MAKING THE MOST OF KEY MOMENTS IN YOUR SONG
BEFORE THE AFTER
I know that you relive the moments
Like seeing pictures in a book
All those mistakes that you once made
And the wrong roads that you took
I know you’re hearing the accuser
He’s saying you ain’t changed that much
Your guilt is right here waiting
But don’t you pick it up
Cause everything he’s saying
About you was...
CHORUS
Before the after
Before the grace came in
Forgiven has been written
Over all you’ve done and who you’ve been
Mercy says the past is past
So it doesn’t matter
Cause this is here and now
And that was you
Before the after
V2
Sometimes it’s just one little failure
Sends you back down that broken road
I can identify with that
Cause I’ve been there so I know
The only reason to remember
Is so that you can testify
You talk about the darkness
And how you found the light
For someone else who’s struggling
In that old life
CHORUS
BRIDGE
It has no power
You’ve closed that door
You tell your story
But you don’t live there anymore
CHORUS
Words and Music by
Lee Black/Sue C. Smith/Tony Wood
Every line of your song is important. And yet... some are more KEY than others.
What are they, and how do you capitalize on the KEY moments to guide the listener through the song and provide the experience you've envisioned?
KEY MOMENT:
THE FIRST LINE
THE LAST LINE OF VERSE 1
THE HOOK IN THE CHORUS
THE LINE THAT SETS UP THE HOOK
THE LAST LINE OF VERSE 2
THE SET UP LINE OF THE BRIDGE
SOME EXAMPLES:
SOMETIMES YOU NEED A SONG
VERSE
I love to hear a man of God
Stand up to proclaim
The good news of the Gospel
And the power of Jesus' name
To open up the Bible
And tell it like it is
If I've learned anything it's this
CHORUS
Sometimes you need a sermon to remind you of the truth
Sometimes you need a song to help you make it through
So often it's a sermon that brings you to your knees
But when your heart is broken oh you need a melody
One can't replace the other, you need both to carry on
Sometimes you need a sermon
Sometimes you need a song
VERSE 2
It only takes “How Great Thou Art”
To lead you to the throne
“Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound”
Can melt a heart of stone
And when God’s Word convicts you
And you repent of sin
A song is there to whisper “Come on in.”
CHORUS
BRIDGE
So let the preacher preach the Word
And let the people sing
Keep the good book and the song book both wide open
Cause there's nothing like a sermon
When you're struggling to believe
But when you want to quit a song will keep you going
CHORUS
Words and Music by
Marty Funderburk/Sue C. Smith
NOT ONCE NOT EVER
V1
There are songs I used to sing in faith
Now they’re my testimony
There are times I doubted as I prayed
But God still wrote the story
As I look back on this journey can I see
A single step He didn’t take with me?
Chorus
Not once, not ever
Have I been abandoned
Not once, not ever
Have I been alone
Was there a solitary moment
I wasn’t covered by his kindness
No never
Not once, not ever
V2
Because I’ve seen the sunrise chase the dark
The midnight won’t defeat me
There’s a truth that burns within my heart
His promise not to leave me
Does He keep HIs distance seated high upon a throne?
Has there ever been a time He wasn’t drawing close?
Chorus
Bridge
I’ve been overwhelmed by life
And sometimes overcome
But have I been overlooked
By the faithful one…
Chorus
Words and Music by
Sue C. Smith/Donna King/Zane King
BELIEVE HIM
V1
I know you believe He’s our maker
Creator of Heaven and Earth
You’ve never doubted His miracles
Or the wonders surrounding His birth
So why would you listen to even a whisper
Stealing your joy somehow
Can I just remind you He’s already spoken
O can’t you hear Him now
CHORUS
When God says you’re loved
Believe Him
When He says you’re precious
Believe Him
You can trust that He cares for you
Knows what you’re going through
And feels every burden you bear
He’ll be there whenever you need Him
Believe Him
V2
He spoke it the loudest on Calvary
He said with the cross you are mine
He wrote it in red for the world to see
And He settled it there for all time
So why would you listen to even a whisper
Stealing your joy somehow
Can I just remind you He’s already spoken
O can’t you hear Him now
CHORUS
BRIDGE
You can have faith in each promise
In His Word He has told you Himself
Believe that He’s holy and mighty and just
But friend more than anything else
Words and music by
Lee Black/Joel Lindsey/Sue C. Smith
ORDINARY LOVE
Melissa Brady/Sue C. Smith
V1
She cleans the kitchen
He soothes the fevered brow
She does the laundry
He folds the towels
She makes the dinner
He tucks the kids in bed
Come tomorrow
They’ll do it all again
CHORUS
Ordinary love
A love that winds its way
Through common conversations
And simple acts of grace
Cause no one needs a superstar
No one needs a saint
We need someone to just show up
With ordinary love
V2
Today’s the funeral
They’re barely hanging on
Some words of comfort
A final song
And while we struggle
To give a little hope
Come tomorrow
What they’ll remember most
CHORUS
BRIDGE
When it’s patient when it’s kind
When it’s humble when it’s blind
When it forgives and it forgets
It’s so amazing, and yet… it’s
CHORUS
For the Sake of Love
V1
The crowning moment of creation
The man the woman and their God
The evenings walking in the garden
The bitter taste when all was lost
And mercy looking down through time
To see what must be done
For the sake of love, for the sake of love
V2
The centuries of hope and waiting
The holy throne that stood bereft
The prince of glory in a manger
With Heaven counting every breath
For up ahead there was a cross
The journey had begun
For the sake of love, for the sake of love
CHORUS
Oh hallelujah to the One who came,
The Lamb slain for us
Oh hallelujah we’ve been saved
For the sake of love
V3
The bread and wine, the fleeting hours
The anguished prayer, the drops of blood
The endless night of accusations
The long awaited day had come
THE DAY OF SACRIFICE HAD COME
On Calvary’s hill the wrath of God
Poured out on Christ the just
For the sake of love, for the sake of love
V4
The bursting forth of life victorious
Ascending to his rightful throne
The Savior of the world awaiting
The day His bride is finally home
And we will sing forevermore
Of how He rescued us
For the sake of love, for the sake of love
Words and music by
Lee Black/Sue C. Smith
CALVARY’S CRY
V1
It was the hill that was pierced by the cross
It caught the blood that fell
It bore the weight of the sins of the world
And the Son of God as well
It heard the voice of the lamb without blemish
And it shook as he cried It is finished
Chorus
Calvary’s cry is come to this place
Calvary’s cry is still love and grace
Two thousand years can never erase the sacrifice
Come and be saved
Is Calvary’s cry
V2
This is the ground that was claimed for the lost
In a great eternal plan
We testify there is no other way
And it’s here we take our stand
The truth is calling all who will listen
Make your way to the hill of redemption
CHORUS
Bridge
After all this time
Nothing has changed
It thunders with mercy
It whispers your name
Calvary’s cry
Calvary’s cry
CHORUS
Jason Cox/Sue Smith/Kenna West
For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. † 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” †
ACTS 5:38-39
FIGHTING WITH GOD
Joseph Habedank/Daniel Doss/Sue C. Smith
V1
We’d never seen him step one foot inside this church before
But we’d prayed for years we’d see him walking through that door
He sat down on the back row as we sang “Jesus saves”
And he never looked up one time as the preacher preached on grace
When the invitation came, he just gripped the pew
All his friends and family praying he was finally through
Fighting with God
V2
The first verse of “Just As I Am” and he didn’t make a move
It was like we all were watching him come face to face with truth
In that country church house, Hell was hanging on so tight
But when we sang “And waiting not” Heaven won that night
He took one step toward the altar then it turned into a run
As he fell down in surrender, he cried out Lord I’m done
Fighting with God
CHORUS
Now he fights the devil every time he kneels to pray
Now he fights the good fight of faith
He marches out to battle with the Word of God in hand
Side by side with Jesus who fought so hard for him
V3
Now every Sunday morning he will greet you at the door
And Tuesdays at the mission he is there to feed the poor
I picture him a soldier beneath the banner of the cross
He goes out with the Savior to battle for the lost
And he’s there to tell his story of the war he finally won
He says the day you get the victory Is the day that you give up
Fighting with God
CHORUS
Now he fights the devil every time he kneels to pray
Now he fights the good fight of faith
He marches out to battle with the Word of God in hand
Side by side with Jesus who fought so hard for him
And he’s gonna win
Yeah he’s gonna win
Fighting with God
DON'T MISTAKE IT FOR HOME
V1
This is my Father's world
And how I have enjoyed what He has made
From the desert's dawn, to deepest oceans dark
To the Smoky Mountains dappled shade
Sometimes I can't imagine
Why I'd want to leave
Then I hear a tender whisper
reminding me
Chorus
For every sight and sound that's beautiful
For every taste and touch so wonderful
There's something so much better
Than your heart has ever known
So savor every moment 'til it's gone
But don't mistake it for home
V2
This is my Father's world
In seven days created with His love
Yet the time He's spent preparing me a place
Nothing else down here can measure up
So why do I keep clinging
To this earthly shore
When I have the sweetest promise
Of so much more
Chorus
Bridge
Deep inside you already know
You're just a stranger passing through
This world below
Chorus
Lee Black/Sue C. Smith
I AM LOVED
V1
Moses heard Him from the burning bush
As he stood on Holy Ground
Joshua beheld His mighty power
As Jericho came down
The great I AM was who He said He’d be
And I’ll testify what He’s done for me
CHORUS
I AM moved
He sent His only son
I AM changed
My life with what He’s done
I AM saved
O hallelujah praise the One
When nothing I could do could be enough
I AM loved
V2
I AM heard me crying in despair
And He said He'd be my hope
I AM held me close in arms of mercy
And He's never let me go
The great I AM will always be the same
And I will testify there is no other name
CHORUS
BRIDGE
I have called Him Father,
My friend when I need help
But I'm standing in the power
Of the name He calls Himself
CHORUS
Sue C. Smith/Lee Black/Devin McGlamery
LOVE YOU REMEMBER
V1
We’ve been out shopping for an evergreen
That won’t fit even through the door
We’ve hung our stockings for the family
But there’s always room for one more
So drop on by for some coffee and pie,
You don’t need a reason
We’ll listen to Dean and Elvis and Bing
Sing the songs of the season
CHORUS
Let there be sleigh bells and let there be church bells to fill the air
Surprises we’re givin’ and places we’ve hidden them everywhere
Bring on the carols and candles and lights to fill every day of December
Cause at Christmas, it’s the laughter and love you remember
V2
The kiddos are dreaming about Santa Claus
And that list that he’s checked over twice
Trying their best to behave because
Santa knows if you’re naughty or nice
And me, I just wish for more of this
This time we’re together
So I’m not letting go of what matters most
Cause it doesn’t get better
CHORUS
LAST CHORUS
Let there be peace on earth, songs of a baby’s birth long ago
When angels sang “gloria” and told the story of joy and hope
Bring on the carols and candles and lights to fill every day of December
Cause at Christmas, it’s the laughter and love you remember
Words and music by
Lee Black/Devin McGlamery/Sue C. Smith