of this all-in-all oneness, brooding and beckoning beneath my stories.
I in Thee
Thou in me
how wondrously We are
I in Thee
Thou in me
Shining from One heart
One in all
All in One
One in all I Am
One in all
All in One
One in all I Am
I Am pure Love
(repeat 2x)
I Am pure Love
I Am pure Love
copyright © 2021 by colleen akiko
I in Thee rests in the mystical wonder of no separations, building to the celebratory mantra, “I Am Pure Love.” This song sparked from Jesus' prayer, " I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be made perfect in One..."
I am awakening to the miracle of this all-in-all oneness, brooding and beckoning beneath my stories.
I in Thee
Thou in me
how wondrously We are
I in Thee
Thou in me
Shining from One heart
One in all
All in One
One in all I Am
One in all
All in One
One in all I Am
I Am pure Love
(repeat 2x)
I Am pure Love
I Am pure Love
copyright © 2021 by colleen akiko
SPECTACLE
“In honor of my brother, Peter and his timeless brilliance”
Four feet from the public waste receptacle
there lives a spectacle
Near food fermenting in the coastal sun
my cast-off brother laments
his rebellion come undone
Muttering as he secures
his life’s possessions tucked inside
a weathered box on wheels
His mascot of ingenuity
He pauses now to pray over all he owns
to keep ‘em safe ’til he returns
He holds his breath as he turns away
the ache he feels tells him
there won’t be many days more
Winding through the swarming sidewalk
Wondering how did I find him
He mumbles as we walk
All pretenses are gone
A brilliant boy in a basement room
with his model airplanes flying in the shadows
Banished by the stubbornness that hatched his own
His homelessness becomes his home
Ever sleepless on the street
Dreaming as he sings for coins
to buy some sad relief
His heart cries straight through me
Four feet from the public waste receptacle
there lives a spectacle
copyright © 2012 by Colleen Akiko
“In honor of my brother, Peter and his timeless brilliance”
Four feet from the public waste receptacle
there lives a spectacle
Near food fermenting in the coastal sun
my cast-off brother laments
his rebellion come undone
Muttering as he secures
his life’s possessions tucked inside
a weathered box on wheels
His mascot of ingenuity
He pauses now to pray over all he owns
to keep ‘em safe ’til he returns
He holds his breath as he turns away
the ache he feels tells him
there won’t be many days more
Winding through the swarming sidewalk
Wondering how did I find him
He mumbles as we walk
All pretenses are gone
A brilliant boy in a basement room
with his model airplanes flying in the shadows
Banished by the stubbornness that hatched his own
His homelessness becomes his home
Ever sleepless on the street
Dreaming as he sings for coins
to buy some sad relief
His heart cries straight through me
Four feet from the public waste receptacle
there lives a spectacle
copyright © 2012 by Colleen Akiko
ONE AWAKENING
One Awakening celebrates the ongoing discovery of what is timelessly present in our core being. It's about getting quiet, tuning in and discovering freedom, wholeness, and love--present within and as our true selves.
The simple lyrics of One Awakening encourage us to more clearly know the truth of our being and embrace the “infinitely all and no-thing”-ness of pure awareness.
***MUSICAL BACKING TRACK AVAILABLE! (click for details): This song serves well as a warmly unifying container for holding sacred space. Its deeply nurturing words/vibrations heal and inspire--both individually and in group settings. Helpful resources are available for this; feel free to reach out about it on the Contact Page.
One Awakening celebrates the ongoing discovery of what is timelessly present in our core being. It's about getting quiet, tuning in and discovering freedom, wholeness, and love--present within and as our true selves.
The simple lyrics of One Awakening encourage us to more clearly know the truth of our being and embrace the “infinitely all and no-thing”-ness of pure awareness.
***MUSICAL BACKING TRACK AVAILABLE! (click for details): This song serves well as a warmly unifying container for holding sacred space. Its deeply nurturing words/vibrations heal and inspire--both individually and in group settings. Helpful resources are available for this; feel free to reach out about it on the Contact Page.
one awakening in the silence unfolding
one awakening as awareness is growing
opened by a broken heart
my eyes can finally see
one awakening
i'm one awakening
and free
one awakening from a dream i'm forgetting
one awakening in a sunrise of blessing
streaming through a ray of Truth
to healing in my soul
one awakening
i'm one awakening
and whole
one awakening into Light beyond measure
one awakening with Creation together
now beholding no-thing being
infinitely all
one awakening
i'm one awakening
as Love
now beholding no-thing being
infinitely all
one awakening
i'm one awakening
as Love
copyright © 2023 by colleen akiko
one awakening as awareness is growing
opened by a broken heart
my eyes can finally see
one awakening
i'm one awakening
and free
one awakening from a dream i'm forgetting
one awakening in a sunrise of blessing
streaming through a ray of Truth
to healing in my soul
one awakening
i'm one awakening
and whole
one awakening into Light beyond measure
one awakening with Creation together
now beholding no-thing being
infinitely all
one awakening
i'm one awakening
as Love
now beholding no-thing being
infinitely all
one awakening
i'm one awakening
as Love
copyright © 2023 by colleen akiko
MYSTERY
The mystery of Jesus' birth has fueled countless songs throughout history, each one attempting to capture the wonder surrounding the incarnation. This song, Mystery, delves into the ancient mystery of "Christ in me, my glory born of divinity"-- that divine spark illuminating humanity. It celebrates "Emmanuel/God with us" indwelling every person as a bona fide child of God, regardless of their background or beliefs.
The music of Mystery is undergirded with sacred vowels, warmly rumbling like the animals sleeping in the stable with Mary's swaddled infant.
Angelic choirs and the musical chorus of “What Child Is This?” express with awe the "ancient newborn mystery" of the I Am that I Am, the Breath and Life breathing all.
The mystery of Jesus' birth has fueled countless songs throughout history, each one attempting to capture the wonder surrounding the incarnation. This song, Mystery, delves into the ancient mystery of "Christ in me, my glory born of divinity"-- that divine spark illuminating humanity. It celebrates "Emmanuel/God with us" indwelling every person as a bona fide child of God, regardless of their background or beliefs.
The music of Mystery is undergirded with sacred vowels, warmly rumbling like the animals sleeping in the stable with Mary's swaddled infant.
Angelic choirs and the musical chorus of “What Child Is This?” express with awe the "ancient newborn mystery" of the I Am that I Am, the Breath and Life breathing all.
Beneath the steamy breath of beasts
a swaddled infant softly breathes
He whom kings and shepherds seek
Ancient newborn mystery
This, This is Christ in me
My glory born of divinity
Praise, Praise to the
Great I Am that I Am
Ancient Mystery breathing
Angels sing and fill the sky,
Radiant beams dance through the night
Heralding pure joyful light
Born of earth and born divine
Gloria . . .
Behold Emmanuel . . .
Alleluia . . .
This, This is Christ in me
My glory born of divinity
Praise, Praise to the
Great I Am that I Am
Ancient Mystery
breathing
copyright 2017 © by Colleen Akiko
a swaddled infant softly breathes
He whom kings and shepherds seek
Ancient newborn mystery
This, This is Christ in me
My glory born of divinity
Praise, Praise to the
Great I Am that I Am
Ancient Mystery breathing
Angels sing and fill the sky,
Radiant beams dance through the night
Heralding pure joyful light
Born of earth and born divine
Gloria . . .
Behold Emmanuel . . .
Alleluia . . .
This, This is Christ in me
My glory born of divinity
Praise, Praise to the
Great I Am that I Am
Ancient Mystery
breathing
copyright 2017 © by Colleen Akiko
GABRIEL, ANGEL OF MY HEART
Gabriel, Angel of my Heart was recorded live in 2015. It was written for my adolescent adopted son who had wandered into a dungeon of confusion and fear.
He was named after the angel Gabriel, who is associated with "Fear not" messages of loving hope and guidance. This song was written to be just that for Gabe. He first heard it on a car stereo in the parking lot of our favorite all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant. We cried and hugged, then cried and hugged some more. Then we ate... a lot.
My sweet Gabe crossed over in May of 2023. He continues shining as a radiant sunbeam of the One enfolding each and all in Presence. This One Awakening EP is lovingly and gratefully dedicated to him--my son, beaming from a star... and ever beaming from my heart.
Postscript: I recently heard a celebrity being asked, "What happens when we die?"
He replied, simply: "We wake up."
That brought a deep smile.
Gabriel, Angel of my Heart was recorded live in 2015. It was written for my adolescent adopted son who had wandered into a dungeon of confusion and fear.
He was named after the angel Gabriel, who is associated with "Fear not" messages of loving hope and guidance. This song was written to be just that for Gabe. He first heard it on a car stereo in the parking lot of our favorite all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant. We cried and hugged, then cried and hugged some more. Then we ate... a lot.
My sweet Gabe crossed over in May of 2023. He continues shining as a radiant sunbeam of the One enfolding each and all in Presence. This One Awakening EP is lovingly and gratefully dedicated to him--my son, beaming from a star... and ever beaming from my heart.
Postscript: I recently heard a celebrity being asked, "What happens when we die?"
He replied, simply: "We wake up."
That brought a deep smile.
(son):
Stars shine though I don’t see
Night blinds all inside me
What am I now feeling?
Why does it matter?
Breathe in
Breathe out
I’m lost
Too lost to be found
(mom):
I hear your heart beating
Though you feel forgotten
Surrounded by the stories
Will you reach out for me
Breathe in
Breathe out
I’m here
Holding you near
You cannot imagine, no
Oh, how much I love you so
Sunbeaming from a star
Gabriel, Angel of My Heart
Breathe in how I love you
Breathe out all your doubting
See how you are shining
As truth sings deep inside you
Breathe in
Breathe out
Feel safe
As we make our way
You cannot imagine, no
Oh, how much I love you so
My son, beaming from a star
Gabriel, Angel of My Heart
for Gabriel Rozelle Jackson
October 9, 2003 - May 6, 2023
copyright © 2016 by colleen akiko
Stars shine though I don’t see
Night blinds all inside me
What am I now feeling?
Why does it matter?
Breathe in
Breathe out
I’m lost
Too lost to be found
(mom):
I hear your heart beating
Though you feel forgotten
Surrounded by the stories
Will you reach out for me
Breathe in
Breathe out
I’m here
Holding you near
You cannot imagine, no
Oh, how much I love you so
Sunbeaming from a star
Gabriel, Angel of My Heart
Breathe in how I love you
Breathe out all your doubting
See how you are shining
As truth sings deep inside you
Breathe in
Breathe out
Feel safe
As we make our way
You cannot imagine, no
Oh, how much I love you so
My son, beaming from a star
Gabriel, Angel of My Heart
for Gabriel Rozelle Jackson
October 9, 2003 - May 6, 2023
copyright © 2016 by colleen akiko
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