Last March we attended a live concert in a public library. Yes, a library. No longer just musty dusty bookshelves, libraries here have become cultural enrichment centers.

The Twangtown Paramours, a duo from Nashville, sang a song “Stars Without a Heaven” whose lyrics moved me. I approached them after and asked if they could send me the lyrics. I wrote this and included my contact details:

I wanted to tell you how moving it was that you both sang a song from the Holocaust. I cannot recall ever being in a concert where a song referencing the genocide and hatred of 80+ years ago that decimated my family was featured, especially in a concert that was not a Holocaust remembrance concert, or some concert theme on that topic in particular. Refreshing.

Mike Lewis, one of the duo, replied immediately and promised to send the words to me when their newest CD “The Wind Will Change Again,” is released. Not only refreshing as a reply, but a promise made.

Months passed until last Saturday, and there it was: as promised, his email news the new CD was soon to be released, worded so warmly, and graciously attaching the lyrics to every song in the album.

Plus, wait there’s more, he offered to either mail me a CD or send me the music files via email. I chose the latter.

I offer you the special song’s lyrics below. See why I was touched by their words.

Stars Without a Heaven

© 2015 by MaryBeth Zamer/All Olive Publishing(ASCAP)/Mike T. Lewis/Inside Edge Music Publishing (ASCAP)

 

A yellow star sewn over my ten year old heart

By my mother’s trembling hands

A piece of cloth patched onto my torn winter coat

From my mother’s last summer’s dress

And she cried as she sewed in the dark

 

Do stars without a heaven still shine

Do they sparkle and shimmer in some other sky

Do they light up the darkness burning so bright

Do stars without a heaven still shine

 

On a night in December by a sliver of moon

We fled through alleys and streets

With a suitcase and necklace of one golden star

She left me at St. Mary’s gates

And I cried when she kissed me goodbye

 

Do stars without a heaven still shine

Do they sparkle and shimmer in some other sky

Do they light up the darkness burning so bright

Do stars without a heaven still shine

 

I miss the warmth of her palm on my cheek

Her perfumed scent of roses

The way she danced ‘round the kitchen with my dad

And laid her head on his shoulder

 

She promised to come for me after the war
But I never saw her again

When I look to the stars I think of her love

On the night she let go of my hand

In the hope that strangers would save me

Is she somewhere that she can still see me

 

Do stars without a heaven still shine

Do they sparkle and shimmer in some other sky

Do they light up the darkness burning so bright

Do stars without a heaven still shine

Do stars without a heaven still shine.

 

Thank you Mike and MaryBeth Zamer, for keeping your promise, in a shallow world of too many made and broken, and for the deepfelt emotional quality in your music, especially “Stars Without a Heaven.”

Interested in more of their music? Need a holiday gift? Email twangtownparamours@gmail.com. They’re selling CD’s for $15 plus $5 shipping or 2 CD’s for $20 plus $5 shipping. You can choose any 2 of their CD’s from their website: https://www.thetwangtownparamours.com/.

Mike and MaryBeth, we will see you again and enjoy you even more knowing we further made a connection. I like people who keep promises.

Keep your promises on LinkedIn to come across as THE one they have been looking for, not only on your profile but in everything you do and say. Perhaps that’s a recommendation theme you want to stress, as it’s a rarity today to be known for your word as gold.