lyrics
(All lyrics by Jay Jay unless otherwise noted)


All Who Labor and Are Heavy Laden
(Matthew 11:28)(Psalm 37:7)(2 Corinthians 5:17)
(Written by Keith Mathis and Jay Jay)

I sing this song to the sad child,
Flying solo on his swing,
As his schoolmates wander past.
His broken heart has not been mended.
His family tearing at the seams.
He grows up way too fast.

"Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden.
Come unto me, the yoke is easy and the burden is so light.
Come unto me.

I will bring you rest."

I sing this song to the mother,
Who lost her only son.
He died at just 19 last week.
She doesn't know where he found the pistol,
Or why he pulled the trigger.
A teardrop rolling down her cheek.

"Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden.
Come unto me, the yoke is easy and the burden is so light.
Come unto me.

I will bring you rest. I will bring you rest.
In fields of broken flowers and dead grass.
I will bring you rest. I will bring you rest.
I will make new what is old, and repair that broken glass.

I will bring you rest."


An Irony Explained
(James 1:2-3)

Gaze ahead and see the spot the ship went down last night,
And we swam our way out here.
Let's sit down and talk about the plans we made today,
To swim away from here.
How we'll swim away from here.

Failings and tragedies,
Will bring us to our knees,
Teaching humility,
That we might clearly see.

Let's admit that we are bound and hopeless in a sense,
But hope is not in vain.
These unrelenting circumstances hinder holy thoughts,
But hope is not in vain,
For we hope in things not seen.

Failings and tragedies,
Will bring us to our knees,
Teaching humility,
That we might clearly see.


Anchors Away
(Hebrews 6:19)

Anchors away.

Which hope we have as an anchor to our souls,
Which brings us through the veil,

Into Heaven.


As If By Pedestal
(Psalm 74:16)(Ecclesiastes 7:11)(Jeremiah 31:35)(Luke 1:78-79)

Sunrise, indigo night lights are dotting the skyline but fading out,
Slowly now, the wind against their backs.
Feeling a little bit smaller, I'm dreaming and wishing for summer,
And times now gone. I lean my head into my hands.

I consider everything I've seen,
As clues in this great mystery.
I will hold on,
Until I speak these words:

"You must be the one who holds the sun."

Sunlight, draws lines on the ceiling. I contend, to hold back the feeling.
Undaunting, yes, the innocence of wanting less,
Than before. Well, on with the sunrise. Now I scream, "Down with the franchise,
That man has built." Ignorance has been bled dry.


Autumn Leaves Us Cold

Joy in autumn, like warmth at winter time,
Like shelter from the storm, is often hard hard to find.
Hope lies dormant for a season, out of mind and out of sight.
Grasping for things to believe in, something for my hand to hold on to.
Happiness flies far away and leaves me empty cold and tired.
I can't return to yesterday.

Through this I will carry on...

See the sunrise through the clouds, and know that it is beautiful.
See the colors all around, and know that they are beautiful.
See the frost form on the ground, have faith that it is beautiful,
And find the peace which does abound, for it is truly beautiful.

Sipping cocoa, as leaves fall to the ground.
The bitter cold is fierce, it's looming all around.
Better days have been erased, my memory is wearing down.
I grit my teeth and somehow grace a smile and hope the ship will stay afloat.
And how does one get left here, weary and so unprepared?
Autumn came quite early this year.

Through this I will carry on...

See the sunrise through the clouds, and know that it is beautiful.
See the colors all around, and know that they are beautiful.
See the frost form on the ground, have faith that it is beautiful,
And find the peace which does abound, for it is truly beautiful.

Hopeless in the foreground.
Hopeful in the background.
I want to migrate southbound.
I want to leave this cold town.

See the sunrise through the clouds, and know that it is beautiful.
See the colors all around, and know that they are beautiful.
See the frost form on the ground, have faith that it is beautiful,
And find the peace which does abound, for it is truly beautiful.



Baby Blue

Today I may fall behind,
Haunting questions still reamain unanswered in my mind.
Today I may fall away,
When was it I promised you that I would never stray?

Maybe this is all you'll ever see, and it's all you'll ever need,
But as for me, it feels a bit unnatural.
Why is it the shadow of my doubt has me flailing all about?
It tosses me, like the waves of this great sea.

Ocean deep, tried and true.
Midday sky, baby blue.

Today I have found a Friend,
Who like in ancient poetry is with me 'til the end.
Today I look towards the sky.
My questions have been answered by a God who hears my cry.

Maybe that is all I'll ever see, but it's all I'll ever need.
Though to me, it feels a bit unnatural.
Maybe this is all it took for me to find the greatest gift at sea:
The calm we hold, as the wind will stir a fuss upon the sea,
The winds beyond intimidating me.

Ocean deep, tried and true.
Midday sky, baby blue.
Old old friend, tried and true.
Perfect peace, I love you.


Downpour and Sullen Tenacity

Alone in the rain.
The floodwaters rise up,
Now covering my knees.
Alarms in my brain,
I search for higher ground,
But lack the energy.

My attitude is grim,
Complacent and unchanging.
This stubbornness a strange thing,
I know.
Time is running out.
I search for some direction,
But fear my imperfection.
That's why I'm trapped here now.

The rain still coming down,
The water level, higher,
Is rising to my chin.
"It's not like it won't work out,"
I tell myself as I,
Take You for granted once again.

All I have to give,
A stubborn and a tired heart,
But You can take that apart,
I know.
Burried deep in sin,
But that can be erased too,
If I can just embrace You.
So that's what I'm doing now.

You hold out Your hand to save a wretch like me.
Truly, You are holy, You are good.


Faith and Heart
(Written by Gordon Byrd and Pat Deal)

Spinning, spinning round and round.
My mind contorts, and now I've found,
Lonliness no longer feels like home.
My heart contains the only Love I know.

Happiness resides in total faith.
I must disregard ficticious chains of hate.

They are not real, they don't control.
My God only knows the feelings of my soul.
My heart contains the only Love I know.

Happiness resides in total faith.
I must disregard ficticious chains of hate.

So if you miss the first bus,
Come the next day, it's your trust.
It's your trust.


For Kathryn

If you wait until the world stops spinning,
I'll still be here.
If you come in last place, never winning,
I'll still be here.

For our hearts still beat as one.
Forever beat as one.

When the rivers all run dry,
Just know I'll always be here.
When the clouds flee from the sky,
Please know I'll always be here.

For our hearts still beat as one.
Forever beat as one.

These promises survive, as long as we both stay alive.
Though someday I'll pass away, I pray my memory will stay.
And if death tears us apart, may the Father warm your heart.
If my spirit flies for home, may you never feel alone.

May you never feel alone.


Fuel For A Flame Gone Dim

Forgove me for the apathy that I've diplayed concerning you,
Sincerely do.
The falling down, like parachuting through the atmosphere,
Was me just standing here.

Breathe in deeply.
Fall into the cracks,
Carved by mistakes you've made.
Lose your sleep.
Wrestle with the sheets.
A metaphor well-played.

No cruel intentions, no foul ignition of this bitterness,
But still a mess.
The righting of such wrongs as these could take a million years,
And lakes of tears.

Breathe in deeply.
Fall into the cracks,
Carved by mistakes you've made.
Lose your sleep.
Wrestle with the sheets.
A metaphor well-played.

Interrupted by the thought of crying both these eyeballs dry,
As I stand shouting at the sky.
This brings to mind the memories of times once spent and quickly thrown away,
Before we even knew how much they cost.
And how were we to know how much they cost?

Take my hand, follow me home,
And relieve your weary heart.
Understand this war has reached its end,
And we won't fall apart.


Hello to the Sun

Hello to the sun, shining on me, giving light to see.
Hello to the birds, perched up in your tree, singing to me.

Do you know the story of this wanderer?
Do you know the path that he's beaten underfoot?
Do you understand the pain that he feels,
As the world bites at his heels?

Hello to the rain, pouring down on me, make it hard to see.
Hello to the tears, running down my cheek, marking my defeat.

I know you've heard the story of this wanderer.
I know you've seen him bleed as he fights misery.
I know you've heard him cry, but now he will pray,
And the clouds will roll away.

Hello to the Son, clothed in glory, giving light to see.
Hello to my Lord, purify me, and sing to me.


Island of Misfit Toys
(Based loosely off a scene from the classic holiday claymation Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer)

Left out in the cold.
Broken and we're all alone.
So now take my hand,
And we'll navigate this foreign land.

I love you and you love me, in fact, you take my breath away.
So you be you and I'll be me, if that is what we need to be.

If nobady wants you. If nobody needs you.
Please know that I want you. Please know that I need you.

Oh, rejection stings.
I understand these things.
So let's take our hearts,
And tape them up before we fall apart.

I love you and you love me, in fact, you take my breath away.
So you be you and I'll be me, if that is what we need to be.

If nobady wants you. If nobody needs you.
Please know that I want you. Please know that I need you.

I know you feel like a train that has square wheels,
And I'm a boat that doesn't float, but the boat will say, "hello."
Misfits we may be. Together you and me,
Will re-write history. Together wait and see.

If nobady wants you. If nobody needs you.
Please know that I want you. Please know that I need you.


Let Us Sail
(Isaiah 40:31)(Psalm 62:10)

In this solitary moment I just wait.
I trust the part of me that knows You won't be late.
I've abandoned thought and reason, yet I have no fear.
All has truly been forsaken just to meet You here.

The time, it flies away,
Oh, let us sail.

Your love has captured me,
And taken me so far away.

On my back I lie and turn my eyes toward outer space.
In the vast expanse of stars, I look to see Your face.
All is silent, all is peaceful, all is in its place.
Every piece of doubt has wandered off without a trace.

The time, it flies away,
Oh, let us sail.

Your love has captured me,
And taken me so far away.

And taken me home.


Love Letters

Vacant hearts are quite hard to repair,
And we humans lost and scared.
Sinking slowly seems to be the thing we do.
We excel at this, it's true.

I have seen the weakest of the broken crack a smile,
But I have seen so many pilgrims captured by their guile.
I have seen the prodigies who make art with their hands,
But I have seen the splinters scattered all across teh land.

Take my advice,
Stay right here and live your life,
There is nothing else that matters,
When there's someone here who loves you.

It may take some time before we understand,
But please keep in mind that every single heartbeat has been planned.

Take my advice,
Stay right here and live your life,
There is nothing else that matters,
When there's someone here who loves you.


Of Asking Why and Such

You and I, had the prize in sight.
"Do or die" was the way we lived life.

Then you went down like shooting stars.
Collide.
May I wonder how you are,
Tonight?

Time will tell what's important anyway.
I did my best to see you smile, so come what may.
Your harsh retort, so full of pain I must dismiss,
And bite my toungue, that this curse not grace these lips.

You and I, had the prize in sight.
"Do or die" was the way we lived life.

Do or die.


Reflection at Sunset

After having braved the storm,
The reckless sea at peace tonight.
Our heads are filled with thoughts of home.
Say goodbye to daylight.


Safety

Well, I would fly far if I had me some wings.
See, I blame my condition on such random things.
If it wasn't for such lucky folks every day,
I'd find my big break and I'd sail away.

Safety is a state of mind.
Safety doesn't seem hard to find.
Safety, oh, it's one of a kind,
But I might not wake up in the morning.

Why should I waste time on things that I hate,
When naturally I tend to procrastinate?
Why should I do something I could ignore?
"Say what of these grasshoppers?" I must implore.


Testing Wings That Once Have Failed Us

I've tried so many times just to get this right,
And not fall down.
It won't be the first time I've had to confess,
My sin, within.

Are we really all that weak,
That we do better on our knees?

Will it be alright at all? (And will we fly again?)
Yes, it will be ok, I know. (And we will fly again.)

Why does it seem so dark, the closest to the light?
A lie. Push through.
Why does it seem so steep the closest to the peak?
Press on. Prevail.

Are we really all that weak,
That we do better on our knees?

Will it be alright at all? (And will we fly again?)
Yes, it will be ok, I know. (And we will fly again.)

So try again my friend; this time I think we'll fly.
Let's put these wings to the test again.
Is it really this easy? Is it really this easy?
It's gonna be alright, I know.


The Slough of Despond
(Based off a section of John Bunyan's classic allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress)

Welcome to the Slough of Despond,
Where the fresh young pilgrims fall.
Mr. Worldly Wisdom says,
"Turn around, if you've a brain at all."

But oh, how the Wicket-Gate shines in the sun.
The path is waiting there for you.
Know that the victory is already won.
Your task is just to follow through.

Welcome to conviction of sin.
Now will you wallow in your shame,
Or will you fight the fight that's good,
Take a stand in Jesus' name?

But oh, how the Wicket-Gate shines in the sun.
The path is waiting there for you.
Know that the victory is already won.
Your task is just to follow through.

For 1,600 years it's claimed the lives of weaker men.
I won't turn away, I promise, I won't be like them.


This Day Was Made For Setting Sail

Here's to setting sail...
Here's to setting sail...
Here's to setting fire to everything we've accumulated.
Here's to progress. Here's to moving on.

This was to be our great adventure.
This was where we all would be set free.

Now let's say goodbye...
Now let's say goodbye...
This ship was not designed to sink, and that should bring us hope,
Like safety from the troubled times we'll see.

This was to be our great adventure.
This was where we all would be set free,
And sent out to sea.

Forget about the distance.
Let go of everything you know.
Keep your eyes humbly lifted.
Raise the anchor, here we go.


This One (A Romance)

Tick tock, it's taken control.
But we will never give in.
It seeks to capture our souls.
But we will never give in, not yet, my dear.

If we only had time.
If we never ran out of time.
Could you saver this kiss of mine?
Could you grant me that peace of mind?

And now my wristwatch has stopped.
In hibernation it lies.
But our surroundings have not,
Submitted to this precarious demise.


This Starlit Night

This is the melody that I will sing,
Forever remain in this heart.
This is the praise that I give to my King,
For never will we be apart.

Go on, as if all pain and suffering gone.
Go on, and let this peace not be withdrawn.
Go on, 'till the absolute last.
Go on, though not rocketing past.
And here's to never missing a thing.

The stars that shine down on this heartfelt embrace,
Illuminate such precious times.
The clock striking one finds me yet in this place,
Standing still, though not falling behind.

Go on, as if all pain and suffering gone.
Go on, and let this peace not be withdrawn.
Go on, 'till the absolute last.
Go on, though not rocketing past.
And here's to never missing a thing.

Every moment of the day,
May my heart be filled with Your praise,
And these words upon my lips,
That they never be counterfeit

This is the melody,
This melody I sing.

This one goes out to not missing a thing.
And here's to never missing a thing.


You Forever
(Psalm 66:20)

Your unfailing love,
As soft as a dove,
Like stars falling down from above.

You, forever.

And I will lift my voice.

So pure and so strong,
To not be withdrawn,
Like the sunrise each day carries on.

You, forever.

And I will lift my voice.