- Bryon Harris
Bible Belt Blues - 'Teach Me To Number My Days, Lord'
Review by Sylvie Marie & Staff
Husband and wife music ministry team, Harold and Paula Vega Vondenstein, of BibleBeltBlues, have only been producing music together as a couple since September of 2018. They acknowledge the hand of God at work in their lives. During 2019 they released two Christian albums, “I’m Not Ashamed to Be a Christian” and “My God, My God.” The duo won the coveted 2019 Josie Music Award for Gospel/ Christian Duo. Amazingly, twenty of their songs have received radio airplay (Cross 104’s Gospel Blues Hour Syndicated Radio Program, WQFX Gospel Radio, Country Blast Radio’s Multi-Genre Hour, and National Indie Radio (WNIR). Bible Belt Blues has also received extensive media coverage in print, TV interviews, and numerous national press releases. Their latest single, "Teach Me To Number My Days, Lord," is a wake-up call.
How many times have we heard the expression, "Live each day like it was your last?" Today, people tend to say things, or post things on social media, without really thinking about the message. Bible Belt Blues is shining an entirely new light on the concept of this phrase with their new song, "Teach Me To Number My Days, Lord."
The song commences with a very solid 4/4 time played slowly by foreboding bass-chords with a heavy thumping action. Right off the bat, you feel the sense of time moving forward in a contemplative, marching manner. The pick-up to the second measure brings in a floating blues harmonica line. Some percussion is added and a 12-bar blues feel is achieved. Electric guitar licks sneak in and out as a wake-up call. A startling rattle is heard to shake you up. The music is performed by Harold Vondenstein who is patient with time and space as he allows a sense of foreboding to seep into the nooks and crannies of the arrangement.
With the music landscape established, Harold commences the vocals. His voice is humble and genuine as he sings each word in a straight-shooting manner. At times, he hesitates vocally as if to make sure your attention is on the importance of the lyrics. He establishes a very distinct feel in this song - it is as though he is singing directly to you.
The lyrics of Paula Vega Vondenstein are life-changing. The first verse starts with "Teach me to number my days, Lord. Teach me to number my days." Paula labors over each word like a gardener planting and harvesting crops. She puts great care into planting each word selection. "Teach me" is stated 12 times in this song. Hence, it is the most important concept. In this context, Paula is stating that we do not have the knowledge on our own. We have to be taught and we have THE Teacher in the Lord. Good students know that to learn, you have to open your mind and heart to receive the lesson. As such, the word "teach" is perfect and this song opens your ears to the lesson.
In the first verse, Paula makes sure you are paying attention with the straight-forward line, " Life is but a vapor. We're here one day and gone the next." The use of the word vapor paints a very clear picture. It shows us that our days are both transparent and fleeting. After she has caught your attention, she offers God's great lessons: how to live, how to give, how to forgive and how to love. "Teach me, Teach me to give, Lord, Like there's no tomorrow." Each of these phrases commences with "Teach me" and end's with "like there is no tomorrow."
The song ends with the strong statement that no one is promised tomorrow. This is not a song about living your life as though there is no tomorrow. It is a song about living your life as though there is an eternity tomorrow. That is a big difference, and that difference is captured in "'Teach Me To Number My Days, Lord."
In living each day like it was your last, some folks might think of "living it up" in the way that the material world teaches us. Bible Belt Blues song shows that living each day like it was your last is done by following the Lord's teachings. Now, just imagine if everyone numbered their days like that! The magnitude almost brings tears to your eyes. "Teach Me To Number My Days, Lord" is a profound lesson in what counts.
For more information about Bible Belt Blues, please visit their website.
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