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Over the years, Harry van Bommel has written, performed and recorded several songs to help those going through grief. Some songs may be helpful right away while others may need some months or longer to listen to as they may evoke too many emotions. Use the liner notes below to determine which might be helpful to you now, or later.
Sequence Productions, Suite 201, 19 Mercer Street, Toronto, ON M5V 1H2, (416) 217-0505. Produced byAngelo Oddi of Sequence Productions, Engineer: Adam Smith, Background music arranged and performed by Angelo Oddi. Cover Photo: Boris Spremo, The Toronto Star, Cover Design and Production: Michael Smith
Dedicated to Janet, Bram and Joanna and in honor of Philo van Enckevort.
© 1999 Harry van Bommel
Legacies Inc., 11 Miniot Circle, Scarborough, ON M1K 2K1, (416) 264-4665, www.harryvanbommel.com
------------------------------
I helped both of my parents and grandfather to live at home until they died. Thank You is a collection of songs to provide comfort and hope to those experiencing similar losses. Thank You is written from the point of view of the person who died who is thanking you for all you did for them within the limits of your circumstances. Their gratitude is a starting point for our healing.
Grief can hurt physically, emotionally and spiritually. It Hurts looks at this real physical response to grief. Our tears and pain are often overwhelming with the only words to describe it as "it hurts". No one can survive unending grief. It must change for us to survive. We change our response to the pain to help ourselves continue to live and be part of our families and community and in memory of the person who has died.
Always with Me is a song of gratitude that the people we love now, and have loved in the past, remain part of us forever. Their memories, their advice, their positive examples remain with us and guide us. The song is also a prayer of thanks to God for always being present to provide us with strength and comfort.
A Child is Born reminds us of the purity of love and joy experienced at the birth of a child. May the words remind us all of the blessings we share in the human family when a new born joins us.
The Human Family is a reminder that we are all brothers and sisters within the human family regardless of how we look, what we do, and what gifts we have to offer. So much of our lives are spent dividing “us” from “them” at home, at school, at work, at play, and within our communities. It is in dividing ourselves that we cause grief to others and to ourselves. We lose the ability to see that each of us has something to offer the other. The song is offered in hopes that each of us returns to the spontaneous and true joy that we felt as infants when we experienced unconditional love and acceptance within the human family.
A common theme of all the songs is gratitude. Your gratitude for everything you have now and in the past will help you through the most difficult times. These times are not easy. The path has been walked by others, like me. We share this path together and we can learn from each other. When you are ready, you will be able to help someone else walk this path. What a gift it will be. How grateful both of you will be for the gift.
Your are in my thoughts and my prayers. Harry van Bommel
Thank You © March 1992
My lessons of love, my parents gave to me. I see them reflected in the hospice philosophy.
These are the things that I am grateful for. Thank you.
The warmth of your smile, the love you give so much. The depth within your hearts, and the strength within your touch.
These are the things that I am grateful for. Thank you.
The roar of your laugh, a tear of empathy. Our bond through silence, a friend for eternity.
These are the things that I am grateful for. Thank you.
The gift of your hugs, God's spirit in your eyes. Will each day prepare us, for our last goodbyes.
These are the things that I am grateful for. Thank you. Thank you.
It Hurts © May 1997
It hurts, it hurts to say goodbye. It hurts, it hurts, I always cry. It hurts, it hurts, I miss you. What am I to do?
It hurts, it hurts, the pain won't go away. It hurts, it hurts in every way. It hurts, it hurts, words cannot tell every day's a living, a living hell.
Chorus: You were my life. You taught me oh so much. I love you dear. And I miss your touch. God help me, To set you free.
It hurts, it hurts to say goodbye. Yes it hurts, it hurts, I always cry. It hurts, it hurts, I miss you. What am I to do?
Chorus
It hurts, it hurts to say goodbye. It hurts, it hurts, I always cry. It hurts, it hurts, but I will get through. I'll do it for me and for you. For me and for you.
For me and for you.
Always With Me © February 1995
You were, you are, you will be, I'm grateful to say, always with me. You were, you are, you will be, always with me.
In times of joy; in moments of sadness, you give me hope and strength, and fill my heart with gladness. You walk beside or you carry me,
You're always with me.
I need your peace. I crave your spirit. With love I can sing, gather round and hear it. You were, you are, Yyou will be, I'm grateful to say, always with me. You were, you are, you will be, always with me.
When I am alone and no one cares for me, you fill my thoughts with loving memories. You remind me of all that I have. You're always with me.
I need your peace. I crave your spirit. With love I can sing, gather round and hear it. You were, you are, you will be, I'm grateful to say, always with me. You were, you are, you will be, always with me.
A Child is Born © 1991, revised 1992
A child is born in Bethlehem. A child is born to teach us again. To teach us of love, to teach us of love. A child is born to teach us of love.
God's gift to us is the birth of any child. A child shows us God is by our side. A child teaches us to look beyond and share our world; this is our bond.
We are blessed with a child from above. We know that our friends share in our love. A love that is real and always strong. A child is born to teach us we belong.
Now that we have our gift from above, we are relearning these lessons of love. When he smiles it comforts our soul. When he laughs, he helps makes us whole.
A child is born in Bethlehem. A child is born to teach us again. To teach us of love. To teach us of love. A child is born to teach us of love.
The Human Family © December 2001
Can you see the person I see? Can you talk to him like you talk to me? Can you? Will you? Please do.
We are not different you see. No more special or needy are we. We are you. You are we. Thank God.
Chorus: We are the children, brothers and sisters. We are the human family. Words that divide us oh, they harm us. Let us unite and be free.
All of us need to eat. All of us need a friendship that’s deep. Can you, will you be a friend?
We need a home like you. We need days full of real meaning too. We are you. You are we. Thank God.
Chorus
Can you see the person I see? Can you talk to her like you talk to me? Can you? Will you? Please do.
We are not different you see. No more special or needy are we. We are you. You are we. Thank God.
We are the children, brothers and sisters. We are the human family. Words that divide us oh, they harm us. Let us unite and be free. Let us unite and be free.
Sequence Productions, Suite 201, 19 Mercer Street, Toronto, ON M5V 1H2, (416) 217-0505. Produced byAngelo Oddi of Sequence Productions, Engineer: Adam Smith, Background music arranged and performed by Angelo Oddi. Cover Photo: Boris Spremo, The Toronto Star, Cover Design and Production: Michael Smith
Dedicated to Janet, Bram and Joanna and in honor of Philo van Enckevort.
© 1999 Harry van Bommel
Legacies Inc., 11 Miniot Circle, Scarborough, ON M1K 2K1, (416) 264-4665, www.harryvanbommel.com
------------------------------
I helped both of my parents and grandfather to live at home until they died. Thank You is a collection of songs to provide comfort and hope to those experiencing similar losses. Thank You is written from the point of view of the person who died who is thanking you for all you did for them within the limits of your circumstances. Their gratitude is a starting point for our healing.
Grief can hurt physically, emotionally and spiritually. It Hurts looks at this real physical response to grief. Our tears and pain are often overwhelming with the only words to describe it as "it hurts". No one can survive unending grief. It must change for us to survive. We change our response to the pain to help ourselves continue to live and be part of our families and community and in memory of the person who has died.
Always with Me is a song of gratitude that the people we love now, and have loved in the past, remain part of us forever. Their memories, their advice, their positive examples remain with us and guide us. The song is also a prayer of thanks to God for always being present to provide us with strength and comfort.
A Child is Born reminds us of the purity of love and joy experienced at the birth of a child. May the words remind us all of the blessings we share in the human family when a new born joins us.
The Human Family is a reminder that we are all brothers and sisters within the human family regardless of how we look, what we do, and what gifts we have to offer. So much of our lives are spent dividing “us” from “them” at home, at school, at work, at play, and within our communities. It is in dividing ourselves that we cause grief to others and to ourselves. We lose the ability to see that each of us has something to offer the other. The song is offered in hopes that each of us returns to the spontaneous and true joy that we felt as infants when we experienced unconditional love and acceptance within the human family.
A common theme of all the songs is gratitude. Your gratitude for everything you have now and in the past will help you through the most difficult times. These times are not easy. The path has been walked by others, like me. We share this path together and we can learn from each other. When you are ready, you will be able to help someone else walk this path. What a gift it will be. How grateful both of you will be for the gift.
Your are in my thoughts and my prayers. Harry van Bommel
Thank You © March 1992
My lessons of love, my parents gave to me. I see them reflected in the hospice philosophy.
These are the things that I am grateful for. Thank you.
The warmth of your smile, the love you give so much. The depth within your hearts, and the strength within your touch.
These are the things that I am grateful for. Thank you.
The roar of your laugh, a tear of empathy. Our bond through silence, a friend for eternity.
These are the things that I am grateful for. Thank you.
The gift of your hugs, God's spirit in your eyes. Will each day prepare us, for our last goodbyes.
These are the things that I am grateful for. Thank you. Thank you.
It Hurts © May 1997
It hurts, it hurts to say goodbye. It hurts, it hurts, I always cry. It hurts, it hurts, I miss you. What am I to do?
It hurts, it hurts, the pain won't go away. It hurts, it hurts in every way. It hurts, it hurts, words cannot tell every day's a living, a living hell.
Chorus: You were my life. You taught me oh so much. I love you dear. And I miss your touch. God help me, To set you free.
It hurts, it hurts to say goodbye. Yes it hurts, it hurts, I always cry. It hurts, it hurts, I miss you. What am I to do?
Chorus
It hurts, it hurts to say goodbye. It hurts, it hurts, I always cry. It hurts, it hurts, but I will get through. I'll do it for me and for you. For me and for you.
For me and for you.
Always With Me © February 1995
You were, you are, you will be, I'm grateful to say, always with me. You were, you are, you will be, always with me.
In times of joy; in moments of sadness, you give me hope and strength, and fill my heart with gladness. You walk beside or you carry me,
You're always with me.
I need your peace. I crave your spirit. With love I can sing, gather round and hear it. You were, you are, Yyou will be, I'm grateful to say, always with me. You were, you are, you will be, always with me.
When I am alone and no one cares for me, you fill my thoughts with loving memories. You remind me of all that I have. You're always with me.
I need your peace. I crave your spirit. With love I can sing, gather round and hear it. You were, you are, you will be, I'm grateful to say, always with me. You were, you are, you will be, always with me.
A Child is Born © 1991, revised 1992
A child is born in Bethlehem. A child is born to teach us again. To teach us of love, to teach us of love. A child is born to teach us of love.
God's gift to us is the birth of any child. A child shows us God is by our side. A child teaches us to look beyond and share our world; this is our bond.
We are blessed with a child from above. We know that our friends share in our love. A love that is real and always strong. A child is born to teach us we belong.
Now that we have our gift from above, we are relearning these lessons of love. When he smiles it comforts our soul. When he laughs, he helps makes us whole.
A child is born in Bethlehem. A child is born to teach us again. To teach us of love. To teach us of love. A child is born to teach us of love.
The Human Family © December 2001
Can you see the person I see? Can you talk to him like you talk to me? Can you? Will you? Please do.
We are not different you see. No more special or needy are we. We are you. You are we. Thank God.
Chorus: We are the children, brothers and sisters. We are the human family. Words that divide us oh, they harm us. Let us unite and be free.
All of us need to eat. All of us need a friendship that’s deep. Can you, will you be a friend?
We need a home like you. We need days full of real meaning too. We are you. You are we. Thank God.
Chorus
Can you see the person I see? Can you talk to her like you talk to me? Can you? Will you? Please do.
We are not different you see. No more special or needy are we. We are you. You are we. Thank God.
We are the children, brothers and sisters. We are the human family. Words that divide us oh, they harm us. Let us unite and be free. Let us unite and be free.