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Broken Wings Can Fly - The CD is reprinted!

The show based on the songs is available on DVD       Order free copy

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Check out each song's description in the list on the left, then go to CD booklet for lyrics, the story of the child behind the song, and a list of the artists who made it into music. Then Order a Free CD, and see other materials available, or visit The Children's Music Project, Children's Publishing, Poetry Books, or Fine Arts for more information about the Arts program at HCYR. If you want more than one Broken Wings CD to share with others, please email your request to info@youth-ranch.org, and tell us about your request. Remember that this program is supported by donations.  Writer's royalties from all songs written by children go to the child authors, thanks to the generosity of   their professional co-writers.  Visit our General Store to find a path to more products.

This album was first published in 1997.  Derived from poems written by  children living at Hill Country Youth Ranch between 1977 and 1996, this remarkable and moving album features 11 songs produced by some of Texas' most talented singers, songwriters and musicians.  Among them are Sara Hickman, Flaco Jimenez, Monte Montgomery, Mike Cross, and Doug Balentine.  The album is now in its second printing.

These professionals came to HCYR and collaborated with children and staff, working for a full year in the Turner Recording Studio built for this purpose in 1995 on the HCYR campus.  The result is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.  Set in a variety of musical styles, this eclectic album ranges in lyrical content from tragedy to redemption.  It's inspiring.

Title of Song Description Featured Artists

1. Healing and Higher Ground

An affirmation of faith in a style like "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Mike Cross, lead vocal
Doug Balentine, arrangement

2. Broken Wings Can Fly

A lush ballad with a string quarter and a theme of Christ's power to heal Sara Hickman and Mike Cross, duet
Austin Symphony string quartet

3. I Believe in Heaven

A folk ballad that tells the story of a child's life after the murder of her mom Sara Hickman, lead vocal
Monte Montgomery, guitar

4. Fly High My Phoenix

A pop ballad about a young mother who gives up her child for adoption Glenda Lynn, lead vocal
Electronic sequencing by Arp Studio

5. Take a Chance

A triumphant folk ballad with an anthem-like quality Diana Jones, lead vocal and guitar
Youth Ranch singers, chorus

6. Heaven for a Day

A happy Reggae Conjunto fusion based on the words of a four-year-old Sara Hickman, lead vocal
Flaco Jimenez, accordion

7. Many Waters

A hard-driving Gospel Rock number with a theme of spiritual redemption Mike Cross, lead vocal, with
Frosty Smith and the Papa Mali Band

8. Daddy Can You See Me

A sad torch ballad
about child abuse
Susan Balentine, lead vocal
with Denny Hardy, saxophone

9. Cheryl's Mama's Dress

A poignant neo-classical song about a child's mother dying in prison Doug Balentine, lead vocal, musical arrangement and keyboard

10. The Feather

A recited prayer with modern trance music underneath Carol Priour, reading
Jeff Hogan, trance music

11. Common Ground

A pop anthem with children's chorus celebrating overcoming differences Thomas Hughes, lead vocal
Doug Balentine, keyboard