In this months episode we have great new song and interview from Soul Survivor's Beth Croft. Also Tim and Ben have a 'perfect pitch' show down!
19 January 2009 - 12:15am
I wrote this song towards the end of last year after reading a book by Francis Chan called "Crazy Love" in which Francis tells of a story of a lady who was in the theatre watching a play - in the interval she was asked if she was having a good time or not - she said she was having an ok time but she's not sure she'd want Jesus to find her there if He came back there and then...she'd much rather be on her knees in prayer or feeding the poor.
This challenged me - I thought to myself "if Jesus came back right now, am I where I want Him to see me?"... and so this song was birthed. I hope you like it...
Intro:
One day He's coming back,
He's gonna ask what I have done
with the gifts He's given me
with the things He's given me
One day He's coming back
and I'll be asked what I done
With the things that He's given me
Chorus:
If Jesus came back right now
am I where I want Him to see me?
If Jesus came back right now
am I doing what He commanded me?
Verse 1:
Don't just "amen"
say "I am God's plan and I'm gonna do something!"
Don't just say "great sermon"
say "yes sir! I am gonna do something"
Coz God's love is crazy
And our response should be crazy too!
Verse 2:
Don't just feel convicted and sit there
Go and something!
Don't just pray "more faith" go explore faith!
Go and do something for the King
Coz God's love is crazy
And our response should be crazy too!
Bridge:
What have you done?
What have you done?
What have you done with what I gave you?
(repeat)
<1st half of Chrous to end>
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After all of the helpful feedback that you've given me I have changed the verses so that they don't sound so harsh - I actually really like the changes. I think it probably is a "performance" song rather than a congregational one... but I just wanted to show my changes to those of you who have taken the time to help me make it better. The second recording may be a little quick and quiet but I hope you can hear it ok. The lyrics for the second version are in one of my comments below.
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Hey,
few comments;
The verses I feel are too 'in your face', I feel they need some work on. I also agree with Jords saying that it is rushed through the verse. I don't think this song would work in a congregation, but is easy listening music.
I do like the chorus, but the verses maybe need to be changed to help the song move forward, i feel they're holding it back at the moment!
Good job, keep it up!
God Bless
I really like this song, not as a congregational song, but as a performance piece it's really good. To me you sound a lot like Ani diFranco in both singing and song style and that is no bad thing in my books!!!
I think that maybe the lyrics in verse 2 need a bit of tightening up, as they don't seem as strong to me as the first verse.
Anyway, keep up the good work!
Hi Helen,
I think this is has a really fresh sound and you've got a fantastic voice, I really like it. I think i'd echo the comments re more of a performance, thought provoking piece than congregational but as that i think it's really strong. The lyrics are in your face but do hit home on some of the things we do say and don't act on.
Anyway just wanted to encourage you
Cheers
Thanks Guys,
I do tend to cram loads of words in...hehe. It's a habit! Not sure I'll be able to easily break out of it...
You're all right I think re the style I think. Perhaps I should ask the team to create another forum for Christian performance pieces rather than congregational ones.
I'll have a think about the words - perhaps if I went more for an "us" approach/feel than a "you" approach in the verses then it may not sound so harsh - I am totally including myself in what I'm singing...I'm one of the worst for saying "amen" to something and then just moving on...
Thanks for taking the time to give me feedback (and being gentle about it!) I'm gonna have a listen to Ani diFranco and be encouraged :)
Have blessed weeks with Jesus!!
Helen
I definitely agree with everything the guys said and I think what you said helen are great ways to start some improvement on it...but I mostly just commented to say that your voice reminds me of Corinne Bailey Rae's voice! haha cool! just wanted to let you know that
Nick
It's taken me a few months of mulling it over and I think I've finally cracked some better verses...they have a slightly different tune and a much more gentle approach to the same message (I think...). I'll make a new recording of the song at some point today...
Verse 1
Faith shouldn’t stop at “Amen” - we are God’s plan - we can do something
If people are hungry and naked - we can do more than pray, from today let's try to meet their needs instead.
God’s love is crazy - and our response should be crazy too!
Verse 2
Faith should convict us to move - and use what we have - to bless those who have not.
If someone’s life could improve - let's do more than say “we will pray” - let's try to bless them instead.
God’s love is crazy - and our response should be crazy too!
Hey Helen. I love this. Very fresh. But the reason is BECAUSE it's a 'performance' song. Sometimes I think you can be so much more creative musically in that place, breaking all the rules! eg. high syllable counts and content, beautiful vocal ornamentation, complex song structure ('introduction"??), all of which work against a simplicity that a congregation tends to need.
So I suppose for me the question is, does it HAVE to become a congregational song?? That way it can maybe feel a bit more prophetic too with the YOUs rather than WEs.
Mart
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