A musical response to the heartaches of some of life`s losses and tribulations, Massachusetts songwriter Bernard Leclerc brings us a selection of great vocal, instrumental, and karaoke tracks. With touching lyrics and memorable melodies, songs like “Jack of All Trades,” “Sarah,” “O Mama,” and “To Those I Love” will tug at your heartstrings and stay with you long after your first listen. In the first part of the website, most of the songs were arranged and sung by Jim West, a few were sung by Trish Costa, and one was sung by Michaela Catapano. After that, however, underneath the title, “Bernie’s Corner,” one will find songs sung by yours truly. While I am far from being a professional singer, I believe I’ve been able to express the sentiment they are intended to convey.
Preview a song by clicking the play button associated with the song of interest. Preview versions have a “gong” placed intermittently throughout. Click the Add to Cart button to purchase a “gong-free” version.
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Sweetest Sound (Karaoke – with no backing vocals)
No vocals, no background vocals, and no instrumental melody line in order to allow the listener to sing with the arrangement as if he/she were the vocalist.
Symphony
Simply put, this is a marriage proposal song. And, no, it's not a song that I wrote for anyone in particular. I just woke up one morning with this melody in my head and then, a few weeks later, lyrics finally came to mind.
The musical arrangement was done by Alireza Vejdani of Sweden. Chris Bates of New Zealand did the background vocals. And Mike Clark of Amherst, NH, USA did the recording, mixing, and mastering.
Symphony (Instrumental)
A hybrid piano (acoustic and electric), trombone, and augmented strings replace the vocals.
Symphony (Karaoke – with background vocals)
No vocals (except for background vocals) to allow the listener to sing with the arrangement as if he/she were the vocalist.
Symphony (Karaoke – with no backing vocals)
No vocals, no background vocals, and no instrumental melody line in order to allow the listener to sing with the arrangement as if he/she were the vocalist.
The Jesus Prayer
The Jesus Prayer, also known as The Prayer, is a short formulaic prayer esteemed and advocated especially within the Eastern churches: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." The prayer has been widely taught and discussed throughout the history of the Orthodox Church. The ancient and original form did not include the words "a sinner", which were added later. It is often repeated continually as a part of personal ascetic practice, its use being an integral part of the eremitic tradition of prayer known as hesychasm.
Though identified more with Eastern Christianity, the prayer is found in Western Christianity in the catechism of Catholic Church.
Origins
The prayer's origin is most likely the Egyptian desert, which was settled by the monastic Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers in the 5th century.
Scriptural roots
The Jesus Prayer combines three Bible verses: the Christological hymn of the Pauline epistle Philippians 2:6–11 (verse 11: "Jesus Christ is Lord"), the Annunciation of Luke 1:31–35 (verse 35: "Son of God"), and the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican of Luke 18:9–14, in which the Pharisee demonstrates the improper way to pray (verse 11: "God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican"), whereas the Publican prays correctly in humility (verse 13: "God be merciful to me a sinner").
Composed and sung by Bernard Leclerc. Musical arrangement by Jim West.
The Jesus Prayer/ La Prière de Jésus (Karaoke)
No vocals or instrumental melody line which allows for listener to sing with the arrangement as if he/she were the vocalist. Musical arrangement by Jim West.
Tic Toc
Tic Toc expresses the sorrow of someone who has just lost a loved one, someone who had suffered for a long time.
Tic Toc (Karaoke)
No vocals which allows for listener to sing with the arrangement as if he/she were the vocalist.
When Saint Michael Arrives
Saint Michael the Archangel isn't a saint, but rather he is an angel, and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. This is what the title "Archangel" means, that he is above all the others in rank. So why is he called a saint? I don't know.
St. Michael has four main responsibilities or offices, as we know from scripture and Christian tradition.
- The first is to combat Satan.
- The second is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death.
- The third is to be a champion of all Christians, and the Church itself.
- And the fourth is to call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment.
Very little is known about St Michael other than what we know from scriptures, which themselves are sparse.
In Daniel, St. Michael is mentioned twice. The first time as one who helped Daniel, and the second time he is mentioned with regard to the end times of the world when he will stand for the "children of thy people."
His next mention comes in the Epistle of St. Jude, where St. Michael is said to guard the tombs of Moses and Eve and has contended with Satan over the body of Moses.
The final mention is in Revelation, where St. Michael and his angels, do battle with the dragon.
This song was arranged by Shahe Sinanoglu of Montreal, Canada and recorded by Mike Clark of Amherst, NH.
When Saint Michael Arrives (Karaoke with background vocals)
No vocals (except for background vocals) or instrumental melody line which allows for listener to sing with the arrangement as if he/she were the vocalist.
When Saint Michael Arrives (Karaoke)
No vocals or instrumental melody line which allows for listener to sing with the arrangement as if he/she were the vocalist.