lyrics and notes, page 1
How great Thy works, O Lord.
How great Thy works, O Lord.
How great Thy works, O Lord.
How deep Thy thoughts, O Lord.
Thou, O Lord, art high, forever more art high, forever more art high, fore'er.
How great Thy works, O Lord.
How high Thy Name, O Lord.
How great Thy works, O Lord.
Righteous You are, O Lord.
Thou, O Lord, art high, forever more art high, forever more art high, fore'er.
How great Thy works, O Lord.
How great Thy works, O Lord.
Psalm 92:1, 5
I am a tree hugger, I am a tree hugger.
I am a tree hugger, the tree on which Jesus hung.
I am a tree hugger, I am a Jesus hugger.
Note 1: I am not advocating the worship of a symbol or object. Rather, I am stating that I embrace (trust and hope in) the redeeming work of Christ on the cross.
Note 2: I originally wrote this in April, 1998, and it was supposed to be a hard-edged, distorted-guitar song. I was looking over the song in April, 2000, and rewrote it, simultaneously thinking that it would be the perfect title track. For several months, the album was to have been titled either "death row" or "death rho." See track number 16.
Jesus is the best, better than the rest
Go on put Him to the test, you'll see, He's the best
Jesus is the most, rules from coast to coast
I need another dose, my Jesus is the most
While they were crucifying, they watched Jesus dying,
God enemies denying He could do something death-defying
They thought that He was lying
Then He busted right up from the grave
And now He is the King, over everything
Call Him on the phone, ring ring, He can change anything
Have you heard the latest? Jesus is the greatest
He can save you and I'll tell you something more: You can go to heaven and know for sure.
While they were crucifying, they watched Jesus dying,
God enemies denying He could do something death-defying
They thought that He was lying
Then He busted right up from the grave
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah....Yeah!
Note 1: Written by Joe Taylor, copyright Maranatha! Music, 1983, used by permission (license--fee paid.) This song appeared on Undercover's second album, God Rules.
Note 2: I often consider this my favorite song ever.
I AM the first and the last, the living One.
Behold, don't be afraid.
Once dead but now I'm alive, forever more.
Behold, don't be afraid.
Out of His mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword--
His face like the strength of the sun in full shining.
Behold, don't be afraid.
Revelations 1:16 - 18
Note This song appeared on the trinity EP.
On the day I called You answered my prayer.
Thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul.
When they hear the words that come from Thy mouth,
All the kings of the earth will give thanks to Thee.
You have magnified Thy Word by Thy Name.
I will thank Thy Name for Thy love and truth.
I will sing Thee praise, You're above all gods.
I will give Thee thanks with all of my heart.
Psalms 138:1 - 4; 95:3
see track 1 of houseboy of the mystery
extra verse (verse number 6-and-a-half):
The strength of the King loves justice
He has established fairness
And executed judgement
And righteousness in Zion.
Note: I spell "judgement" j-u-d-g-e-m-e-n-t, and not j-u-d-g-m-e-n-t, because I think it looks better that way. It would be too severe without that first 'e', as if a crude lobotomy had been performed on the spelling of the unfortunate word.
My song tonight is Jesus.
My song this track, my song this disc is Jesus.
My song forev-, my song for'-er is Jesus.
My song tonight is Jesus.
Note 1: I was in the "studio" one night in February trying to write a song. I was thinking something along the lines of, "Well, my song tonight is really, simply, Jesus."
Note 2: In the third verse, I am alternating the second and third syllables of the word "forever." I put this note here as much for me as for anyone else, because there will probably come a point in time where I'll wonder what on earth I was singing.
Take courage, for I AM with you.
Don't fear, for I AM with you.
Serve Me, for I AM with you.
I make you this promise, in your midst I will be.
I will shake all the nations and return in glory.
Take courage, for I AM with you.
Don't fear, for I AM with you.
Serve Me, for I AM with you.
Take courage, for I AM with you.
Haggai 2:4 - 7
Note 1: This song appeared on the fell in love at 922 EP.
Note 2: This is how I really sing. Any nice voice is one I am faking.
Note 3: How many other songs can you think of based on text from the book of Haggai?
Don't be like that thief, it wouldn't have been so droll
If the cat had got his tongue, and the devil got his soul.
Don't be like that thief, not an end that I would pick
If before he could say his piece, his last breath came too quick.
Don't be like that thief, twas nearly a scene trag-a-ic
He could've hit his head and forgotten his aramaic.
Don't be like that thief, could've been his fateful lot
If they'd put up His cross in the wrong spot.
Don't be like that thief, could've been a day he'd rue
If he'd turned to Christ and blasphemed Him too.
Now I have to admit that that thief's in paradise
But gambling at the end just ain't no plan
Now I have to re-admit that that thief's in paradise
But he nearly wound up with eternal tan.
You might just be that thief, your whole life is in the past
If your days have all run out and tomorrow is your last.
Luke 23:32 - 43
Note 1: Jesus is never out of earshot.
Note 2: This song, minus verse 5, originally appeared on houseboy of the mystery.
Note 3: trag-a-ic = tragic
Note 4: This passage has fascinated me since I was young, contemplating how close the thief cut it.
Note 5: Can you tell which voices are inspired by some of Bugs Bunny's adversaries?