"Gifts of the Heart" ~ June Millington from ONE WORLD, ONE HEART

"Gifts of the Heart" is like no other of my songs - it's full-on island-style, with that reggae thing, and I've fallen in love with it again. Consider: it was written in the 80's, and I swear to all the gods and goddesses that the words are just as relevant now as they were, in say, 1985.
I started writing it in the car, because I started to hear it in then ~ driving from Davis (where my Mom lived) to Oakland, Vallejo whizzing by on my left, the bay starting to appear on my right ... all of a sudden I started to hear "It's kinda hard for an island girl," with the answer "Yeah, I'm really ready for a good time." Because, actually, I was kinda depressed - Jean had just move to London with Marita to join Slick, and I needed something to cheer me up. And the goddesses gave that right to me!

But wait - I was driving! So I pulled over my videocamera - which in those days I always had by my side - and started taping on that. I think, actually, it might've been late '83/'84, because later that year I got together with Ann, Jean returned (going to Staten Island first, where Slick's Dad lived - he was a cop), and she was so sick from being pregnant with Lee. He took everything! (in the way that babies in utero can). She was as white as a Chinese porcelain doll, and I mean that sincerely. But he was worth it, on so many levels ... it was all meant to be. And Lee was born in March of '85. He's never not known an Auntie Ann!

Of course I love the groove, but in re-learning the words, I can see not only the island references, but Buddhist and Bible references as well (I was raised Catholic). "Thy" story for example, and "some are a-pointing." And where did "foundering" come from? I didn't even know it was a word! But they gave it to me, and in it went. (examples of the verb: to cause a ship to fill with water and sink; or a plan or undertaking failing). It felt reggae, you know? In the way that those songs use words ... so, right.

With regards to Buddhism, I was really beginning to understand the Teachings more and more, and they were a revelation. But I couldn't talk to anyone about them ~ they would just look at me with bewilderment and incomprehension, or the references were just too out there. So, as when I was much younger in Manila, I suppose I felt that, in misunderstanding, "some were a-pointing" behind my back. Subtle stuff, deep.

Drums/bass: Paul and Mark van Wageningen
Electric rhythm guitars, small parts: June Millington, Vicki Randle
Lead Guitars (in harmony)/lead vocal: June Millington
backing vocals, and answers: June, Jean, and Scott Millington
timbale: probably Paul, could've been Vicki too
Recorded at Live Studio in Oakland with Jim Gardner, thanks Mimi Fox for the recommendation and Priscilla Rice for accommodating me!

So here we go, on a journey with the words: Please enjoy the entire experience, inner and outer:))
It’s kinda hard, for an island girl (yeah, I’m really ready for a good time) 2x
Yeah, I’m really ready for a good time
Oh, I’m really ready for the sunshine
Yeah, I’m really ready for a good time, I don’t know what’s coming …

I take the freeway, and I take my chance (yeah, I’m really ready for a good time)
That no one there will interfere with my advance (yeah, I’m really ready for a good time)
Yeah, I’m really ready for a good time
Oh, I’m really ready for the sunshine
Yeah, I’m really ready for a good time, I don’t know what’s coming …

I do believe Thy story (some are a-pointing)
I do believe Thy story (found in the Prophecies)
I do believe, that people (are suffering in a righteous way)
I do believe in the people and the heart, and that’s my prophecy

The Key! All the Gifts of the Heart (2x)
All the Gifts of the Heart (the Key!), All the Gifts of the Heart

I find relief in the foundering world (yeah, I’m really ready for a good time)
I’ll put it purely in material terms (yeah, I’m really ready for a good time)
Yeah, I’m really ready for a good time
Oh, I’m really ready for the sunshine
Yeah, I’m really ready for a good time, I don’t know what’s coming …

Can I put out, a kind word? Can I think about a Kind World? (4x) SOLO
All the Gifts of the Heart (I Do Believe) All the Gifts of the Heart,
All the Gifts of the Heart (the Key!) All the Gifts of the Heart

I do believe Thy story (some are a-pointing)
I do believe Thy story (found in the Prophecies)
I do believe, that people (are suffering in a righteous way)
I do believe in the people and the heart, and that’s my prophecy

I do believe, that the world could be kind (yeah)
But it would take a revolution inside (yeah)
Yeah, I’m really ready for a change
Oh, I really feel lot of pain
Yeah, I’m really ready for a change
And I don’t know what’s coming

Can I put out, a kind word? Can I think about a Kind World? (4x)
And that’s my Prophecy:
Kind world (Gifts of the Heart), Kind World (Gifts of the Heart)

June Millington
Artistic director, IMA
www.ima.org
[email protected]