2025 Competition Entry:

One More Step by Nancy Hayashibara

Genre

Folk

Website

Co-writer(s)

no

Performer(s)

Deanna Lamour – lead vocals
Nancy Hayashibara – backing vocals, kalimba, digital instruments

Description

I had a lot of friends and students going through tough times. There wasn’t a lot I could do for them other than listen and be there if they needed me. I wrote this for them and for myself for when I am having a hard time as well. It’s a reminder to look up every now and then and realize there are good friends on the journey with you.

Bio

Aside from her work as a musician, Nancy is also an animator and visual artist. In 2022 she received a grant from the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts to compose and perform “Call to an Open Sky” for the SRJC choirs. In 2024 she received a grant from the Center for Cultural Innovation to produce multimedia choral works for the SRJC choirs centered around ideas of inclusivity and accessibility in music.

Since 2013 Nancy has been the staff accompanist and vocal coach at Santa Rosa Junior College. One of her current projects is working with Grammy Scientific Research Award winner Dr. Erik Johnson and Dr.Jerome Fleg on designing video elements for the SRJC Symphonic Orchestra and Jazz Band concert in May reflective of the internal and spiritual ways people think about gratitude in their lives.

Lyrics

When you wake up
And you don’t know
Why you’ve got one more step
To go
The day calls you
Away
Put your feet on the ground
Don’t stay
One more step to go
One more step to go
I know you’re tired
And you feel weak
Sometimes it’s tough
To speak
Walk it fast
Or walk it slow
One more step to go
One more step to go
One more step to go

Look up some time
And see the view
See some friends
Walkin’ next to you
It’s tough to leave
The things you know
It’s the only way
To grow
Instr. Break

Rest a bit
If you feel beat
And when you can
Get up on your feet
One more step to go
One more step to go
The path ahead
Goes on and on
Someone after you
Will walk it when you’re done
One more step to go
One more step

Leave a comment