The Songs

A collection of our songs in lyrical format. Click the Listen & buy below each song to get your own copy, post a comment, or share via Twitter/Facebook. Whenever we have new writings, we’ll post them here. Happy reading...

Carol of the Bells / The Holly and the Ivy

c. 1200 · Traditional

[Instrumental]

Angels We Have Heard on High

c. 1500 · Traditional; translation 1862 James Chadwick

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo!

See him in a manger laid
Him whose birth the angles praise
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo!
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo!

Love Came Down at Christmas

1885 · Words Christina Rosetti; music traditional

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Stars and angels gave the sign.

Worship we our Jesus,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine;
Worship we Immanuel:
Love’s eternal sacred sign.

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love from God to all of us,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

The Friendly Beasts

c 1200 · Traditional

Jesus, our Brother, strong and good
Was humbly born in a stable rude
And the friendly beasts around him stood
Jesus, our Brother, strong and good

I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown
I carried his mother uphill and down
I carried his mother to Bethlehem town
I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown

I, said the cow, all white and red
I gave him my manger for his bed
I gave him my hay to pillow his head
I, said the cow, all white and red

I, said the sheep, with curly horn
I gave him my wool for his blanket warm
He wore my coat on Christmas morn
I, said the sheep, with curly horn

I, said the dove, from rafters high
I cooed him to sleep so he would not cry
We cooed him to sleep, my mate and I
I, said the dove, from rafters high

Thus, all the beasts, by some good spell
In a stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel

Jesus, our Brother, strong and good

Be Free

2007 · Words & music Zack Smith

I’m on my way to find out what this is all about. You’ve set your sights on anything they say you want, but there is nothing in this whole world to hold me down. I’m on my way to you.

Take my freedom, take my joy. Take my faith and just be sure to leave your worries at the door for me. Take my smile and make it yours. Take forgiveness, I implore you. Throw your caution to the floor. Be free. Be free.

You think I don’t know; you think no one can see you now. You carry burdens you were never meant to hold up. Call me crazy, but I’d love to take the worst from you. Lay your burden down.

And think about it: what it does to me, when my beloved believes anything our enemy would say to make you feel like you’re alone.

So leave these things that make you fall. Take my grace, and that’s not all: drop your crutches. Stand up tall for me. Take your back from off that wall; sword and shield, enemies fall. Take my beauty, be enthralled. Be free. Be free. Be free.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

c. 1400s · Traditional

God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our savior was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem of Israel this blessed babe was born
And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn
To which his mother Mary did take nothing then in scorn
Tidings of comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy!
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our heavenly Father a blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
O tidings of comfort and joy

Come Ye Redeemed

2009 · Words c. 1750 Joseph Hart; music © Zack Smith

Come ye redeemed of the Lord; your grateful tribute bring
And celebrate with one accord the birthday of our King

Yet us with humble hearts repair (faith will point out the road)
To little Bethlehem and there adore our infant God

In swaddling bands the savior view! Let none his weakness scorn!
The feeblest heart shall hell subdue where Jesus Christ is born

No pomp adorns, no sweets perfume where Jesus Christ is laid
A stable serves him for his room; a manger is his bed

The crowded inn, like sinners’ hearts (oh ignorance extreme)
For other guests, of various sorts, had room, but none for him

But see what different thoughts arise in our and angels’ breasts
To hail his birth they left the skies; we lodged him with the beasts

Yet let believers cease their fears, nor envy heavenly powers
If sinless innocence be theirs, redemption all is ours

I Am the Only One

2003 · Words & music © Zack Smith

If you wanted to fly, I can take you. If you wanted the sky, I can make two. If you wanted to lose yourself in me; if you wanted to dream… If you wanted to lose all of the things that bring you down, the things that bring you down…

When the weight is too heavy to lift on your own, close your eyes and let me show my strength. Don’t you ever forget that I’m bringing you home; you won’t ever make it without me. When you walk through the fire, you can never be burned. Hold my hand and let me show you how. More faithful than the sunrise and seasons that turn, I’m the only one you’ll ever need.

I am the only one. I am the only one for you.

Disaster

2001 · Words & music © Zack Smith

Standing by the roaring sea, I notice figures next to me. I’m not what I used to be, they say. Places I thought held the truth, I’m seeing now a pointless feud. I knew, somehow, I would find you here.

Among the ghosts that surround this place, between the walls in this house of disgrace, I find myself flat on my face again.

Outside a sunny afternoon, but I’m stuck inside this darkened room, and I won’t see the silver moon tonight. This misery will not be brief… I’ll close my eyes, stop and breathe; I need to find a way to leave you here!

Among the ghosts that surround this place, between the wall in this house of disgrace, I find myself flat on my face again. I built my home on hopeful land, just to find today it’s shifting sand, and I can’t ignore disaster anymore.

And I can’t go on silent any longer! When I can’t even breathe for the fear! I wish I could just put out this fire, but I can’t fight the flames with my tears.

I can’t ignore disaster anymore.

The Spoils of Warring Hearts

2002 · Words & music © Zack Smith

Goodnight, she said; a nod, and then she turned and hurried home. Without the smile he saved, he waved a hand and stood alone. He thought the sun had come undone. His face began to freeze. The stinging weakened only by his wounded underneath.

We fall in love sometimes and hold on too tight, while everything we hold on to is taking our lives. You were the only one who loves me this way: you were the only one strong enough to take what I thought I needed.

A thing I owned was found misplaced, ruined from the start: misdirected awe among the spoils of warring hearts, inside a bag of artifacts I’ve pulled from towers tall, built to serve a selfish name until God crushed them all. He said…

Hold on; hold on to me. I am all. I am everything you will everything you could ever need. Hold on; hold on to me. Soon enough, oh, you will see. I swear you’ll see me. Hold on; hold on to me. I am here now, and you will be set free.

We fall in love sometimes and hold on too tight, while everything we hold on to is taking our lives. You were the only one who loves me this way: you were the only one strong enough to take what I needed, what I thought I needed.

You were the only one strong enough to take what I thought I needed.

Spread Your Wings

2004 · Words & music © Zack Smith

I’m all alone, you said to me. I’m waiting for you. Seems there’s a lie in everything. I’m holding the truth. I’m holding you…

You let them get inside your head. You’re crawling through the dust believing lies. But when I look at you, my love, I’m looking at an eagle, born to fly.

You turn away, your eyes cast down. Look up at me instead. You lose the sun behind the clouds. I’ll cover your head. I’ll cover you. I am the one who sees how beautiful you are! I am the one who sees you wishing on that star. Wishing you’re an eagle, born to fly.

Somehow they broke into your heart. They made you take the long way home tonight. But if I had my way again, I’d whisper in your ears and make it right. You let them get inside your head. You’re crawling through the dust, believing lies. But when I look at you, my love, I’m looking at an eagle, born to fly.

...an eagle, born to fly.

She Said

2002 · Words & music © Zack Smith

She said, I cannot get my faults to wash away. The rain is keeping me from going out today. I thought that it would rinse me clean, forgetting all the dirt that used to be, but it commands the sun to hide from me; bids the shadows fall around my feet. My feet…

She said, I’ve been waiting here, you know, for quite sometime. Dying, and waiting here for what I know is mine. I hoped that I would not go cold, forgetting all the things I used to know. Pity now my darkened hole, but you can bring me out again, I’m told. I’m told…

You should have known by now the things you thought would lift you up again, they only serve to bring you down. And all the ones who call your name from far away are nothing, but when you know this Jesus, there’s nothing better for you.

Can you bring the sun to dry the gathered rain? Can you breathe a healing wind on me again? I hoped that you could lift my head, forgetting all my sin as if its dead. Stars would shine; to sleep I’m led. Messengers, they danced around my bed. They said…

You should have known by now the things you thought would lift you up again, they only serve to bring you down. And all the ones who call your name from far away are nothing, but when you know this Jesus, there’s nothing better for you.

I cannot get my faults to wash away… Away!

I should have known by now the ground I thought would hold me up this time, it turns to sand between my toes. And all the ones who call my name from far away mean nothing, but now I know you Jesus… Now I know you Jesus; there’s no one better for me.

My Sacrifice

2005 · Words & music © Zack Smith

There was a time not long ago, I was afraid that I would always be alone. I didn’t know you were my own. But you were always there, fighting every lie, chasing after me, waiting for the perfect opportunity to say you were the one: my sacrifice.

You are all I need. Come to me and take me home. Your arms so wide, and love so deep, it covers me and makes me whole.

You marked me with your fire, covered every stain; conquered everything that offered me a false security. And then, and then you gave me joy, and peace unbreakable.

You are all I need. Come to me and take me home. Your arms so wide, and love so deep, it covers me and makes me whole.

Now glory is my sun. Freedom is my song. And you are my delight. I’m finding all I have is all I’ll ever need. I’m finding I am right where I belong.

Break Me

2004 · Words & music © Zack Smith

Prove me to me. Break me more. Kill me ‘cause they killed my lord. You love me wide, so scar me deep. Wake me from my bed of leaves.

Won’t you show me? Open up your mouth and speak, cause I go crazy when all the complications repeat. Won’t you bring me everything when you bring me face to face? Show me how to need your grace.

I feel hollow from fullness fake. My real lungs gasp each breath I take. Rip me from all I want. Break me ‘til I love more than dust.

Won’t you show me? Open up your mouth and speak, cause I go crazy when all the complications repeat. Won’t you bring me everything when you bring me face to face? Show me how…

I’m ready for you to break me. I’m willing; I’m waiting. I’m lost on this planet; I see where it ends. I’m lying in your arms, dying to live.

Won’t you show me? Open up your mouth and speak, cause I go crazy when all the complications repeat. Won’t you bring me everything when you bring me face to face? Show me how to need your grace.

Beautiful You

2001 · Words & music © Zack Smith

I’m not sure where you flew off to when we saw you flying free. I heard it’s a long way off, but worth the walk if you can see. I heard they have a softer bed to welcome you at night. And when you’re woken gently by the sun, you feel you’ll be alright.

I could tremble now just to think I know what it looks like there with the stars below. When the angels sing, is listening allowed?

I get carried away. I get lost in you. I’m in love with everything you say and do. You’re so beautiful!

I heard the view of the sea from there would steal your breath at sunrise to keep your mind away from anything that makes you want to cry. I heard the leaves change color to brilliance in the fall, and that somehow helps you to forget you ever cried at all.

If I concentrate, can I see you there tasting brokenness, smelling every prayer? When the angels dance for you next can I see?

You invite me there into mystery, into everything that could awaken me. It’s so unthinkable… And I get carried away. I get lost in you. I fall in love with everything you say and do. You’re so beautiful!

I hope right now you hear my words travel through the dark. I hope you feel me try to catch on fire and throw me down a spark. I hope you find me spending all to find you in the night, and a window to your beauty opens up and gives me light.

You’re so beautiful. You’re so beautiful.

Long Road

2001 · Words & music © Zack Smith

Another dark drive home. Another night alone. Another rediscovery that I don’t need a phone. Another cloudy you. Another rainy view. Another fading dream of mine that won’t ever come true.

And my eyes find no sleep tonight, though they search until the morning sun burns bright. And my heart finds no help to remedy this pain from being alone.

It’s been a long road alone. I’ll try not to be lonely and I’ll try to keep a smile. But if you’d come along – if not for the journey, then just to rest my feet a while – I may endure…

Another well run dry. Another do or die. Another circumstance that rips away my will to fight. Another try my best. Another nightmare rest. Another wake-up puts me back into the same old mess.

In my mind I imagine me waking to your light; it covers everything. So tonight, I will look for you in the sky… Rescue me!

It’s been a long road alone. I’ll try not to be lonely and I’ll try to keep a smile. but if you’d come along – if not for the journey, then just to rest my feet a while – I may endure another mile.

Trains

2001 · Words & music © Zack Smith

One more look in the rear-view. Pull in and shift into park. Trembling hands take the keys, and alone I step out of the car.

My thoughts blow away in the slightest breeze. The sound of your voice brings me down to my knees. If my heart is locked up, then who holds the keys? It’s you.

Now pretend I’m not hearing storm clouds that call me by name, raising questions of frailty. And now it’s starting to rain! Accusations like downpour drenching my body, my mind. Seeing all that I wanted patiently wait where I left it behind!

The thunder is rolling; the sky’s turning black. And you linger here like a ghost on the tracks. And I told myself I’d never come back to you…

Take me away from here! Take me wherever you want! Cause I know now my everything’s right where you are. I can’t breathe when I see you; I can’t speak when I see your face! So tell me now nothing can take me away from you.

How Firm A Foundation

1787 · Traditional

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent Word? What more can he say than to you he has said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Fear not! I am with you! O be not dismayed, for I am your God and will still give you aid. I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through fiery trials your pathway will lie, my grace, all-sufficient, will be your supply. The flames will not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes. That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

  

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