1. |
Truth is a Pathless Land
05:10
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I keep looking for something, or someone to tell me what it all means. And I keep searching for answers, direction, and evidence of things unseen. But I only got lost and waylaid, the prey of the confidence man. And I’m beginning to wonder about wonder, and I wonder if I even can. What if they’re all wrong and / Truth is a pathless land, there are no roads to take you there. So let’s walk together. / Now I don’t listen to those who tell me that the kingdom is in the sky, ’cause then the birds they will get there before the likes of you and I. And I don’t listen to those who tell me that the kingdom is soon at hand, ’cause I’ll be looking for something or someone and I’ll keep building my house on sand. All I need to know is / Truth... / Now everybody, it seems, has got answers and they’ll sell it to you by the page. And everybody is buyin’, because answers are all the rage. But all the questions are still there, and there don’t seem to be a discernable plan. But any system they sell you is a prison and I want to be a free man. / Truth...
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2. |
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Give me grace, so that even in my toil...when Jesus comes knocking I’ll get up to let him in. / Give me grace, so that even when I’m wrong...when Jesus comes knocking I’ll get up to let him in. / O my soul, why do you fear? The strongest one here is one who loves you. / Give me grace, so that even in the grave...when Jesus comes knocking I’ll get up to let him in.
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3. |
Glory Bound
05:01
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I’m glory bound, but I could use a little help right now. Yeah the devil’s in my doorway, and he ain’t leaving. / So I keep the light on, my rifle right next to me, and a stack of black bibles, too bloody to read. For miles and miles, as far as the eye can see, no mansions of glory, just the devil and me. / But I’m glory bound, but I could use a little help right now. Yeah the devil’s in my doorway, and he ain’t leaving. / Oh I’m glory bound, but heaven help me I’m going down. Yeah the millstone’s around my neck, and God I’m sinking. / ’Cause you make me a liar, when I open my mouth to sing songs on a Sunday, you ask me to bleed. And I want a revival, but I’m scared of what’s underneath. You’re calling down fire, but there’s nothing to see. / Glory bound, yeah I could use a little help right now. Yeah the devil’s in my doorway, and he’s been drinking. / Oh I’m glory bound, good God almighty, can we talk this out? If I only had the guts to start up the conversation. If I only had the guts…well if I weep and gnash my teeth, can we call it even? / So brother, when your heart’s forsaken, and the path is rough and steep, when that fire is not obeying, hold me close to thee. / And sister weary from the waiting, broken on your knees, pray into that lonesome silence and hold me close to thee. / ’Cause I’m glory bound, but I could use a little help right now. Yeah the devil’s at the foot of my bed, and he ain’t leaving.
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4. |
Aleythia
04:43
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I knew this day was coming. It was all part of the deal. The shadow’s chasing me and I’m running, and I know how that makes you feel. / Well what did you expect, love? I’m a highway man, born and bred. The hunger gnaws if I stop too long and now it’s wanting to be fed. / Aleythia, my love, your name I waking cry. Aleythia, for your love a man would gladly die, Aleythia. / For my home is on the highway, and my feet are highway shod. I’ll come back to you some day, Aleythia. / I cannot say that I’m not sorry. It’s you who pursues me in my dreams. But the lust, the flesh, the eyes and the pride of life are all I can see. / I anxiously await the mercy that will crush the wandering from these bones that will leave me free to come back where you are, back to my home. / Aleythia... / Now I can say I’m sorry, sorry for the pain. After all you gave to me, the peace, the rage, the rain. Twisting me inside myself, something has to give. So if I lie down again, tell me will you let me live? / For my home is on the highway...
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5. |
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Behold the cryptic passage. Well, what’s that supposed to mean? I’ve been through the dictionary, the lexicon, and a pint of sherry and I’m no closer than I’m supposed to be. And you don’t have to tell me... You come to judge us, yet you never damn, you just come wounded of head and hand. Here lies the mystery, when opposites agree, like God, humanity, time, and eternity. / I hold your heart in my hand, well what kind of trust is this? How can I help but misunderstand? And if I do or I don’t I’m still damned if I’ll discover what you mean to me. And you don’t have to tell me... / You come despite us, you come to prowl, you come resplendent and you come foul. How can I embrace you, with all of your guile? How can I trust a harlequin so wild? / And you don’t have to tell me, though sometimes it seems so tough. But when I feel your breath enfold me, even if you’re mute, well it’s enough. / So if I’m resigned to this place, well I’ve been in worse before. I’ve got no answers, I save no face, I mark the distance with a turtle’s pace, but I’l be damned if I’m ever bored. And you don’t have to tell me... / You come to judge us...
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6. |
The Mystery of You
06:01
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When you danced, the stars found their homes. When you laughed, there fell the clattering of stones. When you tired, the sky shot through with red, and the world hung on every word you said. / And I don’t understand you, but I don’t have to, ’cause I’m so in love with the mystery of you. / You chose to dine with prostitutes, not kings. Adorned your hands with splinters instead of rings. You healed a blind man’s eyes with mud, and when you died, you fashioned violence into love. / And I don’t understand you... / Oh, if you wore another form, I’d still thrill to thunder storms, this sun would keep me just as warm. And oh, if I didn’t know your name, I’d still cringe at coming pain, this skin still wrinkle in the rain. / Now when you dance, the stars find their homes. I hear your laughter in the clattering of stones. When you tire, the sky shoots through with red, and world hangs on every word you’ve said. / And I don’t understand you...
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7. |
If I Were Strong
04:26
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If I were strong, I’d make you wish you never met me. If I were strong, I’d make you assholes pay. If I were brave, I’d eat you pussies for breakfast. If I were brave, I’d blow you fuckers away. / But I’m not brave and I’m not strong. I’m not wise and I’m not wrong, and I only know one song: please don’t hurt me… / If I were smart, I’d pretend you never said that. I’d walk away, you’d never see me again. If I were wise, I wouldn’t let it bug me, I wouldn’t crack your spine or BBQ your friends. / But I’m not smart and I’m not wise, I’ve just got pennies for your eyes. I’m not brave and I’m not strong, but I’m not wrong, you’ll be gone. / You’ll rue the day you ever crossed my path, said that to my sister, and kicked my ass, ’cause I’d bite out your teeth and hang you by your hair, if I weren’t so scared. / If I were brave, I’d stand up to you tomorrow. If I were strong, I’d know revenge is sweet. If I were wise, I’d have a sense of my own power. I’d take a bath in your blood and drink to your defeat. / But I’m not brave and I’m not strong, I’m just the little guy who gets along. But beware who you shit on, ’cause one more crack and I might snap… / If I were strong, you’d have to watch your asses…
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8. |
I’m Gonna Die Soon
02:51
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I’m gonna die soon, in the blink of an eye. When I think how old the earth is, I’m gonna die soon. / The earth is a rose. You can’t mess with it much or it falls apart... I’m gonna die soon. / I want to go home. I don’t know where that is. Will I find out after? I’m gonna die soon.
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9. |
Down to the Water
05:06
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Gonna go down to the water, gonna lay me down in Jesus. / O Lord, I’m limping along. Can’t you see I’m just limping along? O Lord, I’m limping along, but I’m coming. / Gonna go down to the water, gonna lay my sin down in Jesus. / O Lord, you done broke my bones…still I’m coming. / I want to melt with you and love the way you do, to always feel your touch. But nothing I do, ever feels like enough. / Gonna go down to the water, gonna lay my crown down in Jesus. / O Lord, you done loved me so good…that I’m coming. / Gonna go down to the water, gonna get raised up a new creation. / I got my ticket and his train is here. No more terror and no more tears, no more sin or death or hell or fear. And there’s a seat for every sinner like me—so hell yes I’m coming!
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10. |
Jesus, I Can’t Hear You
05:58
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Jesus, I can’t hear you. Why aren’t you here? Jesus, there’s just silence, and my breath and my fear. / Without you I’m just spinnin’ on a cold ball out in space. And I’m trying not to panic, looking for your face. / Jesus, if you hear me, please be kind. Let me feel your hand on mine. / Without you I am struggling to keep my hope aloft, and it doesn’t really help me if your voice is soft. / This is not the time for hiding or for pleading or for tears. Right now I need the victor over death and hell and fear. / Jesus, if you leave me, I am scared that I won’t forgive you. And that will leave us where? / There’s an agony to emptiness and I’m afraid it never ends. So is this cruelty and silence really how you treat your friends?
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11. |
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He had taught us with stories and by his example. He prayed like a demon, he loved like a lamb. He fed us with wisdom, and gave us bread from heaven. He made us feel human again. / But now we’re huddled together, afraid of our shadows. Our spirits were wasted, our hopes like the wind. We were no longer strangers, we shared the same anguish. We had all watched him die and then disappear. / And all of the sudden, coming down from heaven, the sound of a hurricane filled the whole room. And ribbons of fire sprang up from our faces, defeated the darkness, and banished our gloom. / And everyone shouted, and everyone’s laughter broke forth from our throats like a crumbling dam. And no power on earth could stop the force of that river, and filled with the Spirit, a new song began. / I will pour out my Spirit on you. You’ll see visions, you’ll prophesy ’til the end of the age. I will pour out my Spirit on you, and everyone will be saved. / Our joy was so great, we couldn’t contain it. Our fear was forgotten, and we raced to the street. We sang and we shouted, we laughed and we preached. People just scratched their heads, “It’s too early for drink.” / But to our amazement, some people stopped to listen. And no matter their language, they understood our songs. And first just a few of them, and then by the hundreds, they clasped at our hands, and they sang along. / I will pour out my Spirit on you… / It’s been two thousand years since the winds of heaven blew through that house and ignited our souls. But as long as there’s hurting, as long as there’s hatred, that wind is still blowing and we’re still called to go. / I will pour out my Spirit on you…
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John R. Mabry Hannacroix, New York
John R. Mabry lives with his wife and dogs in Hannacroix, NY. He is a writer, spiritual director, and director of the Interfaith spiritual direction certificate program at the Chaplaincy Institute.
www.johnrmabry.com
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