1. Sinner Man
  2. I Heard My Father Laughing
  3. Wayfaring Stranger
  4. This One At Last
    5.
  5. Loaves and Fishes
  6. Singer/Songwriter’s Prayer
  7. Spirit Song
  8. Balm in Gilead
  9. Road to Assisi
  10. Peter in Chains
  11. We Stand Together
  12. Heaven!
  13. What If He Came Back – Today?
    14.
  14. Pange Lingua
  15. God is Love


    16. Samples on links above are MP3 

The liner notes, with some background on the songs:

The Journey  Ed Jankiewicz

This collection of songs has been in the works for 3 years (in the studio) or 7 years (in the writing) or 30 years (in desire) depending on how you look at it.  This is my attempt to document in song, my journey in life and in faith.  Except where noted, all instrumental and vocal tracks were performed by me and recorded, engineered and mixed by Mike Lozinski at Windmill Studios, Seargentsville, NJ.  Mike provided much in the way of production assistance, and many suggestions for additions (and subtractions) to my approach to recording this collection.   Mastering was done by Jack Senecal.  Special thanks to Jim Oakley and Joe Petrullo for their contributions, and to the “Original Revs” David Ruisard, Ray Vande Guissen and Mark Summer, and my fellow Raritan Minstrels, Pete Busichio and Vinny Giardina.  Lori Lozinski provided graphic design and layout.  Instruments used include a 1972 Martin D12-20 and SPD16TR, Ovation Ultra 6 string and Celebrity Mandolin, Gibson L5 and SG Standard, Ramirez Classical, Fender Precision Bass, Strat and Telecaster guitars, and of course the Celtic Bass Autoharp (thanks Filberto!).


1. Sinner Man – BGV and drums Jim Oakley – This spiritual or work song I found in a Mel Bay banjo book, and over the years it has evolved into the form you hear on this project.
2. I Heard My Father Laughing – Accordion Joe Petrullo, drums Jim Oakley – I told the stories behind this song to a friend at church one Father’s Day, and drove home like a maniac, because the song immediately started forming.  Within a half-hour, it was written down and sketched out on the tape recorder.  Thanks to Joe for bringing his artistry on the squeezebox to achieve the vision I had for this song.  That’s my Dad in the cover photo playing his while little Eddie bangs on the keys.  My daughters Susan and Sharon have given me a priceless gift by helping to bring the laughter to life.
3. Wayfaring Stranger This is based on a southern Gospel tune, although for unknown reasons I rendered it in 4/4 time rather than the original 3/4.
4. This One At Last – Congas, triangle Jim Oakley – Written on the occasion of Annie and Chip Mergott’s 5th anniversary, inspired by Rebecca and Randy Bean, and dedicated to my wife Jangie.
5. Loaves and Fishes - I started this song in 1994, and finished it one morning recently, because I wanted to have it on this project.  Thanks to Vinny for suggestions on simplifying the song, and for inspiring the bass line.
6. Singer/Songwriter’s Prayer – BGV and drums Jim Oakley – after Bob Carlisle hit it real big with “Butterfly Kisses” I meditated on what God might have in store for my music.
7. Spirit Song – Oboe Pat Hunt – thanks to Jangie for introducing me to the idea of the “breath prayer” which inspired this song.
8. Balm in Gilead – Clarinet Joe Petrullo, drums Jim Oakley  Another spiritual which says so much about our shared human condition.
9. Road to Assisi – At the times when our souls are most open to the working of the Holy Spirit, as we deal with our weakness and the chains that have bound us, we must be most vigilant that this opening is not exploited by the enemy.  I found at the most deeply spiritual moment of my pilgrimage to Rome, that I was most vulnerable to misdirection and a strong temptation to take a little detour from the right path and figuratively leap into the abyss.  I recall the healing of the blind man where Jesus asked “how is that?” and the man replied “I can see people, but they look like trees.”  This is the state I must have been in at this time.  As the song indicates, God provided a wise and good friend at this moment who helped in the healing of my spiritual vision.  The remainder of the song is a paraphrase of the prayer of St. Francis.
10. Peter in Chains – BGV, drums, percussion Jim Oakley – While writing Road to Assisi, which was a difficult task for a number of reasons, I was struck with the image of the church of this name, and the chains which are believed to have bound Peter in Jerusalem and Rome, and how much I identify with Simon Peter and his great insight, faith, leadership, weakness and failings.  We are all contradictions.
11. We Stand Together – Celtic Bass Autoharp Filberto Valise – Vocals by The Raritan Minstrels – I have been singing off and on with Pete and Vinny since we met “on the banks” at Rutgers in 1976.  As I arranged vocals for this song, I realized I must have written it for “the Raritan Minstrel Sound”
12. Heaven! – Vocals by Mr. Ed and the Revs – Ed and the Revs formed around 1989 or so, an evolving group of musically inclined local clergy and myself.  We sang at Easter Sunrise services, Lenten ecumenical gatherings, picnics and coffeehouses as time permitted.  I did this arrangement for the Revs several years back.
13. What if He Came Back – Today? – Djembe Jim Oakley The opening song for a musical I haven’t gotten around to writing yet.
14. Pange Lingua –  this came from an improvisation at the piano, which is an instrument I really don’t play.  It is a meditation based on the ancient chant of the same name.
15. God is Love – Background vocals Jim Oakley – This is the first “real” song I wrote.  I joke that it took longer to look up all the scripture references than it did to write it down.  I am most grateful for the chance to share this song and the others in this collection; I often feel I am just the scribe and not the author, this song being a good example.  I was able to perform this song in a choral arrangement in Rome in 1999 during our parish pilgrimage concert.

All selections are copyright © 2002 Pleasant Run Music, words and music by Ed Jankiewicz, except tracks 1, 3, 8, 12 and 14 which are traditional, arranged by Ed Jankiewicz.  For bookings and further information contact us at via info@pleasantrunmusic.com.