LINER NOTES
1) Offering Song (Traditional, arranged by Jim Westbrook) :56. Jim has
written a piano accompaniment for a Tibetan offering prayer.
2) How Great it Would Be (George Galt and Pam Cayton) 4:00. This song was
written to be sung by the children’s chorus of Tara Redwood School on the
occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to California in May, 2001.
Performing it with them was one of the high points of my life. The mantra is
that of Chenrezig, the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas.
3) Long Life Song for His Holiness the Dalai Lama (George Galt) 3:16.
Written at the suggestion of Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche for His Holiness’ birthday
in 1998, this song incorporates an adaptation of the traditional Tibetan prayer.
4) Shaky Ground (George Galt) 3:04. Inspired by Lama Yeshe’s statement
“I’m a refugee” in one of his refuge commentaries, and a dark night spent
on a windy beach. It’s a song about seeking shelter from the uncertainties of
life.
5) Long Life Song for Kyabje Thubten Zopa Rinpoche (George Galt) 3:07.
This was the first of these long life songs. It is written about a unique Sherpa
Lama whose kindness, wisdom, and energy are unbelievable. The song is just
something simple from the heart--I hope it has the desired effect!
6) Long Life Song for Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche (George Galt) 3:37.
Composed for Rinpoche’s long life puja at Vajrapani, May 30, 1999.
7) Don’t Know Much About Emptiness (Words by George Galt, Diney
Woodsorrel, and Jon Landaw. Music by Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert, and Lou Adler,
ABKCO Music Inc. BMI) 3:13. Written during the Buddhist College at Madison,
Wisconsin, Summer of 1978, when we should have been paying attention.
8) From a Beautiful Land (George Galt) 6:03. This is a retelling of the
Seven Limb Prayer, which consists of prostration, offering, confession,
rejoicing, requesting the gurus to remain, beseeching them to teach, and
dedication. The prayer forms the basis for many Buddhist rituals. The mantra is
that of Guru Shakyamuni Buddha. Any errors here are mine--the original practice
contains none.
The Dakiniland choir consists of Venerable Nyingje, Angelica Wallace, Elaine
Jackson, Victoria Clark, and Shasta Wallace, and appears on tracks 2 and 6.
George Galt--acoustic guitar and vocals.
Michael Hodjera--electric guitar, percussion, bass guitar, keyboards, and
vocals.
Andy Robbins--bass guitar
Jim Westbrook--piano
Michal Lauren--vocals
Produced by Michael Hodjera and George Galt. Recorded at Leafwood Cottage and at
Zero Gravity, Boulder Creek. All songs copyright 2003 by George Galt, Skeleton
Keys Music.
Cover art by Jody Galt.
Graphic Design by Elaine Jackson.
This CD is a dream come true. My deepest thanks to my wife Jody and my family
for their support, to Ven. Amy and Petra for their advice, to the Dakiniland
Choir for their lovely voices, to Michael for making it happen, to Katy for her
patience, to the Woodworm folks for a timely donation, to all of you for your
support and encouragement, and especially to Lama Yeshe and Kyabje Zopa
Rinpoche, the source of it all.
BENEFACTORS
This CD has been funded entirely by the donations of wonderful people who
thought it might have benefit. They are Marie and John McEntee, Claudia Wolfe of
Wellness Within, Ven. Amy Miller, Judy Weitzner and Don Broderson, Jenny
Thierman and Robert Sheridan, Sally Barraud, Ross Brooke, Michael Hodjera, Steve
Pearl and Wanda Sisnroy, Richard Prinz and Bev Gwyn, Dan and Rita Miles, Tom
Waggoner, Chris and Dave Pegg, Brian Halterman, Steve Willing, Giselle and Ngima
Tsering, Jim and Kathy Westbrook, Gail Deutsch, Shasta and Angelica Wallace,
Barbara, Brandy and Dronme Davis, Jon and Truus Landaw and family, and all the
anonymous donors to the Birthday Tree. May all their holy wishes come true
immediately to benefit others.
DEDICATION
By the energy created by creating and listening to this CD and sharing it
with others may all teachers of Dharma have long and successful lives, may the
Dharma proliferate throughout the universe and remain stable there, may all
sentient beings quickly attain enlightenment, and may we become perfect jewels
of Dharma, refracting Buddha’s pure teaching throughout all of space.
Caption for photo
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the students and staff of Tara Redwood
School at the presentation of “How Great it Would Be”, May, 2001.
Caption for rear insert
These CDs were funded by donations. If you would like more copies, or to make
your own donation, write to George Galt, PO Box 931, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 USA
(831) 338-3660. Any offerings will be used to generate more CDs, pay for
shipping, and fund future Dharma recording projects. If there is any money left
over, it will be donated to the Lama Yeshe Statue Shrine at Vajrapani Institute.
Thank you for your kindness.