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Portraits of White

by Frances Drost

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    A beautiful wintery mix of familiar carols and new tunes, instrumentals and vocals, you’ll enjoy the sounds of Christmas on this project.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Portraits of White via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      $15 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $12 USD  or more

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    9
    releases

    Get all 9 Frances Drost releases available on Bandcamp and save 30%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Santa Bought A Harley For Christmas, Sunrise Meditations, Brand New Me, Portraits of White, Windy Hill Road, Inside Things, I Still Believe, My Refuge, and 1 more. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $60.90 USD or more (30% OFF)

     

1.
Miracles 03:23
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Miracles By Frances Drost Long-awaited holy one It was written you would come We've been waiting so have you Is it true? Is it true? Barren woman giving birth Virgin Mary facing motherhood God is speaking in a young man's dreams Trust in me, trust in me A night of miracles is taking place God has come in amazing ways Angels appearing, shepherds rejoicing Oh what a night this will be Oh what a night this will be Baby Jesus in Mary's arms Old man waiting in the temple yard God had promised he would see this day Celebrate, celebrate Glory to God in the highest Peace and goodwill to all men
2.
One Small Box 03:19
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One Small Box By Frances Drost Candlelight and a single rose Set the tone for his love proposed Lifetime of promises Made to the one he loves All wrapped up in a velvet box Something big from something small Is nothing short of a miracle Look and see the loving thoughts Wrapped inside that one small box Daddy's watching his little girl Ribbons hang in her golden curls Opening packages Finally she gets to his How she loves her music box Heaven's King coming here to earth Not the way you would think He'd work True love and joy to us Sweet baby Jesus Wrapped in clothes in an old feed box Village sits by the radio It's all they have of a way to know Good news and hopefulness Promise of life it gives Coming through that magic box
3.
Song of Joy 03:10
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Song of Joy by Frances Drost Even the desert will be glad And the wilderness rejoice When the Lord comes near Then blinded eyes will start to see And the deaf ears they will hear When the Lord comes near Sing a song of hope, sing a song of joy When the glory of the Lord is near Sing a song of hope, sing a song of joy For the glory of the Lord is here Then those who know the Lord will sing On the journey as they go When the Lord comes near Gladness and joy will overcome And the sorrow disappear When the Lord comes near Do not be afraid I bring you good news great joy to all To all the people Today in Bethlehem a Savior is born He is Christ the Lord He is Christ the Lord
4.
Joy To The World (Instrumental) 03:09
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5.
What If 05:05
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What If? By Frances Drost A long time ago in a busy little town A tired traveling couple made their way into a crowd All that they wanted was some quiet rest and peace Lay their head on a pillow that's all they'd really need He must have been busy the man who kept the inn When they asked for a place to stay he'd nothing left to give All of my rooms are full in a weary voice he said Just as they walked away you could see him hang his head What if that's heaven knocking at my door? What if I'm missing all that He came here for? Something in the air tells me I should care What if that's heaven at my door? Wise men are searching as they look into the sky A star in the heavens will surely lead them right They want to worship when they find the newborn babe Do you know where we'll find him can you help us find the way? A king in a palace to proud to bear the news Sent a group of soldiers said he'd like to worship too But all that he wanted was to slay the newborn King All alone in the darkness, I wonder if he thinks How many times in the story of our lives Heaven comes in a hidden way we never recognize
6.
Portraits of White 02:53
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Portraits of White By Frances Drost Frolicking frills of falling flakes Dressing the earth in silk and lace Dazzling delicate garments of snow Are warming the earth in the midst of the cold These are the portraits of white Whispering winds of winter white Dancing across the starlit night Twirling and swirling and sweeping the lane Whisking the blues of the season away These are the portraits of white Shimmering rays of shining sun Making the winter seem like fun Carving and melting a bend in the snow Wanting a friend who will see where it goes These are the portraits of white
7.
Christmas in Black and White (Instrumental Carol Medley) 06:52
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Silent Night, Angels From the Realms of Glory, Angels We Have Heard on High, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, What Child is This?
8.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 02:49
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Well a silent night is out of sight For a mom with little boys What I wouldn't give for a chance to live In a house without the noise For it's hard to sleep when your toddlers creep From their bed to yours at three Though I multi-task it's a lot to ask To sleep in heavenly peace MOPS have to mother 'til they drop And mothers of preschoolers do things they would rather not There are butts to clean it's an ugly scene Not quite the night divine And if all is calm there is something wrong And it's not a real good sign We don't like to fish but we have to if Our children drop their toys In the toilet bowl (we don't need a pole) Our hands we will employ MOPS have to mother 'til they drop And mothers of preschoolers get real good at yelling STOP! Guess I'll have to wait for the sleep I crave 'Til the kids are grown and gone And I stand in faith that I'll see the day When they get a decent job! And the tears will roll at the great big hole My heart cannot ignore But it's hard to see when they have to pee And they tinkle all over the floor MOPS have to mother 'til they drop And mothers of preschoolers have to work around the clock So we tip our hat to the stage you're at And wish you peace on earth And we have to say we are still amazed At the miracle of birth And we understand when you're old and grand And you go to bed at five That you're catching up (at least somewhat) On the sleep you were denied Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace
9.
Back to the Heart of Christmas 04:29
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Back to the Heart of Christmas By Frances Drost It was early Christmas morning And the tree was standing tall And the presents sat neatly wrapped Waiting for the touch of eager hands She wanted to pray at the start of the day Remember who it was for In the midst of the lights, twinkling bright In the silence now she prayed Show me the way, back to the heart of Christmas Help me to see all that you meant it to be I want to see you, I want to know you better Show me the way, show me the way to you All the family soon will gather They have come from far and near And she longs to see joy and peace Flowing in the hearts of those she loves ‘Cause the best kind of gift isn’t wrapped up in tin It’s love that money can’t buy So before they’re awake, she won’t hesitate To say this prayer again Help me to be like a child at heart Open my life to your love Setting aside the distractions of life That keep me from the greatest gift of all
10.
Ride in The Sleigh 02:56
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Ride in the Sleigh By Frances Drost Snow is falling and life is stalling So let’s take a ride in the sleigh Bells are ringing, kids are begging Let’s take a ride in the sleigh Frost is biting my toes will be whining But let’s take a ride in the sleigh We can act like lovers and snuggle together Let’s take a ride in the sleigh It’s a great night for a sleigh ride Just like kids, let’s reminisce Let’s take a ride in the sleigh We can sing a carol in fur apparel Let’s take a ride in the sleigh Stop for cocoa and pose for photos Let’s take ride in the sleigh
11.
You With Me 04:05
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You With Me By Frances Drost Sitting alone tonight at a table made for two Plenty to share, only shadows to talk to What does a lonely soul have to do to be unlonely At the busiest time of the year? God with us, is you with me His hands and feet are in my reach I know He cares when you are there God with us, is you with me What could a baby born in a manger know of me? Two thousand years ago is a long time away I need more than a story Wonderful Counselor, mighty God can you hear me? is there anyone here loving me? Jesus came down to earth to live with us and touch us His love carries on when we give our love to each other
12.
Take Another Look 03:56
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Take Another Look By Frances Drost Simple God in a simple place Coming near in a simple way Nestled close to a glittering world Take another look and you can see this God In a manger scene See the love that was meant to be Simple God, simple love so free Holy God with a holy face Touching lives in a holy way Making way for the ones in need Take another look and you can see this God From a holy place Full of mercy and full of grace Holy God, holy love today Tender God with a tender heart Mending lives who are torn apart Placing love where there’s never been Take another look so you can see this God With His hand toward you So much now He would like to do Tender God, tender love so true Simple things in simple ways Are seen by simple hearts Open yours to a simple truth Simple God, simple love for you

about

C2013

Did you know that I almost gave up on Christmas? Yep! It's true.

Frankly, I secretly dreaded the holidays. Fortunately, Christmas didn’t give up on me. The more I share my own story, the more I seem to encounter others who have felt this way too…or perhaps, still do.

One of the big reasons I had this aversion to Christmas was because as a young girl, our family tragically lost two brothers and I never learned how to process the grief our family experienced. It always seemed especially tough at Christmas.

My brother, Nathan, drowned in our farm pond a few days after his second birthday, and another brother, Doug, (age 26) was killed in a tractor accident on a farm where he worked. He had a wife, two young daughters and three younger siblings. I was seven when the Pastor came to our farmhouse to tell my mother she lost her first-born son. That front-porch scene is forever etched in my mind.

As I got older, my struggle with sadness during the holidays only grew stronger. So in 1999, I decided to “skip Christmas” and ask God to reveal why I had such a hard time with the holiday season. Where was this “joy” the little baby in a manger was supposed to bring?

Months of quiet reflection that year began to reveal deep-seated, unprocessed grief. As I unwrapped this concealed package of heaviness, I was surprised to discover how far down I could stuff something in my little soul only to have it show up later in life in seemingly unrelated ways. But grief is a root that produces shoots of unwanted growth in so many areas if left unattended.

Through tears, quietness, prayer, and a re-examining of the original Nativity story, I started a healing journey. I found unusual solace in the fact that there were threads of sorrow in the story of the Christ-child. I had never noticed that until I viewed it through my own window of sadness. Once I identified the grief, then it seemed that joy was able to start growing, even if it was as slow as an oak tree.

As a songwriter, I guess it’s a natural progression to write songs as you process life (and death). So I started writing songs about my journey around the holidays and grief. Later, the story turned into an album—an audio journal of sorts. On the flip side of sadness, I also have a quirky side and a child-like love for snow that shows up in my songwriting. So the title track of my Christmas album, Portraits of White, seemed like the best title for my thoughts reflecting the winter seasons of my life, both the sad and the fun.

In fact, I wrote the title track while I was driving to Shippensburg, PA on Route 997 (yes, I do write while I drive—oops!) The fluffy snow was blowing and drifting across the road and painting “portraits of white” throughout the Cumberland Valley. The playful song reflects my life-time fascination with snow. Just like the dormant seeds that sprout after the blanket of cold winter snow has lifted, life sprung from the long, hard winter of my disenchantment with Christmas, and I found hope. I think this might also be why I loved snow. It always turned the dark barren winters into portraits of white…long before it was ever a song title in my mind.

I know you'll love this Christmas album for the fun snowy songs and the contemplative ones too!

credits

released December 1, 2013

Produced by: Eric Copeland for Creative Soul Records
Executive Producer: Frances Drost
Vocal Producer: Phil Naish

Recorded by: Steve Dady
Sunset Blvd. Studios, Nashville, TN
Vocals and editing by: Frances Drost at Musical Creations Studio, Newville, PA (Song of Joy and Portraits of White).
All other tunes by Phil Naish at StarSaylor Entertainment, Franklin, TN
Mixed by: Ronnie Brookshire at Area52 Productions, Arrington, TN
Mastered by: Randy LeRoy at Final Stage, Takoma Park, MD

Musicians:
Drums/Perc: Dan Needham, Steve Brewster
Bass: Mark Hill, Gary Lunn
Keyboards: Brian Green, Jeff Roach, Jason Webb
Piano: Frances Drost, Brian Green
Orchestra: Brian Green
Guitars: Mark Baldwin, Dave Cleveland
Background Vocals: Frances Drost

Photography and CD Design by: Erick Anderson
Hair, Make-up: Katie Lael
Wardrobe: Lori Bumgarner for paNashstyle

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Frances Drost Pennsylvania

Frances Drost is a singer/songwriter who gives voice to our innermost thoughts and feelings through lyrics and melodies. She lives life and then writes about it so others can join in the journey.

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