Cordato’s Journey Provisions

The Making of an Anthem

Keep On the Way began its life with different lyrics, originally penned by a good friend. I kept the first two lines from that version and let them lead me into a new direction—one that felt both personal and powerful. I’m especially drawn to the tutti line that opens and closes the piece. To me, it evokes the drama of when God gave the commandments to Moses and the people of Israel. That connection is why I chose to end the song with the singing of the Ten Words—the Commandments themselves. Over time, this song has become something of an anthem for me. It’s bold, declarative, and rich with meaning. In fact, it now opens my set of orchestrated numbers—setting the tone for everything that follows.

A Swing Toward the Sacred

“I Truly Want You” is one of the very first songs I ever wrote—possibly when I was around 14 years old. At the time, I had just begun immersing myself in jazz: listening deeply, studying its structure, and falling in love with its swing feel and the complexity of altered scales. This song was my early attempt at weaving those musical elements into something personal. I explored chord substitutions and the beautiful tension they create—tones that, to me, reflected a deep spiritual longing. That yearning for God was something I couldn’t fully articulate yet, but it came through in the music. “I Truly Want You” became the sound of my soul reaching upward. One of my favorite memories connected to this song is a performance I shared with the incredibly gifted Lisa Simone. We sang it together at our high school Baccalaureate. Lisa is one of those rare vocalists who brings a radiant clarity and depth to anything she touches. She interpreted the melody in such a moving way that I wove her phrasing from the first chorus into the second—a tribute to her artistry and the spirit of collaboration that shaped the piece. “I Truly Want You” remains a deeply personal song to me—not just because of when I wrote it, but because of what it represents: an early expression of faith, creativity, and the sacred meeting place between jazz and worship.

This song was born from a moment in Psalm 122 that wouldn’t let go of me: “We are standing within thy gates, O Jerusalem.” I kept picturing a weary traveler finally arriving—feeling that wave of joy, peace, and belonging. But it’s more than a picture of ancient Jerusalem. It’s a glimpse of something eternal. As I sat with the Scripture, the journey led me from the Songs of Ascents to the Feast of Tabernacles, from Hebrews to Revelation. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about one pilgrim—it was about all of us, brought near by the blood of Messiah, stepping into the City of the Living God. This is a song for anyone who’s longed for home. For those of us who have felt like outsiders, but are actually chosen, adopted, and welcomed in. It's a reminder that our walk with God isn’t a solo journey—it’s a shared ascent, leading us toward His presence, where we belong. Come—let’s go up together.

God Wins! A Song of Celebration

I love this tune! The psalm that inspired it practically leapt off the page at me as I read—it was bursting with joy, rhythm, and praise. This is one of those songs that’s best experienced live. There’s something powerful about hearing an audience join in the celebration, becoming part of the rejoicing themselves. It’s not just a performance—it’s a shared moment of victory and joy. When I sing it, I can’t help but imagine Miriam and the women of Israel dancing with tambourines and singing the song of Moses on the far side of the Red Sea—free, victorious, and full of gratitude. That same spirit lives in this song. As you sing along, let it remind you of this powerful truth:God wins.He always has, and He always will.He is the ultimate victor—and we rejoice in His triumph!

The Story Behind “I Will Praise You, O Lord, With My Whole Heart” (Psalm 9) This song distills much of Psalm 9 into a clear and singable verse-chorus form. From the beginning, I imagined it in a camp-meeting style: basic guitar chords, an accessible melody, and a joyful energy that invited participation. That simplicity felt true to the text—honest, bold, and wholehearted. Over time, the arrangement evolved. In this live version, I added a stride/Broadway-style piano accompaniment to complement Bonnie’s expressive voice and interpretation. The result brings new life to the song while honoring its congregational roots. Unlike much of my other writing, I deliberately shaped this piece for corporate worship. I wanted it to be something anyone could pick up and sing—a way for the whole body to praise God together with confidence and joy. And they have. Many believers around the world have joined in singing this setting of Psalm 9, and nothing brings me more joy than hearing a room full of voices lifted in unified praise. “I Will Praise You, O Lord, With My Whole Heart” is more than a performance—it’s an invitation. One psalm. One voice. One heart. All for His glory.

This song reaches back to my high school years—a time of deep wrestling with calling, purpose, and identity. Although I had been leading worship weekly at church since I was 12, things became more complicated when I began playing music professionally at 16. I loved it, but not everyone around me shared that enthusiasm. Some in my family and spiritual community expressed discomfort with my path—specifically: That I was playing secular music, That I was being paid for it, and That I was considering making music my full-time profession. At one point, a spiritual leader asked me a question that shook me: "Is this a God-given gift or just a talent?"That question confused me more than I expected. I knew what I felt in my heart, but I also respected the voices questioning it. I was using my musical earnings to pay for college. I felt God’s favor in my professional work and in my service at church. But reconciling the two—sacred and secular—left me torn. In that season of tension, one simple prayer emerged again and again:“Help me to do what You want me to do.” That prayer became this song.It’s the sound of surrender, a song born not from certainty, but from seeking.

A Biblical Reflection on Marriage in Song The phrase “two made into one” may feel overly familiar—something we’ve heard in countless wedding ceremonies and love songs. But when I wrote “Made Into One,” I wanted to explore that idea with fresh eyes—guided not by cliché, but by Scripture. As with many of my songs, “Made Into One” weaves together multiple biblical passages to paint a fuller picture of the sacred union God intended. It’s not just about romance—it’s about covenant, unity, and becoming something new together through God’s design. Fittingly, this song is a duet. I wrote it during the early years of my marriage, and my wife originally sang the woman’s part. That alone makes it deeply personal—not just a song about marriage, but a song from within one. One of my favorite moments in the piece is the bridge, where lyrical and musical tension opens into deeper resolution. More recently, I’ve added supporting voices to the arrangement, enriching the harmonies and expanding the sense of unity the song celebrates. “Made Into One” is a love song, yes—but more than that, it’s a testimony to the beauty of biblical marriage and its reflection of our union with Messiah. Not just poetic—powerful.

Glory to His Name: A Personal Turning Point

This song holds a special place in my heart. There’s so much about it that I love:
The half-time shuffle groove. The smooth shift into straight-ahead jazz and back again. The Cab Calloway–inspired shout in the coda. The chord changes that just feel right.
But more than any of that, it feels like this song was written for me.
It marks a turning point in my journey as a songwriter—a moment when I began to take real steps toward growing and maturing in the gift God has given me. I’ve wrestled with this calling for years, even from “my youth,” as the psalm says. It hasn’t always been easy. There’s been doubt, delay, and discouragement along the way.
But God has seen me through the struggle and brought me to a place of victory.
Glory to His Name!
And here’s the truth: He’ll do the same for you.
So go ahead—declare it with me!

A Song Born in an Unlikely Place

This song has a special origin.

I originally wrote “Show Your Glory In Me” as a Christmas song for a group of young men to sing during a holiday program at the juvenile detention facility where I worked. They wanted something with a gospel choir shuffle—something they could sing together with energy and soul. When we couldn’t find the right fit, I decided to write one myself.

What started as a joyful, upbeat song grew into something deeper. I later added a bridge and began performing it as a slow, out-of-tempo prayer—intimate, reverent, and reflective. The contrast between its origins and how I sing it now speaks to the song’s flexibility—and to the layered meaning that’s emerged over time.

What I love most about “Show Your Glory In Me” is how rich it is with Scripture. The lyrics are full of biblical allusions—woven in from all over the Word. If you listen closely, you’ll find yourself tracing verses from the Old Testament to the New. Try to catch them all… there are a LOT!

This song, born from a heartfelt need and shaped through prayer, has become one of my most personal expressions of worship. Whether sung with gospel fire or quiet devotion, “Show Your Glory In Me” is a call to transformation, to revelation—and to the beauty of God’s Word alive in us.