Their pious iconography, seductive and sublime
Artifacts from allegoric myth
Crucifix, testaments - seemingly benign
What havoc have they wrought upon this earth
Stalking, these jackals never cease
Clawing at our gates
With nebulous beliefs, apocryphal
Born from the callow minds of men
Not resting till they have theocracy in hand
And Church molesting State
Their laughable liturgies
Intelligent design?
Mortify the blind faithful flock
Comedies canonical, this spectacle divine
Mesmerizing millions over naught
Slowly, they pander their disease
With secrecy enshrined
At the table of deceit, the faithful dine
Born from the callow minds of men
Not resting till they have theocracy in hand
And Church molesting State
To break the secular conduct
To rule with piety perverse
While the shit of the State fucking reeks
Only they could make it even worse
Yet they stand in fear,
Petrified in the face of science,
Where evidence stands to contradict,
And deny their faith of servility
Defined, by myth
It's a fable that should never burden man
And the church, with power replete,
Would sanction the very rule of myth over man
As insidious agents of faith,
Still lost in the ether (Amen)
So we sing the agnostic's song
In spirit and mind we govern ourselves
We need not their catechist codes
I. Descent Into The Valley Of The Shadow
Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death
I will not fear
Yea, though I breathe heavy
struggle in every breath
I will draw near
II. Passage Through The Valley
I have broken bread with evil unaware
I have sat down to dine with the road to hell
I have walked hand-in-hand with deception and greed
And I have lived to tell
Sometimes I feel like a puppet of "fate"
And struggle to sever the strings
Sometimes my soul tries to fly away
But collapses under broken wings
The modern-day Judas has planted the kiss
The chameleon has changed once again
Open the gates of betrayal
Plant the knife in my back, my "friend"
Why must another day sown reap with confusion?
Why must I sleep wrapped in blankets of pain?
Trying to win with the cards I've been dealt
But without eyes of faith there can be nothing gained
The thorn in my flesh, the scars of myself
The dance with deception, the death of my pride
Confusion of life, tasting the knife inside
The hand of "fate" has wrapped its freezing fingers around me
And squeezed until the life dripped from my soul
And broken strings disrupt cohesion of my symphony
But my eyes watch the Conductor in control
I wait for an answer
I search for a sign
I pray for the healing of time
I look for a reason
To bring peace of mind
But once more, no reason I find
Father, hear my cry
Spirits swarm around me: I feel it
They war against the one who dwells inside
Fate does not exist, I know it in my soul,
And strife to have that same faith in my mind
Tonight I sleep upon a bed of nails it seems
For once again I am a field of war
But it has long been written,
all things work together perfectly for me
For I have been reborn
The hand of God has wrapped
protective fingers around me
To guard me from a self-defeating way
The Spirit brings discernment so I need no eyes to see
I realize my loss is gain today
I wait for an answer
I search for a sign
I pray for the healing of time
I can't fathom the reasons
With this mortal mind
So I step out in faith after closing my eyes
Father, hear my cry
III. Ascent Unto The Mountain
Visions of a child, visions of a life I behold
Visions that I can't purge from my mind
Visions in the night, dreams of second sight I behold
Dreams of supernatural warning signs?
The issues of man, the fabric of time
All weave in cohesion, exist interwined
Divine orchestration, flawless grand design
Beyond comprehension,beyond mortal minds
Methodically, flawlessly restructuring my life
Supernaturally changing me, surgically precise
Father of glory, the only help I see
Reach down your hands to me
Set me free
Father of mercy, please take this hex from me
At the center of my heart there sits a throne
That the rightful occupant's not always
free to call His own
For how can I give the King
His place of worth above all else
When I spend my time striving
to place the crown upon myself?
Battle cry, to engage
for the war, set the stage
and armies march and kings arise
for the choice, the time has come
mine or thy will be done?
and the pain reflects in holy eyes
for the will to obey
for the night to the day
and the seasons change and rulers die
not of flesh, not of men
wage the war deep within
on and on uit rages undenied
I TAKE MY CROWN AND CAST IT DOWN
CASTLES BURNING
CASTLES BURNING
LEARN TO GROW, GROW TO BE
A FLESH AND BLOOD THEOCRACY
TO TAKE THE LOSS AND BEAR THE CROSS
RAISE THE KINGDOM
RAISE THE KINGDOM
BURN AWAY ALL IVE BEEN
TO RESURRECT THEOCRACY WITHIN
and the would-be rulers of my heart
that I place upon the throne
each lead the kingdom of my life to ruin
to bring every though into submission
to tear the idols down
is to break the chains, to rearrange,
to give the king his crown
I TAKE MY CROWN AND CAST IT DOWN
CASTLES BURNING
CASTLES BURNING
LEARN TO GROW, GROW TO BE
A FLESH AND BLOOD THEOCRACY
TO TAKE THE LOSS AND BEAR THE CROSS
RAISE THE KINGDOM
RAISE THE KINGDOM
BURN AWAY ALL IVE BEEN
TO RESURRECT THEOCRACY WITHIN
Rather, use me to be your hands down here
a mirror to reflect your glory into hurting eyes
and let me see the world with vision clear
and not through selfishness and lies
for if I am consumed with my own cares
what right have I to speak the words
Thy Kingdom Come?
And if I am consumed with my own will,
what right to pray Thy Will Be Done?
As all round me I see bleeding souls
please give me strength to never pass them idly by
and as the angry storm clouds start to roll
may they see comfort in my eyes
for just as you are full of love
the same to others you have called me to be
and by the covenant of grace above and below
within our souls: theocracy
I TAKE MY CROWN AND CAST IT DOWN
CASTLES BURNING
CASTLES BURNING
LEARN TO GROW, GROW TO BE
A FLESH AND BLOOD THEOCRACY
TO TAKE THE LOSS AND BEAR THE CROSS
RAISE THE KINGDOM
RAISE THE KINGDOM
BURN AWAY ALL IVE BEEN
As the circle forms tonight
And I take my place to execute my "right"
Call the filthy ones into my sight
Bring the sinners one by one
Stones of judgment shall avenge the things they've done
But then I raise my head and stare into the Son
Oh, then I feel my blood run cold
Eyes like the sharpest blade
That penetrate to the bottom of my soul
Words of truth that cut so deep
You write the lines of mystery
I stumble and the stone I held in hand is cast away
When the mirror's shown to me
I see my own hypocrisy
And weep upon the writing in the sand
All the things I try to hide
All the times that I avoid your eyes
Thinking somehow I can live the lie
When the truth becomes too great
And I can't try to clean my rotten, filthy state
Or the hidden sins that doom me to my fate
Oh, I can't hide it from Your sight
You search out the secret things, the darkest dreams
And reveal them in the light
Words of truth that cut so deep
You write the lines of mystery
I stumble and the stone I held in hand is cast away
When the mirror's shown to me
I see my own hypocrisy
And weep upon the writing in the sand
Solo
When the writing in the sand has washed away
I could never turn and walk the other way
For the words are carved into my very soul
And the light exposes everything I know
And all I've ever known
Let him who had no sin
Cast the first stone
When the mirror's shown to me
I see my own hypocrisy
And weep upon the writing in the sand
Words of truth that cut so deep
You write the lines of mystery
I stumble and the stone I held in hand is cast away
When the mirror's shown to me
I see my own hypocrisy
And weep upon the writing in the sand
She stares ahead in silence again
her eyes tell me of struggles, loss and pain
a mask to hide a world of sorrow
where hollow, painted smiles remain
the flesh whispers its lies to me
and walks me to the edge, so far to fall
I'll never have another chance if there's a chance at all
If I fail this time...
Seven scares turned to ashes
faces of madness melt into victory
trial by fire, my burden
burned in refining flames of purity
seven steps into darkness
mortal and crownless
eternal victory
altar flames rising, burning higher
and straight through the fire
I'm dancing the victory dance
she takes the communion cup unholy
born and raised a slave to rules of man
will my eyes reflect you
when she searches them again?
I am not a god
I release this burden unto you
Seven scares turned to ashes
faces of madness melt into victory
trial by fire, my burden
burned in refining flames of purity
seven steps into darkness
mortal and crownless
eternal victory
altar flames rising, burning higher
and straight through the fire
Born into the darkness
thrown into the viper's den
the serpent in the cradle
takes the child into its nest of sin
slowly suffocating
the souls of victims it has found
into the vicious cycle
on the path that only leads us down
Rat-race-fueled machinery
this system of corruption
have we become so cold and numb
we're blind to its destruction?
We're forging in the fires made of greed
Our idols made of gold
then bowing down before them
with corrupt, adulterous souls
opened eyes,
realize...
WHAT WE HAVE DONE
WHAT WE HAVE SEEN
WHAT HAS BECOME OF OUR LIVES
CORRUPTED OUR DREAMS
WHAT WE HAVE LOST
AND WHAT REMAINS
PARALYZED BY THE VENOM THAT RUNS THROUGH OUR VEINS
THERE'S GOT TO BE MUCH MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS
THE WORLD'S CARESS IS JUST THE SERPENT'S KISS
The demons veiled as angels
The darkness as the light
the poison seems so harmless as you drink of it
tonight
we reap the harvest we have sown
empowering our enemies
we dress the wolves as sheep
and then forget their true identities
forgive me
now I see...
WHAT WE HAVE DONE
WHAT WE HAVE SEEN
WHAT HAS BECOME OF OUR LIVES
CORRUPTED OUR DREAMS
WHAT WE HAVE LOST
AND WHAT REMAINS
PARALYZED BY THE VENOM THAT RUNS THROUGH OUR VEINS
THERE'S GOT TO BE MUCH MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS
THE WORLD'S CARESS IS JUST THE SERPENT'S KISS
Father bring us back to you
we're lost sheep, afraid, confused
tangled in the scnares that grow
along this road of pain we chose
and though we've wandered far away
we've turned around and lost our way
though we are the prodigal,
with open arms for us you still await
All we are is laid to waste
All we've seen crumbles in haste
everything under the sun is vanity put in its place
you have seen this all before
we are nothing, nothing more
we're the ones who betray you,
yet we're the ones who you adore.
I stand before you as a child
by this world I've been defiled
stained and poisoned, burned and beaten
bruised and wounded, sick and vile
with hands reaching out to you, I run
realizing what I've done
you take me in your arms, a reunited father and son...
And all illusion ceases to exist
I. The Gift
Gloria Gloria
underneath a burning star
seeking their salvation
see them searching for the One
who's come to heal their nation
prophecy incarnate
holiness in flesh arrived
the star has shown the path to life and hope is now
alive
FOR UNTO EARTH IS BORN THE HOLY HAND
II. Restoration
See the multitudes surround this man of miracles
the key to life they've found, He is the Son of God
Hear the suffering people cry for healing from this man
as they reach out to touch a supernatural hand
"take my scars, heal my wounds, give new life to me"
the cry, "cleanse my stains, kill disease, Master, make this sickness die"
Endless power, fueled by faith, restoration in one touch
Miracle, supernaturally disease is crushed
THE HOLY HAND BECOMES THE HEALING HAND
III. Adulation
Faith is Freedom, freedom faith
Faith is Freedom, freedom faith
hear the people joined in praise to Christ
incarnate holy one
"worthy is the lamb" they say
"messiah prophesied has come"
honored for eternity, forever shall we give Him praise
never will our hearts turn cold,
we never shall betray
IV. Betrayal
Hearts Once Soft have turned to stone
left their king to die alone
lips that once had echoed praise
now mock the holy gift of grace
prophecy fulfilled in death
complete redemption with final breath
Israel lifting up her king
not in praise, but suffering
see the hand that drives the nail
through the hand that never failed
hear the laughter, see the games
that mock salvation unashamed
see the ones He came to justify
coldly stand and watch him die
rejected by his chosen land
The healing hand becomes the bleeding hand
V. Eternity
His kingdom forever, the Lion of Judah in strength
everlasting redemption, atonement complete
resurrected in power, as King now He stands
FOR THE BLEEDING HAND HAS BECOME THE RULING HAND
Faith-born forever, a part of His Kingdom become
Or reject Him, stand back
and watch His Kingdom come
Alpha and Omega almighty is he
Christ reigns victorious for eternity
Shame covers me
what was light has turned to dark
pain torments me
where there once was something holy
now beats my blackened heart
sin has tangled me
my life is broken and I bleed eternally
grief's controlling me
so I cry out to the only one who can bring
the healing that I need
HELP ME
SAVE ME
TAKE THIS GUILT AWAY FROM ME
HEAR ME
TAKE ME BACK TO WHERE I WAS (BEFORE THE FALL)
WASH ME
CLEANSE ME
SEE WHAT HAS BECOME OF ME
TRYING ON MY OWN I FAILED
SO I NOW COME CRAWLING BACK TO YOU
I'VE FALLEN
HELP ME
SAVE ME
TAKE THIS GUILT AWAY FROM ME
HEAR ME
TAKE ME BACK TO WHERE I WAS (BEFORE THE FALL)
WASH ME
CLEANSE ME
SEE WHAT HAS BECOME OF ME
TRYING ON MY OWN I FAILED
SO I NOW COME CRAWLING BACK TO YOU
I'VE FALLEN
I'm a sick man rotting slowly
spiritual leprosy
I'm a captive crying out
tear the chains and set me free
HELP ME
SAVE ME
TAKE THIS GUILT AWAY FROM ME
HEAR ME
TAKE ME BACK TO WHERE I WAS (BEFORE THE FALL)
WASH ME
CLEANSE ME
SEE WHAT HAS BECOME OF ME
TRYING ON MY OWN I FAILED
SO I NOW COME CRAWLING BACK TO YOU
The tears stream down her face onto the cold hospital bed
Just like a prisoner between four ugly walls
The fear she can't control is running rampant in her head
With every day she spent just waiting for that call
And I will never leave her side
We walk the tightrope between faith and fear
Each moment of our lives
But then the darkest hour of night is turned to day
Another miracle, another act unfolding in this play
And I'm blown away
The wine overflows, and my cup runneth over again
My thankfulness grows
with these blessings I can't comprehend
You raise my spirit to the sky above to fly away
To fly on eagles' wings
You life the fallen back on high again to coronate
The King above all kings
All honor
All glory
Raised to Your Majesty on eagles' wings
I looked him in the eye and played these words
over and over in my mind
But that can't be what he just said
I heard it for myself and know that life can be unkind
But can't you see I'm much too young to lose my dad?
But I'm blown away
When you laugh at the odds
for the doctor's cannot know your plans
I'm blown away
You hold the keys to all life and death and all time
in your hands
You raise my spirit to the sky above to fly away
To fly on eagles' wings
You life the fallen back on high again to coronate
The King above all kings
All honor
All glory
Raised to Your Majesty on eagles' wings
Every tribe and every nation
(Life your voices and sing)
Life a song of praise on high on eagles' wings
All in heaven, all creation
Let the tongues of men and angels
(Lift your voices and sing)
Let your heart reach to the sky on eagles' wings
All ye blessed, all ye thankful, sing!
You raise my spirit to the sky above to fly away
To fly on eagles' wings
You life the fallen back on high again to coronate
The King above all kings
All honor
All glory
New Jerusalem
In My dreams I have seen beyond
in my dreams I have seen what I am coming from
Visions of my eternity
visions of a celestial holy city
12 gates of Jerusalem
12 angels surround the wall
only one way leads inside the gates
only one way prepared for us all
I have seen the New Jerusalem
Glorious, the new Jerusalem
behold, the world of corruption has passed away
out of the ashes below me I rise
into the city of new life, the power, the way
ascending into paradise
by the grace of the holy one
I am free from this world of desolation
free from greed, lust and selfishness
to nevermore be a slave to this wicked flesh
by the ultimate sacrifice
I'm alive, yet transcend this life
from this old world of death burning down
now I walk through the ashes unto holy ground
I have seen the New Jerusalem
Glorious, the new Jerusalem
behold, the world of corruption has passed away
out of the ashes below me I rise
into the city of new life, the power, the way
Sin ripped apart my family like a jackal on the carcass of a beast
exposing all the vultures who were waiting in the wings to join the feast
Descending like spiders, preparing to poison your prey
you smile on the outside while planning a way to make the guilty pay
but the payment is made
Who would feast upon disgrace?
Well I don't know, I don't wanna know
Blackened hearts will try to raise the wages of sin
Death has kissed the lives we knew
So isn't that enough for you?
The price was paid, and no one has to pay it again
for the payment is made
The payment is made
Death and devastation are the natural consequences of sin
Enough for any man to bear, even without your thinly-veiled revenge
You hand a glass of water to a man who's beginning to drown
You reach out your hand like you care, but only push him further down
but the payment is made
Who would feast upon disgrace?
Well I don't know, I don't wanna know
Blackened hearts will try to raise the wages of sin
Death has kissed the lives we knew
so isn't that enough for you?
The price was paid, and no one has to pay it again
for the payment is made
The payment is made
Restoration, lifting up the fallen
Edifying is our higher calling
If we fail to reconcile our brothers
then we only serve to tear each other down
Death has kissed the lives we knew
so isn't that enough for you?
The price was paid, and no one has to pay it again
for the payment is made
I. The House Of Mirrors
Listen to the tale I tell
a haunting dream I know so well
When walking home alone one night
my path revealed by candlelight
Ahead I see an open door
with no idea what's in store
I glance inside the door to see
a hall of mirrors beckons me
I take a breath and step inside
a tale of love and shattered pride
The door slams shut, I start to run
And it seems my journey has begun...
I run and turn from side to side
with fear and panic in my eyes
The vastness overwhelming me
mirrors far as the eye can see
I see myself in every one
I see the things that I have done
A thousand forms of flattery
the fear soon turns to haughtiness in me
Different mirrors, different shapes
my different strengths accentuate
Each mirror has a name and face
and all reflect me in some way
I look at them to see myself
to judge my life by someone else
The metaphors within replete:
the mirrors are the people that I met
Look at the man you see - in the mirrors
The things you can be - in the mirrors
The glory of me revealed in the mirror's eye
The mirror never lies
The fire in my eyes - in the mirrors
The vanity rise - in the mirrors
The power of pride comes alive in the mirrors
Gazing in the mirrors I behold
All the greatest chapters of my story ever told
In the mirrors
The world is turned to gold
Orchestral section
At the end of the Hall of Mirrors
I behold a golden door
I imagine all the beauty
the other side must hold in store
So I quickly reach out my hand
To enter the next room in this promised land
I pull the giant door open
To continue my journey, I step inside
But it slams shut behind me, and I'm back outside
The pouring rain welcomes me
into the arms of the coldest, blackest night
II. The Stranger In The Storm
The light of the mirrors has faded away
into distant memory
As the rain keeps coming down
My candle extinguished
I struggle to walk a path I cannot see
And the rain keeps coming down
The darkness grows with every step
I could cut it with a knife
As the rain keeps coming down
I can't see a thing and I've never felt
so alone in all my life
But the rain keeps coming down...
Caught in the fury of the storm
(The darkness suffocates)
Body and soul weary and worn
(Another twist of fate)
Never been so afraid before
(The ending of this tale?)
Never should have opened the door
(From euphoria to hell)
I question my fate, my end
to die in this storm
Maybe this was the plan
back from the day I was born
But in the hall of mirrors I had felt so high
I cannot walk another mile in this flood
So resigned to my fate, I just collapse in the mud
If I cannot go on, I'll just lay down and die
Suddenly a light I see, shining in the distance
I make my way toward it with my fading hope reborn
As I draw near, the light is clear
Though the rain beats its resistance
But I press on and pray this is a shelter from the storm
Advancing now toward the light
I'm quickly moving forward
This hope has given me new strength
I thought I'd never know
But I take a step, and fall right back
For the ground's gone beneath me
And I behold, illuminated in the light's warm glow
A dark chasm, a great abyss
A vast expanse of nothingness
A pit that has no bottom as far as the eye can see
It spans the whole horizon, and there is no way across
My lonely heart is shattered and all hope I had is lost
I'm startled to feel a hand on my shoulder
I turn to see a shadowed figure standing in the rain
But somehow I'm not afraid of him
Even when he speaks my name
And somehow I can tell that he means me no harm
Just by the peace that I see in his eyes
And even though I've never even seen him before
It's like he's known me all my life
"Why are you crying?" the stranger asks
As I wipe away the tears
I point toward the great abyss
The source of all my fears
"I must get across and get to that light
For it represents my only hope tonight
But when I saw the chasm, all that hope was lost
I've spent so long in the dark and the rain
That the sight of the light made my heart sing again
But the gulf's so wide, and there's no way across"
The stranger smiled, and took my hand
He said, "But you are wrong, my friend
You cannot cross the gulf yourself, that's true"
He led me down toward the edge
And pointed just over the ledge
And said, "Behold, I built a bridge for you"
Solo
I cross the bridge toward the light
The stranger saved my life tonight
I turn to try to thank him, but he's gone
A long way to the other side
I'll make my way without my guide
No time to waste, for I must carry on
The bright light shines forth from behind
A door beyond description
Blood and scratches mark the door from ages of abuse
I'm confused no more, for above the door
Is a weathered, old inscription
"All who would see reality, enter the Hall of Truth"
And so I do
III. The Truth Revealed
As I step inside
I can see another mirror
A mirror so bright
That my eyes must turn away
A mirror so high
I start to question all the others
And as I stand there in the Hall of Truth
my heart can only say:
"Show me the truth, I don't know what to believe
For the mirrors all showed something different to me
And my pride has given way to misery
I've spent so long in the dark and the rain
That the sight of the light made my heart sing again
And the stranger built a bridge across for me"
"BEHOLD THYSELF" a voice rings out
in paralyzing thunder
It echoes all throughout the hall
and sends me to my knees
When the voice calls my name
I'm overcome with fear and wonder
As I slowly start to rise
and face the great mirror in front of me
When I open my eyes, I have to close them again
But still the image is burned into my mind...
A face with eyes as black as night
A terrifying sight
The flesh rotting away in sickness and decay
It's mangled by disease
I'm unable to breathe
Tell me what manner of creature this could be
'Cause it's not me
I run away as fast as my feet will carry me
Back to the door leading into the night
Even the storm that almost claimed my life
was better than this
And so I throw open the door and see a man
(The figure of a man)
The stranger from the storm returns again
(To save me once again?)
I see understanding in his eyes
(He's seen this all before)
Maybe he can tell me what I saw behind that door
"Tell me what I saw in the mirror
Before I ran away
Tell me what I saw in the mirror
That face of sickness and decay
Tell me what I saw in the mirror
That left me terrorized
With the lifeless, blackened eyes?
Was it a demon
From the fiery waves?
Was it the undead
From beyond the grave?
Oh the face that I beheld in the mirror
left me paralyzed
Won't you tell me what I saw
in the mirror on this night?"
"The light from the mirror you saw from afar
The Mirror of Souls shows all men as they are
You entered the hall and you asked for the truth
The man that you saw in the mirror was you"
"No! Don't show me the truth
'cause I don't want to believe
What the Mirror of Souls
has revealed unto me
And the face I saw reflected cannot be me
Dying and lost in the arms of decay
I do not recognize the face I've seen today
And if you say that's my face I must disagree"
The meaning of these things I saw:
The mirror is the holy eyes of God
The truth unveiled before me
with these words of the stranger:
"The mirrors you saw in the hall long ago
Were mirrors of lies, not reflecting the soul
When you look unto others to see what they see
You see an illusion, deception, false reality"
I have seen my soul in the mirror
And it has broken me
I have seen myself so much clearer
Than I had ever seen
"Can't you take away all this sickness
from my soul and set me free?
You can save me...I believe"
And then he said, "Arise, my child
your faith has made you reconciled
Now gaze into the Mirror once again"
We walked together through the door
And I looked in the glass once more
But the only one reflected back was him
Somehow the only one in the mirror saw was him
Gazing in the Mirror of my Soul
Staring at the man who took my place
and made me whole
In the Mirror
Courage not of this earth in your eyes
Faith from far beyond lies deep inside
With your life you dedicate
with your death you permeate
Frozen hearts and unbelieving minds
Watch the whole world watch
See the whole world see
Courage into sleep
Life and death supremacy
A chosen soul, under control from high above
Shines here below
The final test shall soon be passed
Heaven's pride dwells deep inside
But now will sprout its wings and fly
They see His face shine in your eyes
As the whole world sees
You take the bullet, and take your place
In the gallery of heroes
Peace not understood by human minds
Of origin beyond the realms of time
Silent strength and fervency
Living faith for all to see
Legacy of glory left behind
Watch the whole world watch
See the whole world see
Turn their eyes above
Omnipresent end of mockery
A chosen soul, under control from high above
Shines here below
The final test shall soon be passed
Heaven's pride dwells deep inside
But now will sprout its wings and fly
They see His face shine in your eyes
As the whole world sees
You take the bullet, and take your place
In the gallery of heroes
Speak no wrath in silence make your mark
Light piercing this all-consuming dark
Salt, to preserve and create thirst
Life continues, freedom from the curse
Crowned with a holy crown, my friend
Race completed, faith kept to the end
See the millions who have faced this fate
Greet you in your glory at the gate
Unashamed
Speak the name
Life fulfilled
Heaven gained
Edify
Testify
Standing tall
Glorify
Life laid down
Martyr's crown
Greatest friend
Soul unbound
Broken chain
Christ proclaimed
Hold the torch
Raise the flame
Pure soul flying free
Legend now to be
Closing helpless eyes
As the temple dies
Glorified in love
You turn it all above
Power not of you
Courage shining through
Watch the whole world watch
See the whole world see
Courage into sleep
Life and death supremacy
As I sit alone and tired, with time to spare
Temptation rears its ugly head
Born from a deceptive dream into a nightmare
It calls to me again
Testing me to see if I will break this time
Or at least how far I'll bend
I can see its glowing eyes and hear its evil cries
"Come dance with me, my friend..."
So, the things that I want to do
I find myself not doing
but the things that I don't want to do
I fall into - Why?
Why do we struggle with the former things and
live in our own power below our means?
Don't you understand this is war?
War with the principalities and powers
Things unseen that would devour us all
The spirit battles the flesh
And now my wounds are deep
and torn wide open
I'm tired and weary, hurt and broken down
Lead us not
Into temptation
But deliver us
From the evil one
Darkness falls
On my spirit again
Again temptation calls
I can hear it
As the battle rages on and on
I face the things that put my faith to the test
When fallen angels won't leave me alone
Father, come and lay the demon to rest
When my sword has broken off in my hand
I see the dark futility of the flesh
When I'm about to fall, please help me stand
Father, come and lay the demon to rest
Instrumental break
They're on my back
I run, but I can feel their talons
digging in my flesh
Blood trickles down upon the earth
And I grow weaker with each breath
Each time I shake one off
another wraps its teeth around my neck
And every time, the one, the thorn is there
To tear me down again
The angels counterstrike
Their flaming swords slice through
the fallen ones
The demons reunite, attack again
The cycle has begun
Caught in the middle of this present darkness
with nowhere to run
We're in a holy war
As it is written, so shall it be done
Where there's a will, there's a way, they say
But sometimes my will seems to get in the way
So You will have to fight for me today
The Price Upon my head is death
They've pushed us underground
for all who dare to speak the name
the iron fist comes down
face the test, put to death if discovered
its the price we pay
Lord, bless my brothers with courage I pray
(Enemies castigate
but darkness doth illuminate
Irony: the blood we bleed
every drop this fire feeds
into forever...)
Lines of faith drawn in the sand, completed by another
Stranger, show me where you stand
and if you are my brother
One part by me, one by you
CENTURIES FLY
BUT THE FLAME IS STILL ALIVE
THE MAY HIDE IT, BUT IT WILL NEVER DIE
CARVED IN THE WALL,
SEE THE TWO HALVES OF THE SIGN
THROUGH THE AGES HIS GLORY WILL ARISE
FOR ALL TIME
Forced into the catacombs
unite to praise the King of kings
they fear a revolution
and the power that He brings
heaven's sons stand as one, as believers
in the blood of Christ
even in death we have true life
(Enemies castigate
but darkness doth illuminate
Irony: the blood we bleed
every drop this fire feeds
into forever...)
Lines of faith carved in the wall,
a sign of peace abided
Stare into the eyes of death
clothed in the grace provided
this will live on without me
CENTURIES FLY
BUT THE FLAME IS STILL ALIVE
THE MAY HIDE IT, BUT IT WILL NEVER DIE
CARVED IN THE WALL,
SEE THE TWO HALVES OF THE SIGN
THROUGH THE AGES HIS GLORY WILL ARISE
FOR ALL TIME
This will live on without me...
CENTURIES FLY
BUT THE FLAME IS STILL ALIVE
THE MAY HIDE IT, BUT IT WILL NEVER DIE
CARVED IN OUR SOULS,
SEE THE TWO HALVES OF THE SIGN
THROUGH THE AGES HIS GLORY WILL ARISE
I am the light upon your path when you have lost your way
I am the footprints in the sand the ocean's tide can't wash away
I am the shelter from the storm that rages on and on
The incorruptible foundation that the wise man builds upon
I am the bread that feeds a starving man upon the street
I am the bounty on the table in the palace at the feast
I am the rain upon the earth after a scorching drought
I am the quenching of the thirst you never thought you'd be without
I am the melody that weaves its way inside your soul
I am the symphony, the masterpiece, the actor's greatest role
I am the poetry that speaks to you with every rhyme
I am the songwriter who seems to write your life in every line
I am the simple truths that shaped your world from your birth
I am the vast volumes of knowledge spanning all across the earth
I am the whisper of the wind you feel, but cannot see
I am the alpha and omega, first and last, eternally
I AM You cannot see me
I AM The resurrection and the life, the doorway and the vine, I AM
I AM You cannot touch me
I AM The bread of life, light of the world, long before Abraham, I AM
[Lead Break: Val]
I am the trusting child whose simple faith is ever sure
I am the parent's love, unchanging, unconditional and pure
I am the loyal friend whose heart will never let you down
I am the hand that pulls you back into the boat before you drown
I am the thunder and the glory and the blinding light
I am the still small voice that tells you what is wrong and what is right
I am the sacrificial lamb a guilty world reviled
I am the father ever waiting for his lost and wayward child
I am the heart of the righteous desire and the fourth man you see in the midst of the fire
I am the giver of life and promise of Israel
I am the hope of the lonely and lost in the blood running down to the foot of the cross
I am the breaking of chains and the tolling of freedom's bell
I am the notes that eternally ring in the music too holy for angels to sing
I am the fire on the altar consuming the sacrifice
I am the three and yet I am the one in the grace of the Father and death of the Son
I am the one who redeemed you by paying the highest price
I am grace and mercy, I am sacrifice
I am endless glory, I am light and life
I am long-awaited hope of Israel
I am longing sated, prophecy fulfilled
I am from the beginning of time, and I am sustaining the system of life
I am symmetry, reason and rhyme, and I am conviction that cuts like a knife
I am the author of order and flow
I am the Father of Lights: watch me put on a show!
I am the seeker of all gone astray
I am the keeper of souls 'til the end of all days
I am power, I am glory, I am love's unending story
I am justice, I am honor, I am hope and living water
I am righteous, I am holy, I am three and one and only
I am sovereign, I am faithful, everlasting, I AM that I AM
[Solo: Val]
I am humility, the one who laid it all aside
Traded a crown of kings for a crown of thorns, betrayed by human pride
I am humanity, took on your curse and all your pain
I am divinity, eternity, forever I remain
I am your guilty scars, as Roman solider tear my back
I am the crimson stain that washes all the souls faded to black
I am the one who bled in silence and endured it all
I am the Word who spoke no word, with a thousand angels waiting for my call
I am your covenant - your hero in these bloodstained pages
I am your guild, your sin, your debt fulfilled for all the ages
I step into your shoes, your substitute
Your sacrifice
Your raison d'etre
Your second chance
Your breath of life
I AM
I am the joy of angels dancing in the streets of heaven
I am the sinner's prayer for mercy and a past forgiven
I am the lamb upon the altar dying willingly
All hope that was
All hope that is
All hope to be
All my life, I've waited and watched
through the eyes of faith
To see the consolation of Israel
And even though the flame of my life
is now growing dim
I know I'll see the Savior of Israel
For the Spirit of the Lord has promised unto me
That I would not see death
before my eyes have seen Him
The promise is alive, for through this little child
God's holy light illuminates Jerusalem
This child will cause the falling
and rising of many souls
A sign for all the people of Israel
This child will be the way and the life unto every soul
To every generation shall the Gentiles tell
For the way has been prepared
in the sight of every man
The Son of God Himself is born in Bethlehem
A sacrifice is made in the temple on this day
Redemption reaches far beyond Jerusalem
O Bethlehem, your star burns bright tonight
For my eyes have seen the glory of salvation's holy light
Has this little child come to redeem us all?
To save us from the fall
Redemption is in sight
Behold, the Son shines bright
Under Bethlehem's star tonight
Solo
O Bethlehem, your star burns bright tonight
For my eyes have seen the glory of salvation's holy light
Has this little child come to redeem us all?
To save us from the fall
Redemption is in sight
Behold, the Son shines bright
Under Bethlehem's star tonight
When all the world was sleeping deep in darkness
A child in Bethlehem fulfilled the promise
The ancients prophesied a great deliverer
The one to break the curse of sin forever
He didn't come with any worldly fanfare
No royal treatment, just a dark cross to bear
In Bethlehem a brand new dawn is rising
A star to guide the way, forever shining
New hope was born for all creation that night
The stage is set
A courtroom where I stand shackled in chains
No defense to fight the charges
brought against my name
Guilty on all counts
And the penalty is death
I cannot say a word
because I have no words to say
For I deserve the final judgment
brought on me today
Guilty on all counts
And the penalty is death
"Wait! No more!"
Suddenly another takes the stand
My Advocate
To plead my case, a perfect, blameless man
"I will take his penalty
(I'll pay his price)
Place the judgment all on me
(Not guilty)
And let him go free"
Bound in chains
I owed a debt that I could not pay
Standing guilty in every way
When grace and mercy brought absolution
Adonai, I raise my hands to the sky in praise
For you have taken my sin away
Behold, today is my absolution day
Only the death of the One
could make the sacrifice complete
The Lamb has sprinkled His own blood
upon the mercy seat
Absolution day
Burn the stain of sin away
"By my blood
All you heavy laden, enter in
I'll give you rest
So lay your burden down and start again
I've already paid your price
(I've paid your price)
And built a bridge from death to life
To eternal life"
Bound in chains
I owed a debt that I could not pay
Standing guilty in every way
When grace and mercy brought absolution
Adonai, I raise my hands to the sky in praise
For you have taken my sin away
Behold, today is my absolution day
No priest can say I'm worthy
No sacraments or holy laws
can take my sin away
No church can wash my spirit clean
For the scarlet stain that paints my soul to sleep
Runs way too deep
Solo
No blessed holy water
Can sanctify me in the eyes of God
The great I AM
But He has made provision
To lift me up and wash me in the blood
Of the spotless Lamb
For Christ alone is worthy
To pay the price to set all sinners free
For even me
When all works fall short and efforts fail
I realize that faith alone's the key
Absolution for all who believe
Behold the tower
brick by brick we raise it
upward to the sky
To reach the heights of heaven
and beyond
With eyes of fire and burning pride
our power cannot be denied
So God Himself can look
at what we've done
Questioning my own intent and motive
Babel, are you really all that far away?
Sometimes I wonder what we'd do
if the applause had died
And we found ourselves performing
to an empty hall upon an empty stage
The eyes of God, or the eyes of man?
No one can serve two masters
in opposing masterplans
But we go our way
And keep climbing higher and higher
But farther to fall
And we build all our strongholds
behind all our walls
But we stand on the threshold
of losing it all
All the glory we crave
All the towers we raise
All the pride we build up to the sky
When the vanity fades
The illusion gives way to a tower
of ashes and lies
Still we seek to build our towers higher and higher
Sometimes when we think
we're so high
the only way to go is down
When it is our pride that takes us
higher and higher
We watch our towers crumble
and in helplessness we hit the ground
Higher and higher
But farther to fall
And we build all our strongholds
behind all our walls
But we stand on the threshold
of losing it all
All the glory we crave
All the towers we raise
All the pride we build up to the sky
When the vanity fades
The illusion gives way to a tower
I'm searching to find what's beyond each horizon
to the end of one world and on to a new one
always chasing golden sunsets
I'm struggling out of the depths of the valley
and my weary legs have failed me once again
so I give my broken soul to you
And in my weakness is Your strength realized
Consume me in the fire of Your glory once again
and help me rise
Rise, taking flight
To the zenith of life
Rise to the top of the mountain with You
The world disappears
Into the valley below me
As I'm lost in the glory of You
Step by step the climb gets harder
my being weakens as I struggle farther and farther
flesh is weakness, darkness, sickness
my dreams are shattered, my ambitions crumbled
my will defeated, my spirit humbled once more
I am hopeless, helpless without you
And I must decrease so that You may increase
and when I find you're all I have
I found you're all I need to help me rise
Rise, taking flight
To the zenith of life
Rise to the top of the mountain with You
The world disappears
Into the valley below me
As I'm lost in the glory of You
I cannot fight this battle on my own
Have mercy
I'm fallen weakness clothed in flesh and bone
consume me
I stand in awe of who you are
and what I feel I cannot explain
forged in the flame, broken again
Take me to the places I can't go
Transcending
I'm sick of living in the status quo
New Beginning
And when it seems I've given up
On eagle' wings you life me up again
and this time I know, in the end
