Father Hemann to release new album

By Renee Webb, Globe editor
May 24, 2007

When Father David Hemann was just 4 years old he already knew he wanted to become a priest. It was also at a young age when his love of music became apparent. He credited his faith-filled family for nurturing his love of God and music.

Soon this priest of the Diocese of Sioux City will release his fifth major album.

His latest project is titled Gathered Wisdom: Songs to Live By, which is slated for release on June 15.

"Each one of the songs contains a piece of wisdom like Climbing Down to Greatness talks about humility and Walk on Water is about having faith," he said. "These are songs of how the Lord has helped me to live my life better - with more joy and more peace."

This will be his first album since Holy Warriors, which was released in 2000.

"The whole album was a seven-year process - slow cooking," noted Father Hemann, who is pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Ida Grove and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Holstein. "As a priest, I'm so busy it's hard for me to take a lot of time for my music but by slowing down the process, it turned out to be a better loaf of bread - a better meal."

Gathered Wisdom features 11 songs, two of which are instrumentals.

One of the songs with special meaning for the priest is By My Side. It is centered on perseverance. The lyrics for this song came from a poem by Carrie Mach, the former Bishop Heelan High School student who died on Dec. 7, 2000, after a nine-year battle with cancer. This was the first song on this album that he wrote.

"I had the poem sent to me after she died and I was immediately touched by it," he said. The song centers on trusting God even in the darkness and in the lowest moments.

While he wrote the song years ago, Father Hemann said that by adding little musical parts here and there the music matured over time and now finally matches the poem.

Another one his favorites on the album is Mary Thrice Admirable. It is built on a theme of intimacy and communion with the saints.

"It comes out of a very personal encounter with Mary, inviting her to be my mother in a very deep way," said Father Hemann.

He pointed out that Jesus doesn't "kick down the door to come in - he gently knocks until we let him in. The Blessed Mother is very much that way. She says, 'I am everyone's mother. I will never force my way into people's lives but if they ask me to be in their lives, I will come.'"

After reflecting on the gentle nature and motherly love of Mary, the priest wondered why he only occasionally asked her into his life. That led to the lyrics, "Be with me every moment of every day for the rest of my life."

Father Hemann said that from that point on his life became sweeter. He acknowledged that he felt more forgiving of people who hurt him, felt kinder and more at peace.

"When you are working on these songs you hear them over and over. Even with the best songs you can be thinking that I've heard it enough but that's the one song I haven't heard enough," he said.

The album features two Marian songs, the other being Climbing Down to Greatness.

"The Lord doesn't look at your title. He looks at how much you love," said Father Hemann. "Climbing down to greatness Jesus came not to be served but to serve and give his life for man. Then I looked at who other than Jesus himself is the greatest human being - Mary."

Originally he had used words from The Beatitudes for the song, but had an epiphany moment while driving home from the funeral of Msgr. Michael Sernett's father. Father Hemann was listening to the musical track without lyrics when The Magnificat popped into his mind.

"It just flowed," he said. "It has a really nice hook, 'Calling me blessed, blessed.'"

Other songs featured on the album and the correlating bit of wisdom include The Dawning of the Day (awakening faith), Walk on Water (faith), Be Mine (love), Pot of Gold (detachment - seeking God alone), Mercy (mercy), May You Live (hope), Just Be (contemplation) and Veronica (compassion).

While the priest acknowledged that these are only a few pieces of wisdom, the songs touch upon many foundational components of the church including faith, hope and love.

Father Hemann, who recorded the album in his home studio, stressed the fact that many people helped him with the project.

His brother Patrick, who originally taught him how to play guitar, sang backup on the album with four local female vocalists. Sean Conway of the Irish Brigade played whistle on the album. Joe Hand, who plays bass for John Michael Talbot and Bobby Goldboro, mixed and mastered the album.

One of his best friends from the seminary days, Msgr. Michael Heras, plays the piano on Gathered Wisdom.

Father Hemann had been in charge of a liturgical music group from the North American College that played for Masses and his piano player for the group was Michael Heras. He remembered that he sent a tape home to his parents of some of the liturgies.

"I told my parents that Michael Heras will one day play on my albums," said Father Hemann. "I envisioned the whole thing even back then. This is like a dream come true."

The two priests have not only collaborated on the music scene but also co-hosted EWTN's show Alive With Baptism.

Father Hemann pointed out that his priest friend offered "a hauntingly beautiful instrumental" on the song Veronica, which was inspired by the movie Passion of the Christ. It is one of two instrumental selections on Gathered Wisdom.

He extended gratitude to G.R. Lindblade and Co. for their photography and CD cover design. The cover features a little boy picking up rocks - symbolizing picking up bits of wisdom.

Like the priesthood, Father Hemann said he always knew he wanted music to be a part of his life.

"While drums are my first instrument, early on I learned to play the guitar. Even before going to kindergarten, I remember sitting on the couch and I stopped my mom as she was going up the stairs with a basket of laundry," he recalled. "I told her I made up my own song and it wasn't even Jingle Bells."

The priest has written many songs since that time and gives thanks to God for his gift.

"There are times when I will do a song and people are deeply touched. I realize that it's not my skill and voice alone but it's skill and voice combined with the presence of the Holy Spirit that seems to touch people's hearts," he said. "I've had so many people after concerts and years later tell me how the music has healed their aching hearts, helped them in their journey. I've even had people tell me the music is their constant companion."

Father Hemann said he believes music will be one of the greatest joys in heaven.

"Before anything else I am a son of God and as a son of God I've heard him call me to be a priest. Despite my own humanity, weakness and sinfulness he still works through me," he said. "As a human being I am also a musician. Music has a way of getting theological concepts beyond the mind, into the heart."

Music, he noted, is a tool of evangelization and healing. He added that his music crosses generation - from small children to youth, middle-age adults and seniors.

During concerts he shares his vision of the songs, evangelizes and shares the Gospel.

As Father Hemann was putting the finishing touches on the Gathering Wisdom project, he mentioned that he didn't really want to think about working on another album. One day after he told Joe Hand that it might be his last album, he woke up with the theme for his next project - Psalms of David. Other ideas for future projects include an album focused on the Breviary as well as a Christmas album.

Gathered Wisdom is being released through Heartbeat Records. It will also be available on Father Hemann's Web site - www.fatherdavid.net or you can send a check to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, PO Box 244, Ida Grove, IA 51445. Cost of the CD is $20, including shipping and handling. In the near future, digital tracks will be available on I-Tunes.