NOTES:
This album actually didn't have an
arranger. We "arranged" each song in
the studio with the musicians' input as well as
Dan Collins as producer. When you're dealing with
professionals you can come up with some nice
contributions this way. I played along on some of
the songs and it was a great privilege to play
with such talent. (Lee Sklar, for instance, was
James Taylor's bass player on numerous albums and
tours.) This was also the first time I worked
with Jack Joseph Puig as one of the engineers. He
would later play an important role in my music,
the sole engineer on "Johnny's Cafe"
and finally producer and engineer on "Dark
Horse." The big guy on the back cover of
this album is me, made big by a close-up of lots
of hair. I'm sure it was this photo that was
responsible for all the comments I would get when
people would see me in person for the first time
and inquire as to how I had lost so much weight. |
Inside
Words and music by John Fischer
Inside
A change is happening on the inside
And it makes no sense for me to hide
What I don't want you to see
Come see
Everything that lies inside me
'Cause amidst the mess I've made of me
You might see the Lord
'Cause He's in there moving
Got a knife and He's pruning
Cutting out the old man, bringing in the new
And it's foolish to fake it
So I'm letting Him take it
'Cause He said I'd be like Jesus
When He's finally through
I tried
To make my changes on the outside
But I soon got weary and I cried
I can't do it Lord
He said
Don't you see that's why my Son bled
Took your failures on His own head
So I could recreate you
And He's in there moving
Got a knife and He's pruning
Cutting out the old man bringing in the new
And it's foolish to fake it
So I'm letting Him take it
'Cause He said I'd be like Jesus
When He's finally through
Inside
When He makes the changes inside
I have no more time for foolish pride
All the glory goes to Him
I've Been
Hiding
Words and music by John Fischer
(Phil Keaggy made a nice contribution on this song, and a
number of other
songs on this album but I missed the session. In fact,
he's played on three
of my albums but I missed all the sessions. It's a
running joke between us
now. I'm the phantom artist.)
I've been hiding
I've been hiding
Making sure that there's no one around
I've been fooling
I've been fooling
Fooling around where I think I won't be found
But He found me and he pulled me out
Before you like a trembling lamb
I don't know where we go from here
But I know I need you
I know I need you
I've been hiding
I've been hiding
Staying where it's safe and warm inside
I've been running
I've been running
Making sure that you won't see me cry
But He found me and he pulled me out
Before you like a trembling lamb
I don't know where we go from here
But I know I need you
I know I need you
I've been hiding
I've been hiding
Self-sufficient living on my own
I've been ration
Rationalizing
That I could do a better job alone
But He found me and he pulled me out
Before you like a trembling lamb
I don't know where we go from here
But I know I need you
I know I need you
'Cause I've been hiding
Tunnel of Trial
Words and music by John Fischer
(Yes, that's Nellie Ward and Jamie Owens-Collins in the
background. Beautiful voices, those two.)
Have you ever been walking along
Feeling close to the Father and strong
When you suddenly find
You've got sin on you mind
Well there's a plan and a purpose in all
Of the times He allows us to fall.
He just wants us to know
What it takes to grow
So keep following and believing
And holding out your hand
And when the dark surrounds you
Remember it's just a tunnel of trial
The light will break through and in a while
You'll see it was all in His plan
There are times when I'm tempted to say
If I just could have had my own way
Then I wouldn't be here,
In disappointment and tears
But then I know that He sees so much more
Than my near-sighted eyes can explore
So I'll turn all my plans
Over to His hands
And I'll keep following and believing
And holding out my hand
And when the dark surrounds me
I'll remember it's just a tunnel of trial
The light will break through and in a while
I'll see it was all in His plan
Now there are times when our trials don't come
>From our own lack of faith in His son
But from outside our soul
Where we have no control
And in these times of great suffering and pain
There is still so much more to be gained
For in our darkest hour
Lies His greatest power
So keep following and believing
And holding out your hand
And when the dark surrounds you
Remember it's just a tunnel of trial
The light will break through and in a while
You'll see it was all
Yes it was all
All a part of His plan
A New Day
Words and music by John Fischer
(Somebody once told me it was this song, played first
thing every morning for two weeks, that kept them from
committing suicide in a time of deep depression. Never
thought you could literally save a life with a song.)
As the sun hit the tops of the trees
And the morning started happening to me
I looked out over the vastness
Of the shining sea
And my responsibilities
Seemed as vast as that very sea
And just when I started to crawl back under
This song came to me
When you face a new day
Face it with the Lord
He'll create a new way
You've never seen before
He'll help you to explore
Adventures He has in store
For you
Today
I'm always trying to run
On the battles that I've already won
Forgetting there's a new fight waiting
With each rising sun
But like the children in Moses' day
There just isn't a way
That the food that He gave us yesterday morning
Will still be good today
When you face a new day
Face it with the Lord
He'll create a new way
You've never seen before
He'll help you to explore
Adventures He has in store
For you
Today
The Sanctuary
Words and music by John Fischer
The sanctuary
Is inside you
If you believe in God
He dwells within you
So let the noise subside
And listen deep inside
He will speak
He will speak
But it won't be an earthquake
And it won't be fire
Or the whirling wind
Taking you higher
It will be a still small voice
And you'll have no choice
But to hear
But to hear
The Father does not dwell
In buildings made with hands
But in the human heart
Of a believing man
He'll be in your soul
Everywhere you go
He will speak
He will speak
But it won't be an earthquake
And it won't be fire
Or the whirling wind
Taking you higher
It will be a still small voice
And you'll have no choice
But to hear
But to hear
The sanctuary
Is inside you
If you believe in God
He dwells within you
So let the noise subside
And listen deep inside
He will speak
He will speak
Two Years
Words and music by John Fischer
(I surprised Marti with this song on our second
anniversary. I had it recorded in a studio with players
who often backed me up on the road, and I played the tape
for her for the first time at our room in the Highlands
Inn near Carmel-by-the-Sea.)
Two years
Doesn't sound like a very long time my lady
But after all we've been through
Seems it could be more
But two years
Just makes you prettier every day
And on this glad occasion
I'd just like to say
That I love you more
'Cause you've opened up the door
To the worst and the best inside me
And after all you've seen
You still love me
There may
Be people who won't understand this song
'Cause they see me on the front stage
And think there's nothing wrong
But you see
Me backstage singing a sadder song
And still you stand beside me
And you've been with me all along
And I love you more
'Cause you've opened up the door
To the worst and the best inside me
And after all you've seen
You still love me
Two lives
Becoming one just ain't easy
It looks so nice in the good book
But it's hard to see it through
But there's a lifetime ahead
And a great big powerful God
And if you'll trust Him for me
Then I'll do the same for you
And I love you more
'Cause you've opened up the door
To the worst and the best inside me
And after all you've seen
You still love me
Master Potter
Words and music by John Fischer
(This song grew out of working with Michael Johnson, a
sculptor and potter who left all to follow us and a dream
at Discovery Art Guild. He's now back in Washington state
teaching.)
Master Potter
Turner of the wheel
Lay Your hands upon me
Show me what is real
Make me over
So I can contain
The praises of Your Spirit
The glory of Your name
I want to be moved by You
Molded and shaped and fired too
I want Your mark left in every line
So everyone will know that You are mine
Do what You want to do
I belong to You
Master Potter
How I feel the pain
Do You have to break me
To make me new again
It's hard to trust You
And yet You know the way
To make a useful vessel
>From this heap of clay
I want to be moved by You
Molded and shaped and fired too
I want Your mark left in every line
So everyone will know that You are mine
Do what You want to do
I belong to You
Master Potter
Help me through the fire
I forget this pressure
Is something You require
I must remember
Your Son went through the same
And with Him inside me
I'll endure the flame
I want to be moved by You
Molded and shaped and fired too
I want Your mark left in every line
So everyone will know that You are mine
Do what You want to do
I belong to You
I belong to You
I belong
To You
Righteous Man
Words and music by John Fischer
(As a sing-a-long, I now have adjusted the lyrics of the
second line to "I want to be a godly woman."
It's always fun watching men struggle with singing that
line.)
I want to be a more righteous man
I want to be a godly man
Teach me to do what I can
To follow closer to You
I want to follow a different drum
Even if I'm the only one
I want to hear when I'm done
You did well my son
Oh
Won't you take a look around you brother
Oh why tell me why
Doesn't anybody want to try anymore
I want to be a more righteous man
I want to be a godly man
Teach me to do what I can
To follow closer to You
I want to follow a different drum
Even if I'm the only one
I want to hear when I'm done
You did well my son
Oh
Won't you take a look around you sister
Oh why tell me why
Doesn't anybody want to cry anymore
I want to be a more righteous man
I want to be a godly man
Teach me to do what I can
To follow closer to You
I want to follow a different drum
Even if I'm the only one
I want to hear when I'm done
You did well my son
With Him
Words and music by John Fischer
(My only "gospel" song.)
With Him
I want to be with Him
Sharing it all
The great and the small
Everything I do
With Him
I want to be with Him
Letting his light shine bright inside me
Holding out His word in the dark to guide me
This I know
I want to be with Him
For Him
I want to live for Him
Giving my all
To follow the call
In everything I do
For Him
I want to live for Him
Living every moment for His glory
Giving all I have to share the story
This I know
I want to live for Him
In Him
I want to live in Him
Feeling his power
Every hour
Flowing through my soul
In Him
I want to live in Him
Drawing on the wealth of His great resources
Claiming His power over evil forces
This I know
I want to live in Him
In me
I know He is in me
Making me over
So I can come closer
To His perfect plan
In me
Oh yes He is in me
Even though I stray to the right or the left side
He'll bring me back 'cause He lives inside
This heart of mine
That's why I love Him so
(He lives inside this heart of mine
That's why I love Him so)
(He lives inside this heart of mine
That's why I love Him so)
The Lamp
Words and music by John Fischer
His word is a lamp unto my feet
A light upon my way
And I do well to pay it heed
Until the final day
Until the day dawns and the morning star
Rises in your heart
Take this lamp and light your way
To your eternal home
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