Song lyrics and comments

Here are all the lyrics to the songs on "Jekyll & Hyde." I've also included comments from Bob Hartman, who wrote or co-wrote all the songs, with each one. These comments were provided by Williams Media Group.

Jekyll & Hyde

by Bob Hartman
Based on Rom. 7:15

Bob's thoughts about the song:
This song is about the internal struggle we have. It's like when Paul said, "The things I want to do are the things I don't do, and the things I don't want to do are the things that I do." It's that fighting inside between the alter ego personalities. "Jekyll and Hyde" is the personification of that struggle. We love this song, and I think the title's got some edge and intrigue.

I have a secret that I let nobody see
An evil shadow that's been hanging over me
My alter ego that I try to hold at bay
But despite my good intentions he can always get away

He does the things that I don't want to do

Sometimes I feel like Jekyll and Hyde
Two men are fighting a war inside

I have this secret that I let nobody see
It's like a split personality
And the one I feed is the one who lives
The one I starve will be the one who gives

He won't do things that I know I should do

Sometimes I feel like Jekyll and Hyde
Two men are fighting a war inside
One gives, one takes, I have to decide
Sometimes I feel like Jekyll and Hyde

I need somebody to rescue me
When personalities clash
I know which person I want to be
With no defiance
Just God-reliance

It's All About Who You Know

by Bob Hartman
1 John 5:20

Bob's thoughts about the song:
This is a straight-ahead rocker. I think I even felt a little bit of Led Zeppelin happening as I was writing this. We can do a lot of things in our lives, but in the end, what really counts is this: do we know Christ? This may be my favorite song on the record. I'm really happy with how it turned out. We used the guitars from my demo. John took to this song like a duck to water. He came in and just nailed it immediately. It was a natural.

You are tied-in and networked
You've got people to see
You have friends in high places
You've got places to be
You've got plenty of time to make your mark
You've been able to get things done
And all the white shirts will take your calls
You've really had quite a run

Who can you turn to
When your life is behind you?

(Chorus)
It's all about who you know
It's all about who you know
When you get to the end and you've got nothing to show
It's all about who you know
It's all about who you know

You have learned how to pull strings
And call in a favor or two
You have found some ways to spend your time
Instead of with "you-know-who"

There's only one name
You can call on without blame

(Chorus)

Some may wonder where, when if not how
There's no worry, if you know Him now

(Chorus)

Nothing we do here below
Is gonna save us 'cause
It's all about who you know

Stand

by Bob Hartman
Based on Eph 6:13

Bob's thoughts about the song:
"Stand" was the last song I wrote for this album, and it's one that I'm going to look forward to playing live. It's a lot of fun to play. It talks about making a stand for Christ. Even when you don't understand, put your armor on and stand on the foundation that's always been there.

You had a blank stare- there in your easy chair
You watch as things get out of hand
But now your eyes blink and you begin to think
Of what could happen if you stand
You think about the ground you might have lost in this round
Your eyes are open to the things that had you bound
And then you rise up from your sleep and put your foot down
You take one final grasp of air before you drown and take a

(Chorus)
Stand - having done all this
Stand - with emphasis
Stand - no analysis
Even when you don't understand
Put your armor on
Stand on the foundation
Stand - rely upon
The strength that has always been there

And now you stand firm- but not on your own terms
We have no power all alone
But you can feel safe there with your shield of faith
The inner strength in you has grown
And when you draw your sword the enemy is fair game
We're more than conquerors in Jesus' name so take a

(Chorus)

Stand all alone if there's no one around you
Stand on your own
Stand through the night - wait for the morning to bring you the strength
To finish the fight

Stand up tall- Stand or fall
Stand your ground - Don't stand down
Stand connected - Stand corrected
Stand in faith - Stand elected

Would'a, Should'a, Could'a

by Bob Hartman and Greg Bailey
Based on Phil 3:13-14

Bob's thoughts about the song:
This is the only song that was co-written, by our bass player, Greg Bailey, and me. It's probably the song that went through the biggest metamorphosis. Greg originally had a guitar part I really liked, so we ended up writing almost the whole song around that part. We later dropped the guitar part in the studio and it changed into a new song. It's a different sound from some of the other songs, and talks about how we always have regrets. We say, "I wish I would have done that," or "I should have done that." But this song says do it now - so you don't have to regret later that you missed an opportunity.

Life is filled with many chances
Some you took, and you some you blew
Your path in life can turn ever so quickly
On everthing you say
And change with everything you do

I know that was then
There's nothing I can do about what might have been

(Chorus)
Would'a, should'a, could'a done this and that
Don't wanna live life with another regret
Would'a, should'a, could'a made another choice
I can see more the older I get
Would'a, should'a, could'a said something more
But it's too late - there's a knock at the door
Would'a, should'a, could'a won't change a thing
The here and now is waiting

Would'a, should'a, could'a right now

We dig our pit, we make our bed
That's where we fall and where we lay
But we still have a shot to make things better
'Cause it ain't over yet
And we can get it right today
We can make the right choice
You know it's easy when you hear God's voice

(Chorus)

I want to live my life not only thinking of the past
The future tells me that my life has not been cast
I want to say "I will, I did" instead of could or should
Gonna believe in the promise "It's all good"

(Chorus)

Perfect World

by Bob Hartman
Based on Isaiah 65:17

Bob's thoughts about the song:
This is another one of my favorites - it's a high fun factor for me. Man has all of these different ideas about how to make this world right - and indeed we should do everything we can as stewards over this world to make it better. But the bottom line is that God is going to create a new heaven and a new earth. That's when we'll live in a perfect world.

Some believe this world is bound to get much better
They think utopia is just around the bend
They like humanity to come up with the answers
So they can keep their heads safely buried in the sand

This is my Father's world and He can fix it
Our hopeless band-aids are all counterfeit

In a perfect world, God's throne will come
In a perfect world, in a perfect world
In a perfect world ruled by His Son
In a perfect world, in a perfect world

Some still worship Mother Nature in her glory
They do a good thing when they stand up for her right
But Mother Nature has a Father in the heavens
And His creation went astray but never left His sight

The old will pass away and bring a new birth
A whole new heaven and a new earth

(Chorus)

In a perfect world, in a perfect world
In a perfect world, in a perfect world

Kingdom come
His will be done
On the earth
As it is in heaven
Till we come to where there is no night
And the Lord Himself will be our light

(Chorus)

Test of Time

by Bob Hartman
Based on Rom. 13:11

Bob's thoughts about the song:
The meaning of this phrase is a little bit different than what the title might normally indicate. Our test of time is what we do with the time we have. Do we make the most of what God gives us? It's got a big guitar sound.

One moment gone into the past
But here and now will never last
You made the most of your design
You've walked alone
You held the line
That's when you know you've passed
The test of time

The time has come, the time has gone
The time is now, but not for long
Before you take a second glance
Redeem the time and take a chance
It's not too late to pass

(Chorus)
The test of time
And the time is passing every moment that you take
The test of time
It's the test of choices that you have to make
It's what you're doin' and how you're livin'
It's how you're spending the time you're given
The test of time

Tomorrow is a chance that may not come
Today is still the day God gives us
To see things done
Your own test of time has begun

Time will slip away
Every moment passing by
The choices that we make will stand the test of time
Time will slip away
Every moment passing by
The choices that we make will stand the test of time

I Will Seek You

by Bob Hartman
Based on Acts 17:27

Bob's thoughts about the song:
I wrote this song three years ago. It's a pure worship song that's great to perform with a live audience. I'm looking forward to incorporating it into our concert sets this year. Worship is really such an important part of what we do.

Living water - I am thirsty and dry
Bread of heaven - only You satisfy
I am waiting for Your comfort and peace
Come and fill me, let this emptiness cease

(Chorus)
I will seek You
I will find You
I will follow what I know is true
I will seek You
Like I used to
I will worship You

You are holy, You are a wonder to me
In creation I see Your majesty

(Chorus)

Speak to me and I will listen
(Give me the call and point the way)
Lead me on and I will follow
(Hearing Your Word I will obey)

(Chorus)

Life As We Know It

by Bob Hartman
Based on 1 John 5:11

Bob's thoughts about the song:
Our life in Christ is defined by words like "forgiven" and "free." It's a life of abundance, once we accept it. This song describes what this life in Christ is all about. The track starts more mellow, but then adds some big guitar riffs. It's another one that's fun to play.

First He calls out
Into your darkness
He woos gently
And you have to choose
But the choice is easy
It's light and darkness
There's an invitation
You can not refuse

Revelation - when you see where you've been
Confirmation - you've been drawn again

(Chorus)
This is life as we know it
Forgiven and free
Life as we know it
More abundantly
Born of the Son, we can finally see
This is life as we know it
Undeniably

One day doubting
You're walking blindly
Through shadow's darkness
You don't feel a thing
You keep on walking
Though you sometimes stumble
Till you find assurance
Only faith can bring

Never perfect, but perfectly forgiven
Finding courage to get up again

(Chorus)

Bent, but not broken
Tempted, but not shaken
Kept in the shadow of His wing
Held by the power
Sealed with the promise
By the One who is over everything

(Chorus)
(Chorus)

'Till Everything I Do

by Bob Hartman
Based on Col. 3:17

Bob's thoughts about the song:
I wrote about four of the songs on this album three years ago, and this was one of them. It's a slower, mid-tempo ballad, but it's still got some grit to it. It talks about the fact that we'll never be the person we should be until we're moving toward that place where we're all about doing what the Lord wants.

I could never hide away in a place that You won't see
Caught between the way I am and the way I want to be
You can take away the mask that hides the man inside
You illuminate the ways of darkness I denied

And even though You see
You keep on lifting me

(Chorus)
Till everything I do I do for You
Through every test of faith You take me through
Till every path I take is straight and true
Till everything I do I do for You

One by one You chip away at the edges of my heart
Till You see the hardness and the willfulness depart

You let me see my pride
Then pull me to Your side

(Chorus)

Though I grow closer to the image You intend for me
I won't be all I'm meant to be
Till face to face I see

(Chorus)

Sacred Trust

by Bob Hartman
Based on Mark 16:15

Bob's thoughts about the song:
God entrusted us to take His Gospel into the world. That's a sacred trust. Jesus never shied away from critical debate, and never beat around the bush. He wasn't ashamed to say who his Father was. God's given us this knowledge to share with the world, and it's a story we've got to tell.

You never tried to win more secular appeal
And water down Your message with a slightly different feel
You never tried to be politically correct
Or skirt around the issue attempting to connect

You spoke the truth in love so faithfully
You expect no less from me

(Chorus)
It's a sacred trust that You gave to us
To take Your Word into all the world
It's a sacred trust that You gave to us
The message of salvation and Your love

You never shied away from critical debate
Or beat around the bushes when discussing human fate
You weren't ashamed to tell them who Your Father was
Never ran from persecution like human nature does

You prayed for all believers on Your knees
Then you handed us the keys

(Chorus)

You're trusting us to be bold
The story has to be told
To every nation and tongue
Young and old
I'm gonna shout from the hill
How could I ever be still?
I'm gonna let the chips fall
Where they will

You spoke the truth in love so faithfully
You expect no less from me

(Chorus)