Heaven for Me: Selected Lyrics and Scores by Jay Stielstra

2019, Edited by Nada Rakic and Barbara Schmid

This book contains lyrics and musical scores to over 50 songs by Michigan singer-songwriter Jay Stielstra. Although he is a prolific writer of songs, including folk operas/musicals, this is the first time his lyrics and the scored music of any of his songs have appeared in print, making them now available to both lovers of poetry as well as musicians.

At the heart of Stielstra's poetry is his personal world, rich, diverse, often reexamined. He writes about the beauty of nature and his Michigan origins, love, the impermanence of things, and his understanding of the truth of life and the world, society and social phenomena. His artistic expression of these things is characterized by simplicity, clarity, immediacy, and emotional warmth.

The songs in the book are organized in four thematic sections: Heaven for Me (songs about Michigan), Memories to Hold (love songs), Hands of Time (songs about impermanence and the passing of time), and Destruction's Its Own Penalty (environmental, anti-war, political, and social justice songs).

The book is richly illustrated with images reflective of the themes and messages of the songs. The lyrics are presented in full, on their own as well as on the musical scores, to allow a full appreciation of their poetical qualities.

The front matter is written by Nada Rakic, Chris Buhalis, Lana Pollack, Dick Siegel, Dave Siglin, and Barbara Schmid.

Hard Cover, full color, $30 plus shipping and handling

Sheet music from the book. Click to enlarge