Mary, Did You Know? (M. Lowry, B. Greene) ~ Erwin Lazaro 163

If I had to choose one genre of music or one subject to sing about, above all others, it would be about my Faith.  I always feel like I’m bursting from within because I have so much to share and I have limited means to do so.  Thankfully, I discovered my affinity for music early in life.  Music helps me release the overflowing emotions that continually builds and consumes my heart, my mind, and my soul.  I honestly don’t know how I would have survived otherwise.  I will always advocate a world filled with freedom of expression through the arts, especially music.

 

I have a vivid passion for life.  In my youth, I was rambunctious and unrestrained.  I got into lots of trouble as a child.  Without my loving and nurturing family life, I might have made a disaster of myself.  My family had the foresight, conviction, and patience to help me develop my passion for living without squashing it.  I can understand how tempting it is to control an energetic spirit for the sake of peace and sanity, but I am forever grateful for the guidance I received that allowed me to hone that limitless energy and made me the man I am.  As a parent, I remember that generous support as I help raise my own children.  I am always mindful not to squash their spirits.  Nothing is worse than a tamed personality molded to one’s own liking.  That is the most selfish and heinous act one person can do to another.  It’s slavery.

 

I am actively building upon the foundation of my own youth through the next generation, encouraging and guiding my children to discover themselves without handing them the knowledge they seek about themselves.  That knowledge is inadequate compared to the wisdom gained from experience and that experience inherently involves the family’s journey together.

 

In my own life, before I fell in love with music, I discovered my abilities with the pencil.  Before I found the words to paint my emotions in written form, I used my imagination to draw what I pictured in my mind’s eye.  I spent many days and nights drawing everything my inspiration could muster.  And, when those pictures started moving within my mind, I then discovered writing.  Writing allowed me to paint a series of images with words.  Though writing is a wonderful way to explore the depths of my expressions, the effort requires much time to develop.  In my youth, drawing and writing were still deficient for the gratification I sought.  That’s when I truly discovered music.

 

If I had to analyze my discovery of drawing which led to writing which led to music, I’d have to attribute my path taken to the insatiable passion that drives me.  I was never satisfied knowing there was something more to be sought.  I am a tenacious believer that I am vessel that needs to be filled with the grandeur that life has to offer.  It’s all here to discover, but entitlement is not an option.  Every bit must be earned and that is my Passion for Life.  My Faith is my vehicle for filling my vessel with that which I seek.  My Faith is the elixir that protects me from that which would hinder my journey.

 

At times, people are taken aback by my enthusiasm, boisterousness, and energy.  Some people feel threatened, overwhelmed, or are afraid of my motives.  My motives are simple.  I find God in everybody.  And, that is why I sing about my Faith.  My voice is a small token of my appreciation for my life.  My efforts are the least I can do to be grateful for the life given to me.

 

From Wikipedia:

Mark Lowry wrote the words for “Mary, Did You Know?” in 1984 when his pastor asked him to write the program for the living Christmas tree choir presentation.  The music was written by Buddy Greene.  Michael English was the first recording artist to record and release 'Mary, Did You Know?" on his debut album titled Michael English which was released on January 1, 1992.  Country music artist Kathy Mattea recorded her version of the song in 1993 for her Christmas album Good News, thus giving the song its first widespread exposure to Country radio.