Lyrics
1. Arise!
Inspired by Isaiah 60
Words and Music by David Lohman
REFRAIN
God calls to us, "Arise!"
It's time for us to shine;
the day we feared would never be has come.
No longer in the night,
our dreamings filled with fright,
behold now and rejoice, our light has come!
1. Finally the endless night is over,
step out into the day, the gloom is gone.
Feel the warm light as it shines upon you,
reach out, embrace the dawn!
REFRAIN
God calls to us, "Arise!"
It's time for us to shine;
the day we feared would never be has come.
No longer in the night,
our dreamings filled with fright,
behold now and rejoice, our light has come!
2. This will be a sign to all the nations:
God's reign upon the earth is finally here.
Say goodbye to sorrow and to suffering,
no longer live in fear!
REFRAIN
God calls to us, "Arise!"
It's time for us to shine;
the day we feared would never be has come.
No longer in the night,
our dreamings filled with fright,
behold now and rejoice, our light has come!
3. Signs of devastation and destruction
will nevermore be seen across the land.
Never will we hear the sounds of violence,
in peace we all will stand.
REFRAIN
God calls to us, "Arise!"
It's time for us to shine;
the day we feared would never be has come.
No longer in the night,
our dreamings filled with fright,
behold now and rejoice, our light has come!
© 2010 David Lohman Music
2. We’ll Build a World
Words and Music by David Lohman
1. We are different, you and I,
yet together, fates entwine.
Now we gather in this space,
joined in spirit, filled with grace;
bring your fullness, I'll bring mine,
and together we will shine.
REFRAIN
Together, we'll build a world
where there's room for all to be;
a world where we'll live our lives
liberated, strong, and free!
This glorious future –
build it now with me.
2. As we labor toward that day,
don't let difference fall away.
Your uniqueness I will see,
and the same, please, see in me.
Thus we're valued, known and named,
honored, cherished, loved and claimed.
REFRAIN
Together, we'll build a world
where there's room for all to be;
a world where we'll live our lives
liberated, strong, and free!
This glorious future –
build it now with me.
3. In this varied universe
all existence so diverse.
Filled with wonder, life so queer,
steeped in mystery, oft unclear.
Yet together, hand in hand,
we'll create that Promised Land.
REFRAIN
Together, we'll build a world
where there's room for all to be;
a world where we'll live our lives
liberated, strong, and free!
This glorious future –
build it now with me.
© 2010, 2014 David Lohman Music
3. For All the Children
Words and Music by David Lohman
1. God, we gather as your people
to raise our song above,
and we dare to claim the promise of Your love.
Though the day may not yet be here,
we trust it soon will be
when your children will be free.
REFRAIN
Oh, may our hearts and minds be opened,
fling the church doors open wide.
May there be room enough for everyone inside.
For in God there is a welcome,
in God we all belong.
May that welcome be our song.
2. Oh, we sing for all the children,
that one day they be free;
and we sing for generations yet to be,
that they never have a reason
to doubt that they are blessed.
May they, in your love, find rest.
REFRAIN
Oh, may our hearts and minds be opened,
fling the church doors open wide.
May there be room enough for everyone inside.
For in God there is a welcome,
in God we all belong.
May that welcome be our song.
3. Oh, we pray for all the young lives
cut short by fear and shame,
so afraid of who they are and whom they love.
May the message now be banished
that Your love is for the few;
may their faith in You renew.
REFRAIN
Oh, may our hearts and minds be opened,
fling the church doors open wide.
May there be room enough for everyone inside.
For in God there is a welcome,
in God we all belong.
May that welcome be our song.
4. God, we're working for the future
when children far and wide
can live their lives with dignity and pride.
As they grow in strength and stature,
may they join us hand in hand,
as against all hate we stand.
REFRAIN
Oh, may our hearts and minds be opened,
fling the church doors open wide.
May there be room enough for everyone inside.
For in God there is a welcome,
in God we all belong.
May that welcome be our song.
© 2007 David Lohman Music
4. Still, Small Voice
Words and Music by David Lohman
As we gather in this circle,
as we lift our hearts in prayer,
may we set aside distractions,
every worry, every care.
May our busy minds be silent,
finding peace amid the noise,
till the only thing remaining
is Your simple, still, small voice.
© 2014 David Lohman Music
5. I Long to See
Words and Music by David Lohman
REFRAIN
Oh, may my vision arise, I long to see You.
And drop the scales from my eyes, I long to behold
how every moment You're beside me,
and how my life with care you hold.
Oh, may my vision arise, I long to see.
1. O, help me stumble into sunshine
when in my darkest hours I grope.
God, in my lonely isolation
I long to see hope.
REFRAIN
Oh, may my vision arise, I long to see You.
And drop the scales from my eyes, I long to behold
how every moment You're beside me,
and how my life with care you hold.
Oh, may my vision arise, I long to see.
2. Now all around me cries of conflict,
revenge, and warfare never cease.
God, in the midst of such derangement
I long to see peace.
REFRAIN
Oh, may my vision arise, I long to see You.
And drop the scales from my eyes, I long to behold
how every moment You're beside me,
and how my life with care you hold.
Oh, may my vision arise, I long to see.
3. O, how I struggle with my demons
who daily would my bliss destroy.
God, in the depths of my depression
I long to see joy.
REFRAIN
Oh, may my vision arise, I long to see You.
And drop the scales from my eyes, I long to behold
how every moment You're beside me,
and how my life with care you hold.
Oh, may my vision arise, I long to see.
4. How many times the plight of others
so far away from me I shove.
God, in this state of self-obsession
I long to see love.
REFRAIN
Oh, may my vision arise, I long to see You.
And drop the scales from my eyes, I long to behold
how every moment You're beside me,
and how my life with care you hold.
Oh, may my vision arise, I long to see.
© 2007, 2014 David Lohman Music
6. The Last, the Lost, the Least
Words and Music by David Lohman
1. Jesus lived among the outcasts,
with the Last, the Lost, the Least;
and he offered them a welcome,
saying, "Come, and join the feast.
For the banquet hall is open,
see a place, set here, for you.
Enter in, lay down your burdens,
come and feast and be renewed."
REFRAIN
And yet still today he’s asking,
"My dear friends, don't turn away.
Will you follow my example?
Love the outcasts now, I pray."
2. All their lives they'd heard the message
from the gatekeepers of God
that their lives were deemed unworthy,
they were sinful, broken, flawed.
But he said, "I'll never leave you
on the outside gazing in.
Leave your wounds and hurts behind you,
you'll find healing love within." Refrain
3. And yet, all these centuries later,
still the painful truth remains
far too many on the outside,
and the Church doors locked with chains.
So, we're called to loose those shackles,
fling the church doors open wide;
to extend a hand of welcome,
and invite them all inside. Refrain
4. Can we find the moral courage
now to finally heed his call?
For the Last, can we start proving
there is truly room for all?
For the Lost, can we go searching
'til at last they're safely found?
For the Least, can we uplift them,
stand them, firm, on holy ground? Refrain
© 2013 David Lohman Music
7. Christ Is the Host
Words by the Community of Spirit of the Lakes United Church of Christ and David Lohman, Music by David Lohman
REFRAIN
Christ is the host,
Christ sets the table,
and Christ welcomes all,
Christ welcomes all.
1. Christ's invitation is open,
extended to us, one and all.
No exceptions, conditions, or limits;
come forth and answer the call.
REFRAIN
Christ is the host,
Christ sets the table,
and Christ welcomes all,
Christ welcomes all.
2. Whether your heart's feeling burdened,
or whether your heart's light and free,
you are welcome to come to the table
Christ's love is here; taste and see.
REFRAIN
Christ is the host,
Christ sets the table,
and Christ welcomes all,
Christ welcomes all.
© 2010 David Lohman Music
8. Hearts on Fire
(On the Road to Emmaus)
Words and Music by David Lohman
REFRAIN
O God, our hearts are on fire;
our world’s been torn apart.
The future’s dark and uncertain
and we don’t know where to start.
1. Our hearts burn with anguish,
they burn hot with tears;
we believed that Christ would set our people free.
But now our dreams, they lie in ashes,
and most of us have fled,
and we're living in fear of what's to be.
REFRAIN
O God, our hearts are on fire;
our world’s been torn apart.
The future’s dark and uncertain
and we don’t know where to start.
2. Our hearts burn with sorrow,
they burn hot with grief;
only days ago, we saw you crucified.
And yet today the tomb was empty,
the stone was rolled away.
Is it true? Can it be? Are you alive?
REFRAIN
O God, our hearts are on fire;
our world’s been torn apart.
The future’s dark and uncertain
and we don’t know where to start.
3. Our hearts burn with questions,
they burn hot with hope
that perhaps it's not the end of all we shared.
Or are we foolish now to listen
to those who say you live?
Is it time to forget we ever cared?
REFRAIN
O God, our hearts are on fire;
our world’s been torn apart.
The future’s dark and uncertain
and we don’t know where to start.
© 2008 David Lohman Music
9. Stand Me on Solid Ground
Words and Music by David Lohman
1. Stand me on solid ground,
the sands are shifting as I'm tossed around.
I try to stand but fail, my balance gone,
my courage lost, my fears unbound.
And all my life I've simply been too proud,
conceal my weakness, never cry aloud.
Maintain that mask of strength, can't do it now;
"Stand me," I pray, "on solid ground."
2. The past is filled with pain;
despite my best, the memories remain.
The present cursed with things I can't explain,
each day brings just more loss and change.
Hope in the future, I just cannot feign,
and newfound joy’s a thing I can't attain.
And yet, somehow my prayers can't be in vain;
"Stand me," I pray, "on solid ground."
3. Stand me on solid ground,
the sands are shifting as I'm tossed around.
I try to stand but fail, my balance gone,
my courage lost, my fears unbound.
Yet, even as my life's turned upside down,
a gentle hand holds me, I will not drown.
a still, small voice assures me I am found,
"Stand me," I pray, "on solid ground.
Stand me, safe and sound, on solid ground."
© 2013 David Lohman Music
10. Be Still
Psalm 46:10
Music by David Lohman
Be still and know I am God.
© 2003 David Lohman Music
11. Believe Out Loud
Words and Music by David Lohman
REFRAIN
It's time to believe out loud –
no more staying silent!
It's time to proclaim aloud
the faith that we hold dear.
It's time to reach out to the rejected.
It's time to stand up and say, "No more!"
It's time to declare a Word of Welcome,
bring everyone through the opened doors.
It's time to believe out loud,
It's time to be strong and proud,
It's time to believe, believe out loud!
1. Our God remains unchanging,
yet in so many ways
the Holy One's still speaking,
for this we offer praise.
Yet God's all-loving guidance
too often goes unheard.
But there is yet more wisdom
to break forth from God's Word!
REFRAIN
It's time to believe out loud –
no more staying silent!
It's time to proclaim aloud
the faith that we hold dear.
It's time to reach out to the rejected.
It's time to stand up and say, "No more!"
It's time to declare a Word of Welcome,
bring everyone through the opened doors.
It's time to believe out loud,
It's time to be strong and proud,
It's time to believe, believe out loud!
2. If thoughts like love and justice
are more than hollow words,
we'll listen for the Spirit
and let our hearts be stirred.
We'll learn to think in new ways,
the doors we'll open wide.
The table's set and ready,
bring everyone inside!
REFRAIN
It's time to believe out loud –
no more staying silent!
It's time to proclaim aloud
the faith that we hold dear.
It's time to reach out to the rejected.
It's time to stand up and say, "No more!"
It's time to declare a Word of Welcome,
bring everyone through the opened doors.
It's time to believe out loud,
It's time to be strong and proud,
It's time to believe, believe out loud!
3. The love of God is boundless,
we're never turned away.
And out of this abundance,
this gift we must repay.
We've got to stand with millions
who've heard the Spirit's call,
and shout it from the mountains:
“God’s love is meant for ALL!”
REFRAIN
It's time to believe out loud –
no more staying silent!
It's time to proclaim aloud
the faith that we hold dear.
It's time to reach out to the rejected.
It's time to stand up and say, "No more!"
It's time to declare a Word of Welcome,
bring everyone through the opened doors.
It's time to believe out loud,
It's time to be strong and proud,
It's time to believe, believe out loud!
© 2010 David Lohman Music
12. BONUS TRACK: For All the Children
Catholics for Marriage Equality Video Soundtrack
Words and Music by David Lohman
For lyrics, see Track 3.
