Strike up the Band, That Angel Band, Assembled Now and Ready

STRIKE UP THE BAND

Chorus

Strike up the band, that angel band, assembled now and ready

To proclaim heaven's praises to the King

That music's planned, prepared for those who come by way of Calvary

It's a song that the angels cannot sing

The redeemed of all the ages will be there to sing along

On a brand new song never heard by mortal man

Oh, I'm longing for the day when we hear King Jesus say

"Welcome to the Promised Land, strike up the band"

Verse 1

We are living near the Book of Revelation

From the things we see, we know the time is near

Soon the trumpet blast will start the celebration

We will hear the shout from heaven, loud and clear

Chorus

Verse 2

I can just imagine David as he's playing

Some sweet song about the Risen Holy One

We will make the heavens ring with happy praises

To God the Father, God the Spirit, God the Son

God the Son

Chorus

Tag

Oh, I'm longing for the day when we hear King Jesus say

"Welcome to the Promised Land

Strike up the band, strike up the band, strike up the band"

THE BLOOD COVERS IT ALL

Verse 1

For so many years I was lost as could be

Convinced there was no way I'd ever be free

Till I laid my sins on an altar of prayer

Calvary covered them right then and there

Chorus

The blood covers it all, the blood covers it all

It's so good to know that forgiveness still flows for the blood covers it all

The things I regret, what I could not forget, He chooses not to recall

I'll never again be condemned by my sin for the blood covers it all

Verse 2

No matter the trials that I have to face

No snare of the devil is greater than grace

From high on Golgotha where Christ paid the cost

His mercy still streams down that old rugged cross

Chorus

Tag

I'll never again be condemned by my sin

I'll never again be condemned by my sin

I'll never again be condemned by my sin for the blood covers it all

TEMPORARY TOMB

Verse 1

Mohammed or Buddha, which one will save you, this is the question of life

Is Jesus Messiah or is someone higher, who do we trust when we die

If you'll look closely, you'll see a difference, these prophets are not the same

You'll find only one who kept living on, one who walked out of His grave

Chorus

You'll find a temporary tomb, a virgin's womb, baskets filled with fishes for the multitude

Opened blinded eyes, water turned to wine, witnesses to prove it's true

You'll find footprints on the water, Jarius' daughter, a Savior on the cross who says "Forgive them, Father"

You say you have a Savior, too, but take me and show me his temporary tomb

Verse 2

No other has ever crossed over death's river and come back to live again

Though many have promised but could not deliver a life that has no end

But Jesus, our Savior, who shall reign forever, defeated our greatest foe

He said He would die and then He would rise, let's tell it wherever we go

Chorus

Chorus

Tag

His temporary tomb, His temporary tomb

I'VE BEEN CHANGED

Verse 1

I heard the church bells chime, it was meeting time, on a Sunday morning in spring

I took my place on the pew, we all settled in, then the preaching began

It was a sermon of grace, how past sins are erased, because of Supreme sacrifice

I stood to my feet, made my way to the altar, Jesus had changed my life

Chorus

I've been changed, I've been changed

I've been forgiven, nothing's the same

All of my past has been erased, nothing ahead but amazing grace

That might explain the look on my face

I've been changed

Verse 2

Now it's been ten years, and I'm still right here, with my voice lifted in praise

I have no regret since the day that I knelt and the Savior I claimed

See I was ruined by sin, stained and guilty within, I could no longer live with my pain

But with one drop of mercy, I walked from sins prison

Shouting "Oh Yes, I've been changed!"

Chorus

Chorus

Tag

All of my past has been erased, nothing ahead but amazing grace

That might explain the look on my face

I've been changed, I've been changed

I have been changed

DON'T GO SWIMMING

Verse 1

I heard a preacher say when you repent

There's a place where all your sins are sent

Full of water, mirky and dim, with a sign saying "Please don't swim"

Chorus

Somewhere there's a deep dark sea, swirling with our iniquity

Full of our forgiven sins, that God says He won't bring up again

Your past 'aint worth wading through

If God don't remember, neither should you

Don't go swimming in the sea of forgetfulness

Verse 2

And when the Father says He won't recall

That means that He won't remember at all

You know we all love old memories

But the sign says "Dont' swim please"

Chorus

Tag

Don't go swimming in the sea of forgetfulness

Don't!

PEACE

Verse 1

Time and time again I brought my burdens

I prayed and prayed that I could lay them down

But walked away still bearing on my shoulders

A heaviness and heartache You never meant for me to carry 'round

Chorus

But there's peace when I leave it in Your hands

Sweet peace when I leave it in Your hands

Just leave it there and never pick it up again

There's peace when I leave it in Your hands

Verse 2

I wouldn't say I've gained a lot of wisdom

Oh, but I have learned this much along the way

Lord, that You are always there to bear my burdens

At first I might not feel it but if I learn to trust You, come what may, I'll find...

Chorus

Bridge

When I'm tempted to doubt and question You

Lord, just keep reminding me

Chorus

Tag

Just leave it there and never pick it up again

There's peace when I leave it in Your hands

THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DIRT

Verse 1

I've got a friend or two, their always complaining

The sun's too hot and, would you look, it's still raining

The Lord's never willing, the creek is gonna rise

Nothing ever pleases, nothing satisfies

The sky's always falling, so I thought I'd tell them all a little news

Chorus

Jesus still saves, heaven's still real, the Bible's still true and God can still heal

When you wake up in the morning, no matter how it hurts

Be glad you're still alive and on the right side of the dirt

Verse 2

God can bring a smile in troubled conditions

He can bring a song when you're locked up in prison

No matter what the trouble you might be going through

God is still your Father, His promises are true

Just think about the good things, He's made an overcomer out of you

Chorus

Chorus

Tag

Until He comes to takes us, remember what it's worth

To live your lives in victory on the right side of the dirt

On the right side of the dirt (living on the right side)

Living on the right side of the dirt

STAY CLOSE TO ME

Verse 1

Lord, I knew a time like this would surely come my way

When in disbelief, I'd watch my whole life change

I thought I'd have the words to tell You how I feel

But the only thing my heart is telling me to say is

Chorus

Lord stay close to me, as I journey through the darkness of this great unknown

Lord, stay close to me, though I've place my faith in You, I feel so all alone

My heart trembles like a child as I walk each scary mile

And the only prayer my lips can find to speak is Lord, stay close to me

Verse 2

I guess that I could ask You for some miracle

To even take away this trial that I face

But Lord, I know that You alone know what I need

So would You hold me tight as I journey through this place

Chorus

Bridge

Oh Lord, when I'm so scared, please be there, Lord

So I can rest in the promise, the promise that You care

Lord I know that I can make it through if all I have is You

Chorus

JESUS WILL NEVER CHANGE

Chorus

I know that Jesus Christ is still who He said He was, Jesus will never change

I know that yesterday, on and on, into the future, His promises still remain

I know He's closer than a brother, any time I need Him, I can call on His sweet name

He's Lord of all, now and forever, Jesus will never change

Verse 1

Peter found out when He was walking on the water, that Jesus is a constant friend

He saw him going down, came to his rescue, and caught him with His mighty hand

Chorus

Verse 2

John found out on the lonely Isle of Patmos when the resurrected Lord appeared

He said, "John, It is I, the Alpha and Omega, you haven't any reason to fear"

"You have no reason to fear"

Chorus

Bridge

Jesus, Oo, Jesus, will never change

Chorus

BUT GOD

Verse 1

I opened my eyes, though I could not see, so dark was the mystery I faced

Who could I find to come bear this with me, to roll back the clouds for one day

In search of some answers, I talked with my friends, just longing for loving advice

But no one I talked to knew where to begin, they were as helpless as I

Chorus

But God sees it so clear from His throne

God considers my heartache His own

So I will lift up my head and be strong

I have a Father who's watching over and I need no other but God

Verse 2

You woke up today with that same heavy heart, you wondered how long will this last

Your gleaming faith has now grown so dark, you asked Him, Lord when will this pass

The voice that once praised Him now groans through the tears and questions "Lord, where are You now"

The hope that sustained you for all of these years seems to be fading somehow

Chorus

Tag

I have a Father who's watching over and I need no other but God

No other but God

MY, MY, MY

Chorus

My, my, my, what a joy to serve my Jesus

Oh, that I could explain the way I feel

Rejoicing in unspeakable joy and full of glory

It's amazing but, praise God, I know it's real

Chorus

Verse 1

When I received salvation, I felt such jubilation

When Jesus came and He washed my sins away

Now He gives me strength and power, to face my midnight hour

With all my heart and soul, I now can say

Chorus

Now Jesus is my Savior, He gives me love and favor

He's my Redeemer, Master, Lord and King

Down here I tell the story and I give Him all the glory

He brought me out and He gave me a song to sing

Chorus

Chorus

Tag

Rejoicing in unspeakable joy and full of glory

It's amazing but, praise God, I know it's real

It's real

TRUTH IS MARCHING ON

Verse 1

Some say His birth was of a virgin, some think His miracles can be explained away

Some say that He was just a good man, even though He died, He wasn't really raised

Skeptics rise and speak their lies

Chorus

Truth is marching on, truth is marching on

Down the corridors of time, Invincible, Divine

Until all that's false is finally gone

Truth is marching on

Verse 2

There will always be cynics and scoffers

Our faith has always had its noisy enemies

They may rise up but only for a moment

Yet we see evidence through the centuries

It's Jesus Christ, He's the Way, the Life

Chorus

Bridge

Glory, glory, Hallelujah

Glory, glory, Hallelujah

Chorus

Tag

Down the corridors of time, Invincible, Divine

Until all that's false is finally gone

Truth is marching on