The Music and Ministry of Lance Appleton

Sept. 22, 1952 - Feb. 18, 2015

All That I Can Do Is Thank Him – (Things I learned from my dad)

By |June 19th, 2016|

All That I CAll I Can Do Is Thank Him - A tribute to my fatheran Do Is Thank Him is a booklet passing on lessons learned from a godly father.  It was written in anecdotal form and it is my hope that anyone who takes the time to browse through this booklet will receive some insight into the treasures that come from godly parenting.

   –Crista Joy Garza

This book is being made available free in digital form.  To download please select a format below. If you would like to make a donation to the Spanish Home Missions Work in McKinney TX you can do so by following the link at the bottom of the page.

Download as ebook (Blurb.com)

Download as PDF

Printed copies of this book will be available for order soon!





In 2009 my Dad looked at my husband and said… “Why don’t you just start the Spanish Church right here in your home?”
So we did!!
In The 5 Years that followed My Dad would often greet My husband with The words, “Pastor Papi, How’s The Templo?”
“Papi”, Spanish For Daddy, Is what My children Call their Dad.
The Name of our Church Is Templo Pentecostal de Mckinney.
His constant prayers & encouragement for The “Templo” meant The world to us during Those first years. It was his desire to see it flourish. In his honor all procedes from what he taught us will be used to do just that… Meet The Needs Of The templo so it can Grow!

TemploPentecostalMcKinney

In memory of …

By |February 26th, 2015|

Lance C. Appleton

Sept. 22, 1952 – Feb. 18, 2015

Lance Appleton

 

Freelancemusic.net is now a celebration of the life, music, and ministry of Lance Appleton.   Lance passed away at home with his family by his side Feb. 18, 2015 after a long battle with cancer.

He recorded 8 albums, “One God Apostolic” 1974, “Harp Warming” 1975, “So Happy” 1977 , “Run On” 1981,  “Live in San Francisco”1985, “Songs of Deliverance”1995, “Unto You and To Your Children” 1997, and “Hopes are High” 2002.  In addition he made two quality home recordings of his original songs “Lance Appleton Unplugged” in 2006 and a 5 disc compilation dubbed “In the Living Room with Lance” in 2008 and 2009.  Lance wrote more than 250 songs, and many were never recorded in studio quality.  This site is dedicated to bringing you his complete body of work some only left behind on cassette tapes, handwritten notes, or perhaps just in the memory of those who heard him playing, and singing his songs around the house.  Feel free to contribute your own recollections of his unique style of ministry though the comment section of this blog.

” … even death can never change, this flesh may fade, but this song remains”  – Lance Appleton  This Song Remains

 

Lance Appleton’s Recordings

By |February 23rd, 2015|

lance-appleton-so-happy-vinylIf you are looking for Lance Appleton’s recordings you can find them here.   They have now been made available for purchase and immediate download!

Abide in me

By |February 9th, 2024|

Words and music: Lance Appleton

Abide in me

Now you are clean by the word I have spoken
Alive and new by the word I have spoken
Your spirits refreshed the bread has been broken, Broken for you
Abide in me I’ll abide in you
Abide in me and love continue
Abide in the vine you will begin to be fruitful
And prosper in me
Cause when I speak to you by the word of my spirit
When your tuning in determined to hear
It’s such sweet communion to know what I mean
When I say to you my child you are clean

Time out to pray

By |February 9th, 2024|

 

Words and music: Lance Appleton

 

Hey when did I last take time out to pray

when did I last say Jesus I love you

well I don’t want to delay

Father of light I love you

You are God no shadow of darkness there

you alone will not let my heart despair

Heaven is Your throne and Earth your footstool

I am just a stone but I will praise You

Hey when did I last take time out to pray

when did I last say Jesus I love you

well I don’t want to delay

Father of light I love you

Father of light I love you

 

 

Watchman

By |February 9th, 2024|

Words and Music: Lance Appleton

 

Watchman I have set you on a wall
given you a message to preach
baptism in my name
repentance from sin
blessed Holy Ghost within
now that you understand
if you don’t cry out you’ve got blood on your hands

Cry out!
For all have sinned
Cry out!
you must be born again
Cry out!
And tell my people today
about the truth and the life and the only way
Watchman oh watchman
Watchman of the night
Watchman oh watchman

Cry out!
Against false religion
Where men marry men and women marry women
Cry out!
Against societies that worship the trees and abort the babies
Cry out!
Against science so hell bent to prove everything happenens by accident
Cry out!
And tell my people today
about the truth and the life and the only way

Watchman oh watchman
Watchman of the night
Watchman oh watchman

Be a Soldier

By |February 2nd, 2021|

Lance Appleton
Key:[Fm]


Got to be a soldier the rest of my days
Got to be a soldier that’s what I say
Nobody wants to be a soldier anymore
Everybody just wants to be free
I tell you what we ain’t ever won a war with just 
Peace talks with the enemy

Got to be a soldier the rest of my days
Got to be a soldier that’s what I say
Nobody wants to be a farmer anymore
But everybody likes to eat
Gonna take more than just a check in the mail
For a man to stand on his own two feet
Got to be a farmer the rest of my days
Got to be a farmer that’s what I say

Soldier, Farmer, Soldier, Farmer, Soldier

Got to be a soldier the rest of my days
Got to be a soldier that’s what I say
Nobody wants to be a farmer anymore
They all moved to the city
Thinking that their gonna get rich quick
Listen it’s such a pity
Nobody wants to work in the fields 
But everybody likes to eat
Gonna take more than just a check in the mail
For a man to stand on his own two feet


I have everything (Resurrected from the dead)

By |November 7th, 2017|


I Have Everything
by Lance Appleton


Get away from my windows
don’t try the backdoor
your dead
as far as I’m concerned
don’t bother me no more
the times we had together you say
you’d like to have more still
but those days are gone forever
the memories have been killed
I got someone who loves me
He broke my chains when I took His name
you left me with nothing
but now I have everything

He sweetens up my sorrows
with hope for tomorrow
keys He carries open all locks
and heaven listens when His spirit talks
such a long list of mysteries
come to light with the eyes He sees with
everything is righteous
He’s the one I’ll always be with
cause I have everything

I’m asking him to empty me of me
and to fill me with himself instead
I desire
the liberty of living
resurrected from the dead

He took my chains
And I took His Name
Yesterday today forever
He’s just the same

I have everything …

Yesterday’s Prayers

By |November 7th, 2017|

New Year’s Song (Melody Unknown) written for “Shepherd’s Apostolic Church” of Troy, Missouri 12/31/97

Yesterday’s Prayers

by Lance Appleton

Dear friends,
As the year ends
Tho’ we don’t know
Where the time goes
Still we understand there is an unseen hand
Guiding us on to a land beyond tomorrow.

I just want to say I’m grateful
For yesterday’s prayers,
Those stepping stones of hope
That helped to get me here from way back there;
I could have died
Somewhere
Lost without the tears you cried
For me in yesterday’s prayers.

Just as sure as JESUS
Shed His blood at Calvary
The words you said
Were like love poured out on me;
The sounds may fade
But I hear them yet,
My life is changed
And I won’t forget
Yesterday’s prayers.

Prayer and fasting is an upper

By |April 7th, 2016|

Download Mp3
Prayer and fasting is an upper
words and music by: Lance Appleton


Prayer and fasting is an upper
it makes me want to sing a happy song
and I’m gonna love that marriage supper
because I’ve been praying and fasting all day long

people nowadays think its a drag to pray
and it brings them down to push that plate away
they regulate their moods by the chemicals in foods
but friend there’s just one thing I’d like to say

Prayer and fasting is an upper
it makes me want to sing a happy song
and I’m gonna love that marriage supper
because I’ve been praying and fasting all day long

I’ve been backslidden I’ve been cold and carnal too
I’ve even had those sugar blues
but the joy of the Lord now has been restored
by practicing this simple Bible truth

Prayer and fasting is an upper
it makes me want to sing a happy song
and I’m gonna love that marriage supper
because I’ve been praying and fasting all day long

well I prayed dear Jesus please I want to be like you
to fast and pray the way you used to do
why my waist would get so small I could squeeze right through a wall
and be light enough to walk on water too

I dedicate it

By |March 30th, 2016|

I dedicate it
Words and Music by: Lance Appleton


To the one eternal who dwells in realms of light
I dedicate it
to the Lord immortal who’s love dispels the night
I dedicate it
a life that was in darkness a broken carcass of sin and shame
lost in hopeless dispare headed for worse nowhere until Jesus came

down from His glory
and wrapped His arms around me
I’m so glad He found me
before it was to late

heaven and earth cannot contain
the mind of man cannot explain
listen to my hearts refrain
I dedicate it

God is Light

By |March 29th, 2016|

God is Light
Music by: Lance Appleton
1John 1:5-7


God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all
God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all
No darkness, in Him is no darkness
No darkness, in Him is no darkness

If we say that we have fellowship with Him
and walk in darkness we lie
and do not the truth

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light
We have fellowship with one another
and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin

Jesus made a rock

By |March 28th, 2016|

Jesus made a rock (out of a rolling stone)
words by: Maggie Buckner
music by: Lance Appleton


Jesus made a rock out of a rolling stone
Jesus made a rock out of a rolling stone
Oh Jesus, You made a rock out of a rolling stone
Oh Jesus, You gave this wondering soul a home

I was lost and I was confused, and I didn’t know what to do
But Jesus made a rock out of a rolling stone

Oh Jesus, I want to thank you Lord for giving me the Holy Ghost
Oh Jesus, I want to thank you now for giving me your Spirit Lord

Come Unto Me

By |March 26th, 2016|

Come Unto me
words and music by: Lance Appleton

Download This Song


Let me be your Rock of Ages
Let me be your El Shaddai
Shelter from the storm that rages

Let me be your paid vacation
Come unto me I’ll give you rest
Let me be your soul’s salvation

Come unto me, come unto me
Come unto me, come unto me
Come unto me, come unto me

Never leave you or forsake you
And I will not tell you lies
Of all the places I can take you

Let me be your Rock of Ages
Let me be your Adonai
Shelter from the storm that rages

Kiss the Son

By |March 25th, 2016|

Kiss The Son
music by: Lance Appleton
Psalms 2:11-12

Download This Song


Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling
Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling

Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish by the way
When His wrath is kindled but a little
Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him

We See Jesus

By |March 24th, 2016|

We See Jesus
words and lyrics by: Lance Appleton

Download This Song


We see Jesus,
Made a little lower than the angels
We see Jesus,
Leading this assault against the gates of hell
We see Jesus,
Praying to His father in the garden
That He by the grace of God might taste of death for every man

We see Jesus
We see Jesus
We see Jesus

He’s not somewhere, upstairs, don’t care, outta sight
He’s the high priest, and He, intercedes for you and I
At the right time, and the right place, He joined in this human race
He’s not immune, but He’s in tune, with the problems that we face

As in adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive
As in adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive
As in adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive

Call Your Name

By |November 6th, 2015|

Call Your Name
Words and Music by: Lance Appleton


I just heard the Savior call your name
I just heard the Savior the Lord and the Maker
Call your name … Call your name

we stood together on the battle field
the blood was hot and the bullets real
its all for nothing you swore
and I can’t fight no more

we stood together in the poring rain
you took my hand and I felt the pain
life has no meaning you said
I hate living dead

I beg you to come with me
please try to understand
the kingdom of our god is now at hand
my dearest friend come with me
don’t turn and walk away
I just heard the Savior call your name

I just heard the Savior call your name
I just heard the Savior call your name
I just heard the Savior the Lord and the Maker
Call your name … Call your name

we stood together on a mountain side
you shed a tear and the ocean tide
its all for nothing you cried
and I’m so lost inside

I beg you to come with me
please try to understand
the kingdom of our god is now at hand
my dearest friend come with me
don’t turn and walk away
I just heard the Savior call your name

I just heard the Savior call your name
I just heard the Savior call your name
I just heard the Savior the Lord and the Maker
Call your name … Call your name

Behold I stand

By |November 4th, 2015|

Behold I stand
Words and Music by: Lance Appleton
(Revelations 3:20)


Behold I stand at the door and knock
Behold I stand at the door and knock

If any man hear my voice and will open the door
I will come in

Behold I stand at the door and knock
Behold I stand at the door and knock

If any man hear my voice and will open the door
I will come in

I will come in to him and will sup with him
and he with me
To him that over cometh
will I grant to sit with me in my throne
Even as I also overcame
and am sit down with my father in his throne

Into Thine Hand

By |September 21st, 2015|

Into Thine Hand
words and music by: Lance Appleton


Into thine hand I commit my spirit
into thine hand
Into thine hand I commit my spirit
into thine hand
blessed be the most high God
which hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand

vow breakers, adulterers, and fornicators
drowning in our own vomit determined to die
without the promise of a Savior
no messiah, no inheritance, no hope of heaven
we were unrepentant, and we were unforgiven
but You are much greater than all these things
You are the song my soul now sings

into thine hand I commit my spirit
into thine hand
Into thine hand I commit my spirit
into thine hand
blessed be the most high God
which hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand

all dressed up for church on Sunday
but by Monday I’m messed up
how can I be a true christian, or even witness
when I’m in a mood like this
I feel alienated, and I’m acting like your enemy
why was I created?
why would you ever want a friend like me?
but You shine down mercy once again
You are the rock on which I stand

into thine hand I commit my spirit
into thine hand …

Melchizedek the king of Salem foreshadowed Jesus Christ
receiving tithes of Abraham he brought forth bread and wine
the songs of David on his lips our mighty Prince of Peace
Jesus you defended into hell itself and came out with the keys

Lord God of truth you have redeemed me
Lord God of truth You have redeemed me
and blessed be the most high God
who hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand

Are You With Me

By |August 28th, 2015|

Are You With Me
words and music by: Lance Appleton
(Matthew 12:30-31)


Are you with me … are you with me
are you with me … are you with me
are you with me … are you with me
he that is not with me … is against me
he that gathereth not with me … scattereth abroad

wherefore I say unto you all manner of sin
and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men
but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost
shall not be forgiven unto men

are you with me … are you with me
are you with me … are you with me
are you with me … are you with me
are you with me … then don’t argue with me

hear O Israel the Lord our God is One Lord
hear O Israel the Lord our God is One
and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all of thy heart
and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all of thy soul
and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all of thy mind
and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all of thy strength

are you with me … are you with me
are you with me … are you with me
are you with me … are you with me
are you with me … then don’t argue with me

With Joy

By |August 27th, 2015|

With Joy
words and music by: Lance Appleton
(Isaiah 12:2-3)


Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation
therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells
therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation
therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells

the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song
he has become my salvation
the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song
he has become my salvation

Rejoice in the Lord Always

By |August 26th, 2015|

 

Rejoice in the Lord Always
Words and music by: Lance Appleton
(Philippians 4:4-6)


philippians_4-6

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say
rejoice in the Lord always and again and again and again and again
rejoice in the Lord always and again I say
rejoice in the Lord always and again and again and again and again

be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer
and supplications with thanksgiving
let your request be made known unto God
and the peace of God which passes all understanding
shall keep your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus

Playing in the Shadows by Jeff Miller, Dancing in the Sky

By |August 26th, 2015|

A special thank you to our good friends Jeff & Wendy Miller for putting this YouTube tribute together for dad.  The harmonica sounds just like him! Love you guys … The Appletons

Never Thirst Again

By |August 25th, 2015|

Never Thirst Again
Words and music by: Lance Appleton


Now from somewhere down deep inside I start to cry
tears of joy falling from my eyes
I can hear the sweetest anthem ever sung
no purer tones on mortal tongue

I’ll never thirst again
I’ll never thirst again

nothing else in all the years I’ve lived
ever has affected me like this
not one of the places I have been
not one of my acquaintances or friends
ever washed away my sins

nothing written in the books I’ve read
not what some philosopher has said
nowhere in the drugs or the alcohol
was there any love like this at all

you have raised … you have raised me
you have raised me from the dead

I’m coming just as you commanded
to the fountain of forgiveness
now I’m plunging under covered by your name
rivers of living water flow from my innermost being
you are the only one who know what it is
you are the only one who know

Now from somewhere down deep inside i start to cry
tears of joy falling from my eyes
I can hear the sweetest anthem ever sung
no purer tones on mortal tongue

I’ll never thirst again
I’ll never thirst again

Spring up o well of joy and gladness
spring up O well of sweet salvation
Holy Ghost make intercession

Rivers of water flow from my innermost being
You are the only one who knows what it is …
You are the only one who knows what it is I’m needing
life’s eternal mysteries heavens revelations
like a flower opening filled with holy
filled with holy , filled with holy fragrance.

Now from somewhere down deep inside i start to cry
tears of joy falling from my eyes
I can hear the sweetest anthem ever sung
no purer tones on mortal tongue

I’ll never thirst again
I’ll never thirst again … I’ll never thirst again

All Power

By |August 22nd, 2015|

All Power
words and music by: Lance Appleton
Matthew 28:18-20


all-powerBuried with Him in the only name
given among men whereby we must be saved
buried with Him in the only name under heaven

all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth
all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth

go ye therefore and teach all nation
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost
teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you
and lo I am with you always
even unto the end of the world amen

buried in the name of the Father
buried in the name of the Son
buried in the name of the Holy Ghost

Jesus is the one
He’s the only one
Jesus is the one with all power

all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth
all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth

so I got buried with Him in the only name
given among men whereby we must be saved
buried with him in the only name under heaven
under heaven … under heaven

Calm Down

By |August 21st, 2015|

Calm Down

Words and Music by: Lance Appleton


calm down
way down
calm way down

lift your vision higher
lift your vision higher
lift your vision higher
calm way down


Recorded at Lance Appleton’s home
June, 2008
– part of the 77 song compilation “In the living room with Lance”

My Offering

By |August 20th, 2015|

My Offering

Words and music by: Lance Appleton


Let my prayer be set before you as incense
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice
Let my prayer be set before you as incense
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice

I’m on my way to heaven
I’ve got a ways to go
when I’m underneath a burden and the weight of it is so heavy

Lord I cry unto thee harken thou unto me
and give ear unto my prayer
when I cry unto Thee
Let my pray fill the air
with a fragrance of praise
and Lord please receive my offering

This is my offering by faith a gift of love my spirit makes
this is my song to thee oh King
it is my offering

Let my prayer be set before you as incense
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice

Come with me my love

By |August 3rd, 2015|

 

 

 

Come with me my love
words and music by: Lance Appleton


Come with me to eternity
my spirit will not away strive with man
my spirit will not away strive
I can’t let it go, I can’t let it go on
I can’t let it go, I can’t let it go on
forever, forever

So come with me to eternity …

The world will never live in peace
till all the wars in heaven cease
I can’t let it go, I can’t let it go on
I can’t let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go on
I can’t let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go on forever

So come with me to eternity …
follow me my love …
follow me to eternity …
come and see my love …
come and see my love …

This is no temporary plan
I promised when we first began
I said life will go … life will go on
life will go … life will go on forever
forever

but time will be no more
time will be no more
time will be … no more time
no more time will be
so come with me to eternity
follow me my love
follow me to eternity …
come and see my love …
my love … come and see

I Believe

By |July 31st, 2015|

I Believe
words and music by Lance Appleton


Dear Jesus
I believe in God and I believe in you
the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth
and I will not let me heart be troubled
I will hear what you say
You are the Shepherd and I am your little lamb
Lord Jesus lead the way

dear Jesus
let me not forget this gospel I’ve received
your death and your burial
how you came out of that grave
and how your coming back for me
if I continue in your word
then your disciple I will be
and I will know the truth and the truth will make me free

and I will follow you forever
and you will never let me go alone
through the valley of the shadow
to my souls eternal home
and we will always be together
because thats what heavens all about
your my every hope of tomorrow
you are my only comfort now

I Bless You Lord

By |June 30th, 2015|

I Bless You Lord
Words and music by: Lance Appleton


I am standing in an even place in the congregation
and I bless you Lord
I declare you name to my brethren in the congregation
and I bless you Lord

examine me oh Lord try the reigns of my heart
redeem me and be merciful
that I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving
and declare thy wondrous words
and I bless you Lord

I have loved the habitation of thy house
and the place thy honor dwells
and I bless you Lord
for your loving kindness is before my eyes
and I am walking in your truth as well

Spider’s Web

By |June 23rd, 2015|

Spider’s Web

Words and music by: Lance Appleton


Don’t willingly walk into a spider’s web
cause it will get you every time
just when you think that your doing well
Its the end of the line
laying your head  in Dalilah’s lap
will get chopped up mighty fine
so don’t willing walk into a spider’s web

things of this world will entice you
things that the Devil would like you to believe in
don’t believe him
all though it might look inviting
it won’t be long until he’s biting
the life right out of your soul … trying to get control


A big “thank you” to Joe Sucher for sending me this gem along with some other stuff he had recorded during a visit with Dad back in 1990.

Happy Father’s Day

By |June 21st, 2015|

Father's DayHappy Father’s Day

Words and Music by: Lance Appleton

Not my will Lord thy will be done
keep teaching me
peace be still wait until You call
I want to be tried and true
faithful to listen and do as You command

Your my heavenly father
and I bring
loving praise to this alter of prayer
Your my heavenly father
and I come
with the faith that You’ll always be there

You have given me eyes to see
ears to be obedient and lips to say
happy father’s day