L y r i c s

Break the Walls

All alone in my chair
Casting thoughts and dreams with a prayer
Coffee keeps me warm
Before the quiet calm of the storm

Decisions are hard
I gotta know
The will of Your heart
That makes me grow

Break down the walls of fear
Let love rain, make it clear
Your voice I long to hear
Break the walls of fear

Oh the choices to make
Sometimes feels like there’s so much at stake
Will I win or will I lose
If not Your will there’s nothing to choose

Scotland Ablaze

Men are marching from the Highlands
From the lowland to the tip of Ullapool
From Arbroath to the border town of Dumbries
From Glasgow and Edinburgh too

Men are beating on their shields
Bagpipes bellow loud
A banner of freedom’s being raised
The battle is at hand, revival’s in the land
With the light of love and sword of truth
Scotland is ablaze

It’s our God who shames the wise
And the world He makes a fool
Scotland’s marching to the heartbeat
Of the God whose love will rule
There’s a fire in the hearts
Of the army He has raised
Oh give Him praise
Scotland is ablaze

Now the Lord, He is a mighty warrior
And He’s coming to set this nation free
From the shackles of darkness and oppression
To the light of confidence and unity

Lay ’Em Down

What should I eat, what should I drink
What do I wear
What house, what car, what girl
Or should I really care

More bills flying at me
Gettin’ bigger every day
I wanna run so they won’t catch me
You know I just wanna play

Lay ’em down, lay ’em down, yea
Take your burdens to the Lord
Gotta learn to lay ’em down
Lay ’em down, lay ’em down, yea
Gotta learn to lay ’em down
Gonna lay my burdens down

More traffic on the road
People in my way
I got a boss that’s gonna explode
He makes me earn my pay

I go home to see the dog
He’s got a gift for me
A fresh land mine on the rug
My mother bought me Christmas Eve

I saw my girl the other day
She said she had some news
Said she found another man
And made me sing the blues

Said he’s got a bigger car
In the back he’s got a swimming pool
But she don’t know that what he’s got
Is making her the bigger fool

Call Me Again

Call me again, I’ll be your friend
I’ll be your brother, unlike no other, just
Call me again, I’ll be your friend
I’ll be a shoulder you can cry over, just
Call me call me
I’ll be right there, you know I’ll care, just
Call me call me, please

Sorry to hear the news that a brother let you down
Unexpected words from the love that you had found
This old world we know can hurt and break your heart
And people you’d love to be near can be so far apart
But never think that you’re alone
’Cause I’m your brother

Don’t try to go it alone, you know you still have us
Love is what you need from the ones that you can trust
It hurts when you’ve been wronged and nothing’s going right
But I hope you’ll hear this song and not give up the fight
Never think that you’re alone
’Cause I’m your brother

The Baptism

Take me down to the river
Take me where the healing waters flow
Let me fall in precious sweet surrender
Watch my sins down the river flow

I remember we were drivin’
In a Chevrolet made in sixty-four
Headed out to a gravel road
To a place I’d never been before

When we got there it was rainin’
People didn’t seem to mind
All the faces they were smilin’
So we laughed and headed for the riverside

I was watchin’ my dear mother
As she waded out, glowing dressed in white
When the preacher took her under
Then she rose up shouting "I’m purified"

Take me down to the river
Lay me down and I will die no more
Let me fall in the creek so deep
Raise me up and see my spirit soar

Let It Go

That man is fighting hard
Can’t swim won’t go too far
Just wait and let him be
Till he goes out to the sea
Then we’ll save him

He’s one real hanger on
But I see his strength is goin’
While he is strugglin’
I’ll play my violin
Violin
Till he lets go

We keep on holdin’ on
Gotta learn to let it go now
When we’re weak that’s when we’re strong
Gotta learn to let it go now
Give your life and you’ll receive it
Gotta learn to let it go now
Need to trust if you believe it
Gotta learn to let it go now
Let it go
If we believe
Let it go

He holds his hands so tight
Sometimes with all his might
Closed hands they can’t receive
Open hands say I believe, I believe
In letting go
Letting go

These Few Words

Son, today I glanced into the mirror in my room
I could not believe my eyes for what I guessed was true
Seems like I was just a young boy only yesterday
I was plowing through the golden fields learning my own way
Son, remember these few words I say

We go into this world with nothing and go out just the same
So it’s wise to keep your eyes affixed to the things that will remain
As our Father above us who loves us and molds us out of clay
I feel assured that you’ll do well as I send you on your way
Son, remember these few words I say

When I was young we learned to live in the good times and the bad
And in the war I saw so many things I wish I never had
Son I’ve seen the young grass wither and the flowers fade away
But the word of God endures forever, forever and a day
Son, remember these few words I pray

When my days are done and you lay me down
And pictures fade away
Son, remember these few words I say
Son, remember these few words I say
Son, remember these few words I pray

Ready for the Storm  

Oh the waves crash in and the tide pulls out
It's an angry sea but there is no doubt
That the lighthouse will keep shining out
To warn a lonely sailor
And the lightning strikes and the wind cuts cold
From sailor’s bones to the sailor's soul
Till there's nothing left that he can hold
Except a rolling ocean
 
Oh I am ready for the storm
Yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm
I am ready for the storm
 
Oh give me mercy for my dreams
Cause every confrontation seems
To tell me what it really means
To be this lonely sailor
And when the sky begins to clear
The sun it melts away my fear
I cry a silent weary tear
For those who want to love me
 
Oh the distance it is no real friend
And time will take its time
And you will find that in the end
it brings you me this lonely sailor
And when you take me by your side
You love me Lord you love me and I
Should have realized there's no
Reason to be frightened
 
words and music by Dougie McClain
   

The Red Sea

I sit and pray beside the ocean tide
And I talk about the years that pass
How quickly they go by
At times I’ve wondered if you could hear me
But I remember all the days you came
To take me by your side
 
(B section)
You pulled back the Red Sea
And toppled the walls of Jericho
And just the same you care for me
No matter where I go
You saved us from the Pharaoh
And led us through the desert land
I'll never doubt your mighty hand
 
(Chorus)
Although the sound of horses roar
And my backs against the shore
I will never doubt your mighty hand oh God
 
I see the earth you made the ocean wide
And as the sun begins to fall till daybreak
I know you'll be my guide
At times I've felt alone surrounded
But with unfailing love you delivered me
To take me by your side
 
(Chorus)
When the waters running high
I'll walk the great divide
And I'll never doubt your mighty hand oh God
No, I'll never doubt your mighty hand oh God
I'll never doubt your mighty hand oh God
 
music and lyrics by Ric Blair
copyright 1993

Holy Fire

Take me back to the foot of the cross
Take me back
Take this world and all of the things
I hold on to
 
(B section)
You know how I feel, cause you've been there
You suffered the pain beyond compare
But this time seems more than I can bear
 
(Chorus)
Bring back your Holy Fire
 
Heal this broken heart
Lift me up and take me higher
Like you did from the start
 
Use me Lord, in the midst of the darkest night
Use me Lord
Let me stand, let me stand
In the flame of your awesome healing fire
(repeat B section and chorus)
 
(Bridge)
Put the fire in my bones, a vision from within
With the love that you have shown
Can conquer any sin
Lord Jesus with you here
I can begin again
 
(Chorus)
 
  music and lyrics by Ric Blair copyright 1990    

Near the Cross

Jesus keep me near the cross
There's a precious fountain
Free to all a healing stream
Flows from Calvary's mountain
 
Near the cross
I'll watch and wait
Hoping trusting ever
Till I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river
 
In the cross, In the cross
Be my glory ever
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river
 
Written by Fanny Crosby
Arrangement by Ric Blair
 

Author of Love
 

there's so many people walkin' down lonely street
as the city's closing in
it's easy to get lost to all you know is good
don't turn your back and look the other way
 
sometimes it's hard to understand
the reason for your pain and strife
but for those that love the Lord
the kingdom is in your hands
don't turn your back and look the other way
 
won't you lay your weight aside
and the sin that makes you fall
look to the author of love
who for your joy endured
 
now as the time continues onward
how your heart becomes colder
your anger turns to fear
looking for a way to survive
don't turn your back and look the other way
 
won't you lay your weight aside
and the sin that makes you fall
look to the Author of Love
who for your joy endured
   
music by Ric Blair
lyrics by Ric Blair and Bob Bounds

Always by My Side

Good bye to the road that I traveled
Goodbye to the lonely nights
You light the path that I'll follow
You'll always be by my side
 
 
Ist verse
So driven and tossed
Waves on a stormy sea
I chartered my course
Seeking out destiny
I sailed without sight
Through the darkest night
Abandoned the ship
Seeking my own security
 
 
2nd verse
I Struggled ashore
Tattered and torn and cold
I took to the streets
I thought I was in control
But still I was lost
Till I ran to the cross
And then You took all my failures
And paved a street of gold
 
 
Chorus
Goodbye to the road that I traveled
Goodbye to the lonely nights
You light the path that 1'll follow
 
You'll always be by my side
 
Bridge
 
It's sad when it gets
To where you’re living
You live with regrets
Now I'm giving
Myself to the road
That will send me
To my knees
 
 
Chorus
Outro
 
words and music by Ric Blair and Bill Threlkeld

Don't Close Your Eyes

c 1995 RicBlair

Homeless children in the Tinsel Town
Not a parent to be found
Angry mobs that fill the street
Won't be long till it's you and me
I'm sick and tired of this human race
Will the Lord put us in our place
Will the rich stop oppressing the poor
God knows I can't take it no more
 
Don't close your eyes on these
The children of the world
Their hearts cry out for peace
Don't close your eyes on these
 
Politicians can't you read the sign
You keep the children in a welfare line
You preach dependence on Washington
Instead you teach them how to trust a gun
You take away man's self-esteem
Just to run your voting machine
Will the rich stop oppressing the poor
God knows I can't take it no more
 
(Chorus)
 
I pray to always humbly give
The peace of God for those live
To live a life of lesser pain
That innocence will still remain
 
God will raise the beggar from the dust
To a treasure that will never rust
Until then we've got to do our part
And have compassion for the troubled heart
Chorus

Bleeding Man

Such a long time since you've been around
And I have some things to say that I've found
I don't want to judge or be unkind
Cause the love I have for you ain't blind
 
Chorus:
There's a bleeding man inside your heart
Who wants to love not tear apart
Those close to you
There's a bleeding man inside yourself
Who wants to take back off the shelf
Those close to you
 
You speed around the world to save the masses
But in the race against yourself, you run the fastest
You preach to those you'll never know
It makes it easier when the time has come to go
 
(repeat chorus)
 
Bridge:
You don't have to be a teacher
You don't have to be a preacher
All you gotta do, is love the ones close to you
Can’t you see that the man inside
Is not really you, but the one who died
And He’s calling out your name
Calling out your name
 
(repeat chorus)
 
music & lyrics by Ric Blair
copyright 1989

The Greatest Gift

People running round
It’s a merry Christmas
Sleighbells hear the sound
Echo in the snow
It's that time of year
Loved ones gather near
 
Shopping in the streets
You can hear the laughter
Others are in need
Don't know where to go
It's that time of year
Loved ones gather near
 

Chorus

Out there is hope for all the lonely ones
Who may not be so full of cheer
The God of heaven and the universe
He came down to give the Greatest Gift
The world has ever known
 
Now there's talk of war
Talk of people dying
But that's what He came for
That the world should live
Let us pray for peace
Together on our knees
   
music and lyrics by Ric Blair
copyright 1991

You're a Child

you're a child, you're a child
the old man he said to me
you're a child, you're a child
as he looked out o'er the sea
 
consider how the colors change
yet the sea remains forever
it's just the same as you grow old
if your heart withstands the weather
 
you're a child, you're a child
you know where to run when you fall
with open arms and a smile
your Father will heed your call
 
you never know when it's going to rain
but sun still shines above the clouds
you're sheltered by a love so strong
it's a Father's love that has no bounds
 
there'll be times when you won't quite understand
why the sea washes your castles in the sand
but timeless truths will be revealed unto you
then the child inside will be made brand new
 
little child, little child
he whispered with tears in his eyes
in my life I've seen the fire
but Jesus he heard my crys
 
chorus
 
music and lyrics by Ric Blair