Benita Mae

Australian Children’s Music Foundation Award

Richard — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 22:36:16 +0000

Australian Children’s Music Foundation Award

Every year, the Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) invites students from schools across Australia to participate in their National Songwriting Competition. The ACMF aims to change young children’s lives through music. They provides free, long term music programs and instruments to disadvantaged and Indigenous children across Australia, inspiring creativity and imagination while nurturing self-esteem and confidence.

Benita Mae entered the 2019 ACMF National Songwriting Competition with her original song ‘We Are Glorious’ and was awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ for her composition.

The award is recognised on the ACMF website and includes the original recording. You can see it along with the full list of winners here…

acmf.com.au/national-songwriting-competition-2019-winners/

Australian Children’s Music Foundation

October 2019

Benita Rodda has been highly commended in the 7-10 category of the ACMF’s 2019 National Songwriting Competition, for the composition “We are glorious”.

Your music has been featured on the ACMF website, and we sincerely hope that you continue with your writing, as your talent and hard work are outstanding!

ACMF Team
Australian Children’s Music Foundation

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We Are Glorious

Richard — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:24:51 +0000

We Are Glorious

Lyrics by Benita Mae

Performed by Benita Mae and Kaylene Graham

I wrote the song “We Are Glorious” to give disabled people a push. To do something amazing. To find their glory. Their glory isn’t going to find them, they need to find it

We Are Glorious

This one goes out to every child with autism, to every child with a disability
To the people who are like me, some may say that we’re broken
But we’re not we are beautiful hearts that can see, hear, do and feel
What other people can’t, and if they can’t see that then they’re the ones who are broken
Cos we are rebellious, we are victorious, we are glorious

Our spirits bloom like flowers
Our souls shine like stars
We can feel it in our hearts (in our hearts)
We were made for this, we were born for this, we are glorious.

Isn’t it great to be different, isn’t great to be me
But people keep telling us who to be
Well I don’t care what they say, I’m not listening anyway
Oh my God He made us this way
Get used to it cos we’re here to stay

We are angels in disguise
We’re the fire in the night
We’re the light in the day
We’ll do things our own way
I don’t care what you said
I rather be a wild one instead

We are rebels, we are family, we are friends
And our rebellion will never end
They don’t understand us, they don’t speak our language
They say that we’re savage
We don’t care what the cool kids think
They’re not as cool to me as we are, cos we’ve come so far, yeah.

Our spirits bloom like flowers
Our souls shine like stars
We can feel it in our hearts (in our hearts)
We were made for this, we were born for this, we are glorious.

I was tired of being interested so I tried being interesting
So I started writing songs I started writing stories
That’s where I saw the glory
I know one day you’ll find it too
Don’t give up until you’ve broken though

We are angels in disguise
We’re the fire in the night
We’re the light in the day
We’ll do things our own way
I don’t care what you said
And I rather be a wild one instead.

Just because your different doesn’t mean you’ll never make a difference
As long as you have good family and friends, who knows?
You could save the world

Our spirits bloom like flowers
Our souls shine like stars
We can feel it in our hearts (in our hearts)
We were made for this, we were born for this, we are glorious.

I wrote this because every word in it is true
We can see the beauty in the world that nobody can
We can hear God telling us that he loves us and to keep being who we are
We can feel so much
And we can do amazing things especially together
When I started doing song writing that’s where I found the glory
I can make other autistic people like me feel good about themselves
And one day you’ll find the glory too
Don’t do it like me, do it like you,
And don’t try to hide it, try to embrace it

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What Am I To You

Richard — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:24:33 +0000

What Am I To You

Lyrics by Benita Mae

Performed by Sarah Lloyde

I wrote “What Am I to You” because Mum was spending a lot of time in Adelaide with my brother Jayden and I was feeling a little left out. I feel I can express my feeling when I write my songs.

What Am I To You?

Sorry that I’m not a goddess, is that what you want me to be?
Sorry that I’m not perfect, I can tell by the way you talk at me
How blind are you not to see?
Is that why I’m always left behind?
It’s okay I understand that you don’t have time for me

I’m trying so hard to be found
So that’s why I’m making all these sounds

What am I to you? What am I to you? What am I to you?
A daughter? A sister? A friend?
If that’s not what I am what am I then?
Am I even a person? Oh no
Please give me a reason, why I shouldn’t go
What am I to you? What am I to you?

I’m sorry I don’t know how to exist
I don’t know what lead me into the blackness
But you know I know I shouldn’t have to get messed up with you
You know I know I shouldn’t have to prove anything to you

I’m trying so hard to be seen
Please look at me before I scream

What am I to you? What am I to you? What am I to you?
A daughter? A sister? A friend?
If that’s not what I am what am I then?
I don’t have a clue, so I’m asking you
What am I to you? What am I to you?

What am I to you? What am I to you? What am I to you?

Sorry that it come out this way
But I don’t know what else to say
I’m not trying to push my family away, to see you I pray

What am I to you? What am I to you? What am I to you?
A daughter? A sister? A friend?
If that’s not what I am what am I then?
Do you even care? Will you even be there?
Will I survive?
Will I even make it out of this alive?
What am I to you? What am I to you?

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Best Of Me

Richard — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:24:14 +0000

Best Of Me

Lyrics by Benita Mae

Performed by Zyke Compson-Harris

I wrote the song “Best Of Me” because my Grandma and Grandpa wanted me to be a hand model. They thought that could be my life story and I didn’t want that to be my story. They thought my hands were my best and only asset, I wanted to prove that these hands can do so much more.

Best Of Me

When I was young I felt like a beautiful ballerina
Dancing wild and dancing free
Now I feel like a puppet with strings
With a future decided for me

Being forced to be someone I’m not
Was always my greatest fear
Now I wear a mask
To hide my tears

That’s it! I’ve had enough
There’s no way I’m giving up
I don’t wanna play this game anymore
I wish I’d said this before
You think! I’m just a pretty girl
You’ve only seen my shell, not my pearl
You haven’t seen the best of me, best of me, best of me
You haven’t seen the best of me, best of me, best of me
You haven’t seen the best of me, best of me, best of me
You haven’t seen the best of me

They’ve tried so hard to make me bend and break
And after all they’ve said, I feel like my whole life was a mistake

Chorus

Oh no, no, no, no, no, I’m not gonna stop now
I’m gonna show you why, gonna show you how
It’s my turn to sing
It’s time I broke my strings
It’s time I raised my hands
It’s time I took my stand……

Chorus

That’s it!!

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Shadows

Richard — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:23:56 +0000

Shadows

Lyrics by Benita Mae

Performed by Michele Capriccioni

I wrote “Shadows” because I wanted to try a different genre – something dark and brooding.

Shadows

They say I’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places
If only they met my lover
I’m tired of being fooled by all the smiling faces
And every ones a liar

Now I’m all chained up inside
Forced to take every hit
I’ve been choked by pride
That I’m so tired crying about it

I’m in love with a shadow
I like him when he’s silent
But even more when he’s violent
I’m in love with a shadow
He’s asking me to dance
In this dark and twisted romance

Tired of all these people lying
Tired of being used
Why is it the truth your always hiding?
Why do you have to make me so confused?

Chorus

We’re the king and queen of darkness
To create nothing but madness
We’re the people of the night
For those who are looking for a fight
We’re the masters of shadows

I’m in love with a shadow
I’m in love with a shadow
I’m in love with a shadow
I like him when he’s silent
But even more when he’s violent
I’m in love with a shadow
He’s asking me to dance
In this dark and twisted romance
I’m in love with a shadow

I like him when he’s silent

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Look Good In Black

Richard — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:23:37 +0000

Look Good In Black

Lyrics by Benita Mae

Performed by Sarah Lloyde

I wrote the song “Look Good in Black” because I was tired of feeling like I was always the good girl. I wanted to write a bad girl song. I ain’t so innocent.

Look Good In black

I’ve tried so hard to be a good little girl
Trying to find my place in this world
But I’m tired of being something I’m not
I’m gonna make some trouble a lot

I act like an angel wings I’m ready to fly
You were fooled my almond eyes
But to tell you the truth
I’m gonna raise the roof

Don’t look into my eyes, or you’ll realise
I’m not so sweet after all
I’m gonna break down the wall
You think I’m gonna be your friend
But I don’t think so
Cos I’m bad till the end
I don’t mean to talk back
I just look good in black

I’ve tried so hard to be good but where’s the fun in that?
So I tried on a little black
I can be nice
It just comes at a price.

I act like a princess with my sparkle crown
But when people tell me what to do I don’t wanna hear a sound
I think I’ll go have some fun with some boys
Treat them like their my toys

Chorus

It’s the colour of my heart, mind and soul
I don’t care what I’m told
Forgive and forget?
You ain’t seen nothing yet

Chorus

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Understand

Richard — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:23:16 +0000

Understand

Lyrics by Benita Mae

Performed by Kylie Kain

I wrote this song because the previous song I wrote “What am I to You” hurt my mum. When I am writing i don’t think of how the song will affect people or my family. I felt terrible, so after that I wrote an apology song to mum to let her know that I never meant to hurt her.
Sometimes I write just for fun, or if I am bored or if I feel like writing. In this moment I felt like writing.

Understand

I’m a writer but I’m a liar I have a gift but I have a curse I’m scared to talk cause it will only make things worse I write stories but I write mistakes I hate myself for all the lies I make but the truth is this wasn’t always about me I hope you can see I hope you can understand, I hope you can understand, I hope you can understand I was so caught up in my glory that I lost faith and forgot who all this was for I wanted to get to the top so badly that I forgot about everything because I was in such a hurry I didn’t mean to start this war. I’m a writer but I’m a liar …… This is a thanks to my brother, and to my step-father, that I could never wish for something better, and a sorry to my mother, I took your love into question, you gave me a reason, to carry on through the storm, I would give anything just to see you smile again, I never meant to give you an aching heart I’m so sorry that I hurt you, so I’m trying to make it back to you. I’m a writer but I’m a liar……

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A Family Like This

Richard — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:23:01 +0000

A Family Like This

Lyrics by Benita Mae

Performed by Az Kerwin

“A Family Like This” is a song about me wanting to protect my family. I love my family very much.

A Family Like This

A family like this is something worth living for A family like this is something worth dying for A family like this is something worth fighting for A family like this is something worth standing for You were always there for me Now I’m here for you I’ll be there I’ll fight for you too I’ll fight, I’ll fight Let me be your hero You are worth fighting for Let me be your knight Let me be your hero Chorus I’ll live for you I’ll die for you I’ll fight for you I’ll stand by you I’ll go and fight a war… for you Let me be your hero Let me be your hero Let me be your hero You are worth fighting for Let me be your knight Let me be your hero Chorus Repeat Chorus Is something worth living for

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Let Me Go

Richard — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:22:40 +0000

Let Me Go

Lyrics by Benita Mae

Performed by Sarah Lloyde

The song “Let Me Go” was inspired by a book that my mother showed me about family members moving on and becoming what they were meant to be. I like this song very much.

Let Me Go

When your given a book with no title-read it
When your given a CD with no cover-listen to it
When you see a island with no owner-explore it
Don’t think of anyone else, who would fit?
You can’t hold on forever
When someone tells you to forget you say never

Please just see this as me growing up
I’m not saying this was all not enough
I’m just being the person I was made to be, to be, to be
Please don’t see this as our last goodbye
Please don’t stand there and cry
It’s time for me to grow, it’s time to let me go
You have to let me go
You gotta let go, let me go

Please don’t look at me with that sad face
There’s nothing about you I would replace
I’ll never forget my family or my name
Even if things will never be the same
Just remember that I’m not gone
I’ll leave you a memory and a song
A memory and a song

Chorus

I will always love you as much as you love me
Trust me when I say there’s no place I’d rather be
I know you want to see me safe
I know you want to watch me grow
But if you love me then let me go

Chorus

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Hope Versus Doubt

Richard — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:22:16 +0000

Hope Versus Doubt

Lyrics by Benita Mae

Performed by Michele Capriccioni

I wrote this song because it would help me get some doubt off of my shoulders. In my dreams I am fighting against my enemies, trying to protect my family.

Hope Verses Doubt

As I grow older I’ve been having some concerns
That what I desire isn’t free it has to be earned
My emotions are at war with each other
Then I start wondering does any of this even matter

My mind is like a battlefield
All the warriors have their swords and shields
Knights with armour made of steel
The soldiers known as the dreamers
Are fighting against the battle of the heartbreakers
Its courage verses fear
Its love verses hate
Its hope verses doubt

I have to finish what has begun
Fighting against my enemies
Loneliness and depression
I wish I was emotionless
So I can be painless, so I can be painless

Chorus

I wear armour made by gods
To turn the tide against all odds
Feet are protected by the right direction walking towards hope
For I walk on my own
My spirit my sword
To fight against the warlord, I wear the truth
They can never take my youth
Faith is my shield
To prove hope is real
Salvation is on my mind and honesty is in my heart
As I like to call it my special part

Chorus

I wish I was emotionless
So I can be painless
So I can be painless

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