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AcaDisc #58- Life by The Firemen

Original Release: 1999 Firemen Ministries, Inc.
Available through The Firemen
Producer: Lynn Hunt
Engineers: Lynn Hunt
Recorded at: Selah Studios
Mixed by: Lynn Hunt
Mastered by: Lynn Hunt
Photography: Andrew Paul Uilkie at Peerless Photography
Design: Chris Bawiec at Visual Solutions
Members: Brian Fuller - Bass
                Rick Castleman - Baritone
                Matt Schmitz - Tenor and Baritone
                James McDuffie - 2nd Tenor
                Brian Lewis - 1st Tenor

Song List

Livin' The Life
Jesus Loves Me
Lord, It's Not Fair
I Wanna Know Why
Change In My Life
Mysterium Tremendum
Ask For Angels
Treasures
You Are The Hope
Sing Alound Unto The Lord
Venetia's Song
The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Livin' The Life

Words and Music: James McDuffie and Brian Fuller
Lead: James McDuffie

Lyrics:

Chorus:
Sittin' in the pews with a frown (frown), where is God?
Sing but ain't happy, others lookin' on at your facade
Unless you're showin' how you feel
People will never know that He's real
So get up off your padding and declare
He's the Lord!

My Father is Lord

Livin' the life of a Christian to the full, yes
Sets an example to others that it's cool, aw yeah, yeah
People watchin' everyday, where you go and what you say
You got the look but not the Way, who ya gonna serve?

Repeat Chorus (with stepouts)

He is the Lord

Age is just an excuse yall, not a reason
Sharin' with others the truth, no decievin', no no, come on
Young and old all on the call, Satan pressed against the wall
Into line we all must fall, which way you gonna go?

Repeat Chorus

Follow the way of the Savior to the end, ah yeah
Knowing your life to the Father, He'll defend
Pretty notes and fancy things will not help you see our King
For God's call I'm listening, how about you?

Repeat Chorus

Do you believe He is the Lord?
I know that He's the Lord
He is the Lord
My Father is Lord

Scriptural Reference:

"So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, 'He is the Lord ; let him do what is good in his eyes.'"  1 Samuel 3:18

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Jesus Loves Me

Words: Anna B. Warner (Stanza 1 - 1860) and David Rutherford McGuire
Music: William B. Bradbury (1862)
Arragement: Rick Castleman
This song also appeared on Acappella Lullabies by The Acappella Company and as part of "Medley" on Jesus Our Savior by The Sounds of Glory.
Lead: Rick Castleman and James McDuffie

Lyrics:

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible, it tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong

Chorus:
(Whoa) Yes, Jesus loves me
(Whoa) Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
For the Bible tells me so

Let me tell you of a man
Who for you outstretched His hands
On a cross He gave His blood
Now be washed in that crimson flood

Report Chorus

All the love that He gives is so blessed
And the grace that He gives is so full
And when I'd found the Savior
I knew there would be none other
None other

Repeat Chorus

For the Bible tells me so, so, so, so, oh

Scriptural Reference:

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39

<Back to Song List>

Lord, It's Not Fair

Words and Music: Brian Lewis
Lead: Brian Lewis

Lyrics:

Spoken intro:
Rick: One of the greatest things about this album I think is the way that God has blessed us with the many life experiences that we've had during this past year, and the ability to record them on paper in form of lyrics and music and help other people relate to the things that we've been dealing with.
Brian Fuller: Ya know, I was lookin' over the list of all of the songs that are on this album and there are several on here that have such personal meaning behind them to us, ya know because we wrote, this year I think especially on this album, wrote from these, like you mentioned, personal experiences, whether it be someone in our family or someone that we meet at a concert or just stay in their homes and we get to know their families, and we had such...
Brian Lewis: Yeah, within a, within a few months time I had close friends, a couple that lost a baby that was only alive for a week, and just a few months later lost an uncle who was pretty much like a dad to me, and had me and had me asking those questions that everybody asks, ya know why, why do these things happen? And ya know it's just not fair that these kind of things should happen. So uh, I sat down and wrote a song about it.

I pronounce you man and wife
You may now kiss your bride
They could see the road that lay ahead
Their eyes open wide
They knew the years they'd be together
And all the dreams they'd share
But the cancer took that all away
Lord, it's not fair

Chorus:
But it wasn't fair when the soldiers spit in His face
(But it wasn't fair when the soldiers put the crown of thorns upon His head and spit in His face)
And it wasn't fair that the Savior had to take my place
(And it wasn't fair in the garden that the Savior asked another way but had to take my place)
It wasn't fair that my Jesus hung on a tree
(It wasn't fair that they drove the nails and raised the cross on Calvary, He hung on a tree)
But unfair for Him is what saved me

That child growing in her womb
The first son that she would know
She couldn't wait to hold his tiny hands
Or to watch him grow
Little Cameron could have been your friend
The kind of friend who'd care
But a week was all that he would live
Lord it's not fair

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:
Evil prospers everyday; I don't understand
Families are torn apart; that can't be Your plan
Lord please make it clearer, give peace to everyone
Only You can know our suffering
Because You gave Your only son
You gave up Your son

Repeat Chorus

Yes unfair for Him is what saved me

Scriptural Reference:

"'But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?  Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you.  Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 'So the last will be first, and the first will be last.'"  Matthew 20:13-16

<Back to Song List>

I Wanna Know Why

Words and Music: Matthew Schmitz
Lead: Matthew Schmitz

Lyrics:

Chorus:
I wanna know why (I wanna know why), oh why (Oh Lord), I always seem to fall
Why (I wanna know why), oh why (Oh Lord), I can't find my way
Tell my why (I wanna know why), oh Lord, You sent Your Son to die
He washed my sins away at Calvary

I don't think to call when my back's against the wall
But still You're there for me
And evil blocks my eyes, but Jesus is alive
And shines a light for me, and

Repeat Chorus

When you're lost in this world and you feel all alone
And don't know what to do
Just get on your knees and soon you will see
The Lord is there for you, and

Repeat Chorus

And you know my Jesus died for me
And you know my Jesus died for you
And you know my Jesus could have gone home
But instead our Jesus set us free

Repeat Chorus (x2)

You sent Your Son to die, He washed my sins away at Calvary

Scriptural Reference:

"'Why are you sleeping?' he asked them. 'Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.'"  Luke 22:46

<Back to Song List>

Change In My Life

Words and Music: Billy Strauss
Arrangement: The Firemen
Lead: James McDuffie

Lyrics:

Spoken Intro:
Brian Lewis: And now's the time of the album where we like to do the restaurant song (Laughter)
Brian Fuller: We've done this in a lot of restuarants, even gotten some free meals out of it
Rick: Yeah, sure have
Brian Lewis: And saved some money on tips!
Brian Fuller: That's right, that's right...We'll sing, we don't have to pay the tip! We're broke singers! (Laughter)
Rick: Where, I don't remember where this song came from
Brian Lewis: I think it came from uh, the Leap of Faith album
(Oh that's right, the soundtrack, yeah the soundtrack, soundtrack to that movie)
James: And this song talks about makin' that change, fellas. And um, you know, it's hard to make that change, uh, to become a Christian. But if you make that change, I believe that the Lord will, you know, guide the right way. It's not gonna be an easy path, but it's worth it
Rick(?): That's right, um hmm

Standing 'lone and scared on top of blue hill
There was one moment when I lost my will
I prayed for mercy, please don't send me away
You give me sunshine, when I only see gray
The past had a hold on me and it can't be denied
But the change didn't come easily
Don't ya know

Chorus:
I've been lonely, I've been cheated, I've been misunderstood
I've been washed up, I've been put down, told I'm no good
But with You I belong 'cause You help me be strong
There's a change in my life since You came along
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh, yeah

Now I don't mind working so hard everyday
And I don't pay no mind to what people say, no
But after all the pain that I've been through
I'd give up everything to love only You
All my life I held my head bent in shame
But now I found You, and with You I'll remain
Yeah, don't you know

Repeat Chorus

Now a man gets weary (when his life is on hold)
And a heart gets lonely (when it doesn't belong)
When the road gets rocky (well you've got to keep on
And let the new life keep shining over you)
Don't you know that

Repeat Chorus

Scriptural Reference:

"If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever."  Jeremiah 7:5-7

<Back to Song List>

Mysterium Tremendum

Words and Music: Lynn Hunt
Lead: Brian Lewis and Matthew Schmitz

Lyrics:

Who among the gods is like You, oh Lord?
Mysterium tremendum
You stretched out Your right hand and the earth swallowed them
Mysterium tremendum
In Your unfailing love
You will lead the people You have redeemed
Mysterium tremendum
In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling
Mysterium tremendum
The nations will hear and tremble
Mysterium tremendum
By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone

The Lord will reign (The Lord will reign) (The Lord will reign, will reign, the Lord will reign)
The Lord will reign (The Lord will reign) (The Lord will reign, will reign, the Lord will reign)
The Lord will reign (The Lord will reign) (The Lord will reign, will reign, the Lord will reign)
The Lord (the Lord) will reign (will reign) forever
Forever and ever (Mysterium tremendum)

Scriptural Reference:

"Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?  You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them.  In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.  In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.  The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia.  The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; terror and dread will fall upon them.  By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone- until your people pass by, O Lord, until the people you bought pass by.  You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance- the place, O Lord , you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established.  The Lord will reign for ever and ever."  Exodus 15:11-18

<Back to Song List>

Ask For Angels

Words and Music: Lynn Hunt and Rick Castleman
Lead: Matthew Schmitz

Lyrics:

Spoken intro:
Matt: When the world was made life began. It was perfect and whole, but sin changed life to death. The Son came forward to return life to its blameless state...
Rick: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life," He said, so He was sent to restore the work of His father, and life seemed to overcome...
James: But as He hung from the cross and His life ebbed away, He whispered, "It is finished." Death once again reigned...
Brian Fuller: Three days passed as life stood still. Then, life filled the void that death had token whole. Life arose victoriously and has been given to us...
Brian Lewis: Life has been restored to perfection through the One from whom it was so freely given.

Fading twilight, dusk is near
A star emerges bright and clear
Shining gently from on high
Is this my guardian angel guiding me tonight?

Lost and hopeless, can't even stand
Then comes a stranger, a helping hand
There by your side in your time of need
Unforseen comfort, a bringer of God's holy peace

Chorus:
Ask for angels (ask Him, ask Him for angels)
Guiding light (guiding light)
Ask for angels (ask Him, ask Him for angels)
Through the night (through the night)
Ask for angels (ask Him, ask Him for angels)
God provides (God provides)
And when you ask for angels
They are at your side

Praying mother, sleepless child
Weary traveler, driving through the night
Unaware of darkness near by
For there is an angel keeping them in the light

When it seems the world is closing in with all its might
When it seems you're all alone and must give up the fight
Just call upon the Lord and He is there to see you through
He'll send ten thousand angels strong, an army just for you

Repeat Chorus

And when you ask for angels
They are at your side

Scriptural Reference:

"See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared."  Exodus 23:20

<Back to Song List>

Treasures

Words and Music: Rick Castleman
Lead: None

Lyrics:

Love, a four letter word so loosely used
Our world takes and so abuses this precious gift
Peace, an inner-thing that calms and heals
In troubled times and hearts of fears
Grant us these treasures

Chorus:
God is love, He is peace
We are the vessels
Please give us these things
He is life, He is eternity
Lord we long to serve You
And we long to be with Thee

Joy, it's a happy heart and smiling soul
The truth of knowing you are whole; pass it on
Hope, a seeing that you can achieve
An outlook saying you believe
God will provide

Repeat Chorus

Love the Lord with all your heart
And put none before Him
This is the greatest command
The next is like unto it
Love your neighbor as you'd love yourself

Repeat Chorus

Lord we long to serve You
And we long to be with Thee

Scriptural Reference:

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."  2 Corinthians 4:6-7

<Back to Song List>

You Are the Hope

Words and Music: Phil McKinney
Arrangement: The Firemen
This song also appeared on Can I Come by The Firemen.
Lead: James McDuffie

Lyrics:

Spoken intro:
Brian Fuller: Man, it's the fourth album already
Rick: I can't believe it's been four years
Brian Fuller: And we're rerecording this song off the first one
Matt: I can't even remember the last four years
Brian Fuller: You remember we recorded the first album in a trailor
Rick: I do, I remember
Matt: Taco Bell
Brian Fuller: And then we get to go to the closet! (Laughter)
James: Giddy up baby, giddy up...that's awesome
Rick: It's amazing that "You Are The Hope" has been such a impactful song in our lives. Uh, we started out singin'g it when we were such a small group and nobody knew of us and God knew that certain words and certain songs would bless our ministry and bless the people who hear the songs that we sing, and I believe that this is one of 'em.

You are the hope, You are the love
You are the joy that comes from above
Be with me, oh Lord, all my life
You are the truth and You are the light
You are the joy that builds up my life
Be with me, oh Lord, all my life

Sing with me brothers

You are the hope, You are the love
You are the joy that comes from above
Be with me, oh Lord, all my life
You take my life into Your hands
And without You I'll never stand
Be with me, oh Lord, all my life
You take my life into Your hands
Without You I'll never stand
Be with me, oh Lord, all my life

So many times
We don't seem to understand that the Father's right there
All He wants us to do is get on our knees
And ask Him for his help
We're here in this world
So many things we don't seem to understand, no we don't
But my Father's there and He knows your problems

You take my life into Your hands
And without You I'll never stand
Be with me, oh Lord, all my life

Be with me Father (Be with me Oh Lord, all of my life)
Please be with me
I know if I call on You, You will be there all of my life (Be with me Oh Lord, all of my life)

Scriptural Reference:

"The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."  Psalm 147:11

<Back to Song List>

Sing Aloud Unto The Lord

Words and Music: Rick Castleman
Lead: Brian Lewis

Lyrics:

Sing aloud unto the Lord
Sing to Him a new song
Give Him the praise that He deserves
Sing to Him a new song
Lift your voice, sing to Him all day long
Sing hallelujah to the Lord

Praise His name for all time
Sing to Him a new song
Give to Him the glory
Sing to Him a new song
Lift your voice, sing to Him all day long
Sing hallelujah to the Lord

Glory to the Father
Sing to Him a new song
To the Spirit and the Son
Sing to Him a new song
Lift your voice, sing to Them all day long
Sing amen

Chorus:
Halle (Halle) Halle (Halle) Hallelujah
Halle (Halle) Halle (Halle) Hallelujah
Amen, Amen, Amen

Sing aloud unto the Lord
Sing to Him a new song
Give Him the praise He deserves
Sing to Him a new song
Lift your voice, sing to Him all day long
Sing hallelujah to the Lord

Repeat Chorus

Scriptural Reference:

"Sing for joy, O heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel."  Isaiah 44:23

<Back to Song List>

Venetia's Song

Words and Music: Brian Fuller
Lead: None

Lyrics:

Spoken intro:
Brian Fuller: Well, this next song probably has touched more people before it's been released than any other song I think that we've ever done. It all started in Granbury, Texas when we met a young lady named Venetia Habey, and during the weekend while we were there, she died in a car accident. We got back and James and I were actually workin' on another song, um, which one was it? Livin' the Life?
James: Livin' the Life
Brian Fuller: Yeah, workin' on Livin the Life, and this one came to me, and I wanted to name it "For Venetia," so we wrote it and in the process of e-mailin' it back and forth to her parents and stuff, we received more emails about this song, sayin 'Hey, I've seen the words, when can I get a copy of the album?' In fact, one young lady e-mailed me the other day and said that she had gone to the cemetary to visit the gravesite of Venetia and the words to the song were there. Um, so it's touched a lot of people already, and the message is not just about Venetia but about how short life is, and how we've gotta make a decision before it's too late.

She was just 16
Blonde hair and full of life
Livin' on Monday like she lived on Sunday
Could have made a wonderful wife
But in an instant she was gone
No goodbyes, no calls on the phone
Just friends left behind

Chorus:
How much longer will you wait?
How much time will it take
For the Spirit to touch your heart my friend?
He's begging and pleading to come in
He's trying time and time again
Before it gets too late

All her friends gather 'round
Hear of the real sad news
There's more pain now in their young hearts
No comforting words will do
They need the peace found in Him
No excuses, no more lies
Just givin' it to the Lord

Repeat Chorus

I hear the trumpet sound
There in the distant sky
Flashes of light and rays of hope
As Jesus claims His bride
In an instant He will come
No more begging, no more pleading
It's time to go home

Repeat Chorus (x2)

Before it gets too late
Before it gets too late

Scriptural Reference:

"And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."  Romans 8:27

<Back to Song List>

The Lion Sleeps Tonight (bonus track)

Words and Music: Traditional
Arrangement: Luigi Creatore, Hugo E. Peretti, and George David Weiss
Lead: Matthew Schmitz

Lyrics:

Spoken intro:
James: This is the song that everybody wants to hear
Matt: Everybody
Brian Fuller: Whether you're a man, woman, child, dog, bird, they all wanna hear this song.
James: You name it
Brian Lewis: Everybody loves it!
Matt: Everybody wants it
Brian Fuller: Oh, Louie that was good. Everybody loves it. They do. And it's not because Matt does the lead.
Matt: They've gotta love it! And it's only because I do the lead.
Rick: I pretty much guarantee it.
Matt: With the fun that's enthralled through me, there's nothing that could possibly touch this song (Laughter).
Brian Fuller: But it is, it's a fun song to do on stage, and everybody wants us to record it, "What album is that on?" when they come to the table, "what album is that song on?" So...
Matt: It's not on, well now it is on an album
Brian Fuller: It is on an album. And it's coming up
James: Right now

(Animal sounds)

We de de de, de de de de, de de dum mumumbaway
We de de de, de de de de, de de dum mumumbaway
We de de de, de de de de, de de dum mumumbaway
We de de de, de de de de, de de dum mumumbaway

In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight

Chorus:
Aweemaway, aweemaway
Aweemaway, aweemaway
Aweemaway, aweemaway
Aweemaway, aweemaway
Aweemaway, aweemaway
Aweemaway, aweemaway
Aweemaway, aweemaway
Aweemaway, aweemaway

In the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
In the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight

Repeat Chorus

Hush my darlin', don't fear my darlin'
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darlin', don't fear my darlin'
The lion sleeps tonight

Repeat Chorus

Whoa, whoa, whoa-oh
Whoa, whoa, whoa-oh

Repeat Chorus (x3 and fade)

<Back to Song List>

Special thanks for additions and/or corrections to: The Firemen and Cyberhymnal

Acadisc is a synopsis of various albums of Christian acappella groups. It is written by The Acadisc Team and is very open to additions and/or corrections. These can be addressed to Ken at ken@acadisc.com.

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