1. Ravens in the Night
2. Ease Me Down
3. Feelings Changing
4. Where Am I?
5. Roses From Heaven
6. Call Me Tomorrow
7. Springtime is int Bloom
8. Hitchin in the Night
9. Sunrise in the Morning
10. Lay My Head Down
About Opus 4
Although this album follows about seven years after "Ravens in the Night" (The EP released in 1990), it is a continuation of, and the conclusion to the themes expressed in that work. The first song of this album even shares the title of "Ravens in the Night". This song used to be entitled "Remember Me" and the last chorus is written on the inside jacket of "Ravens". It has since become the title song of these two works combined, and later named "Ravens in the Night". So, what are the themes of these two works? Well, they are better experienced than explained, but in short: The ravens represent the troubles and heartaches that arise in our lives (for "it rains on the righteous and the unrighteous") and these songs present many ways in which we cope with, and resolve these difficulties. The songs are meant to express and not to explain—you are free to derive your own conclusions. And so, the full title of this album would more properly be "Ravens II- One Last Winter" but because it can stand complete on its own and because of the time gap, it was named simply "One Last Winter". The title prophesies the ending of troubles as the harshness of winter passes—if we persevere. As you listen, notice the many references to winter- most of them were not intentional. Here are some brief notes on the songs:
-Ravens in the Night- Much more than simply struggling with the pain of a relationship gone bad, this is a profound expression of human nature, and of the nature of trouble in all aspects of life.
-Ease Me Down- You will reap what you sow. There are real consequences to foolish actions and faulty thinking. So many people look back and regret after it is too late.
-Feelings Changing- If you can’t relate to this, you’re probably not human.
-Where Am I?- Imagine yourself in a busy shopping mall when suddenly, your day is brought to a halt as you bump into a long lost love that you haven’t seen in 25 years. You’re somewhat speechless as you both exchange greetings; then you’re asked, "So how, or where have you been these years?"...
-Roses from Heaven- This is really two songs that have become inseparable from each other. They demonstrate the stark contrast between heaven and the world we live in.
-Call Me Tomorrow- I think it is much more difficult, artistically, to express feelings of happiness in a song than those of a more melancholy nature. I feel I was successful in this song. -a carefree song with a wink of an eye.
-Springtime is in Bloom- Dreaming can be like ointment on a wound. Notice the progression of symbols and how they relate to each other from one verse to the next.
-Hitchin’ in the Night- Wounded on the road of life, a lost soul is shown the way out. There will be more of this type of songs on future albums.
-Sunrise in the Morning- This song is my "American Pie". You don’t need to know specifically what is being spoken of in order to appreciate it and empathize with it. Apply it to your own experiences and make up what it means for yourself. This is an epic song which gathers together much of my life over the past seventeen years. Most every emotion is touched upon with the continuing theme of moving on; the passing of relationships and events in one’s life. -a "symphony" of a song.
-Lay My Head Down- This song was loosely based on a Shaker hymn. Troubles be gone.
Credits-
Bill Ward - producer, composer, arranger, vocals all guitars, piano and keyboards, bass; concept and design
Andrea Diercks & Jane Houston - backing vocals on "Lay My Head Down"