Origin: Beggars to God (Bob Franke)

Subject: 'Beggars to God'--Need any info possible
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 15 Nov 99 - 01:19 PM

I heard this tune played by a DJ at a wedding reception, however, he didn't have any information about the song...was on a tape someone had put together for him...

I don't remember any of the lyrics.

It was a beautiful, moving song...and definitely had an "Irish" flare to the tune, and the group (male singer) was "Irish" or "celtic" as well. It is probably a more recent song...ie over the last few years.

Does anyone have ANY information on this song? CD? Group? Lyrics? Songbook listing?

Thanks a bunch...and wish I had more clues for you to go on.

Mary Kate

Subject: RE: 'Beggars to God'--Need any info possible
From: Marion
Date: 15 Nov 99 - 01:26 PM

Lyrics and chords are in Rise Up Singing. I don't have one on hand, but I could get them for you another day if nobody else supplies them first.

I think (but don't quote me) the song was written by a Robert Franke.

I'd love to learn the melody - I like the lyrics.

Marion

Subject: RE: 'Beggars to God'--Need any info possible
From: lamarca
Date: 15 Nov 99 - 01:47 PM

Yes, Beggars To God was written by Bob Franke, who has a marvelous flair for songwriting material from the spiritual to the blues (listen to his "I'm a Mainframe, Baby", ane of Dr. Demnto's favorites). The lyrics are in the DT here. Bob's homepage is http://www.bobfranke.com. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: 'Beggars to God'--Need any info possible
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 15 Nov 99 - 07:46 PM

It must be my "stupid" computer! I searched the database and didn't find the lyrics!!!!

Rise Up Singing doesn't have the melody line, though, does it....I think that's why I have not purchased the book.....

Thanks to the both of you!

Mary

Subject: RE: 'Beggars to God'--Need any info possible
From: Marion
Date: 15 Nov 99 - 08:07 PM

I don't understand the phrase "beggars to God". Can anyone clue me in?

Marion

Subject: RE: 'Beggars to God'--Need any info possible
From: MMario
Date: 15 Nov 99 - 09:36 PM

oh lordy---I did a whole article based on this song once, lemmmee see if I can remember my interpretation. (I have no idea how Franke used it, just my own thoughts)

Basically what it boiled down to is, that if you believe in a God/Creator from whom everything comes, then what you possess is a gift from God; it is not "earned" - it is not "won" - it is GIVEN, as one would give to a begger, or rather, as one SHOULD give to a begger, freely, without hope for reward or benefit. God gives, we receive, out of charity, in the older sense of the word. the corralary is that we cannot give to God, as all we possess is his to begin with....

It is not a comfortable ideology; but I suspect it strikes close to the truth. But my closing line of the article, (which I DO remember) is something I still believe... "I could do far worse for an epitaph then 'He was a beggar to God' "

Subject: RE: 'Beggars to God'--Need any info possible
From: Folksie Lady
Date: 16 Nov 99 - 02:24 PM

This song originally appeared on Bob Franke's album "For Real" which is, I believe, now out of print. Another marvelous song worth hearing is "Straw Against the Chill", a goosebump-inducing re-telling of the Christmas story. The Short Sisters included it in their album "A Planet Dancing Slow" and it can be found on Franke's latest, "Long Roads, Short Visits."

Folksie

Subject: RE: Origin: Beggars to God (Bob Franke)
From: GUEST,Just saw this: it was written for my wedding
Date: 01 May 18 - 08:27 AM

Bob wrote this song in a hotel and express-mailed a cassette to our dear friends Kevin Skorupa and Larry Young, who surprised us with it at the reception.

Chris Smith