2025 Competition Entry:
Speak of Peace by Franklyn Schaefer
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Genre
Folk
Artist
Co-writer(s)
no
Performer(s)
I sang all voices, played the acoustic guitar and an amateur study filled in the rest of the instrumentation (Chris Pati in Long Island, NY). I self published the song via CD Baby under my own music company “JavaCasa Music.” So, I hold all writing, performance and publishing rights.
Description
I wrote this song around the time my oldest son came out as gay and I honestly struggled with the world and even my faith. I feared for his life and I just needed to express all those questions and fears I had in a song. Somehow, capturing my feelings in a song has a healing power.
Bio
Franklyn Schaefer is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, arranger and composer. He published his first album in 2008 (Keep on Smiling) and has published two more albums and several single songs since.
Franklyn uses various genres, such as Rock, Folk Gospel and Country to express messages of love, social values and justice. Being an ordained minister, a lot of Franklyn’s songs intend to inspire faith in love, peace and justice.
In a highly publicized United Methodist Church trial, Franklyn was stripped of his credentials and church position in 2013 for officiating at his son’s same-sex wedding after refusing to denounce gay marriage rights. He was reinstated on an appeal in June 2014.
One of his more recent songs intends to raise awareness of the challenges surrounding homelessness– “Run Jimmy Run” (2018) speaks to the reality of travelers–migrants and homeless people everywhere, facing prejudice and unjust laws wherever they try to settle down.
Franklyn uses various genres, such as Rock, Folk Gospel and Country to express messages of love, social values and justice. Being an ordained minister, a lot of Franklyn’s songs intend to inspire faith in love, peace and justice.
In a highly publicized United Methodist Church trial, Franklyn was stripped of his credentials and church position in 2013 for officiating at his son’s same-sex wedding after refusing to denounce gay marriage rights. He was reinstated on an appeal in June 2014.
One of his more recent songs intends to raise awareness of the challenges surrounding homelessness– “Run Jimmy Run” (2018) speaks to the reality of travelers–migrants and homeless people everywhere, facing prejudice and unjust laws wherever they try to settle down.
Lyrics
Speak of Peace by Franklyn Schaefer
I watch the world and want to cry.
It’s all gone wrong, someone tell me why.
Who said there’s glory found in war?
Who taught us brothers to ignore?
My questions rise to the sky
The stars above can testify
I watch for shooting stars and wait
To make a wish and change our fate!
Speak of peace, speak of love,
Brother moon, from above!
Say a prayer, through the night
That our world will be alright.
Can’t we join forces to create,
A world which leaves no room for hate?
Can’t there be faith without a creed?
And who said love cannot be free?
My questions rise to the sky
The stars above can testify
I watch for shooting stars and wait
To make a wish and change our fate!
Speak of peace, speak of love,
Brother moon, from above!
Say a prayer, through the night
That our world will be alright.
I wish that good will right the wrong
I wish one day we’ll get along.
That our minds be opened wide
That love and kindness be our guide!
I watch the world and want to cry.
It’s all gone wrong, someone tell me why.
Who said there’s glory found in war?
Who taught us brothers to ignore?
My questions rise to the sky
The stars above can testify
I watch for shooting stars and wait
To make a wish and change our fate!
Speak of peace, speak of love,
Brother moon, from above!
Say a prayer, through the night
That our world will be alright.
Can’t we join forces to create,
A world which leaves no room for hate?
Can’t there be faith without a creed?
And who said love cannot be free?
My questions rise to the sky
The stars above can testify
I watch for shooting stars and wait
To make a wish and change our fate!
Speak of peace, speak of love,
Brother moon, from above!
Say a prayer, through the night
That our world will be alright.
I wish that good will right the wrong
I wish one day we’ll get along.
That our minds be opened wide
That love and kindness be our guide!
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