2025 Competition Lyrics Entry:

Watching Over Me by Erlinda Sabili

Lyrics

Watching Over Me”

Composer: Linda Sabili


# Verse 1
I wandered through the darkest night
With fears and doubts that sought to ignite
A fire of anxiety that seemed to never cease
But in the silence, I heard a gentle breeze

# Refrain
In my heart, I hear the refrain:
You keep watching over me in my sleep, oh, oh
And I long for Your closeness in my life
Oh, oh, oh your closeness in my life oh oh oh

# Verse 2
Your compassion lifted me from the ground
Your love, a shelter from life’s raging sound
Through every storm, You stood by my side
And helped me find my footing, step by step, with pride

# Refrain
In my heart, I hear the refrain:
You keep watching over me in my sleep, oh, oh
And I long for Your closeness in my life
Oh, oh, oh your closeness in my life oh oh oh

# Bridge
Now I’m standing on the mountain high
With a heart full of hope and a spirit that won’t die
I’ll shine Your light for all to see
And guide others through their own dark nights, with me

# Refrain
In my heart, I hear the refrain:
You keep watching over me in my sleep, oh, oh
And I long for Your closeness in my life
Oh, oh, oh your closeness in my life oh oh

# Outro
I’ll hold on to Your love, forevermore

Bio

Growing up in a family of music lovers, I was destined to make music a central part of my life. At 8, I began learning to play the baduria, guitar, and piano. I was fascinated by the way music could evoke emotions and tell stories. I started playing by ear and soon began composing my songs.

Music became an integral part of my academic life as I grew older. I often used my compositions in school programs, which helped me develop my skills and confidence as a musician.

I was 12 years old when I attended a spiritual retreat x3 days where “I had a date with the Lord called Manzanita, “where your families serenaded you. After 72 hrs of fasting and prayers, I felt refreshed and renewed. The word of God got stucked into my head. “I have carved you in the palm of my hand; I called you by name. You are mine. “Contemporary Christian music and Gregorian chant influenced my spiritual journey. I finished training in Internal Medicine / Psychiatry and Neurology and treated patients with chronic pain. After training, the same music about God’s unconditional love kept playing in my head. Today, I used my encounters with different people as the subject of my musical composition.

When I entered the convent, music continued to be a source of comfort and inspiration. I composed music for church services and social gatherings, which brought joy and solace to those around me.

It wasn’t until I reached the age of 60 that my passion for composing music became more intense. As I reflected on my life experiences, including my struggles with illness and my work with patients, I felt compelled to express these emotions and stories through music.

Today, I continue to compose music that reflects my journey, from the joys and challenges of my childhood to the triumphs and struggles of my adult life. Music has been my constant companion, a source of healing, comfort, and inspiration. I am grateful for the gift of music and the opportunity to share my story with others.

Co-author(s)

Lyrics Competition Results

Emotional Impact:
12/ 20
Technical Skill:
9/ 20
Memorability:
7/ 20
Storytelling:
10/ 20
Imagery:
8/ 20
Total Score:
46/ 100
Commended

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