Back to the Street - 1986 |
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Track List |
Album SynopsisI have never really been sure how to describe the sound of this album. The guitar is mixed really low, making the whole sound of it seem murky. The replacement of lead singer Greg X. Volz with John Schlitt, plus the addition of new producers John and Dino Elefante, made this a transition album. About half the songs here are so-so (Another Crossroad and Run for Cover sound like the same song with different lyrics) while the others are excellent. |
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Lyrics
Back to the Street
Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on Matthew 28:19, 22:9
It's so easy to lose the burden - Take our eyes off the fields
Settle into apathy and forget what the harvest yields
It's so easy to think we're finished with our labor for awhile
Kick back and let somebody else go the extra mile
(Chorus)
Jesus said Go (Go!) into all the world
Make disciples of all men
We gotta Go (Go!) to the highways and compel them to come in
As long as there's a tearful eye that cries alone at night
As long as there's a weary soul ready to end the fight
As long as there's an aching heart that still has strength to beat
We gotta take this message back to the street
We gotta take this message back to the street
It's so easy to stay untangled in everyone else's life
Don't get involved with strangers - don't get involved with strife
It's so easy to save your own life - resting on what you've done
But Jesus would leave the ninety nine to try to save the one
It's not easy to beat the system
It's not easy to face the heat
But somebody's got to take this message
Back to the street
You Are I Am
Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on Exodus 3:14, John 8:58
From the top of the mountains to the bottom of the sea
From beginning of time through eternity
From burning bush to Gethsemane
From the Red Sea shores to the Galilee
(Chorus)
You are I Am, You are I Am
Let the heavens rejoice in you Your majesty
Let the earth hear Your voice in its purity
From the fiery furnace to upper room
From the lions' den to the empty tomb
You have always been - You will always be
Yesterday, today, and through eternity
I will always bow my knee
You will never cease to be I Am
From the breath of life to the Living Word
To the broken heart when good news is heard
Shakin the House
Words by Bob Hartman and John Lawry
Based on 1 Peter 4:17, Hebrews 12:27
There's a rumble in the distance - a trembling in the air
It's uncertain in direction - does it come from here or there
It's approaching by the minute - does it lead you to despair
Feel it shakin your foundation - when you haven't got a prayer
(Chorus)
Everything that can be shaken will be shakin' from within
Better have your house in order when the shaking begins
Shakin' the house
Shakin, shakin' the house
You examine your foundation - does it stand on rock or sand
When the smoke clears, does it bring fears - when the houses fall or stand
In the fire of refining - with the flames too high to douse
You remember someone saying it's beginning in the house
But don't fear when it comes near
And you see the raging fire
If you hold fast it will all pass
Till your heart has His desire
King's Ransom
Words by Bob Hartman
Based on Matthew 20:28
It's such a paradox - it's such a mystery
Why a King would leave His throne to save humanity
They could not have known when they mocked Him in disgrace
They could not have known when they spit upon His face
(Chorus)
The Rose of Sharon wore a crown of thorns that day
The carpenter had a nail right through His hand
The Master of the earth became a servant of no worth
And paid a King's ransom for my soul
He paid a King's ransom for my soul
Creator of the earth - Name above all names
Some just stood in unbelief when listening to His claims
They could not have known when they hit Him with their fists
They could not have known when they nailed his feet and wrists
The ransom that He paid was the sacrifice he made
The life of a King in place of me
The shame that He bore for the rich and for the poor
Changed His crown of thorns into glory
Whole World
Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on Hebrews 1:3, Matthew 20:29, 6:34
Hearts are falling left and right
Children fear this planet's plight
Fatalistic fears abound
And take their toll without a sound
But through the vague uncertainty - comes a bold assurity
This world is under sovereignty - divinely ordered destiny
He holds this world together with the Word of His power
Safe within His hands - til its own appointed hour
(Chorus)
He's still got the whole world in His hands - tonight
And only He knows where the sparrow lands - tonight
And nothing in this world can stop His plans - tonight
'Cause He's still got the whole world in His hands
In His hands tonight
Humanistic lies lament
The holocaust is imminent
Doomsday prophets in the news
Predicting who will light the fuse
The fate of His creation isn't subject to a man
The final consummation is according to His plan
He's still got you - He's still got me in His hands tonight
Another Crossroad
Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 10:30
Another day of indecision - there's a battle in my head
It's not a matter of submission - I'll go where I'm led
But my mind keeps changing every day
I need your peace to point the way
(Chorus)
And now I'm at another crossroad
And I don't know which way to go
My steps are ordered and I know I'll find the way
When your Word lights the path and I obey
When your Word lights the path and I obey
Sometimes I feel a hesitation - is it me or is it You
I only need an indication - I just need some kind of clue
It's not hard to miss a turn along the way
I know I've missed some in my day
I don't want to be wrong
I want to do what's right
I know that you can lead me through the maze
When I acknowledge you in all my ways
Run for Cover
Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on 1 Peter 5:5
You muyst have seen the light somewhere along the way
The flashing warning sign that you would not obey
You ran the roadblock before the danger zone
You cut the lifeline - now you're on your own
(Chorus)
Run for cover - better get under authority
Run for cover - better listen to somebody
Like a lone ranger running through the night
With noone to tell you if you're wrong or right
Run for cover
You want to call the shots - you want to take control
You want to throw the dice and gamble with your soul
Taking the liberties that grace will not afford
Is He your Master, can you call Him Lord?
Why do you stand out in the rain
What do you think you have to gain
When you try in your own strength but don't prevail
The arm of flesh will always fail
Fool's Gold
Words by Bob Hartman
Based on 1 Corinthians 1:21-25, Revelation 21:18
Some say this life I live is only foolishness
No waiting pot of gold in the faith that I possess
But the treasures of this life will slowly turn to dust
And this fool will find his gold in the Savior that I trust
(Chorus)
Fool's gold - it's waiting in a crown
Fool's gold - in a city coming down
I'll leave the gold I can't afford
For the higher prize I'm pressing toward
I'll preach the foolish cross of Christ
And wait for my reward
Fool's gold
The wisdom of the cross - is easy to receive
But only foolishness - to them that don't believe
They may say that I'm a fool for the cross that I proclaim
But the gold that I must seek won't be found in earthly fame
When the crowns of gold all lay before His feet
Then the worthy Lamb of God is the treasure we will keep
Some may call me foolish - some may call me odd
But I'd rather be a fool in the eyes of men
Than a fool in the eyes of God
Altar Ego
Words by Bob Hartman
Based on Matthew 6:5,16, James 4:6
I can tell by the look on your face
It's another day of fasting
I can tell by the length of the shadow
That your face is casting
And you look both ways before you pray
Just to see who's watching you today
(Chorus)
It's just your altar ego - and it's so hard to know
Beneath the piety and hidden vanity begins to show
It's just your altar ego - and you don't even know
And you won't even grow til His Spirit strikes a bow
To your altar ego
You love to seen by men
In all the public places
And you always pick the best of the seats
You've got the social graces
Can you be so proud of respect you've won
When your left hand knows what the irght has done
Turn around and face the One
Who knows your heart
He knows your heart
Thankful Heart
Words by Bob Hartman and Dino Elefante
Based on Ephesians 5:20
(Chorus)
I have a thankful heart that You have given me
And it can only come from You
There is no way to begin to tell you how I feel
There are no words to express how you've become so real
Jesus, You've given me so much I can't repay
I have no offering
There is no way to begin to tell you how I feel
There's nothing more I can say, and now way to repay
Your warming touch that melts my heart of stone
Your steadfast love - I'll never be alone
I have a thankful heart that You have given me
And it can only come from You
I have a thankful heart - Words don't come easily
But I am sure you can see my thankful heart
Help me be a man of God
A man who's after Your own heart
Help me show my gratitude
And keep in me a thankful heart