A Christian Life In Lyrics

Copperfox

Copperfox

Well-known member
Although I have no online audio capability, it crosses my mind that I can at least share WORDS from my old days in music ministry. So I shall share some, in a sequence roughly following my own path from teenage agnostic to middle-aged Christian grandfather. Firstly:

"JUST AN OUTSIDER"

When I was young, I was just an outsider,
Crawling through life like a nearsighted spider;
But all my webs broke, and the flies got away,
And I faced the same old problems every new day.

My psychiatrist helped me as I started college;
I shook off a lot of neuroses I had.
But though the good doctor had plenty of knowledge,
He couldn't tell me how to be really glad.

But now I can say that I live on the inside,
Living with Jesus, Who's living in me.
He would not let me remain on the sin side;
I got a new life, I got it for free,
I'm going to enjoy it perpetually!

When I was young, I was just an outsider,
Lacking in courage, a runner and hider;
The games I was playing were suited to fools.
But I still couldn't win without breaking the rules.

How I pitied myself as I placed all the blame for
My sins on the world, and the people around;
But then a friend told me of how Jesus came for
The sins of the world, to put them in the ground.

So now I can say that I live on the inside,
Living with Jesus, Who's living in me.
He would not let me remain on the sin side;
I got a new life, I got it for free,
I'm going to enjoy it perpetually!

(c) JOSEPH R. RAVITTS
 
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I am not christian but this put a smile on my face. :D I loved the rhythym and I loved how described the downfalls of life with humor. Or well, semi-humor. We all need a smile now and then.
 
Tweetsie, thank you for the positive words! Besides, getting such a rapid response clears my way to insert ANOTHER of my old song lyrics. The one already seen was written in about 1973; this next one was written much later, but still pertains to the start of my spiritual journey. It closely describes my own feelings upon early exposure to "Jesus Freaks."


"STRANGER IN CHURCH"


What ever brought me to this place? There isn't one familiar face.
They seem to be another race;
It isn't the skin, but look at the grin that they're all sharing.
Too late to leave, they're starting now; I'll have to play it cool somehow,
Blend in the herd like one more cow,
Try to pretend that I comprehend what they're all sharing.

Before I came, I thought
That I could pass unnoticed in this Christian crowd;
But now I feel
As out of place as lightning in a sky without a cloud!

They keep repeating Jesus' name; what if they find I'm not the same?
Will I be sorry that I came?
They might refuse to let me get loose till they convert me.
I know a guy who says he's read Christians would knock you on the head
If you deny one thing they said;
I'm so unlike them--how can I psych them not to hurt me?

And yet, I haven't really
Seen a hostile face among the people here;
Their eyes are shining, but
The light they have might be a cause for hope, not fear.

Is it of God that I've been scared? It may turn out that I'd be spared
Uneasiness if I had dared
Right from the start to open my heart before these Christians.
What is the joy they radiate? is it a spiritual state
That no one but God could create?
This much is true--it's not easy to ignore these Christians!


(c) JOSEPH R. RAVITTS
 
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What the heck, I'll add another one right now. This song, written on New Year's Day of 1974, was a metaphor of my fairly calm conversion.


"DEEP HOLES"


I looked out from a window at my backyard,
Saw Jesus climbing right across my fence.
He stood upon my lawn as if He owned it;
His purposeful expression was intense.
He had a shovel, and He started digging
A pit right there on my own real estate;
Before I could run out and raise objections,
He'd gone down seven feet, or maybe eight.
So I stood by the hole and shouted at Him,
"Who told You You could dig up my backyard?"
He answered, "You're about to learn the reason;
I hope that you don't find the learning hard."

He told me:
"Deep holes often are needed;
When you have heeded what I'll do here,
You'll know why they are needed; let Me get through here."

He dug through ten more feet of solid bedrock,
Then sprang out of His hole with one great bound,
Then said to me, "Let's go inside your house, friend;
Some things in there ought to be underground."
We went through every room, and as He told me,
Saw things I should have thrown out long before.
We brought them out and laid them in the backyard;
I realized then what the hole was for!
Said Jesus, "I will let you do the dumping,"
So I began to drop things in the pit;
When I was done, it puzzled me to notice--
My trash had filled up less than half of it.

He told me:
"Deep holes have, in our service,
More than one purpose; that they cover
Your woes, isn't the furthest help they can offer."

He made this clear by leading me to houses
Where I had left my rubbish in the past.
My neighbors found it pleasantly surprising
To see me haul my junk away at last.
What I collected filled the hole completely,
With only room left for a little dirt;
When Jesus put the sod back where it came from,
My grass went back to growing, all unhurt.
My neighbors' curiosity awakened
When Jesus made improvements on my home;
Now He's in great demand, and with His shovel,
He's digging holes in other people's loam.

He tells them:
"Deep holes bury the old man;
Lo and behold, man, you've got new life.
Sin goes out in the cold, man; now is your true life!"


(c) JOSEPH R. RAVITTS
 
My first completed song was called:

"IF YOU THINK YOU DON'T NEED JESUS"


(The music was cannibalized from my failed attempt in 1971 to compose a rock opera about the mythical Greek hero Orestes; it was to be the Act One finale.)

=======================


A couple thousand years ago
There lived a rabbi down in Israel,
Who said that He could save a soul from H-ll,
But Who He was, they didn't know.
Out in the wilderness a voice
Cried to the people, "You are not secure
Until the Lamb of God has made you pure;
His is the power, yours the choice."

If you think you don't need Jesus Christ,
Brother, I suggest you stop and think twice;
Who else in creation
Can bring salvation?
Wisdom of the world can lead you astray;
Drugs will only take your senses away.
There's no other Savior,
Now, then or ever!

Down at the Jordan every day
Old John the Baptist called them to repent,
And to believe in Him Whom God had sent;
Some listened, others turned away.
And even now, it's still the same:
Too many people groping in the night,
Who shut their eyes against the Living Light,
And shut their ears against His name.

If you think you don't need Jesus Christ,
You are living in a fool's paradise;
And where will it get you?
Nowhere, I bet you!
But if you will let Him in at your door,
He will let you know what you're living for;
You'll wind up your story
Bound straight for glory!

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

The song is meant to be sung by two people. After one time all the way through, they go back and have one sing the verses while the other sings the chorus. Verse and chorus are composed to be overlapping countermelodies; thus, the FIRST syllable of the line "If you think you don't need Jesus Christ" is heard on the same beat as the LAST syllable of the line "A couple thousand years ago--" When the duet is finished, the two singers make a conclusion by singing in unison a double repeat of "You'll wind up your story / Bound straight for glory." Kevin Johnson, the minister who eventually married Jan and me, used to sing with me before he went and got ordained; and this was one of our numbers.
 
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Thanks, Rhyannid. For what it's worth, "If You Think" has a Fifties rock-and-roll tune, like something from Jerry Lee Lewis if you've ever heard of him.

To move on:

One of my early songs was an attempt to look at the relationship between faith and intellect, with a subtle reference to the Apostle Paul's speech in Athens. Though having no countermelody effect, it could stand to be sung by two persons, because it starts with questions and answers. (Note: where I used the word "subjectivist" below, I think at any future performance of this song I'll say "postmodernist.")


"The Philosopher's Merry-Go-Round"


Look at those horses all moving to music! Now, what have we found?
I know it well; it is called the Philosopher's Merry-Go-Round.
Why don't those people get off? I should think they'd get tired of the sound.
They keep on riding 'cause they feel at home on that merry-go-round.

Once I myself rode a bright painted horse
On that carousel, 'cause it felt good to my mind.
And at the time, in a way I was right
In believing I had nothing better to find.

But then one day, someone from out of town
Came and told us the truth about God and His Son;
He asked us all to get off our high horses,
And some of us did, and praise God, I was one!

Those who remained on the merry-go-round
Were the kind who love sophistry for its own sake.
They're so filled up with subjectivist theories,
They don't see their spirits are not yet awake.

You and I no longer need the Philosopher's Merry-Go-Round,
But try and tell that to thinkers all busy at feeling profound!
We hope that someday more people will get their feet back on the ground;
You can get farther with Jesus than riding a merry-go-round!
 
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Thank you!

I had not been around Christianity and Christian music for long before I noticed that some subjects for songs were done to death, while others of potential edification value (especially on Old Testament subjects) were ignored. So, for another of my very early songs, I wrote about a Biblical hero who--to my knowledge--had never had a song written about him. This song has a more or less bluegrass beat.


"NEHEMIAH, TELL ME WHY"


Back in the Post-Exilic days, Nehemiah went before
The mighty Persian emperor in the capital at Susa;
And the king turned a kindly gaze on his favorite Hebrew guest,
And he granted his request, to be sent off to the west,
Home to the land of Judah.

Waiting for nothing, west he rode, till he saw King David's town,
Nearly demolished to the ground; everywhere was rubble.
Through the deserted streets he strode, and the sight filled him with pain,
Like a field of growing grain getting hail instead of rain,
Turning into stubble.

Nehemiah, tell me why a people God has chosen
Now and then is full of men whose faith has gone and frozen?
All the same, I know you came out better from your trial;
Maybe now you've shown me how to walk that extra mile!

So Nehemiah called his tribe to behold Jerusalem,
Whereupon he said to them, "Now's the time to wise up!
We, having God upon our side, can erase our long disgrace;
Working at a steady pace, we'll restore our sacred place,
And see the Temple rise up."

Soon people came from hill and dale, joining in and lending cash,
Raising a town up from the ash fit to contain the Temple.
Now anyone can read the tale in the Good-Old Testament;
Nehemiah gladly went at the job; his days he spent
Setting a good example.

Nehemiah, tell me why a church that needs revival
Now and then is full of men contented to be idle?
All the same, I know you came out better from your trial;
Maybe now you've shown me how to walk that extra mile!


(c) Joseph R. Ravitts
 
CF said:
Thanks, Rhyannid. For what it's worth, "If You Think" has a Fifties rock-and-roll tune, like something from Jerry Lee Lewis if you've ever heard of him.
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I've heard of him, can't say I've heard any of his songs. But I get the idea of what you mean.

Like these next two as well. Especially "Philosophers Merry-Go-Round".
 
Another directly Bible-based song of mine was about the man healed in the 2nd chapter of Mark:



"ON MY FEET"


Jesus, I know I stank of self-pity
When I was brought to You on this bed.
You see men's hearts, and mine isn't pretty;
I don't deserve a nod of Your head.
But my four friends, all firmly believing,
Lowered me down to You through the roof;
Look at them now, all laughing and weeping,
Since You have placed me back on the hoof!

Up on my feet, flexing each hand;
I want to tell people throughout the land!
Now I'm complete; now I can stand;
Lord, I will do anything You command!

I only came to You for the healing,
But Your first words to me were of sin;
Then all at once, I had the firm feeling
That was just where You had to begin.
I'd been unfair to God in my crudeness--
Said He'd no right to handicap me;
Then in Your face I looked on His goodness,
And that was when I knew I could be:

Up on my feet -- etc.

Now I believe that God really sent You,
And that when prophets wrote in their scrolls
Of the Messiah, they really meant You;
My friends and I trust you with our souls.
You are as wise, as kind and forgiving,
As You are strong, and You're plenty strong.
Now I can walk, and work for a living,
And sing Your praises all my life long!

Up on my feet -- etc.




(c) JOSEPH RAVITTS
 
Joseph, I'm absolutely stunned, and I wish I could hear your lyrics set to music. More importantly, your words are thoughtful and God-centered rather than Us-centered.
 
Well, Inkling, if you are primitive enough to have a way to listen to audiocassettes, and if you are willing to contact me by private channels with your postal address, I may be able to send you a tape of some of my songs.


Meanwhile, this thread would not be complete if I didn't show that I have also written parody lyrics to pre-existing songs (something which, more recently, the Christian band Apologetix has done splendidly). The most durable parody I did--which my departed first wife Mary was fond of--is to the tune of Elton John's song "Daniel." I called my version "Daniel the Prophet;" and in view of Elton John's mocking and slandering of Christianity, I think it's cool that his music should be made to serve the God he despises. Kind of like Voltaire's house now being used by a Christian publisher....


Daniel is travelling to Babylon;
As a captive with his friends, he's over the Jordan and gone,
Leaving Judah at the point of a sword;
And it looks like Daniel has none to help him but the Lord.

Angels are coming down out of the sky,
Making lions shut their mouths, so Daniel won't have to die.
He trusted God, and won his reward;
So it looks like Daniel needs none to help him but the Lord!

Oh-oh-oh, Daniel the prophet had a vision one night:
Saw God upon His throne in a robe of pure white.
When Jesus Christ appeared upon the scene,
Daniel realized what the vision must mean.

So Daniel is praying tonight, all alone,
To the Ancient One he saw upon the fiery throne,
Asking God to show His people the way;
And it looks like Daniel did what we need to do today.
Oh yes, it looks like Daniel did what we need to do today!

--- words by Joseph Ravitts
 
Goodness, you know what happens when you encourage someone, don't you?

The following song is another which ought to be sung by two voices. It is a dialogue between Jesus and Satan, in a situation that needs no introduction. Satan's part is in a minor key, then Jesus replies in a major key.


"IT'S WRITTEN DOWN"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Satan:

Listen to me, Nazarene, I've watched You forty days upon Your fast.
Crazy man, what good are You to people if You starve to death at last?
If You are the Son of God Almighty, then You ought to use Your head:
Take advantage of Your power, turn a stone into a loaf of bread!

Jesus:
It's written down that man shall not live by bread alone,
But by each word that comes from the mouth of God, My Father;
So says the Lord.

Satan:
Listen to me, Nazarene, are You so sure Your mission's not a dream?
Why not set Your mind at ease by proving whether You are what You seem?
If You are the Son of God, then throw Yourself right off the Temple's top;
Then Your loving Father's angels ought to come and save You from the drop!

Jesus:
It's written down that man shall not test the Lord my God,
But in their faith shall know that He watches over them all;
So says the Lord.

Satan:
Listen to me, Nazarene, it's power that You want, or am I wrong?
Well, I'm just the fellow who can give it to You, if You play along.
I can give You all the kingdoms of this Earth for just one tiny task:
Bend Your knee and worship me, and they're all Yours--is that too much to ask?

Jesus:

It's written down that man must not worship false gods at all,
But worship God on high, and serve Him alone, forever;
So says the Lord.
So, Satan, go! Begone! For you have no hold on Me,
You liar! You're struck down, and that's how it always will be;
So says the Lord!
So says the Lord!
So says the Lord!

(c) Joseph R. Ravitts
 
In my first two years of believing in Jesus, I had a very hard time swallowing the Trinity. It might have been easier if so many other Christians had not made it a thinly disguised version of the "Jesus Only" deviation: "Thank You, Jesus, for sending YOUR SON," I heard one pray. That made me indignant on behalf of the slighted Father.

None other than Mr. Lewis provided the first defense of the Trinity I ever saw that didn't amount to "Believe this because I said so." Eventually I did get my theology straight; and in time, I wrote a hymn to the Holy Spirit as a way of making amends for undervaluing Him.


"COME, STAY, FLY"

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


Holy Spirit, come to a world unworthy of Your care;
Interrupt our sinful course.
Holy Spirit, come to the souls imprisoned by despair;
Free them with Your loving force.
Oh, Living Flame,
Warm all the human race, turn them to seeking grace, in Jesus' name.
You bring down the Blood that removes our stain;
Holy Spirit, come, as the latter rain.

Holy Spirit, stay in the midst of all the Lord's redeemed;
Edify those You have won.
Holy Spirit, stay, and achieve what we have only dreamed:
Make us conform to the Son.
Oh, Living Flame,
Burn down our filthy pride, let faith and love abide, in Jesus' name.
Teach us all to bear one another's load;
Holy Spirit, stay, make us Your abode.

Holy Spirit, fly, for You dwell both here and in the place
Where our High Priest intercedes.
Holy Spirit, fly to the throne set over time and space;
Join in Christ's prayer for our needs.
Oh, Living Flame,
Bring to the Father's ears what He already hears, in Jesus' name.
Bring to Him the prayers of our mortal days;
Holy Spirit, fly on the wings of praise.

(c) Joseph R. Ravitts
 
Yay! I've always wondered why nobody ever wrote a song specifically for the Holy Spirit. Very glad to see someone do so now.
 
Here's another Biblical one; this one was actually written before some of the others I've posted. Country gospel tune.


~~~ "GIVING THE GLORY" ~~~

When Joseph showed the truth to the Pharaoh,
How good and bad would spring from the sod,
The Pharaoh made him top official;
In Joseph's hand was placed a mighty rod.
But Joseph knew Who made him special;
He gave the glory to God.

When David slew the giant Goliath
With just a stone he threw from a sling,
He set the Philistines to fleeing,
And David went from there to being King.
But David knew a higher Being;
He gave the glory to God.

When Peter saw the man at the Temple
Who sat and begged, unable to stand,
That man stood upright as a tower
When John and Peter took him by the hand;
But Peter didn't boast of power;
He gave the glory to God.

As Joseph did, and David and Peter,
So we must do to come to the throne.
Our hearts are sinful, base and lowly;
We'll never climb to Heaven on our own.
But grace will bring us there, if only
We give the glory to God.


That one was particularly apropos to display now, in view of someone seeming to claim that if I'm not a Calvinist, I'm denying the very existence of sin. On the same lines, let me append the remembered portion of another quite early song of mine, whose original copy has been lost. This one also pointedly acknowledges our need for grace.

* * "CROSS REFERENCE" * *

Do you think that I think I'm earning my way
To Heaven and home? That just isn't so.
I know well that I'm not sufficient to pay
One-tenth of the fare
To fly through the air
To where I most wish to go.

So what makes me think I'll pass the inspection,
And gain the affection of angels above?
It's Christ on the Cross, and no other reason,
He paid for my treason, and gave me His love.


The fact that I believe--scratch that, I _know_ from experience plus plenty of Scripture that God _does_ make all of us able to make some response to His grace, does not mean that our response itself is what atones for our sin! If I were saved from drowning by a Coast Guard boat, the fact that I voluntarily grabbed onto a life preserver they tossed me would NOT mean I was claiming to have saved myself independently.
 
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