From an Olive Branch

A committee member from our old church in Indianapolis, sent us an email message while we were Italy. They were preparing for their 50-year celebration in 2008 and she wondered if we would write a song to commemorate the event.

We had some rough ideas, but Cheryl came up with the notion of “From an Olive Branch” since that was the name of the parent church.

Rather than doing a song simply for Southport Christian Church’s celebration, we instead took the opportunity to explore its meaning within our own lives. We wove the two perspectives together within the same story.

Lyrics

When times are just right, we all leave home
Create new lives, venture out on our own
Filled with faith, hope and love, we begin
Our journeys, reaching out and within
Reaching out, reaching in

Living our dreams
So inspired by passion
Needs the hearts and wills of family & friends
With giving ways

Making it real
Is our right of passage
Building brick by brick, and hour by hour
Through countless days

All who came before
Are present, held in each detail
Even with different names
We share a common family tree
All from an olive branch

When times are just right, we all come home
To celebrate all our lives, made into one
Filled with faith, hope and love, we vow
To stay the course, reaching within and out
Reaching in, reaching out

All who are here today
No matter where you first began
Make up our family tree
And share a common legacy
All from an olive branch

From an olive branch

Credits

From Fitting Pieces, track released 01 July 2007
Cheryl Martlage – Lyrics and vocals
Emerson Martlage – Music, guitar and vocals
Mr Toad’s San Francisco – Mastering
Inspiration – Southport Christian Church, Indianapolis