Title: You Are the Highest Honor of Our People
Artist: Markay, Grace
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 888174917528
Genre: Christian

As mentioned in the introductory notes above, I wrote these songs over a period of 14 years. They bring together moments that reflect on many of the circumstances of my life. One of the songs that so many relate to is 'Haven't I Taken You This Far?' It deals with the disappointments we have experienced in life. 'Broken dreams, empty promises, pockets empty, what to do? Years of pain, hurting children and you wonder how did you get through? Broken dreams, empty promises, and I ask you...Lord, where are you?' It questions God as to why things happen in our lives. God's response is 'Haven't I Taken You This Far?' The song then builds to a powerful crescendo encouraging you to keep going... and affirming for you that God is right by your side. 'Child I'm closer than you know.' The title song 'You Are The Highest Honor of Our People' points us to a human being, Mary, one of us... who was called to the highest calling ever to be given any human being...the Mother of Jesus...the Savior of the World. That calling, indeed, is a singular honor. 'You Are My Special Child' was written for a presentation that I gave for 4000 school children in Philadelphia. The words affirm for them how precious they are and how much they are loved. I had a delightful time singing for all of those children. As I was heading back to my car when my presentation was over...the children were leaving in buses and started singing to me as they pulled away. That was 'so special' for me. The moving intimacy of the music for the song 'It Is Your Smile That Is Most Beautiful' was written to the words of a woman from Vermont while she gazed at the face of Mary in the Shrine of Meryem Ana Evi in Ephesus, Turkey. This, I feel, is one of my most tender moments in song. Once again on this CD I am accompanied by the incredible musicianship of Richard Rome. His version of Franz Schubert's 'Ave Maria' is exceptional. One of the classic musical performances on this album is 'Encircled in Your Arms.' It is based on a poem written by Teresa Dempsey, a dear friend and lyricist, who is now with the Lord. Teresa asked me to adapt the poem to Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2 in C Minor. Rachmaninoff would smile at the gifted piano accompaniment of Richard Rome. 'Encircled in Your Arms' has ministered to those suffering from anxiety, depression and an overall lack of peace. What makes this so powerful is that Rachmaninoff was a manic depressive and this Concerto was the first piece of music he wrote when he was able to write again. He dedicated this Concerto to his doctor...Dr. Dahl. The Artwork on the Cover of this CD is 'Madonnina.' It was painted by Roberto Ferruzzi in 1897. It is a very popular painting and is often referred to as the 'Madonna of the Streets.' I have a magnificent tapestry of this painting...given to me by my Dad who got it at an auction. What a gift! How blest I am to be able to share these songs and my life with you. (To read Grace Markay's Biography select the words 'Go to Artist Page' on the upper left hand corner of this page. The words are written in small light green letters.)

Tracks:
1.1 You Are the Highest Honor of Our People
1.2 It Is Your Smile That Is Most Beautiful
1.3 The Greatest Gift
1.4 You Are My Special Child
1.5 Thou Shalt Love the Lord Thy God
1.6 The Magnificat of Mary
1.7 Haven't I Taken You This Far
1.8 Ave Maria
1.9 Hail Mary Hail
1.10 Encircled in Your Arms
1.11 Jesus You Are the Christ

Audio Sample:
All soundclips are provided by Tidal and are for illustrative purposes only. For some releases, the tracks listed may not accurately represent the tracks on the physical release.