Original Cassette Liner Notes:

A Personal Note:
Contained within this cassette, are a number of songs reflecting the span of years of yet another collection of private recordings. Some are experimental rough sketches of experiences, observations, and emotions from both a solitary place to a shared collaboration with others. For me the highlights happen to be those moments shared with my daughter Alicia who is singing her own heart on songs such as “Lovely Jesus”, and “He Loves Me”. The latter a piece she composed by herself with only my guitar accompaniment. She was four years old. I later added my voice and other instruments.

“Taste and See”, was written and sung with my good friend Peter York, from our days as a duet team in 1973. “D.E.B.R.A.” was co-written with Hadley Hockensmith in 1983. The impromptu jam is with friends Phil Madeira and Dave Spurr.

“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” was another Keaggy/Madeira experiment in the studio. A light and easy piece of music which was also a consideration for “Beyond Nature”

Much of the music was quickly written, and recorded through the late 70’s and 80’s. They hold many memories and I feel collectively seek to communicate the gospel of Christ in a musical fashion. Still most of these demo recordings were for the fun of it. Because you are in a sense my extended family of friends these extra tracks are extended to you for your enjoyment.

If Volume 3 falls short of either delivering enjoyment or encouragement, feel free to use this cassette for recording your own collection of private recordings. In any case, my prayer is for your continued joy through our most gracious God and Father.

Sincerely yours,

Phil Keaggy (1991)


**ARROW**
The first song on the tap is "Arrow". It's a song written from God's point of view. His message to people. His love is as direct as an arrow. He shoots straight from the hip to the heart.

**GONNA KEEP MY MIND STAYED ON YOU**
I wrote this song originally for Nedra Ross back in 1977. She did an album called "Full Circle". This was the opening song on side two.

**YOU CAN MAKE IT**
This was Alicia's favorite song. The New Wave music was popular then. So I did this kind of style. The message is straight forward. It's someone crying out to the Lord saying. "I can't go on." And then the Holy Spirit says, "You Can Make It."

**THE GOOD NEWS**
It's about the Gospel. Plain and simple. The Good News. I wrote it in 1974 when I was doing high school assemblies. They told me I could sing, but I couldn't talk about God. So I put the whole gospel in a song.

**HE LOVES ME**
This is Alicia's own composition which I then overdubbed with my voice to make a duet. However, she made all the melody and words. She was four years old. It was a special moment in our lives as a family.

**PSALM 56**
It's a song of trust. When I am afraid I will put my trust in God.

**STIGOTIT**
This is a bit funky. I call it "Stigotit" because someone at this time said Phil can't play electric guitar anymore because he's so into acoustic. So I put it down. And when I listened back I said, that was fun. I think I've still got it. So I call it "Stigotit". It's not great, but I was able to do everything I wanted to do.

**DOWN TO THE WIRE**
I was given the opportunity to write for a movie. It wasn't used. It is about someone who is out of money. It's a song as Solomon would say, all is vanity.

**MISINFORMED MAN**
There was a man who was angry at the sun, and so he threw mud at it. Some people watched and felt they needed to defend the sun, so they formed a committee to protect the sun. But the sun didn't need them. God doesn't need us to defend Him. Man can strike out against him, but God remains.

**LOVELY JESUS**
"Lovely Jesus" is a song that I wrote in 1971. Bernadette first sang it in 1972, the year before we were married, and then Honeytree recorded it in 1975. Then I did a demo of it. And now, Alicia has recorded it, and her version is my favorite.

**TASTE AND SEE**
"Taste and See" is a song Peter York and I wrote in 1973. Today Peter is an executive with Sparrow Records. The song is taken from Psalm 34.

**SHE’S A.O.K. WITH ME**
I wrote this for my daughter Olivia. I think as she grows older she will be known as a dependable person. Someone who is a trustworthy friend. Her full name is Olivia Ann Keaggy. It makes her initials O.A.K. It's a prayer that she will be steady as an oak.

**D.E.B.R.A.**
The music was written by Hadley Hockensmith. I once met a girl who had a genetic disease and suffered from it all her life. Yet she loved Jesus. D.E.B.R.A. is the organization that is dedicated to find the cure for the child born with this disease. I wrote this song to a girl that could be called Debra. It's a song of hope.

**THE LOVE I LONG TO HOLD**
It's the first song I wrote after I got my eight track. It was a big deal. I borrowed my neighbors drum machine and within an hour came up with this song. It's a playful tune of words.

**MONTANA**
I recorded this last summer. It's all instrumental. After seeing the movie "Dances With Wolves", I came up with the title of "Montana". Also, I thought of Indians when I recorded it and so it's a tribute to the American Indian.

**LATE ONE NIGHT**
This is a song where you plug in the instruments and go. We put two mics up and jammed. The only thing I can say about this song is it's long.

**SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT**
This is an outtake from "Beyond Nature". Neither the record company nor my manager felt the song fit, so it was omitted. So here it is on Back Room Trax. I still think it belonged. What do you think?