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Karen Drucker!!!!I Stand For Love

It is January 2022, and I am thrilled to be writing a description of my 21st CD…

or album… or download… or streaming… or whatever it is that we are calling putting

music out into the world these days! And this is the reason I am thrilled:

two years ago I thought this part of my life was over. In March of 2020 when Covid hit,

I had a whole year of gigs booked - women’s retreats, concerts, conferences - all the way

through December. One by one these events were cancelled, and coupled with the fact

that people were not really buying CD’s anymore, I was left with the feeling that my

music career was over and was to depressed and unmotivated to even think of writing a

song.

Then one day I got a call from my friend singer/songwriter Gary Lynn Floyd,

who was in the same emotional state as me. We decided to just start writing once a week

on Zoom just for fun - no deadlines, no end result of what would happen with these songs

- just show up and write. And we did - we wrote a chant or song every week, and it

brought me back to the joy of music and the connection to what I do and who I am.

I decided I needed to record some of these songs as a snapshot of this crazy time, and that

is what this collection of songs is all about. Since we couldn’t record live in a studio with

a band and backup singers, my talented husband, John Hoy, played all the instruments in

his home studio and even found a digital back-up singers program to add some harmonies

(hence the funny names of my robo-singers on some of the tunes!). Luckily when things

eased up a bit at the end of 2021 we were able to bring in my favorite keyboard player

(John R. Burr) and backup singers (Sandi Grifﬁth and Omega Rae Brooks) to create a

more live sound on three of the tunes.

So here are eight new songs, with another group of chants that I am recording right now

to be released in a few months. I have no idea where this pandemic will lead and how

soon I will be able to perform again, but just putting music out there in whatever form

people hear it in is enough for me. I am a songwriter and it’s what I love to do. I hope you

enjoy these songs as much as I enjoyed writing and recording them for you!

Karen Drucker!!!!

I Stand For Love

1.!!!!! Amazingly Awesome

!!!!!!!! Words: Karen Drucker & Pam Grout! Music: Karen Drucker & John Hoy

2.!!!!! You Are Welcome Here

!!!!!!!! Words & music: Karen Drucker & Harold Payne

3.!!!!! Let It Be Whatever It Is

!!!!!!!! Words: Karen Drucker & Sloan Wainwright

! Music: Karen Drucker, Sloan Wainwright, John Hoy

4.!!!!! Alaya

!!!!!!!! Words: Karen Drucker & StoweGood! Music: Karen Drucker & John Hoy

5.!!!!! Beautiful True & Divine

!!!!!!!! Words & music: Karen Drucker & Gary Lynn Floyd

6.!!!!! I Could See Peace Instead Of This

!!!!!!!! Words: Karen Drucker! Music: Karen Drucker & John Hoy

7.!!!!! Brave

!!!!!!!! Words & music: Karen Drucker & Claudia Carawan

8.!!!!! I Stand For Love

!!!!!!!! Words & music: Karen Drucker & Gary Lynn Floyd

All songs ©TayToones Music BMI 2022 along with:!

# 2 Harold Payne Music BMI!

# 3 Derby Disc Music SESAC!

# 4 Song Guru Music SESAC StoweZone Music ASCAP!

# 5 & 8! Funny Things Happen Music ASCAP! !

# 7 Heart Over The Bar Music ASCAP

Amazingly Awesome

Words: Karen Drucker & Pam Grout

Music: Karen Drucker & John Hoy

Keyboards: John R Burr

All other instruments: John Hoy

Vocals: Karen Drucker

Background vocals: Shelida Buffet, Hedda Lettuce

The story behind this song is truly amazingly awesome. I have been a fan of writer

Pam Grout for years. She has written best-selling books like E-squared,

E-cubed, Living Big and others. In her book; “Thank & Grow Rich”, she

suggested a daily exercise of waking up in the morning and afﬁrming

“ Something amazingly awesome is going to happen to me today!” I wrote this

afﬁrmation on little yellow stickies all around my house but then to really get it in

my head, I made up a little melody and started singing it all day long. I had the

idea that this could be a fun song to write with her - and decided to throw it out

there and see if she would be interested. I wrote an email and didn’t expect to hear

anything. A few days later she contacted me and actually knew who I was since her

Unity church sings many of my songs! Awesome! She said she would love to write

with me and through the magic of Zoom we became friends and had a great time

writing this song. Every time I sing this song I truly feel amazingly awesome!

For more information about Pam: https://pamgrout.com

Amazingly Awesome

Words: Karen Drucker & Pam Grout

Music: Karen Drucker & John Hoy

Chorus: Something amazingly awesome is gonna happen to me today. (4x)

1. I’ll sing my little mantra and get it in my head.

Today is a party, I’m gonna leap on out of bed.

I start my day in this way, knowing everything is okay,

I look for the good in everything, it makes me want to sing…

Chorus

2. It’s not out in the future, it’s right before my eyes.

The beauty, joy and wonder, it’s time I realize,

that every moment is a gift, all it takes is the slightest shift,

to see the good in everything, it’ll make you want to sing…

Chorus

Bridge: How can I be open to it? Gratitude, gratitude.

What if I’m not really feeling it? Gratitude, gratitude.

I believe in the power of what I say will be,

I’ve ﬁnally learned the lesson that gratitude is the key.

Amazing, amazing it’s all amazing… (repeat)

Chorus

You Are Welcome Here

Words & music: Karen Drucker & Harold Payne

Keyboards: John R Burr

All other instruments: John Hoy

Vocals: Karen Drucker

Backup vocals: Sandi Grifﬁth & Omega Rae Brooks

I love writing songs and performing with Harold Payne. Truly one of the best

songwriters around and a master of making up songs on the spot! We were asked

to perform and open up for a musician/songwriting conference and make everyone

- especially the newcomers - feel included and welcomed. We wrote the chorus in a

ﬂash, but felt like there was more we could say about this subject. Yes, it’s about

coming to a conference, or a church service and feeling welcomed, but the deeper

message for me is about anyone who feels like they want to be accepted for who

they are, what they believe, what country they are from, or what their sexual

orientation is. We are all welcomed and loved and that is the real message of this

song!

For more information about Harold Payne: https://haroldpaynemusic.com

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

You Are Welcome Here

Words & music: Karen Drucker & Harold Payne

Chorus: You are welcome here. You are welcome here. You are welcome here.

1. Our arms are wide open. There’s room for everyone.

Wherever you’re going, wherever you’re from, you are home.

Chorus

!2. Whatever you’ve been through, you’ve found us somehow.

Wherever you are on your journey now you are home.

Chorus

I am welcome here. (2x) We are welcome here. (2x) You are welcome here. (2x)

Welcome welcome here (2x) We/You/I are welcome here.

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

Let It Be Whatever It Is

Words: Karen Drucker & Sloan Wainwright

Music: Karen Drucker, Sloan Wainwright, John Hoy

All instruments: John Hoy

Vocals: Karen Drucker

Ah yes the pandemic. I was at a Zoom songwriting retreat…believe it or not,

we could still write songs together during this wacky time when we couldn’t

physically be together. A group of us got together and would go into Zoom rooms

for a few hours and write songs - then come together later for show and tell.

My partner for one session was Sloan Wainwright - one of my favorite singer

songwriters who I have had the privilege to write other songs together. When we

talked about how we were felling about the pandemic we both agreed that the only

thing we could do was surrender, let go, accept and realize that we just had to let it

be. A song was born from this idea and the message helps me in so many other

areas of my life when I am resisting - I have to remember to just let it be!

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

Let It Be Whatever It Is

Words: Karen Drucker & Sloan Wainwright

Music: Karen Drucker, Sloan Wainwright, John Hoy

Chorus: Let it be whatever it is.!Let me cry if tears gotta fall.

Let me stop if I need to rest. Let it be whatever it is. !

1. I keep thinking everyday that I need to do more, !

write that novel, clear the clutter, mop and wax all the ﬂoors.

Can I set aside all my should’s, could’s and would’s

Can I be okay when it's not all good?!

Chorus

2. Holding on to what was with all my might, !

it’s over, it’s done and out of sight.

All the struggle, all the pain, gotta let it all go.

When I trust my heart, then I know.

Chorus

Bridge: Whatever it is - the good and the bad.

Whatever it is - the happy, the sad.

Whatever it is - let it all be okay.

Whatever it is - just is!

Chorus

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

Alaya

Words: Karen Drucker & StoweGood

Music: Karen Drucker & John Hoy

All instruments: John Hoy

Vocals: Karen Drucker

Backup vocals: Hedda Lettuce, Bonquita Jackson

There are people that you can meet that leave a lasting impression on your heart and soul.

Such is my relationship with Alaya. She was born with Down syndrome, (also referred to

as an intellectual disability) but where other’s may see someone with a disease or

disability, she finds a way to connect with everyone she meets with her loving, open and

sensitive nature. Every time we are together, we can just look deeply into each others

eyes and the connection is so strong and loving.

I asked her amazing parents Wanda and Larry to write about our relationship:

“Alaya and Karen’s relationship began long before they met in person, as Alaya’s mom

Wanda surrounded Alaya with Karen’s love and acceptance through positive and

affirming songs from the moment she was born. Alaya just loved the music. One of the

first sentences Alaya sang was “You are the face of God”. As Alaya grew she became a

Karen groupie. Alaya dreamt of the day she could meet Karen. We made a trip to CA and

Alaya sat in the front row of her concert and actually got up on stage and sang with

Karen on “There is only love.” To celebrate Alaya’s high school graduation, Karen

surprised Alaya with her very own song! If Alaya sees the outward differences in others

it’s never stopped her or made her fearful. She embraces the connections she makes and

sees the beauty in all.”

This song was co-written with my two favorite songwriters, Karen Taylor Good and

Stowe Daily - aka Stowegood. Their contribution helped me to capture the essence of

Alaya in the lyrics!

For information about Stowegood: https://www.stowegood.com

From Karen’s CD !I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

Alaya

Words: Karen Drucker & StoweGood

Music: Karen Drucker & John Hoy

Chorus: Alaya, Alaya in everything you do,

Alaya, Alaya your light comes shining through.

Alaya when you smile the angels all applaud.

Alaya your name means “lovely gift from God.”

1. Every time that I see you and I look into your eyes,

there’s something in your Spirit that makes me realize,

that you are here to teach me how to live from love.

Anyone who knows you knows that you were sent from above.

Chorus

2. From the day that I met you you turned my life around,

I’ve never known a heart like yours, you lift me when I’m down.

Everything about you is joy and love and grace.

I’m full of awe and wonder every time I see your sweet face.

Chorus

Bridge: Alaya - A-la la la la Alaya - Alaya A-la la la la Alaya

Chorus

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

Beautiful True & Divine

Words & music: Karen Drucker & Gary Lynn Floyd

Guitar, bass, keyboards: John Hoy

Vocals: Karen Drucker

Backup vocals: Sandi Grifﬁth

One of my musical passions is writing a song or chant that will help someone

going through a challenge - with their health, or relationships, or feeling lost and

alone. My friend Sue asked me to write a chant for her friend and this is how she

explains it:

“When my friend Rebecca went into hospice, I asked Karen to write her a chant

using Rebecca’s mantra, “You are beautiful, true, and divine.” Karen was doing

some writing with Gary Lynn Floyd at the time, and they came up with a beautiful

chant. However, as Karen says, that phrase wasn’t done with them yet so they

continued on and wrote this song. Though it’s not about Rebecca speciﬁcally, it

deﬁnitely embodies her essence. She truly was Beautiful, True and Divine.”

When you listen to this song I hope you will feel like I am singing to you -

because YOU are truly beautiful true and divine!

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

Beautiful True & Divine

Words & music: Karen Drucker & Gary Lynn Floyd

Chorus: You are beautiful true and divine.

You are beautiful true and divine.

When I look in your eyes, I see you shine.

You are beautiful true and divine.

1. Can you see the beauty you are?

Blazing like a shining star.

If only you could see what I see, the perfection of your divinity.

Chorus

2. I know that there are times when you doubt,

the effect of all you give out.

Everyone who knows you agrees, the love you give is your legacy.

Chorus

Bridge: I see it in everything you do. I see it in you. I see it in you.

Chorus

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

I Could See Peace Instead Of This

Words: Karen Drucker

Music: Karen Drucker & John Hoy

All instruments: John Hoy

Vocals: Karen Drucker

Backup vocals: Helen Heels, Hedda Lettuce

In the daily lessons of the book “ A Course In Miracles “- lesson number 34 states;

“ I could see peace instead of this.” What a concept - I actually have a choice in

how I view the world. The book says; “Peace of mind is clearly an internal matter.

It must begin with your own thoughts, and then extend outward. It is from your

peace of mind that a peaceful perception of the world arises.” When I read this I

knew I needed to write a song that I could sing to myself whenever I got triggered

and could bring me back to a place of peace. The lesson ends with an exercise of

saying to yourself; “ I can replace my feelings of depression, anxiety or worry

(or my thoughts about this situation, personality or event) with peace.”

So sing along with me and come back to that place of peace.

I Could See Peace Instead Of This

Words: Karen Drucker

Music: Karen Drucker & John Hoy

Chorus: I could see peace instead of this. I could see peace instead of this.

I could see peace instead of this. I could see peace instead of this.

1. When I feel lost, and I don’t know where to go.

It’s always up to me, what I focus on will grow.

I could choose love or I could choose fear,

but if I want to be happy the answer’s so clear.

Chorus

2. When I’m troubled, feeling so alone.

Love is always with me and grace will bring me home.

Love is the healer, love is all I see.

Each and every day, love is who I want to be.

Chorus: I could see love instead of this. (4x)

Chorus : I could see peace instead of this (4x)

Brave

Words & music Karen Drucker & Claudia Carawan

All instruments: John Hoy

Vocals: Karen Drucker

I love how songs emerge from nothing. I was having a Zoom writing session with

my wonderful friend, singer/songwriter Claudia Carawan, and we were talking

about how we were feeling about the pandemic, our lives, our careers and how it

felt to be putting our music out into the world in these changing times. We both

realized that so much of it comes down to just showing up and being vulnerable

and how brave that can be. My favorite line is; “I listen to my heart and not what

other people say” - when I can remember that it helps me to drop into that part of

me that is brave!

For more information about Claudia and her music: http://www.claudiacarawan.com

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

Brave

Words & music Karen Drucker & Claudia Carawan

1. If I just show up, be open to surprise,

there could be miracles right before my eyes.

If I just let go something better might appear,

who knows what will happen when joy replaces fear?

Chorus: When I dare to be all that I’m meant to be,

like a shooting star across the sky, unstoppable and free.

I shine my light, I turn darkness into light,

when I dare to be …brave.

2. I’ll trust in who I am, be bold and take a shot.

Who knows what will happen when I give it all I’ve got?

Even when I’m scared, I’ll step into the ring.

I’ve got so much to offer with the gifts that I can bring.

Chorus

Bridge: I’ve worried for so long, I’ve wasted too much time.

But now I’m ready to take the chance and claim what is mine.

3. The path is free and clear, there’s nothing in my way.

I listen to my heart and not what other people say.

I’m gonna take that leap, I’ve never felt so strong.

I might not do it perfectly but I’m right where I belong.

Chorus

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

I Stand For Love

Words & music: Karen Drucker & Gary Lynn Floyd

All instruments: John Hoy

Vocals: Karen Drucker

Backup vocals: Sandi Griffith & Omega Rae Brooks

If I have one song that sums up how I am feeling these days and is a snapshot of

the times we are living in right now it is ‘I Stand For Love”.

I normally don’t write political songs, but this one came from a writing session

with my good friend Gary Lynn Floyd, where we were lamenting about the

political divide in this country. We decided we wanted to write a positive song

about the qualities that we believed in; hope, faith, freedom, equality and love.

I hope when people hear this song and sing along with it, they will feel lifted up

and we can all feel connected as one human family.

For more information about Gary Lynn Floyd and his music:

https://garylynnfloyd.com

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com

I Stand For Love

Words & music: Karen Drucker & Gary Lynn Floyd

1. These times are troublin’ me, so much I can hardly see

through the walls keepin’ us apart.

You got your views and I got mine, but we’re together in this moment in time.

I hope that you can hear me with your heart.

I’m not trying to push you away, but I’ve got something that I’ve got to say….

Chorus: I stand for love. I stand for peace. I stand for humanity and the good of all.

I stand for hope. I stand for faith. I stand for freedom and the good of all.

I stand. I stand. I stand. Would you stand with me?

I stand. I stand. I stand. Could you stand with me?

2. When we don’t understand we turn away,

instead of learning that there could be another way.

Can we agree to disagree?

We may never see things eye to eye

but we can hold onto the love between you and I.

It’s the only way we can survive.

I’m not trying to push you away but I’ve got something that I’ve got to say …

Chorus

I stand for love. I stand for peace. I stand for equality Would you stand with me?

I stand for truth. I stand for kindness. I stand for freedom. Could you stand with me?

I stand for hope. I stand for justice. I stand for faith. Would you stand with me?

I stand for light. I stand for love. I stand for compassion. Could you stand with me?

Could you stand with me? Could you stand with me?

From Karen’s CD “I Stand For Love” www.karendrucker.com