Porch Concert: Thursday, June 12, 2025
We're so glad YOU are here! Feel free to sing along!
Song Lyrics
Each of the following titles links to the song--or just scroll away.
The devil Thinks he’s in the Details
Psalm 101:1 "I will sing of your love and justice; to YOU, LORD, I will sing praise!
…and special thanks to The HAMHOUSE:
porch providers, lemon-squeezers and amazing bakers of cookies!
Sentimental Journey
Gonna take a sentimental journey
Gonna set my heart at ease
Gonna make a sentimental journey
To renew old memories
Got my bag, I got my reservation
Spent each dime I could afford
Like a child in wild anticipation
Long to hear that “all aboard”
Seven, that’s the time we leave
At seven
I’ll be waiting up for heaven
Countin’ every mile
Of railroad track that takes me back
Never knew my heart could be so yearny
Why did I decide to roam
Gonna take a sentimental journey
Sentimental journey home
Music by Les Brown and Ben Homer
Lyrics by Bud Green(1944)
Wade in the Water
Wade in the water, wade in the water children
Wade in the water, God’s gonna trouble the water
Who’s that yonder dressed in red
Wade in the water children
Must be the children that Moses led
God’s gonna trouble the water
Wade in the water, wade in the water children
Wade in the water, God’s gonna trouble the water
Who’s that yonder dressed in white
Wade in the water children
Must be the children of the Israelite
God’s gonna trouble the water
Wade in the water, wade in the water children
Wade in the water, God’s gonna trouble the water
Who’s that yonder dressed in blue
Wade in the water children
Must be the children that’s coming through
God’s gonna trouble the water
Wade in the water, wade in the water children
Wade in the water, God’s gonna trouble the water
You don’t believe I’ve been redeemed, Wade in the water
Must be the Holy Ghost looking for me God’s gonna trouble the water
Traditional (first published in 1901)
Shower the People
You can play the game and you can act out the part
Though you know it wasn’t written for you
But tell me how can you stand there with your broken heart,
Ashamed of playing the fool
One thing can lead to another, It doesn’t take any sacrifice,
Father and mother, sister and brother If it feels nice, don’t think twice…
Just shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna work out fine if you only will
Just shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna be much better
If you only will
You can run but you cannot hide This is widely known
What you gonna do with your foolish pride
When you’re all by yourself alone
Once you tell somebody the way that you feel
You can feel it beginning to ease
I think its true what they say about the squeaky wheel…
Always gettin’ the grease
Better to shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna work out fine if you only will
Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel Things are gonna
be just fine If you only will
By James Taylor (1976)
River Medley
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way
O sisters let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
O sisters let’s go down
Down in the river to pray
‘cuz I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul (etc)
O brothers let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
O brothers let’s go down
Down in the river to pray
‘cuz—I’ve got a river of life flowin’ out of me
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see
Opens prison doors sets the captives free
I’ve got a river of life flowin’ out of me
O fathers let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
O fathers let’s go down
Down in the river to pray
Gonna lay down my burdens
Down by the riverside, (etc.)
Gonna study war no more
O mothers let’s go down
Let’s go down, don’t you want to go down
Come on mothers let’s go down
Down in the river to pray.
If you go down to the river
Betcha’ gonna find some people who live
You don’t have to worry, if you’ve got no money
People on the river are happy to give
Big wheels keep on turnin ’Proud Mary keep on burnin’
‘Cuz we’re rollin, rollin, rollin on the river.
O sinners let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
O sinners let’s go down – down in the river to pray
Traditional. (And then some)
Love is the Answer
Name your price, a ticket to paradise
I can’t stay here anymore
And I’ve looked high and low
I’ve been from shore to shore to shore
If there’s a short cut I’d have found it
But there is no easy way around it
Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer
Shine on us all, set us free
Love is the answer.
Who knows why, someday we all must die
We’re all homeless boys and girls
And we are never heard
It’s such a lonely, lonely world
People turn their heads and walk on by
Tell me, is it worth just another try?
Bridge:
Tell me, are we alive—or just a dying planet?
What are the chances?
As the man in your heart for the answers
And when you feel afraid, love one another
And when you’ve lost your way, love one another
When you’re all alone, love one another
When you’re far from home, love one another
When you’re down and out, love one another
When all your hopes run out, love one another
When you need a friend, love one another
When you’re near the end, love—we’ve got to love
We’ve got to love one another
Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer
Shine on us all, set us free
Love is the answer.
England Dan, John Ford Coley (1979)
The Wild Rover
I’ve been a wild rover for many a year
And I’ve spent all my money on whiskey and beer
But now I’m returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more
And it’s NO NAY NEVER
No nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
Then into an alehouse I used to frequent
And I told the landlady my money was spent
I asked her for credit she answered me, “Nay,
such a custom as yours I can have any day,”
And it’s NO NAY NEVER…
Then out of my pocket I took sovereigns bright
And the landlady’s eyes opened wide with delight
She said, “I have whiskeys and wines of the best,
And the words that I said sure were only in jest”
And it’s NO NAY NEVER…
I’ll go home to my parents
Confess what I’ve done
And ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And if they caress me as oft’ times before
Then I never will play the wild rover no more
And it’s NO NAY NEVER…
The Dubliners (1964)
Fields of Gold
You’ll remember me, when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You’ll forget the sun in his jealous sky
When we walk in fields of gold
So she took her love, for to gaze awhile
Upon the fields of barley
In her arms she fell, as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold
Will you stay with me, will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
We’ll forget the sun, in his jealous sky
As we lie in fields of gold
I never made promises lightly,
And there have been some that I’ve broken
But I swear in the days still left
We’ll walk in fields of gold
Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
You’ll remember me, when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
Sting (1993)
Heavenly Hill
‘Tis told of old a young preacher bold
Brought his family west to this county
He’s know for a drink, but whatever you think
First you must hear his story
For remember dear Patrick cleared sweet Ireland green
Of all deadly snakes, ferocious and mean
But by chance one serpent, fearsome and bold
Set sail ‘round a pail in a Viking ship hold
He was headed to heavenly, heavenly, heavenly hill
He didn’t know it and may not still
Heavenly hillery, lovely distillery,
Angels’ share blows through the air at heavenly, heavenly hill
The snake found this new world much to his liking
And never forgot the sweet taste of Viking
His kind spread across our fair land far and wide
Fierce-headed of copper and easy of glide
Down through the Cumberland one came a snakin’
Into Kentucky and ready for strikin’
Drawn to the smell of the angels’ share
Where ‘er it wafted through the air
He was headed to heavenly, heavenly hill…
Now preacher Elijah set off through the wood
Followed he knew not by one of the brood
Of the red-headed viper drawn by the sweet smell
Of spirits, sweet spirits aging so well
One day to his camp came a sweet little pup
His mam gone dry ‘Lijah gave him to sup
Some spirit sweet spirit aging so well
While the snake head of copper, viewed from the dell
He was headed to heavenly, heavenly hill…
That night in the campsite the viper drew near
To sweet young Elijah, asleep without fear
T’would have been his last dream but for one little pup
Awake to the snake and howling it up
Young ‘Lijah trapped that snake in a pail
And drowned it in bourbon from head to tail
The viper died happy, so happy no doubt
And ‘Lijah made sure to throw that small batch out
He was headed to heavenly, heavenly hill…
So thanks to St. Patty for sending out snakes
And thanks to a puppy for staying awake
And thanks to Elijah for making a drink
And if you believe me well…
Then we’re headed to heavenly, heavenly, heavenly hill
We may not know it and may not still
Heavenly hillery, lovely distillery,
Angels’ share blows through the air at heavenly, heavenly hill
Jana Gillham (2024)
O Danny Boy
O Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer’s gone, and all the roses falling
It’s you, it’s you must go and I must bide
But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow
And when the valley’s hushed and white with snow
‘Tis I’ll be there in sunshine or in shadow
O Danny boy, O Danny boy I love you so
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying
If I’m as dead, as dead I well may be,
Ye’ll come and find the place were I am lying
And kneel and say and Ave there for me
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me
And all my grave, shall warmer, sweeter be
For you will bend, and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me
Frederic Weatherly (1910)
All my Tears be Washed Away
When I die, don’t cry for me
In my Father’s arms I’ll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed and I’ll be whole
Sun and moon will be replaced
With the light of Jesus face
And I will not be ashamed
For my Savior knows my name
And it don’t matter, where you bury me
I’ll be home and I’ll be free
It don’t matter, where I lay
All my tears be washed away
Gold and silver blind the eye
Temporary riches’ light
Come and eat from Heaven’s store
Come and drink and thirst no more
So weep not for me my friend
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to Him
Who can raise the dead again
And it don’t matter, where you bury me
I’ll be home and I’ll be free
It don’t matter, where I lay
All my tears be washed away
Julie Miller (1993)
Pray for America
When sorrows are befallen
And shadows darken her door
When the fever spread and a silent scourge
Outshines her golden shores
When a cry for comfort reaches forth
Like you’ve never heard before
Pray for America
Our promised land
America, to thee
May God’s hand, outreach
Lord have mercy on America
When the tears just keep a fallin’
And the glory light’s gone dim
And the barren ground is full of holes
We hasten to fill in
When the firmest faith is shaken fast
By a fear that’s creepin’ in
Pray for America
Our promised land
America, to thee
May God’s hand, outreach
Lord have mercy on America
Where the peaceful hour is broken
By the pounding tumult quake
And all is torn asunder
What we thought could never break
When all your saints come marchin’
Through hell for heaven’s sake
Pray for America
Our promised land
America, to thee
May God’s hand, outreach
Lord have mercy on America
Old Crow Medicine Show (2020)
A Waltz with the Lord
Looking out on the light of a cold winter dawn
Thanking God for another new day
There in the quiet and warmth of the sun
I suddenly began to sway
A hand took my hand; an arm touched my waist
Together we moved ‘cross the room
I placed my feet on his toes like a father and child
And he gently guided our moves
One, two, three, one, two, three
The beat matched my breath
The world synchronized to the tune
One, two, three, one, two, three
We floated through time
In a dream about to come true
One day we’ll be dancing with angels
Singing praise at the foot of the throne
But for now, in the light of the cold winter dawn
I’ll be dancing with my Lord alone
Dancing to the music I heard in my heart
I was loved, I was blessed I was safe
Sweet peace and strength, secure in his arms
My fears quickly fading to faith
One, two, three, one, two, three
The beat matched my breath
The world synchronized to the tune
One, two, three, one, two, three
We floated through time
In a dream about to come true
One day we’ll be dancing with angels
Singing praise at the foot of the throne
But for now, in the light of the cold winter dawn
I’ll be dancing with my Lord alone
Pat Ham (2022)
Roses
Ever wonder what was on the mind of the maker
When he turned all of our sorrows into fields of grace
Right here in the middle of earth and heaven
Caught between the romance and the pain
He must have known about the heartbreak long before us
He must have known about the mistakes, still he chose us
Planted the tree where he would die
Put thorns down the vine, and then he wore them
And love is the blood red stain
The beauty that the pain exposes
Maybe that’s why God made roses
God is in the whisper when you listen closely
Winter means that Spring is just a breath away
So don’t go any faster than this very moment
Sing a hallelujah in the pouring rain
Can’t you see that…
He must have known about the heartbreak long before us
He must have known about the mistakes, still he chose us
Planted the tree where he would die
Put thorns down the vine, and then he wore them
And love is the blood red stain
The beauty that the pain exposes
Maybe that’s why God made roses
And just like petals falling to the ground
We fall into the one whose resurrection’s here and now
All things made new (repeat)
He must have known about the heartbreak long before us
He must have known about the mistakes, still he chose us
Planted the tree where he would die
Put thorns down the vine, and then he wore them
And love is the blood red stain
The beauty that the pain exposes
Maybe that’s why God made roses
Andrew Ripp (2021)
The devil thinks he’s in the details
Walkin’ on the beach the sand between my toes
Watchin’ as the ocean waves come and go
Ain’t read the paper, or seen the news
That’s why I’m singin’ praise instead of the blues
Don’t want to hear about the murders and wars
Don’t want to hear about corruption to the core
I know the world is preachin’ hatred and fear
But I won’t run and and hide To me it’s clear that…
The devil thinks he’s in the details, But God’s still in control(repeat)
Greetin’ strangers as I’m walkin’ down the street
They’re just some new friends I’ve yet to meet
We’re more alike than different to me
Let’s get to know each other then wait and see
Instead of fearing the man on the street
Invite him over for something to eat
Instead of being afraid to reach out
Just take a leap of faith and sing it loud that…
The devil thinks he’s in the details, but God’s still in control (repeat)
Flowers blooming for the birds and the bees
Squirrels playing in the spring leaves
Sunset colors across the clouds
Its in the everyday that wonders abound.
No more listening to the darkness of fear
No more listening to the devil in your ear
We’ve got a job to do as children of light
So roll up your sleeves and let’s do it right
The devil thinks he's in the details, but God’s still in control…
By Pat Ham and Jana Gillham (2011)
By and By
Trials dark on every hand
And we cannot understand
All the ways that God would lead us
To His blessed promised land
But He’ll guide us with His eye
And we’ll follow ‘til we die
And we’ll understand it better by and by
Chorus:
By and by, when the morning comes
When all the saints of God are gathered home
We will tell the story
How we’ve overcome
And we’ll understand it better by and by
Oft’ our cherished plans have failed
Disappointments have prevailed
And we’ve wondered in the darkness
Heavy-hearted and alone
But we’re trusting in the Lord
And according to His word,
We will understand it better by and by
Chorus
Temptations hidden snares
Often take us unawares
And our hearts are made to bleed
By some thoughtless word or deed
And we wonder why the test
When we try to do our best
But we’ll understand it better by and by
Chorus
Charles Albert Tindley (1905)
Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Swing low, sweet chariot— comin’ for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot—comin’ for to carry me home.
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see, Comin’ for to carry me home?
A band of angels, comin’ after me, Comin’for to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot— comin’ for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot— comin’ for to carry me home.
By Wallis Willis (circa 1862)
Some glad morning, when this life is over, I’ll fly away!
To a land on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away!
I’ll fly away, oh Glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah by and by… I’ll fly away!
Just a few more weary days and then, I’ll fly away!
To a land where joy shall never end, I’ll fly away!
I’ll fly away, oh Glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah by and by… I’ll fly away!
By Albert E. Brumley (1929)
In the Sweet By and By
In the Sweet by and by…
We will meet on that beautiful shore
In the sweet, by and by…
We will meet on that beautiful shore
By Joseph Philbrick Webster (1868)
Oh come Angel band!
Oh come angel band
Come and around me stand
Bear me away in your golden wings
To my immortal home—
Oh bear me away on your golden wings
To my immortal home!
By Jefferson Hascall
and William Batchelder Bradbury (1860)
Little Bit of Heaven
There’s a little bit of heaven, in every gospel song,
And it sounds like a choir of angels when everybody’s singing along
There’s so much love in every line, the harmony is so divine,
There’s a little bit of heaven in every good old gospel song.
It’s the sweetest memory I have as a child,
Bring a chair and a buddy everybody goin’ down to the singing every Saturday night
And we’ll sing, “I’ll Fly Away” “What a Day That’s Gonna Be”
What a beautiful thing when we sing, “It Feels Like Home to Me.”
There’s a little bit of heaven, in every gospel song,
And it sounds like a choir of angels when everybody’s singing along
There’s so much love in every line, the harmony is so divine,
There’s a little bit of heaven in every good old gospel song.
You don’t have to have perfect pitch,there’s no need to be shy,
Anybody can do it, all you gotta do is pick a part, open up, and let ‘er fly
And just think about Jesus’ love when burdens are weighing you down
Cause when you sing a sweet melody, it’s gonna lift you right off the ground
There’s a little bit of heaven …
By Sonya Isaacs (circa 2009)
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
I am weak by Thou art strong
Jesus, keep me from all wrong
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk, close to Thee
Chorus:
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be dear Lord, let it be
Through this world of toil and snare?
If I falter, Lord who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee
Chorus
When my feeble life is o’er
Time for me will be no more
Guide me gently safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore
Chorus
Traditional (pre- Civil War)
Poor Wayfaring Stranger
I am a poor, wayfaring stranger
A-travellin’ through this land of woe
And there’s no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright world to which I go
I’m going home to see my father
I’m going there no more to roam
I’m just a-going over Jordan
I’m just a-going over home
I know dark clouds will gather ‘round me
I know my way is steep and rough
But beauteous fields lie just beyond me
Where souls redeemed their vigil keep
I’m going there to meet my mother
She said she’d meet me when I come
I’m just a-going over Jordan
I’m just a-going over home
I want to wear a crown of glory
When I get home to that bright land
I want to shout salvation’s story
In concert with that bloodwashed band
I’m going home to meet my Savior
To sing His praise forevermore
I’m only going over Jordan
I’m only going over Home
Traditional (circa early 1800’s)
If You’ve Got a Light
There’s gotta be something more than darkness
‘Cause sometimes darkness is all I see
There’s gotta be more than hatred
And its getting the best of me
There’s gotta be something more than struggle
There’s gotta be something past the pain
There’s gotta be some hope out there for tomorrow
There’s gotta be a light to show the way…
If you’ve got a light, If you’ve got a light If you’ve got a light—
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Don’t take your light and hide it
Close the doors and shut the blinds
Don’t snuff out the light you’re given,
Light’s no good if it don’t shine…
If you’ve got a light, If you’ve got a light If you’ve got a light—
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
I’ve seen a light so wondrous
Born in the depths of agony
Struck in the silence of a graveyard
Burning bright for all to see…
If you’ve got a light…
I know I know I know I know I know I know it’s dark
I know I know I know I know I know it’s hard
If you’ve got a light…
By Aaron Austin (2005)
Oh Happy Day
Oh happy day, happy day
When Jesus washed
He washed my sins away
Oh happy day, happy day
When Jesus washed
He washed my sins away
He taught me how
To watch and pray
And live rejoicing everyday
Oh happy day, happy day
When Jesus washed
He washed my sins away
Philip Doddridge(1755)
Gospel version: Edwin Hawkins (1967)
Thanks for singing with us! May God bless you in amazing ways!
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