Rachel Harris

I grew up experiencing Hanukkah through the eyes of my Jewish cousins and friends. Not Jewish myself, my aunts and uncles took the time to explain the holiday to me and I was impressed by the hope in the Hanukkah story, how a tiny miracle in the face of adversity is enough. After playing a few too many Christmas songs (and one of my band mates said he was done with Christmas songs) I wrote this song for my Jewish family and friends, and any one else who appreciates the smallest blessings. Find the lyrics and chords here.

Guitar, fiddle, and bass by the multi-talented EJ Ouellette. Harmonies by Lisa O'Donnell & Leigh Walant.

So many thoughts around Christmas came together in this song. We lost a close family member on Christmas Eve when our son was three years old. I was amazed how steadying it was to continue to go through our daily rituals together and get though such a difficult time. Beyond that one very sad Christmas, I remembered the years before we had children and how much I felt that someone was missing. And, going back to my childhood contemplations, I had wondered how, even with a full inn, no one gave their room to Mary so Jesus was born in a stable. Surely someone else, who wasn't giving birth could have gone and slept with the sheep. It's a reminder for today as well, that there is always room in a heart. Find the lyrics and chords here.

Guitar, fiddle, and bass by the multi-talented EJ Ouellette. Harmonies by Lisa O'Donnell & Leigh Walant.

This song was inspired by many dear friends, and the saying of a wonderful woman I knew. "Everyday is like a new math problem" she would say with a laugh as she navigated the many moving pieces getting her family to all the places they need to be each day and teaching children with a joy and kindness which I aspire to. Somehow it would always get done, and then suddenly she was gone. She passed away far too young, and in this song I wanted to remember her remarkable spirit. Sadly, another friend who inspired this song passed away a few years later.

I was also inspired by this quote from Lois McMaster Bujold: "Lives [do] not add as integers. They [add] as infinites."

Lead guitar, fiddle, piano and backup vocals by the multi-talented EJ Ouellette. Awesome drums by Dave Mattacks.

Rocking your sleepless child can make you feel like the last person on earth. But out there, not far away, other parents are rocking too.

Lead guitar, fiddle, and bass by the multi-talented EJ Ouellette.

Tonight is bad - tomorrow’s probably going to be worse. If only coffee were an option…

Lead guitar, fiddle, and bass by the multi-talented EJ Ouellette.

So everything went well, and then there were kids and a house and snow, and it was still cold outside

Vocals: Rachel Harris & EJ Ouellette

Instruments: EJ Ouellette

Alternate Lyrics: Rachel Harris