Carl Thomas Gladstone

Thanks for listening and for crafting goodness in the world! If you’d like to be a part of my 2023 workshop to make art that makes goodness in the world, drop me a message at +1 (313) 992-4883 and we’ll make it happen!

A song about those moments when a blessing in one life points toward and participates in the blessing of the whole world.

The future leaps within us
Fill us with Spirit, hear our cry
Oh blessed woman greet us
With fruit of the promise,
the prospect of joy.
Blessed is she
Who believes there will be
fulfillment of the Word.
The neighbors revel with us
welcome the baby, dear and kind
Oh blessed mother, name us
for prophecy, justice,
wonder and life.
Blessed is she
Who believes there will be
fulfillment of the Word.
Love has looked with favor,
raised up a savior, banished hate.
Oh blessed Holy Jesus
grant us your rescue
let your dawn break.
Blessed are we
Who believe there will be
fulfillment of the Word.

Midwives and moms have made a way for us to make the world a better place.
Who are those women in your life who have made a way for you to grow and thrive?

As a part of the 12 Song Challenge, I was tasked with writing a song inspired by 2 Corinthians. The themes of hope and comfort and deliverance really resonated with me and so I thought a “rescue song” might work. Here’s the first verse and chorus. Hope you like it!

We have gathered in your grace
with endurance, hope and peace.
Send your mercies, comforting.
With patience and abundance reign.
Pray we join to help and share
your readiness to crush despair.
We are workers for your joy,
accessories to all delight.

I grew up among folx who sang through times of hope and struggle.
What are the songs that have helped you make it through and craft goodness in the world?

Sometimes our prayers are answered with thunderous power. This song explores that idea and invites you to do the same.

Do you feel that restlessness?
It’s a good thing! It’s that stirring of something bigger than ourselves that draws us into important work for fixing brokenness in the world.
What causes are you feeling drawn into?

Love will lead us by the roads that we do not know – even when our hearts are shaken! Share your experience of how love is leading you.

I’m looking to connect with artists and activists to craft goodness in the world. Find links to join our creative workshop, “The Beautiful Clay” and other conspiracies of kindness at https://carlthomasgladstone.com/conspiracy

This is a song about Advent and it’s a call for us to upend the world for goodness and hope.

Bearers of Grace - Demo

The midwives in the ancient days
feared God but were not afraid
to stand up, speak out in the face
of Pharaoh’s vicious power

They made way for the vigorous birth
of one foretold deliverer
that from this people could emerge
redemption’s promise flowering

Like a midwife make a way
for our innocents today
to be bearers of your grace
As Emmanuel arrives again.

The wise ones listen close when warned
by women who have witnessed harm
take refuge on another course
around Old Herod’s ills.

We’ll follow the child to strange new lands
build justice there with brand new friends
and plot for death to meet it’s end
as Christ’s hope is fulfilled.

“Implied Profanity” inspired by the witness of the and dedicated to those who wield power unjustly.

“How Sweet, How Good” - a setting of RitterWrites prayer for Albion College commencement back in another millennium.
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How sweet, how good it is to be
here with our friends who have prevailed,
survived and thrived, that this day leave
with grateful hearts down other trails.

We stand in gratitude today
for teachers who helped us explore
doors of the soul left richly veiled,
a universe ignored no more.

Though we're very far from home,
we don’t travel on our own.
We’ll twist and turn along this road,
and Love will lead us on —
how sweet, how sweet, how sweet
how good!

Our thanks for families confident,
who let us go and waved us on,
who saw us through where ‘ere we went,
believed that Love had plans beyond.

And for our friends and for our loves,
who may not ever let us go —
you burned the midnight oil with us.
You helped and hugged and held us so.

But we can’t stay, O Love, we know.
O’re mountains and through valleys deep,
you call our steps so peace may grow,
so kindly light may spread and keep.

Demo of a song inspired by RitterWrites prayer for the Albion College Board of Trustees October 20, 1990. “The Energy of Discontent”