This Is Karma . . . Karma-dama-rama

"If you're good, then life will be good". So true, isn't it?

When Stan sent me this song it was an unfinished draft he was still working on. I was immediately thrilled. Fantastic lyrics, melody, and idea. Stan quickly finished the lyrics and gave me free hands to arrange and compose additional music.

I think this is one of Stan's best songs and I have rarely been more excited about making a song. I hope you all receive it well.

Music and Lyrics: Stan Loh
Additional music: Kenneth Lavrsen
All instruments: Kenneth Lavrsen
Lead vocal and vocal harmonies: Stan Loh
Additional vocals: Diane Chayer and Kenneth Lavrsen
Photo: Stan Loh

It has been my goal to make the chorus at the end sound plain, happy, "folky" and spontaneous, and I have layered the voice with some formant shifted versions of my own voice to sound like children. This is all layered with Stan's harmonies. I also included my wife Diane who had her voice recorded for the very first time. She sings better than she thought.

I hope you all sing along at the end when you hear this song.

Genre: Folk
Artists: Stan Loh and Kenneth Lavrsen
Composer: Stan Loh
Lyrics: Stan Loh
Published: 22 Jul 2012
Copyright: 2012

Lyrics

This Is Karma ... Karma-dama-rama
(C) July 14, 2012 Stan Loh

When a bird is flying and alive
All the ants and worms scurry and hide
For a bird will eat the worms and ants
Karma's tantra is written like this chant!

This is karma, Karma-dama-rama,
This is karma, Karma-dama-rama,
If you're good, then life will be good,
This is karma ... Karma-dama-rama,

Should the bird weaken and fall from branch,
Then the worms and ants will seek revenge,
This is justice and they will eat the bird,
Karma guides your actions and your words.

Those who wield the sword and the mighty pen,
Must remember what awaits them at the end,
For what they sow, is what they will reap,
It's their consequence, the price is pretty steep.

This is karma, Karma-dama-rama,
This is karma, Karma-dama-rama,
If you're good, then life will be good,
This is karma ... Karma-dama-rama,

So do good, you'll feel your spirits lift,
Cause Receiver remembers Giver's gift,
There'll come a time repayment calms the storm,
It is karma, may take a different form.

This is karma, Karma-dama-rama,
This is karma, Karma-dama-rama,
If you're good, then life will be good,
This is karma ... Karma-dama-rama,