Lyrics...
E v e r y t h i n g
L i f e W i t h o u t Y o u
R e d C a r p e t
G r e e n
I N e e d J e s u s
T r u t h
S h e l t e r
D o w n I n T h e D i r t
A n y M a n
S t i l l


ANY MAN this song was the last song chosen to be on the cd. a friend of mine, connie harrington, who also co-wrote “walk on water” for the “heart of the young “ cd in 1992 wrote this tune. we heard a demo of the song, and immediately wanted to record it. we charted it, and recorded it in a few hours after hearing it for the first time. the chorus says everything for the hope of mankind everywhere.
GIVE ME WEALTH AND I WILL BUILD
GIVE ME POWER, TILL OTHERS KNEEL
GIVE ME MORE, AND I WILL STILL BE HAPPY


GIVE ME BREAD AND I WILL EAT
GIVE ME REFUGE, I WILL SLEEP
GIVE ME JUST ENOUGH AND I’LL BE HAPPY


ANY MAN CAN CALL OUT TO HEAVEN
ANY MAN CAN TAKE HIS CUP AND DRINK
ANY MAN CAN LIVE LIFE FOREVER
ANY MAN CAN BE FREE

GIVE ME HOPE AND I WILL SING
GIVE ME TRUTH AND I’L BELIEVE
GIVE ME WORDS AND I WILL SPEAK OF THE BLESSING


NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE
OR WHAT YOURE LOOKING FOR
HIS LOVE HAS THE POWER
TO GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED AND MORE




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DOWN IN THE DIRT words and music by roscoe meek, jimi ray, and brian white
roscoe had this musical idea and also the initial title. there is a story of an olympic skater whose mother died while at home. the skater was so grieved that when paramedics arrived at the home, they found her outside face down in the dirt crying over her loss. she said that she felt like jesus was in the dirt with her. brian and I wrote the lyrics and re-created them to share that no matter how dirty and worthless you feel, jesus meets us where we are. even in our ugliest state, he will step out of heaven and its beauty and simply crawl down in the dirt with us--no matter the cost or how ugly or dirty it may be.
IVE GOT DIRT BENEATH MY NAILS
YEARS OF DIGGING MY OWN GRAVE
DOWN HERE ON MY KNEES
ITS A LIFE I CANT SAVE

YOUVE GOT MERCY MORE THAN I’LL EVER NEED
COVERS ALL MY SIN AND SHAME
I COULD LAY IN THE DUST ALL DAY
OR GET UP AND CALL YOUR NAME

YOU GET DOWN IN THE DIRT WITH ME
WHERE MY GUILT MAKES IT HARD TO BREATHE
YOURE NOT AFRAID OF MY HONESTY
YOU GET DOWN IN THE DIRT WITH ME

IVE LIVED A LIFE OF COMPROMISE
CANT BELIEVE HOW I GOT HERE
SO MUCH PAIN DOWN DEEP INSIDE
ITS A CROSS I CANT BEAR

I HEAR YOU MADE MAN OUT OF DUST
BUT I WONDER WHAT YOU MAKE OF ME
YOU SAY YOU LOVE ME THE WAY I AM
BUT ITS SO HARD TO BELIEVE

I  STAND AND LOOK AT WHO I AM
AND I DONT LIKE THE MAN I SEE
TOOK SO LONG TO GET THIS FAR
I WANT YOU TO MAKE ME CLEAN





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EVERYTHING words by Jimi Ray music by Jimi Ray, Steve Blair and David Buchanan
This song was written early in the writing stages for this cd. I have always tried to follow Jesus in all I do. There is no way I could ever be like him--i can only strive for perfection. I ve tried many things for peace, but only one thing brings the ultimate joy and comfort!! A group effort on the music--maybe the start of something!
HERE I GO AGAIN IM LEANING
ON A CRUTCH THAT SEEMS TO BE FALLING
EVERYBODYS STARING AND LAUGHING
LIKE THEY’RE JUST SO PERFECT OR SOMETHING


IVE GOT DIRT DOWN IN MY EYES
LIKE A WHOLE CANYON INSIDE


EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU IS EVERYTHING I NEED
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU IS EVERYTHING I WANT
EVERTHING ABOUT ME
WITHOUT YOU WILL JUST FADE AWAY
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU IS EVERYTHING I WANT  TO BECOME


THIS IS JSUT A SCRATCH IM SEEING
BUT I JUST CANT STOP THE BLEEDING
POURING FROM WHAT I AM HATING
FROM THE CRIMES THAT IVE BEEN HIDING


THIS IS JUST A LITTLE SEED
I THOUGHT IT WAS ALL I NEED



BRIDGE
          
IM FRAIL IM WEAK
DAILY I CANT DEPEND ON ME





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GREEN words and music by jimi ray
when I first started doing music everybody told me that if I didnt move to nashville that I couldnt be successful in this industry. I understand what they were saying. ive never moved. after 10 years of full time music and ministry and 5 cds later, I think im successful. it all depends on what a person deems as success! god never gives you more unless we are faithful in the small things-being obedient where we are. im a big dreamer and im guilty of wondering “what if”! however, the other side may look greener, but it only means that you have to fertilize your yard more to keep it that way--and I hate yard work!! musically, this is an ode to our roots--a little southern, allman brothers thang!! roscoe came up with some killer riffs to complement daves slide!!
TAKE A LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW AND TELL ME ITS ALLRIGHT
MAN PUT YOUR GLASSES ON , OPEN UP YOUR EYES
I CANT RECALL, SOMETHING BETTER HAS COME AND GONE
TOMORROW MAY BE, BUT FOR NOW THERES ENOUGH GOIN ON
I DONT BELIEVE IT, WHAT EVERYODY SAYS
I KNOW EVERYTHING HAS A PRICE ON ITS HEAD


GREEN, IT AINT ALWAYS WHAT IT SEEMS
GREEN -BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS
GREEN-LIVE LIFE FOR TODAY
GREEN-OVER THE HIILLS --ITS GREEN


MAKE ME AN OFFER, I CANT REFUSE
SHOW ME A BETTER LIFE, GIVE ME SOMETHING I CANT LOSE
IVE GOT ROOTS, AND IM NOT LETTING GO
AROUND THE CORNER YOU SAY IS MY POT OF GOLD

TAKE A LOOK AT TOMORROW, TELL ME ITS ALRIGHT
GOD HOLDS THE FUTURE, CLOSE YOUR EYES
FIND CONTENTMENT, REST FOR YOUR MIND
TOMORROW WILL BE REVEALED, IN HIS PERFECT TIME





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I NEED JESUS words by jimi ray music by jimi ray and roscoe meek
I wrote this song at 4:00am in the downstairs bathroom in my house. The ambience in that room is great-and its fun to play guitar and sing in there!! I know me better than anyone--my failures and desires--both good and bad. This song is a reflection of my deepest need. It took me about 30 minutes to write!!
IM TAKING STOCK OF WHO I AM
THIS MIRROR ON THE WALL DONT LIE
MY HEART IS UNDER A MICROSCOPE
EVERYTIME I SEE MY EYES

BREATHING IN THIS MERCY
THIS CANT BE ME
REACHING TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT
AND FALLING TO MY KNEES

CHORUS

ALL THAT I KNOW
IS THAT I NEED JESUS
WHO UNDERSTANDS MY PERFECT WEAKNESS 
AND FORGIVES
FATHER REDEEM THIS SINNERS LIFE FOREVER
I NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER
I KNOW
I NEED


IM TAKEN BACK BY ALL I KNOW
ARE THESE DESIRES REALLY MINE
IF THIS SKIN COULD TESIFY
ID BE ASHAMED BY WHATS INSIDE

RESTING IN ALL I COULD BE
I CLOSE MY EYES
KNOWING THAT YOU STILL WANT ME
I FEEL ALIVE




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LIFE WITHOUT YOU words and music by jimi ray
as crazy as life is somedays-i cant imagine life being lived without the loving embrace of God! God is the same yesterday,today, and forever. this song was one of the first written for the cd. at first not a favorite of the other guys--but I think the final production won them over!! also our little tribute to peter frampton via the talk box!! dave has fun on this one!!!
EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT SOMEDAYS ARE BETTER STAYED IN BED
EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE ALARM DOESNT ALWAYS RING
EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT SOMEDAYS YOU WAKE UP
WISHING YOU WERE SOMEONE ELSE

BUT I KNOW THAT I LOVE THE CHANGE
YOU BROUGHT INTO MY LIFE

CHORUS


LIFE WITHOUT YOU WOULD BE CRAZIER THAN IT IS
LIFE WITHOUT YOU WOULD BE CHAINS INDEED
RAIN WITHOUT WATER
AND SUN WITHOUT HEAT
LIFE WITHOUT YOU WOULD BE SO INCOMPLETE
LIFE WITHOUT YOU WOULD BE SO INCOMPLETE



EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT ITS LIKE TO RUN OUT OF GAS
EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT ITS LIKE TO LOSE THE KEYS
EVERYBODY  BREATHES A SIGH OF RELIEF WHEN THE STING IS GONE
FORGETTING WHAT THE PAIN WAS LIKE


BUT I KNOW THERES A CONSTANT NEED
TO NEED SOMEONE SO BAD




BRIDGE


I KNOW THAT LIFE CAN SLAP MY FACE
I KNOW ITS SOMETIMES FAIR AT BEST
BUT YOU SAID IF I WAS WORN OUT
THAT YOU WOULD GIVE ME REST






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RED CARPET words by jimi ray and brian white music by jimi ray
this song is probably my favorite on the cd. a song about the prodigal--not necessarily the one in the book, but rather ourselves. through all the disobedience, the running away, trying to hide, our loving father still welcomes us home with open arms and the feast to match. forgiveness is always, mercy never ending.
LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN
RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL
TO THE WORLD HEAD ON TILL THERES A CRASH
I KNOW HE NEEDS TO FIND HIS OWN WAY


PUSH THE ENVELOPE AS FAR AS IT CAN GO
NOW THE MONEYS GONE SO FAR FROM HOME
I GUESS HE HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY


SOMETIMES PAIN BRINGS RELIEF
SOMETIMES THE BOTTOM
IS THE ONLY PLACE TO FIND SOME PEACE


CHORUS


ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET
HES THERE IN THE DISTANCE
RUNNING TO HIS FATHERS ARMS

BRING OUT THE BEST LINEN
PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE
MY SON WHO WAS LOST
IS COMING HOME

ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET


JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD IT KICKED
IM FACE TO FACE WITH THIS OLD SIN
LOOKS GOOD FROM WHERE IM STANDIN

AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE
PACK MY BAGS 
BACK ON THE RUN
IS THERE A CAVE WHERE I CAN HIDE

AND NOW THE CRAVINGS’ COME AND GONE
WHAT I NEEDED HAS LEFT ME SO ALL ALONE


BRIDGE





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SHELTER written by maria mckee
this tune was one from the 80’s! originally recorded lone justice in 1986, its a great pop song. we sing it because we know who the ultimate shelter is!!
WELL ALRIGHT
YOU GAVE IT ALL UP FOR THE DREAM
FATE PROVED UNKIND
TO LOCK THE DOOR AND LEAVE THE KEY
YOURE UNSURE
WELL MAYBE IM SCARED TOO
WHEN THE WORLD
CRUSHES YOU


LET ME BE YOUR
SHELTER, SHELTER
FROM THE COLD OUTSIDE
LET ME BE YOUR
SHELTER, SHELTER
FROM THE ENDLESS NIGHT


DISSILLUSION
HAS AN EDGE SO SHARP
IT TEARS AT YOUR SOUL
AND LEAVES A STAIN ON YOUR HEART
I NEED YOU
TO WASH MINE CLEAN
YOUVE FELT IT TO
I NEED YOU




YOURE STRUGGLE WITH DARKNESS
HAS LEFT YOU BLIND
BUT I’LL LIGHT THE FIRE IN YOUR EYES





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STILL words and music by jimi ray IN THE DISTANCE I CAN SEE A STORM IS RAGING THERE ON MY SKIN I CAN FEEL THE RAIN IS FINALLY HERE AND I HAVE SEEN THE STRONGEST STORMS IVE DROWNED IN MY FEAR BUT I KNOW A STILL SMALL VOICE THAT REMINDS ME CHORUS I NEED TO BE STILL AND KNOW YOU ARE GOD I NEED TO BE STILL AND KNOW YOU’RE IN CONTROL FOR YOU ARE GOD AND I AM NOT I NEED TO BE STILL AND KNOW YOU’RE IN CONTROL THERE IS REFUGE IN YOUR ARMS AND HEALING IN YOUR HANDS AND THESE MOUNTAINS I MUST CLIMB ARE TO YOU LIKE GRAINS OF SAND AND MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT LIKE YOURS MY WAYS ARE NOT YOUR WAYS BUT I GLORY IN THE TRUTH THAT I NEED YOU BRIDGE AND IF I CAST MY CARES ON YOU NO MATTER WHAT I DO THERE IS PEACE CAUSE I KNOW I HAVE YOU

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TRUTH words and music by jimi ray and brian white
this is the title song of the cd. written by myself and good friend brian white. I desire to live the truth, In everything I do and say. the truth will set a man free from anything. my desire is to be spiritually and morally pure- so that others will see that truth in my life. this was fun to record but even more fun to do live!
I DONT WANNA KNOW WHATS GOIN ON
I DONT WANNA HEAR ABOUT IT ANYMORE
I DONT WANNA SEE WITH CLOUDED EYES
I DONT WANNA THINK WITH A DIRTY MIND


OVERFLOW MY HEART, NY MOUTH SPEAKS
I DONT WANT MY WORDS TO GET IN THE WAY
LOOK INSIDE MY SOUL, TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE
IS IT BLACK AND WHITE OR DOES IT FADE TO  GRAY?


LET MY LIFE SPEAK OF PURITY
LET MY HEART BEAT FOR ONLY YOU
LET MY MIND SEEK THE WAYS OF GOD
TILL ALL THAT CAN BE SEEN IS TRUTH


I CAN NO SHARE WHAT I DONT HAVE
I CAN NOT HOLD WHAT IS NOT MINE
I CAN NOT LOVE IF I DONT LOVE
I CAN NOT SEEK WHAT I CANT FIND


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