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
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
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 …
New Year’s Song (Melody Unknown) written for “Shepherd’s Apostolic Church” of Troy, Missouri 12/31/97
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.
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
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, 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 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
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
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,
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
Buried 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
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”
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 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
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 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
E
Thank you for the laver
B
thank you for the alter
A
thank you for the incense the candle stick
E B
and the table of your presence
C#m Ab A C
thank you for the mercy seat upon the ark of safety
E B A
covering your covenant forever
E B
Lord I love to wash up when its time to worship
A
offer up a sacrifice of praise
E B
you shine the light and you guide the way
C#m Ab
and you feed me on the bread of heaven
A C
you hide me in your secret place
E B A
covered with mercy in the holy of holies
E B A
I’m covered with mercy in the holy of holies
F G C C/B F
This world a wilderness and my poor soul will be wandering
C G
never finding heavens door
Eb F Bb
your love laid down a blood stained pathway
Bb/A Eb Bb D B/Eb
straight into the joy that my soul was searching for
E
Thank you for the laver
B
thank you for the alter
A
thank you for the incense the candle stick
E B
and the table of your presence
C#m Ab A C
thank you for the mercy seat upon the ark of safety
E B A
covering your covenant forever
E B
Lord I love to wash up when its time to worship
A
offer up a sacrifice of praise
E B
you shine the light and you guide the way
C#m Ab
and you feed me on the bread of heaven
A C
you hide me in your secret place
E B A
covered with mercy in the holy of holies
E B A
I’m covered with mercy in the holy of holies
words and music by: Lance Appleton
I make the noise, I make it with my voice
I make it with my hands and my feet
it may not be music to anyone but You (more…)
words and music by: Lance Appleton
I can still hear the devil say 99 years and 1 dark day
but You can take it all away with
mercy to the max … maximum mercy (more…)
Bonus points if you can find the acronyms hidden in the lyrics of this song!
Happy Hobby
words and music by: Lance Appleton
First thing every morning
I feel my knees start to bend
soon I’m giving You glory
and I’m entering in (more…)
This is an early recording from my dads Gateway College days 1969 or 1970. I can picture him in one of those great marble stairways making this recording (one of my favorite spots to sit and play when I was there). This is a great snapshot of his early music and the type of songwriting that influenced him.
Special thanks to Jeff Miller for taking a box of my dads old cassette tapes and and preserving these gems!
words and music by: Lance Appleton
I met a stranger in the park today
he was carving crosses on the trees
I must have watched him for an hour or so
working up the nerve to speak (more…)
Such Sweet Communion
words and music by: Lance Appleton
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 (more…)
words and music by: Lance Appleton
recorded on “Lance Appleton Unplugged” 2006
Chorus
D G D
I’m holding on … I’m holding on … I’m holding on
G Bm
Yes I’m holding on … I’m holding on to
G Em Fmaj7
I’m holding on to … I’m holding on to You
(more…)