1. |
Ohio Sunset
02:52
|
|||
Fully Alive
from Fully Alive.
Fully Alive
Words & Music by Bryan Sirchio
I want to open my heart a little wider
Let Spirit in a little deeper
Love with a Love that’s on fire
And be fully alive
There is a phrase…that comes to us
From the Church father… Irenaeus
The Glory of God…is a human
Fully alive…fully alive!
Chorus
Jesus proclaimed…good news to the poor
Hearts that are broken…will all be restored
Christ said it’s time…for Jubilee
Perfect release…everyone free!
Chorus
How does a rose…open its heart?
And give this world…its beautiful art
Encouraged by Light…warm on its being
It casts fear aside…and opens up wide…
Chorus
Note: 3rd verse was drawn heavily from the Sufi Mystic poet Hafiz’s “It Felt Love”
|
||||
2. |
||||
The "Speech That God Martin Luther King Jr. Killed"
from "Fully Alive" album.
The Speech That Got Martin Luther King Jr. Killed
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio
There’s a time when silence is a form of betrayal
So began Martin Luther King Jr. at Riverside Church
1967 was the year. He spoke truth about the war then so clear
That less than one year later Martin Luther King Jr. was gone, and that’s why some people say that…
This is the speech that got Martin Luther King Jr. killed
Prophets who challenge the powers are silenced still
Just think of Jesus in the temple, when he overturned the tables
How the powers got together, and said we’ve got to stop him while we’re able and…
This is the speech that got Martin Luther King Jr. killed
He said every war waged is fought most and paid for by the poor
Poor folks of color are on the front lines of this war disproportionately
War drains human skills and money like a huge demonic suction tube
Money spent on war instead of raising up the poor is unjust and cruelly misused
He said, how can I tell angry black folks to march peacefully
When power trying to change things through violence is all their eyes see?
How can I make the cause for non-violent action, which I believe is how real social change will happen
Without speaking first to the greatest purveyor of violence in our world today—my own government—
The USA—I can’t be silent
This is the speech that got Martin Luther King Jr. killed
He said I speak to you today as a winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace
The prize commissioned me to work for wholeness for the entire human family
This is a calling that takes me beyond all national allegiances
As does the meaning of my commitment as a Christian and to the Christian ministry
He said, sometimes I marvel at those who ask why I speak against the war
Could it be that they don’t know the good news of God’s Love is for everyone?
That means communist and capitalist, all races and all tribes
Revolutionaries and conservatives alike
It means I speak in the name of the One who loved his enemies so much he died for them
This is our burden and our privilege when we’re bound by loyalties deeper than nationalism
We’re called to speak out for victims of our nation and those it labels “enemy.”
And when I try to understand their point of view, and all the terror and injustice they’ve been through
It seems to me in this case America’s on the wrong side of history
This is the speech that got Martin Luther King Jr. killed
He said, this war has got to stop now—yes this madness must cease
He said, I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of our enemy
He said, I speak as a citizen of the world for the world stands aghast at the path we’ve taken
He said I speak as one who loves America, and who cares deeply for our troops
He said its time for us to undergo a true revolution of our values
And say that war itself as a way of settling differences must come to an end
For a nation that continues year after year to spend more money on the military
Than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death
Chorus
|
||||
3. |
The Perfect Church
03:17
|
|||
The "Perfect Church"
from "Fully Alive" album.
The Perfect Church
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio
Intro: Another Sunday morning, I guess I’ll go to church
But God I don’t mind saying, “I’m tired of always searching for a fellowship
That’s everything it’s supposed to be
I’m sure you know exactly what I mean…
Well worship at the perfect church is always well attended
Every Sunday looks like Christmas Eve
They never mess with pledge drives and the babies never cry
And the preacher keeps the sermons short and sweet
And no one ever minds giving a new idea a try
And everybody lives that “Golden Rule”
The older members smile when the youth group makes a mess
And the teenagers think singing hymns is cool!
The perfect church, that’s all I’m looking for
I’ve shopped around but haven’t found what I’ve been searching for
All I’m asking for’s a little “heaven on earth”
Show me a perfect church
The perfect church won’t be embroiled in controversial issues
Yet stands for social justice loud and clear
It uses all its money to fund missions to the poor
And buys a brand new organ every year
And at the perfect church there won’t be any hypocrites
No gossip, and no petty arguments
All committee meetings will be organized and brief
And church lasts 60 minutes or less
Chorus
Bridge: I want a church where sermons touch my heart and stir my intellect
Where everything they say or sing’s theologically correct
Where members live their faith with such extreme integrity
They even give God thanks when strangers take their favorite seat
Well some folks say that there will never be a perfect church
As long as human beings are involved
But God I do believe I’ll find that perfect church someday
‘til then I’ll spend my Sundays playing golf!
The perfect church, that’s all I’m looking for
I’ve shopped around but haven’t found what I’ve been searching for
I’d like a nice historic building with cutting edge technology
How ‘bout Augustine on a 10 ft. screen online liturgically?
The perfect church, I’ll bring my friends
I’ll moderate I’ll pass the plate I’ll tithe 25 percent!
All I’m asking for’s a little “heaven on earth”
Show me a perfect, show me a perfect
Show us a perfect Church
|
||||
4. |
I Am Welcome
04:09
|
|||
"I Am Welcome"
from "Fully Alive" album.
I Am Welcome
Words and Music By Bryan Sirchio
It’s kind of complicated, but sometimes it’s easier to love another
than to love myself
It’s not that I feel worthless, or that I’ve no self-esteem
It’s that I know my own shortcomings all too well
It’s funny, ‘cause if someone told me what I just told you
I’d quickly tell them, man there’s nothing you could ever say or do
That could take away God’s crazy, relentless love for you
And even though my head believes that that’s the truth…
My heart sometimes won’t listen to my best theology
It’s like the grace I love to sing about is meant for everyone but me
So Spirit, come and find me—I think I’m needing to relearn
That my place at your Table is not something I must earn (‘cause…)
Chorus: I am welcome
I am welcome
I am loved just as I am (repeat)
When I think about Jesus I’m amazed by all the ways
Jesus welcomed those folks thought were lost or wrong
You’d have to know his culture to catch all the subtle ways
Jesus told those who’d been excluded that they belonged
I wonder what it felt like to look into Jesus’ eyes
And to feel completely naked, yet to have no need to hide
Oh Christ I know you know me, and so I’m looking now at you
Let me see into your eyes and know its true (that…)
Chorus
Bridge: Some of us have skeletons in closets that often haunt us
And some have been put down so much we’re convinced
even God couldn’t want us
But here’s the bottom line—the deepest truth about our lives
Is revealed as we embrace these simple words…
Chorus: I am welcome, I am welcome, I am loved just as I am
I am welcome, you are welcome
We are loved just as we are. O Spirit burn this Truth into our hearts.
|
||||
5. |
100 People In A Room
03:28
|
|||
"100 People In A Room"
from "Fully Alive" album (Note: These stats were from about 2000 and are to some degree outdated, though the basic picture remains the same. Contact Bryan Sirchio at bsirch@sirchio.com if you would like more information on the original study the song is based on).
100 People In One Room
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio (Based on a study by Dr. Lucille Pearson of Clemson University)
If the world were 100 people gathered in one room
An awfully blurry picture would snap right into view
It’s easier to see the direction things must move
When the world’s 100 people in one room
If there world were 100 people in one room…
57 would be Asian
21 would come from European nations
Just 14 from the entire Western Hemisphere
The other 8 would be from Africa
70 would be what we call people of color
30 would be what we call white
And of the 100 in the room at least 75
Would have no place to sleep tonight
No home of their own to sleep in tonight
Chorus
70 would not know how to read
30 at most will ever have the chance to learn to write
33 would call themselves Christian
67 embrace another way to seek the Light
80 of the 100 are severely malnourished
Suffering from hunger and disease
Of the 100 in the room there would only be 1
Who has a college degree
Only 1 with a college degree
Chorus
Bridge: Half of all the wealth in the world
Would be in the hands of 6 people
And all 6 of these would live in the USA
If the world were 100 people gathered in 1 room
Would we quickly see the disparity and do what’s ours to do
To help the dream of God become a dream that’s real and true
For every single person in the room
If the world were 100 people in one room
Blessing and Light for every person in the room
If the world were 100 people in one room
|
||||
6. |
Inside The Whale
03:21
|
|||
"Inside The Whale"
from "Fully Alive" album.
Inside the Whale
Words and Music by Bryan Sirchio
Jonah heard God call and tried to run away
Confronting Ninevah was not Jonah’s plan A
Amazing what a couple days inside a whale can change
Whales are where we hear the call and stop drifting away
And could it be, grace is so amazing
That in the end it’s impossible to fail
Could grace mean, nothing’s ever wasted
Including time we spend inside the whale
There have been some times when God has called my name
And just as Jonah did, I’ve tried to sail away
Been swallowed by some whales until my running was complete
Truth is there are things I’ve needed whales to help me see
Chorus
Bridge: And sometimes God it’s not that I am trying to run away
It’s just that I’m not sure it’s you I hear
So thank you for the time you knew I needed to believe the Voice was yours
Sometimes it’s taken me years
Jonah finally did what Yahweh called him to
Even though he took the less efficient root
But maybe that’s why this whale of a tale still speaks to me
‘Cause I have not reached where I am today too easily
Chorus
|
||||
7. |
||||
"Jesus Was Not An American"
from "Fully Alive" album.
Jesus Was Not An American
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio
Let me start with an overdue apology
To some veterans of foreign wars I’ve known
In my attempts to be a man who stands for peace
I regret some of the arrogance I’ve shown
Looking back sometimes I wish I’d kept my mouth shut
And met you in some human place, beyond who’s right or wrong
And listened to you speak of what can still bring you to tears
And honored what you’ve lived with all these years
And maybe then you could also listen
To why I sometimes say the things I say
As a man who’s trying to walk with one we call the Prince of Peace
Sometimes I’m called to cut against the grain
And I know this is hard for some to hear
But Jesus was not an American
And when the nations rage
And the gears of warfare grind
Jesus weeps for the victims on every side
There’s a tale Hasidic rabbis sometimes tell
About that day when Moses parted the Red Sea
The day that thousands of Egyptian soldiers drowned
As the Hebrews all escaped from slavery
And they say that all the angels in the heavens
Broke out in celebration, they danced and laughed and cheered
But then one of the angels stopped and asked Arch Angel Michael
Why is God not celebrating with us here?
Then Michael said, “God is not here with us…
God’s in way too much grief to celebrate
In fact God’s heart is broken, and God’s alone now weeping tears
‘Cause thousands of God’s Egyptian children drowned today
Chorus (…is not American)
Bridge And I’ll gladly pray for God to bless our troops
But the love of Christ crosses all borders and boundary lines
So I’ll pray for troops of every land and I’ll pray most fervently
For the innocent defenseless whose lives are torn apart
When policies are reckless and so-called smart bombs
Are not so smart…and I know…
Chorus (…is not North American)
|
||||
8. |
The Diamond
04:44
|
|||
"The Diamond"
from "Fully Alive" album.
The Diamond
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio
My son asked me if he could use the diamond from the ring
I’d given to his mom when I asked her if she would marry me
The diamond that my grandpa gave my grandma
That she had worn for over 50 years
At first I was surprised that my son wanted that same gem
His mama gave it back to me when she and I came to an end
Our marriage lasted for 23 years, in case you’re wondering
I’d say the blame was mostly mine
But she and I are friends now, although that took some time
And she and I agreed how it would be so good and right
If our beloved son could give that family gem its luster back again
And all I know, after all these years
Is Grace is so amazing it can make an old stone shine
And stories we thought always would be sad
Love can still reclaim and rearrange the end
The jeweler who appraised the diamond said, “I’ve got bad news…
This diamond has been damaged; it’s been chipped 2 times, here, I’ll show you
And as I looked I smiled and thought to myself,
How perfect—I mean metaphorically
One chip for his mama’s heart and one for my heart too
Symbols of our less than perfect lives and all that we’ve been through
God knows how much it hurt but I’m amazed now
How the Spirit used it all to grow our hearts
And it makes me think about a line that Leonard Cohen wrote
A verse I find myself returning to, here’s how it goes
“There’s a crack in everything…that’s how the Light gets in”
Chorus
Bridge: So son of mine this gem is yours to give to your bride now
Don’t worry if you add a chip or two
Thanks for all the ways your love brings healing to us all
And thanks for making this diamond brand new
Chorus
My son asked me if he could use the diamond from the ring
I’d given to his mom when I asked her if she would marry me
The diamond he will soon give to his love
I hope she wears it for over 50 years
I pray she wears it for over 50 years
|
||||
9. |
||||
"The Nightingale And The Rose"
from "Fully Alive" album.
The Nightingale and The Rose
(Based on a short story by Oscar Wild)
Words & Music by Bryan Sirchio
Once there was a young student who loved a young woman so much
He asked her if she would accompany him to the ball
She told him, well, yes, he could take her—if he’d bring her a deep red rose
To match the new gown she just bought at the fashion mall
So the young man went out to the garden, but every last rose was white
He sat down and started to cry
And then a nightingale flew by
What’s wrong said the nightingale?
He said, “I can’t take my love to the ball”
‘Cause I need a red rose and all of these roses are white
So the nightingale talked to the bushes, and said, “My friend here needs a red rose”
And then one bush said, “Well, I do know of one way—a red rose could grow”
What’s that said the nightingale? And then the bush said this…
If you press against my sharpest thorn, and sing your sweetest song
And let your life’s blood flow into my vine
Then you’ll change my very nature
And my flower will instead, of being a white rose—it will turn to red
So the nightingale pressed against the thorn, and sang its most beautiful song
And as it sang out the flower began to change
But the redder that flower became, the soften the nightingale’s song
And in just a few moments the nightingale’s life was gone
In the morning the student returned to the garden and found the red rose
Then he cried out with joy and took the rose to his love and said come on
Let’s go dance at the ball!
But she said, “Oh—didn’t you know?
Another man’s asked me to go. And he brought me expensive jewels—
And everyone knows that jewels cost more than a rose
Then she tossed the rose in the road, where it was crushed by a passing coach
Then the student went back to his room, and said, I think I’ll take up philosophy
‘Cause it seems to me, philosophy is safer than love…
I offer no interpretations—my words would just get in the way
But if you don’t mind, I just need to say…
Precious Nightingale, your song is sweet to me
And I stand amazed at how you pressed against that thorn
And the rose you give this world is what I treasure most of all
And yes, I will go with you, to the ball
|
||||
10. |
To All Sacred Truth
03:56
|
|||
"To All Sacred Truth"
from "Fully Alive" album.
To All Sacred Truth
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio
I had a dream that a whole lot of holy ones that we’ve heard about in history
Were gathered ‘round One Table and they were sharing Sacred Truth
They were swapping favorite verses from teachings they’d be given
And there was not a single trace of an argument over anything about religion
And they were breaking bread and they were passing a Cup
And they were talking ‘bout the justice and the peace and the love
That runs through every vision that flows from the wisdom of the One
The first one to speak was Mohammed
And he was quoting from Hadith 32
He said, “There shall be no doing harm nor reciprocating harm” –he said it again,
He said, “There should be no doing harm nor reciprocating harm”
And then the holy ones spoke with one voice, they said Amen! Amen!
To all Sacred Truth we say, Amen!
Next up was Hebrew King David
Quoting Psalm 34, verse 17
He said, “The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its might it cannot save”
“The was horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its might it cannot save”
Chorus
Round and round these holy ones all shared their sacred wisdom
There were animists, and indigenous, and there were men and there were women
There were some I could not recognize and some I could not hear
But the Truth and Love that unified them all was crystal clear
And they were breaking bread and they were passing a Cup
And they were talking ‘bout the mercy and the grace and the love
That runs through every vision that flows from the wisdom of the One
And just before I woke I saw Jesus
He was deep conversation with two Sufis
Then all at once the three stood up and there by Jesus’ side
Were the Sufis poets Hafiz and Rumi
Then the three started dancing, perfect step, perfect time
And got that whole table singing Matthew 5, verse 9
“Blessed are the Peacemakers for they’ll be called the children of God”
“Blessed are the Peacemakers for they’ll be called the children of God
Chorus
|
||||
11. |
All Shall Be Well
03:29
|
|||
"All Shall Be Wel"
from "Fully Alive" album.
All Shall Be Well
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio
The mystic Julian
Heard words centuries ago
That’ve stood the test of time
And that are good to know
Jesus appeared to her
In the midst of a long dark night
And spoke these words to her
And they changed her life
All shall be well, and all shall be well
And all manner of thing shall be well
Talking heads sell the news
By staying in the minor key
Scandal and tragedy
If it bleeds it leads
Yet there’s a Storyline
That’s always gonna be good news
So good it almost seems
That it can’t be true
Chorus
When life feels tangled up
And everything's one big mess
When you’re all tossed around
In the brokenness
There is a deeper Truth
Much deeper than the pain and fear
When all is said and done
One thing’ll be clear
Chorus
|
||||
12. |
No Planet, No Problem
04:07
|
|||
"No Planet, No Problem"
from "Fully Alive" album.
No Planet, No Problem
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio
I was watching Morning Joe one day on MSNBC
October 28, 2014
I caught a great interview with rocker Graham Nash
He’d written a book about his rock n’ roll past
He talked about his music with Crosby and Stills
He mentioned Neal Young and his awfully strong will
He spoke of Joni Mitchell and the romance they had
And how he loves her still
Someone asked him what his music’s going to focus on now
He said he’d just composed a song about Michael Brown
They talked about Ferguson and when they were done
They said “Of all the social issues what is your number 1?”
He said, “It’s global warming, and saving the earth
We’ve got to deal with climate change for all that we’re worth
Then Mika said, “Of course that issue’s got many sides”
But Graham just smiled and replied…
No planet, no problem
No planet, no problem
There’re other issues and it’s urgent that we solve them but
No planet, no problem
Well you can find that interview and watch it for yourself
He talked about the Kock brothers using their wealth
To purchase politicians and scientists too
Just to make some more money, “How much can they use?”
He said, “We’ve got to get the money out of our politics
I’m sure the Koch brothers also love their grandkids
Well over 90 percent of scientists now agree
Our grandkids will pay for our short-sighted greed and…
Chorus
Bridge: Then Morning Joe and Graham played guitars
And Graham sang “Teach Your Children well
Their fathers’ hell will slowly go by
Don’t you ever ask them why
If they told you you would cry
So just look at them and sigh”…
Well sometimes it’s hard to get my head around climate change
It’s easy just to push the conversation away
And I’m weary of the way the issue often gets framed
In polarizing, special interest, close-minded games
It’s time for us to find another way to sit down
And have the conversations we need to have now
To even have a chance of slowing this runaway train down
Chorus
|
||||
13. |
Your Happiness
05:04
|
|||
"Your Happiness"
from "Fully Alive" album.
Your Happiness
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio
If I tried to count the things I love about you
I don’t believe I’d ever quite complete the list
And if there comes a day when I must live without you
When I remember you, I know I’ll think of this
It’s not your kindness, though I love how kind you are
It’s not your thoughtfulness although I sure do love how far
You tend to go, to make sure your loved ones know
The special way you hold us in your heart
But of all the things I love about you baby
I think there’s one thing I have learned to love the most
It’s your almost always constant happiness
The way you fill each day with smiles and playfulness
In this world of so much sadness and brokenness and pain
Just to be around your gladness reminds me of the countless ways
I’ve been blessed, and one of the best
Is your happiness
Mother Teresa used to say as each day started
The last thing people who are down and troubled need
Is for us to walk around all heavy-hearted
The poor don’t need us to confirm their misery
A smiling face or two might be the thing God needs
To enact some kind of miracle that sets someone free
And all I know, is that wherever you go
Your joyful spirit brings a healing Light
Chorus
Bridge: And baby I know you’re human too
We all have our own shades of blue
But I’ve never seen you stay down for long…
If I tried to count the things I love about you
I don’t believe I’d ever quite complete the list
And if there comes a day when I must live without you
When I remember you, I know I’ll think of this
Chorus
|
||||
14. |
In God's Hands
03:45
|
|||
In "God's Hands"
from "Fully Alive" album.
In God’s Hands
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio
We can’t see into tomorrow
Can't guess what we’ll go through
All we know about the future
Is that God will be there too
And we can trust that we’ll be given
All we need to face what comes
And know that God will be there
For all of our loved ones (so…)
Let’s just rest now in God’s hands
‘Cause in those Hands everything’s alright
There is a peace that’s beyond all
circumstance
In God’s Hands
There’s no reason to be anxious
As long as we stay here
Rooted in this present moment
Where the one thing that is clear
Is that God is right here with us
And God will never go away
And when God’s presence is enough That’s when fears begin to fade (so…)
Chorus
Bridge: So in God’s hands let’s place all our insecurities All the fear and ambiguity
In the things that can’t be known
Peace like a river starts to flow When everything’s in God’s Hands And we let go
So just let go
We can’t see into tomorrow
Can’t predict what we might face
All our faith tells us for certain Is that God will give us strength
And that God is our provider Our source of security
And though there may be painful moments
In the end we’ll all be free
We’ll all be free (so…)
Chorus
|
||||
15. |
Fully Alive
04:04
|
|||
"Fully Alive"
from "Fully Alive" album.
Fully Alive
Words & Music by Bryan Sirchio
I want to open my heart a little wider
Let Spirit in a little deeper
Love with a Love that’s on fire
And be fully alive
There is a phrase…that comes to us
From the Church father… Irenaeus
The Glory of God…is a human
Fully alive…fully alive!
Chorus
Jesus proclaimed…good news to the poor
Hearts that are broken…will all be restored
Christ said it’s time…for Jubilee
Perfect release…everyone free!
Chorus
How does a rose…open its heart?
And give this world…its beautiful art
Encouraged by Light…warm on its being
It casts fear aside…and opens up wide…
Chorus
Note: 3rd verse was drawn heavily from the Sufi Mystic poet Hafiz’s “It Felt Love”
|
||||
16. |
||||
"The Witness of Rufus Jones"
from "Fully Alive" album.
The Witness of Rufus Jones
Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio
About a 100 years ago, a Quaker man named Rufus Jones
Authored over 50 books
I know this because I just looked him up on the internet using Google.com
Which was linked of course with Amazon
So I bought Rufus Jones’ biography
Got a hunch it’s gonna speak to me
But right now, the only words I know that were written once by Rufus Jones
Were found last year by a friend of mine
On the wall of a Quaker school in Palestine
My friend sent them out in a Christmas card
And when I read the words, well, they hit me hard
They rang true in the same way that babe in the manger does
Rufus Jones wrote…
I pin all my hopes on quiet processes
And small circles in which
Vital and truly transforming events take place (repeat)
But…In this violent world of ours --clashing principalities and powers
Market fear like they market soap
Loud and clear we’re told our hope
Lies only in the hands of those who will kill in order to impose
What we claim we need to be secure
These are dangerous times for sure
And yet a circle seems to gently say, there is only us—there’s no we and they
And those words sent out by that friend of mine
Are still hanging on that school wall in Palestine
Between bulldozed homes and suicide bombs
The witness of Rufus Jones lives on
And rings true in the same way that Christ on the cross still does
Chorus
|
Streaming and Download help
If you like Bryan Sirchio, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp