Mindy’s debut album, The Sum of All Grace, is the sublime result of this desire. It brings together Mindy’s ethereal voice, rich piano accompaniment and soul-searching lyrics. Such a combination makes this album unlike any other on the market.
Since childhood, Mindy has seen the world through curious, determined eyes. The eclectic entourage of musical influences surrounding her only fed her free spirit.
Raised on the north coast of California, Mindy recalls her grade school music hours with Mr. Lindsay, and the marimba, drums, and flute she played in the school band. She was surrounded by the music of Native American pow-wows and blue grass bands, the Jewish fiddle of her fourth-grade teacher, and her mom singing the classics from the 20s and 30s—even the lullabies from her older sister at bedtime. These are the memories Mindy claims to be the essence of the music she creates.
“There was always music,” Mindy says. “But there was little formal training or discipline.”
Mindy and her family moved to Spain when she was 13. This is where she first began to sing and perform. It also offered the introduction to yet another musical influence.
“Oh, the impact of Spanish music!” Mindy says. “Spaniards are not timid singers. They praise God when they sing and I’ve always wanted to adopt that passion.”
Passion is exactly what drives Mindy’s life. After returning from Spain, she realized she wanted to be serious about music. She dedicated herself to voice lessons and auditioned for every performing opportunity. She always made it to call backs and final heats – but never quite got the part. However, coming so close every time only fed the fire inside.
“A persistent force continued to draw me towards music.” Mindy says. “I learned that my free little spirit had to come down from the clouds for a while and be disciplined in order to handle the competition.”
Mindy had her first breakthrough when she was accepted into Brigham Young University’s School of Music, something she calls “a miracle.” And in September 2002, acclaimed producer and composer Kenneth Cope discovered her at a songwriter’s workshop. Impressed by the depth of her songwriting and the emotion in her voice, Cope offered to produce Mindy’s first album and immediately began to mentor her.
“Kenneth helped me find my voice,” Mindy says. “He taught me how to sing with my soul—to really spill my guts out. I would take him songs every week and he would bring them to life.”
Since that day at the songwriter’s workshop, The Sum of All Grace unfolded . . . in more ways than one. Mindy was named Best New Artist of the Year in 2005 by the Faith Centered Music Association while her album won Best Inspirational Album of the Year. She has recorded on a number of additional projects including Stand in the Light and A More Excellent Way, the 2004 and 2005 Especially for Youth albums for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and most recently was a featured soloist on A Child’s Prayer – Primary Songs for Bedtime, an album which quickly gathered an underground following among young adults and college students for its artistic approach to lullabies.
A highlight of Mindy’s career took place in 2005 when she recorded the song “Emma” under the direction of award-winning producer, Jason Deere on the best-selling album Joseph: A Nashville Tribute. The song won Best Inspirational Recording of the Year at the Faith Centered Music Association’s 2006 Pearl Awards. She performs regularly with Deere and Diamond Rio keyboardist, Dan Truman performing the album for sell-out audiences across the United States. With another solo album planned for 2007, Mindy is quickly becoming an established influence in inspirational music.
“I really believe once I showed God that I was ready to work hard that He showed me the opportunities,” Mindy says. “I don’t completely view this as my music. I am simply the servant.”
Little soldier
Mindy Gledhill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Play a Christmas song for me
All the house is slumbering deep
But I have secrets I must keep
Chorus:
Father Time comes creeping in
We fight back but he will win
Soldier, could you win back time for me?
Little soldier, tap, tap your beat
I will stand on Daddy's feet
We will dance as if I were ten
Even if it's just pretend
Chorus
The first verse of Mindy Gledhill's "Little Soldier" is about a child who asks a toy soldier to play a Christmas song for them. The child is probably trying to escape from the harsh reality of their life and wants to feel the Christmas spirit. However, the child also has secrets to keep, which shows that not everything is perfect in their life. In the second verse, the child wants to dance with their father, but it seems like their father is not around, so they stand on their father's feet and dance as if they were a ten-year-old.
The chorus of the song talks about Father Time, who is an allegory for the inevitable passage of time. The child and the soldier are fighting against Father Time, but they know that eventually, time will win. The child then asks the soldier if they could win back time for them, which shows how much they want to escape the reality of their life and go back to a happier time.
Overall, the song is about the innocence of childhood and the desire to escape from reality. It also highlights the fact that time is an unstoppable force that we cannot control, no matter how hard we try.
Line by Line Meaning
Little soldier under the tree
A personification of a toy soldier is introduced under the Christmas tree, symbolizing childhood innocence and playfulness.
Play a Christmas song for me
The singer requests the toy soldier to play a festive tune, possibly reminiscing her childhood Christmas memories.
All the house is slumbering deep
The entire household is sound asleep, emphasizing the stillness and quietness of the night, which typically accompanies the holiday season.
But I have secrets I must keep
The artist is holding onto secrets, possibly indicating internal struggles or pent-up emotions, which she cannot express during her family's festive slumber.
Father Time comes creeping in
Father Time represents the inevitable passing of time, which steadily progresses and waits for no one.
We fight back but he will win
The singer acknowledges the futility of resisting time, despite the desire to hold onto moments and loved ones frozen in time.
If I asked one Christmas wish then it would be
The singer reflects on her personal desires and concludes that her most significant wish would be to regain lost time - either through reliving childhood memories or reconnecting with loved ones no longer present.
Soldier, could you win back time for me?
The artist desperately implores the soldier to assist her in achieving this wish, even if only in her fantasies.
Little soldier, tap, tap your beat
The artist once again addresses the toy soldier as a guide to shift her focus away from her troubles and to remind her to enjoy the present moment.
I will stand on Daddy's feet
The artist reminisces a cherished memory of dancing with her father, likely signifying the preciousness of familial moments lost to time.
We will dance as if I were ten
The singer imagines herself as a young child again, reliving precious moments with a loved one, indicating a longing for simpler and happier times.
Even if it's just pretend
Acknowledging the reality of the passage of time, the artist comforts herself by indulging in fantasy and make-believe, for even a semblance of joy may be potent enough to negate the suffering.
Contributed by Aiden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mausemädchen Mi
i miss the time i was super excited before xmas, and everything about it seemed magical
Ana Nenina
This song puts me on a mood so magical! Is so sweet and calm :) I love this kind of music.
Miksuum
This song is so calming! Love it!
Hannah Lee
I love this song. Every year at Christmas my family gets together and sing Christmas songs, and I listened to this over and over until I could play it on the piano and I played it and sang on Christmas Eve. It was a really beautiful moment:) My grandma and my aunts started to sob. This song is so magical.
MrsTomatoe
I "discovered" this album this spring and i am sooo exited that I can finaly listen to it :D
theuntouchableone
Thank you Tanya for playing this song, i am now officially addicted ♥♥♥
Linda Green
Listening to this just feels like I'm floating like all my worries are gone like I'm...home
heyz
love this song!
heyz
love this song!
Daniel moura
linda musica