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Servant of Grace Lyrics and Liner Notes
1) Servant of Grace. Martin Luther wrote that we are given everything through Christ’s gift of salvation on the cross. “We are saved by grace through faith.” Liberated by God’s power we are called by God’s grace to serve people and the world as a whole. Amen.
Here I am abducted, won't you save me, won't you save me.
Here I am constructing another fragile plan.
Here I am a sinner, won't you save me, won't you save me.
Here my plans grow thinner, up against your eye.
You are my God. You are my savior.
Won't you save me, won't you save me now.
Here I am with logic, and by your grace, it leads me upon the path.
Yet here I am still dodging, the greatest truth of all.
You became a human, flesh and spirit, there in an instant
You became a human, and chose to die for us all.
Here I am with you Lord, won't you show me how to find you?
Here I am with you Lord, please take the veil from my eyes.
Here I am with you Lord, won't you bless me with the light of your countenance?
I want to be your servant Lord, please take me into your light.
I want to be a servant of your grace.
Here I am faith grounded, and grounded faith can actively work for you.
Here I am full hearted, blessed again by God's hand.
Lifted up I'm made holy, Jesus has died for us, Jesus has won for us.
Lifted up I'm made worthy, all by the act of God's grace
Here I am with you Lord, won't you show me how to find you?
Here I am with you Lord, please take the veil from my eyes.
Here I am with you Lord, won't you bless me with the light of your countenance?
I want to be your servant Lord, please take me into your light.
I want to be a servant of your grace.
2) Giants. This song is about staring our fears straight in the face, walking directly through them, and living our lives as grounded prayer warriors in the midst of a sometimes terrifying world.
The harder it gets, the stronger we'll become.
The harder it gets, I shall not be undone.
The harder it gets, my heart will open wide,
And guardians we'll become
Of the sleeping child, for a giant lies inside.
I frown, fret, and worry, over naught but trivial things.
Listen to the newscast, and all it daily brings.
I see this life translucent, and I believe that I'll become
A heart that opens wider, a peace soldier, for a giant lies inside.
Purple orange sunset, turns my skin a golden brown,
And dirty little secrets, upset a little town.
And the harder it gets, the more important for us to live
With hearts lying open, hearts that will forgive.
Faithful world traveler, faithful seed gatherer,
Teacher of words and songs, spread your seeds.
Grant us wings, that we might soar,
Grant us wings and something more,
Grant us charity, peace, and love divine.
For we are your children, upheld by your hand.
Butterflies you send forth, filling all the land.
We are sleeping giants, and it's time to come awake,
Show the world we love them, that's all that it will take
To build a brighter world.
3) Sing to Me. God sings us into existence and never stops transforming us. This ballad is truly one of our favorites to offer at concerts again and again and again.
I’ve been crying and weeping Lord. I feel like gnashing of the teeth
I’ve been clinging on like grappling hooks, holding to my own.
And if I cannot burst this bubble, I might just as well fall back asleep,
To dream of ignorance and sorrow, barren land without the snow.
Sing to me. Won’t you sing to me my Lord.
Sing to me. Won’t you sing to me my Lord.
Sing to me. Won’t you bring to me my Lord,
That precious light of thine.
There is a dusty hollow aching, neglected by my smile.
There’s my fear of ground breaking, and bringing forth new life.
And as I stand before you trembling, with a song to shield my need,
I beg a brilliant, honest calling, to flush out all my weeds.
In the crawling of my daily life, like the poverty of stones,
There is a heartiness, a fortitude, birthed within my bones.
And this bubble filled with sorrow, shall bloom as flowers in the field,
Sparking laughter to your glory, my journey become a song.
4) Mind on the Side. With the addition of fiddle, more vocals, and percussion, we simply could not resist putting this song on our second album. It’s got a bluegrass feel that sets the body moving and gets our mind focused on God.
I am a poor, wayfaring traveler, I am a poor, wayfaring man,
I am a poor, wayfaring stranger, in this odd and desolate land.
Keep my mind on the side. Keep my mind on the side.
Keep me set on your spirit Lord, mind on the side.
For the soil of this erstwhile nature is bound to be spread just a bit too thin,
Battered by the raging storm of this pervasive earthly din;
I am stuck on the threshold, my pain an open sore,
Daily Lord I need You, ever more and ever more.
For the toils of this earthbound body, shall vanish as memories upon the wind.
I am learning to sit in truth, God, within my very, my very own skin.
When I drop, all of my pride, and I admit to all of my sin,
When I commit myself to You, God, that’s when this life shall truly begin.
The bridges we are building, shall always be repaired,
The children we are teaching, shall come to know we care;
The lives that we are leading, show what we believe,
And the truth that we are seeking it can surely be achieved.
For at the dusk of my journey, at the dawning of my day,
There is a light that shines upon me, and it tells me what to say:
Capitulate to no one, stand firm upon that rock
For it shall lead you forth to freedom, a little closer every day
5) Centuries. We joke that Centuries reminds us of the 50’s rock song La Bamba, yet this is a unique and passionate plea for God’s freedom to cut across the racial divides that crisscross our world and separate our hearts.
Glory Halleluia and I am freed; Glory Halleluia and you are freed.
Glory Halleluia let's pray to God almighty that we might all be freed.
It's been centuries since witches were burned.
It's been centuries, well maybe only decades,
Since black people were hung.
We've become one nation, that hasn't ended separation,
Hate cries more subtle, let our watch become redoubled.
What's the difference here?
What's the difference here and now?
Well hatred isn't just a word, and violence like fire, it burns.
Would you make a difference, then grow a little patience.
The world doesn't need another martyr,
We need to grow a little smarter.
Can you live the words that need to be said,
Put your life on the line, knowing it might mean death.
For the days are growing shorter,
Our mission has become more urgent;
For hate it has gone global, we need to live a bit more noble.
Glory Halleluia and I am freed; Glory Halleluia and you are freed.
Glory Halleluia let's pray to God almighty that we might all be freed.
6) I Want to Sing. “I want to sing, I want to bring to the world, the message of God’s love. I want to bring the message of God’s story, of Christ Jesus, his son who died for us…”
I want to sing, I want to bring to the world, the message of God’s love.
I want to sing, I want to bring to the world, the message of God’s love.
I want to sing of the glories of the Lord, and tell of all that God has done.
I want to bring the message of God’s story, of Christ Jesus, his son who died for us.
I want to sing, I want bring to the world the message of God’s love.
I want to walk through the valley of temptation; by God’s grace I shall not be lost.
I want to walk onward to salvation, by God’s grace I’ll reach the other side.
I want to break free the chains that bind me, yet I know, God, it’s you who sets me free.
I want to live a life that is worthy, yet I know, God, all that’s worthy comes by you.
I want to walk onward to salvation, by God’s grace I’ll reach the other side.
I want to run, want to run, want to run to the Lord, cling to God who teaches me to fly.
I want to fly on the wings of salvation; a life in Christ is a life that shall not die.
I want to sing of the glories of the Lord, and tell of all that God has done.
I want to bring the message of God’s story, of Christ Jesus, his son who died for us.
I want to sing, with heart and soul I’m praising; God’s truth has and will set us free.
7-8) Woke Up/Riverside. Thanks be to God for the beautiful African American spirituals found in public domain. These two start slow and then never look back as they dance, singing about the here and hereafter.
Well, I woke up this mornin’ with my mind, stayed on Jesus.
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind, stayed on Jesus.
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind, stayed on Jesus.
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah!
Singin’ an’ prayin’ . . .
Walkin’ an’ talkin’ . . .
Preachin’ an’ teachin’ . . .
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside . . .
I ain’t gonna study war no more . . .
I’m gonna put aside my cares and woes . . .
I’m gonna sing with the angel band . . .
I’m gonna walk and talk with the risen Lord . . .
9) Light of the Lord. This upbeat tune has to do with making our lives into a persistent journey with God.
I rejoice to be standing out here on my own,
I rejoice in the knowledge that I'm not alone.
The Lord is my shepherd; he carries me,
Through the valley of darkness. Emerge out of the night.
Into the light of the Lord. Hold to the brightness,
Foundation of holy. Hold to the light of the Lord.
I am tickled that you have been chosen to be,
A vessel, fulfillment, a portion of me.
I am your God. I am well pleased.
That you struggle to be my servant. Walking by my might.
Tick-tock, ran the clock today, I forgot to pay bills along the way.
Tug, pull, a thousand different ways,
I forgot you God throughout, throughout this day.
Help me to get back, back on track,
Remember God almighty, You’re the center of my plan.
I am thrilled to be thinking that I might become,
The part of creation You want me to be.
Releasing my ego is part of the plan,
Learning to love each woman and man,
With utter respect and dignity, Walk out of the night.
10) Doorway to You. Relationships with friends, by some miracle, often stay the same and at times even grow stronger despite distance, time, and separation. Our confidantes and giggle companions, our fellow dreamers and those who share sorrow as easily as laughter; these are the people with whom we have built foundations that can not be shaken.
We’ll meet again, and out upon the roadway, we shall know our friends.
We’ll meet again, despite the distance growing, and I can not pretend,
That knowing you has not changed me, indeed the proof is clear,
Your hand steadied mine and your eyes that pierce, help my vision clear.
Stuck in traffic, the fog banks rolling down the hills and mountainside.
Stuck in my thoughts, frustration growing, and I can not decide.
Then like a balm of honey your smile lights me up inside,
My innards giggle with the pleasure of the sweetness you provide.
We’ll meet again, and out upon the roadway, we shall know our friends.
We’ll meet again, despite the distance growing, and I can not pretend,
That knowing you has not changed me, indeed the proof is clear,
Your hand steadied mine and your eyes that pierce, help my vision clear.
I am a warrior, I am a warrior, I am a warrior, on the road to living.
I am a warrior, I am a warrior, I am a warrior, on the road to living.
We’ll meet again, and out upon the roadway, we shall know our friends.
We’ll meet again, out beyond the doorway, that leads to never end,
And our hearts that mingle, loving truly, strike a resonance,
That leads us purely, knows us truly, companions in our friends.
11) Veiled. A fantasy story with an unexpected twist that shows us just how much bigger God is than any descriptive words and language we use.
In the dark and shady vale, there is a house, covered with roses.
And there is a light that shines from within, beckoning strangers, “won’t you come closer?”
And though they fear, what they do not know, still the light, it beckons them closer.
They look in the window of the house. There is a woman, it looks like she’s mending.
And from her lap, there shines forth a light. “What could this be, that’s what they’re asking?”
And as they look close, they see with their eyes, a tapestry vast, story unending.
The woman looked up, and saw they were standing there, but not with anger, did she seem to care.
She stood quite slowly, and beckoned them in, into a glory where they’d never been.
And as she embraced them, each one in their turn, she asked them “look closer, see what you might discern.”
And as they look close, they see with their eyes: places and people, stories and fountains,
Villages, cities, and even an ocean; animals, rocks, and forested mountains.
Past, present, future, all rolled into one. Promises, curses, depending our actions.
The woman looked long, and deep in their eyes, a call it was stirred, a call it was answered.
“Go forth in the world, share of my promise. Go forth in the world, and tell of my presence.”
“But who shall we say, we have seen here tonight? Who tends the mending, the mending of actions?”
“Well have you not guessed?” She smiled as she turned away, “I have many faces, I am greater than all of them.
Suffice it to say, that you have seen here today, a glimpse of creation, that about which you pray.
For I am the Father, I am the Son, I am the Spirit, Trinity three in one.”
Their hearts leapt with joy, the strangers knew they’d come home. Home to their Father, and yes to their Mother.
To a God who is larger, than words we articulate. To a God who is wider, than all of our fear and hate.
The woman then vanished, but they knew in their hearts, that by Christ’s mercy, they’d never be apart.
By Christ’s mercy, they’d never be apart. By Christ’s mercy, they’d never be apart.
For by Christ they’d been saved.
12) Who Shall You Tell? The Sending: Changed by God’s grace present in our lives how can we not tell others about this good news? Through action and words we can spread God’s light to all the world.
Who shall he send? To be a light unto the nations?
Well I’ll tell you who he’ll send. The humble he shall send.
The true of heart he’ll send, to be a light unto the nations.
And he’ll send the sinners, too, to put on another shoe.
Teach the people well, together (through God) we’ll end this hell,
And be a light unto the nations.
Who shall you tell? That Christ the son is the God of all glory?
Who shall you tell? That the God of all wonder, sends here his story?
Who shall you tell? Become a light unto the nations.
For God he sent his son, to die upon the cross.
That our sins might be forgiven, a new way of livin’,
And be a light unto the nations.
And God he blesses you, and God he blesses me,
And blessed we shall be: a light unto the nations.
13) Bethlehem Star. The Prayer: That we might follow the example of Christ all the days of our lives and plant seeds of hope, peace, and reconciliation in a world of conflict.
That Bethlehem Star, it shines in the east, calling the least, calls from afar.
That Bethlehem Star, it shines in the east, calling for peace, an end to all war;
That Bethlehem Star.
Instruments of war, held upon your lap, used to hang the coat, up upon the rack.
Now they weapons carry, neighbors they shall harry.
Our brothers we should love them, our sisters we should hold them.
You used to teach the children, how others they should treat them,
How they should treat others, with gentleness and kindness.
Now you hand them weapons, now you send them fighting,
Now you send them hunting, now you send them killing.
It’s peace we should be wielding, modeled by our savior,
Savior of all nations, savior of all places.
Powerless and hungry, born to love all people,
Born to love all children, through death our sins forgiven.
And hope it shall stand final, for the Lord shall not forsake us.
And plough shields we shall fashion from battle’s cruel passion.
And once again we’ll meet here, once again we’ll parley,
Once again we’ll gather, and cherish one another.
14) Go With God. The Benediction: May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you, look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.
Go with God, and be filled with hope;
May the Spirit of the Lord,
Fill your heart with love and courage.
May your life be filled with light,
With the glorious light of Christ,
Go with God, go with God.
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