I am the husband of one and the father of nine. I was created to sing, to worship, to encourage, and to be steady. I am the Owner & Executive Director of Trinity Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary Arts Center in Eastern Tennessee, and the President of Trinity Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on funding arts education and performance. I've been involved with four music projects in my life -- Hot Pink Turtle, Spin Radio, Stand Like Stone, and of course, Jamin Rathbun.
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Wow... I had a ton of traffic on the site Friday (and over the weekend) and it looked like The Way was the most popular song for download (just edged out Pray). Thanks for the kind feedback from everybody -- I appreciate it. = )
A few of you know that my musical journey actually began back in 1993 with a Christian Rock/Metal band called Hot Pink Turtle (yeah, we thought it was funny too). HPT was signed to REX Records and released one album, in 1993, called Ticklewigglejigglepickle. We didn't make too much of a splash but -- we had a lot of fun and were proud label-mates to some great bands like Believer, Living Sacrifice, and even alterna-pop hit-makers Sixpence None The Richer.
HPT was:
Jay Cleem - Drums, Dave Mora - Guitar, Dion Tyler - Bass, and Jamin Rathbun - Vocals.
Anyway... I thought since I was on the mp3 posting warpath, that I'd get this stuff online in case anybody would be interested. Again, this is metal so if Chris Rice and Steven Curtis Chapman are among your favorites (I like both by the way), A Lil' Groove is probably the only song worth your download time. Pickin' Berries is probably my favorite.
WARNING: Dorky song titles and lyrics ahead. Proceed at your own risk.
UPDATE on Friday, November 28th, 2008... I've updated this list of mp3's with seven new songs that were going to be part of our second album, Horsechild. They're at the bottom. I hope you enjoy.
UPDATE on Tuesday, December 16th, 2008... I've updated this page with mp3s from our first two demo tapes, recorded in 1991 and 1992. Enjoy!
Notes: Named after the "ugly" chord that begins the song. The song was supposed to be about breaking free from the influence of your sin nature and a sinful world although, 15 years later -- I'm not sure that comes across. = ) You'll have to forgive the lyrical content on some of these songs. You'll have to trust me that my heart was in the right place, I just thought rhyming was more important than making sense. = )
Lyrics: When I was younger I would find myself in pain. Now that I'm older many things in life have changed. Mind over matter I am told. Programmed to be all I was by all the world that is around me. When I was younger I would find myself in rage. Now that I'm older many things don't feel the same. Mind over matter I am told. Destined to be great in mediocrity, to heal myself. Heal my soul. Lord, heal my soul. To heal my soul I've found that my mind has slipped away. In innocence and blindness this pain and rage jus slips away.
Notes: This song was about struggling to allow reason and justice and goodness to be heard above the insanity of the abortion advocates. This song was always fun to play live (except for the rap part). The lyrics are a little iffy again although, my thinking at the time was that they were clever. = )
Lyrics: Little Ed says watch your head 'cause they have too many lungs and altogether they outscream him. They outscream him most the time. I've spent so muuch time evaluating and then the noise just toasts every word, and thought, and deed. Just plain old toasts it. So listen up. Listen up. If Jesus doesn't exist, why do we feel the way we feel? Wop bop you drop down to the floor because you do not understand what the book is for. The old man looked at you and said, he said I do not really care what it is you did. Because I died once so you could live more and why you cannot comprehend I do not even know. Why does this message just keep bouncing off your mind-waves like it isn't for this time. Hey this is me and I'll keep screaming over and above the noise until you hear something worth hearing, not from me but from another one. Above us who is watching over us. Above the noise that is surrounding us. I will keep screaming I'll forever fight the noise. So birds and fish have rights? And tears fall from their eyes when I don't treat them right? It makes me feel like... When babies do not have the chance to live or sing or run or dance, to fail succeed or anything? That's wrong and it makes me feel like... Well I don't see why people are so blind that they'd treat fish over a child. I don't understand that and it makes me feel like...
Notes: Not that I don't like this song but -- I never understood why it was as popular as it was. The name, by the way, is a reverse acrostic for "I Can See Inside Your Mind" (oooo how clever). I warned you some of this stuff was pretty dorky. = )
Lyrics: Oh I feel like I'm a child. My mind is running wild. He looks on silently. Sitting here waiting for my ride. Just trying to pass the time. Her eyes fall onto me. Now both their eyes look into me. They act like they can see the thoughts inside my head. And though I know I'm not a child, my mind is running wild. I need a place to hide. Then a voice said open up to me, I can see inside your mind. A voice said lay it out for me, how is it you spend your time? My thoughts unfold before this jury. I would erase these things I've done. And though my soul is now so calloused. I feel the weight of what I've done. Well we can see inside your mind and we can see it all so clear. And we are looking deep inside and you are not how you appear. If you don't listen to these thoughts that we are putting in your head, then you will wind up dead. These people sitting here before me. Their gazes fixed upon my face. I am so frightened of their verdict. Inside my mind I cannot fake. Im my minds eye, I can 't find a place to hide. In my minds eye. But in God's eyes, I have no reason to hide. In God's eyes, I am beautiful inside.
Notes: This is the only HPT song that broke the Top 20 CCM Charts. It is quite a departure from the rest of the stuff but -- it kind of fit into who we were. At our live performances, we would cover songs like "My Girl" and "Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog" and even "Every Time I Cry" from The Outfield so -- although we were definitely metal, it came across with a sense of humor that balanced out the aggresive music. = )
Lyrics: I never am quite up to par in my mind of what I should be and how and what kind. It shouldn't be simple but maybe it is more simple than I make it out to be? I wonder just what He does want from me? I think I'll always thing He would want more. It seems I should be so perfect and so much. It seems I should feel the presence of His touch. What am I doing right? Yeah yeah. To act justly, love mercy and walk without pride with your God, Micah said, it seems so cut and dry. What am I doing right? I am so empathetic but I'll never live up to the price. That's what grace is for. Thank God.
Notes: This is one of my favorite songs on the TWJP album, especially live. There was just something about the verse that felt good. = ) This song was intended to be Part 1 of a musical trilogy. A Boat & His Boy (Part 2) was written for our second album but sadly = ( -- was never released.
Lyrics: This wisdom comes to me and I try to make it clear. But I sometimes wonder is it mine? My vision comes from something. How do I know it's true? I sometimes wonder is it mine? I pray to find it someday. To find wisdom and truth. To see a vision or sign. In my eyes. Each new day I will try to find light behind these eyes. One thing that we all can see. One thing that we all agree. Yeah we know. He's alive we know. Testing everything we find. Answers obscured by our minds. An it makes me wonder, whey am I so blind? Why do things in life so quickly pass me by? Another spinning round. Another upside down. I still haven't found but I'm still searching. These answers I have known. These wonders I've been shown. This puzzle 'round my heart and I'm still searching. *
* I always liked this phrase, which I included at the suggestion of an old friend, and talented artist, Jay Myers.
Notes: This was probably my least favorite HPT song but (dang it) everybody else seemed to like it. Somebody wants to hold your hand... (I'm embarrassed). = )
Lyrics: Somebody wants to hold your hand. Somebody wants to hold your hand. So you better get down to it. Give it everything and do it. Somebody wants to hold your hand. I was thinking about it just the other day. About all the things that seem to satisfy in some way. It turns out, I figured, most of it just 'aint worthwhile. In the long run all this physicality just 'aint in style. It don't last, the buzz of alcohol, the high of smoking dope. It don't last and won't pass the test of time. Nope 1 2. Reach higher man, dig deeper into what you really need. Everybody knows. Spiritual restoration. Now your back's against the wall and your world begins to fall. just surrender it all. Jesus listens. Searching for reason and rhyme. Finding ways to cloud your mind. Oh you're running out of time.
Note: This was another fun song live but -- it's a bit of a long haul (7+ minutes). It's about the impact my parents had on me (which I appreciate more and more as I get older) and -- how the foundation they helped give me, helped me to sort through the truth and the lies out there. Thanks Mom & Dad. = )
Lyrics: And time goes by. We're watching as the seasons change. And we will die. Nothing's gonna stop that now. And time goes by. There's no way we can rearrange. And we will die. Nothings going to stop that now. Time flies. See it rise. Is it in time? I see in m fathers eyes, something that surpasses time. A part of him is inside and that will never die. Now that time has passed, I have begun to see through his eyes. An as childhood slips away from me. If I don't live like every moment really matters. Then we will know our pain. Another moment passes. Another dream whispers by. Sometimes I can recall them. Sometimes they're lost into the night. And then a voice says to me, out of my TV. He says to buy my prayer cloth. He says its powers will set you free. Another voice says to me, out of that same old TV, it says to listen to me. He says my words will set you free. And then a voice inside me whispers through my brain. It says to listen to me. It says I'm more than this -- I'm saved.
Notes: I have no idea where some of these names came from. We use to take turns naming songs and this one (I think) was Dave Mora's choice. = )
Lyrics: I never know just what is wrong or right til fear goes away. I never realize I'm losing sight until the light of day. I never realize I've fallen down until I crawl a mile. I never realize I wear a frown, until I see a smile. How can I still make excuses, watch the selling out of souls. The fear of verbal abuses, I need to do what I'm told. No fear and no sadness, no stumbling, no loss. No shame and no blindness and no compromise. Everywhere you go. In all that you do. Every word God-breathed. You cannot lose. They're bowing down in front of things their hands have made. There's prostitution under every tree. I remember in the loyalty of your youth, you loved me as a bride. Followed me through the barren lands and holy you appeared to my eyes. Strayed so far now. Oh what fault in me could you have ever found. Why do you run? Unbelieving, follow idols and forget from where you've come. What have you done?
Notes: As I mentioned above, this song is my favorite on the album. It's the one I had the most part in writing musically and I just like the pretty parts -- contrasted with the "screaming love" bridge toward the end. Gives me goose-bumps every time. Plus -- Gary Shockey (an old friend) always liked it. = )
Lyrics: I was once pickin' berries in a big old red and yellow, green and brown tree. When a teenager came up to me. He said I called him a pig. He hit me in my eye. People thought it was cool that he made me cry. Now in my life, I cannot find a place to hide. And in my life, I can still hear his voice inside. And in my dreams, that voice keeps calling out to me. An in my mind, I can't clear of what I fear. A twisted looking little man. A funny shape to his expression. Trying to avoid the eyes. I can't stay clear of what I fear. I am not a little man. What is held just above my head? I do not fully understand. I just stay clear of what I fear. Why am I always running, always hiding from something? I never realized how much hate I would see if I opened my eyes and looked around to see the men staring at me. I can't stay clear, the hate if follows me. I want to fill you up with love and it will never leave you. I want to turn all of your hate into the love that God gave me. I want to smother all your hate and see the light shine from your eyes. A love that covers over all. A love that will never leave. What's the deal with this world? Seems just a little twisted. Twisted sense of vision. What's the deal with this world. Needs some rearranging. This world that we live in. What's the deal with this world?
As with Stand Like Stone, I've got a few unreleased things from HPT that I may try to dust off and post later this year. I'll let you know. = )
HERE ARE THE SEVEN "NEW" SONGS, from HPT. They are a VERY rough recording, made in one of our bedrooms, of songs that were going to be a part of the second Hot Pink Turtle album, Horsechild. Enjoy!
Notes: This first track is about 95% done with some pretty questionable mumblings of lyrics on the bridge and probably about two minutes too much of jam time. Overall though... I kind of dig it.
Lyrics: I am a revolution man. I'm here to lift your spirit up. Please let me know if I do fail. Please let me know if I give up. Pour out your blessings upon us. Open the floodgates and let it flow out upon my gentle soul. I am the messenger, send me. Let everyone within my voice, hear every word you'd have them hear. You are the One and Only. You are the Light that guides my way. You are the One and Only. You are the God of every age. I am a missionary man. I am the one who shares his mind. Please let me know if I am wrong.
Notes: This one is 99% complete. I don't think I ever really landed with a final chorus but -- it's a fun one to sing, it moves quick, and grooves slow. Yep.
Lyrics: Count 123 and watch the 36 fly by all in a row. Up til three o'clock just wading through the television shows. And all I do on and on all day long is keep it all inside. I soak it in. It stains my skin, into my body and my mind. I see it climb. And when's the last time that you spent an hour praying on your knees. When is the last time that you read your B I B L & E? We all keep saying give me peace and give me love and give me life. Then we sit an watch TV, and drink a Coke. Turn out the lights. I see it climb. Can I be real or even reasonably honest with you all? Can I please give a piece and not be trampled under as I fall? Like the boy says, my wisdom's surely not my own and I begin to see the truth in all His words, and still deny the shape I'm in. Can I fly far above the things I hide? Now it starts. Peace of heart to release the pain of sin. Can I fly?
Notes: Goodness. I must have been in a serious Old Testament mode while we were writing for this album. = ) This one's pretty close to complete too. The only weird piece is the Latin quote at the end, which I lifted off the Missouri state flag that was in our rehearsal room. It sounds cool but -- I'm not sure it really wraps things up quite right.
Lyrics: Hey have you seen the frightening thing that has happening in our land? The prophets now prophesy lies. The priests, they rule by their own hand. And people eat it up and live it up and love it all this way. They have forgotten all about the price God paid. And they have lied about my Lord. They lift their hands and have no fear. Their words are wind without the Word. Their ears are closed and cannot hear. I pray that God uncloud our eyes. I pray that God unseal our ears and let us hear what we forget. And let us fall upon our knees. And show a dead and lost world that He is the ruler of all things. He is my Rock. He is my Life. He is my Love. He is the Light. He is my Word. He is my God. He is my Truth. He is my Lord. Salus Populi Suprema.
Notes: It sounds like we were pretty close to being complete musically but -- the lyrics are pretty iffy here. Some good ideas but, quote a few holes. = )
Lyrics: My one decision. Delusion clouds my brain. But this decision has carried me away. My only chance to start over ??? is nothing less than to shake the hand of Jimmie Dale Dion Tyler. Can I fall ??? I am not another. I am not the man who carried by the blade. I am not a man of vision. I am not a man of patience. I am not a man of science. I am just a slave. Can you feel it move among you? I can feel it. He has found you. ???
Notes: Once again, I'm aspiring toward the very uptempo message of an Old Testament prophet. = ) Sheesh. In any case, this is one of our heaviest songs, mixed in with a little boogie rif. Funny.
Lyrics: Oh how can I be saved? Sinking in my lies. Swimming in this pain. Dying from inside. Oh how can I be saved? Open up my eyes. I can't find my way. I can't find my way alone. I am dead. I am blind. Come inside and make me whole. I believe you are God. Wash me in the blood and heal my soul. Jesus has taken hold of my life, my dreams, my world and I don't understand a thing. He's taken hold again I know. Jesus has taken hold.
Notes: As I listen throught this stuff, I'm reminded of how emotionally powerful some of these songs were for me live. This cruddy recording doesn't do them justice at all. I may just have to talk the guys into re-recording these someday?
Lyrics: In my life, I need to find a calling. In my life, something to believe in. Now's the time. There's never going to be a better time than now. Now's the time. I need to make my Father proud. In my life, I need to find some answers. In my life, something to hold onto. Now's the time. There's never going to be a better time than now. Now's the time. I need to make my Father proud. I am blind. I am weak. I am lost. I'm in need but I'm alive. He's been waiting for you with His arms open wide. I've been praying for you to let Him change your life. ???
Notes: This was the song we opened 90% of our concerts with... A hybrid of the refrain from "I Will Call Upon The Lord" and some whimsical anti-new age lyrics. Add to that, a funk section and some spoken word at the beginning. Voila! = )
Lyrics: I can't think, my brain is out of my head. I can't see behind me while in front. Oh I can't always tell just what is going on. Confusion, swirling mist of a seemingly twisted sense of abstract dissolution. I can't always tell just what is going on. Tru and tell me I'm the answer to my question? New age god is not my style. Tell me I have lived in lives that were before and I just have to crack a smile. Sometimes thining clear aint meant to be and my mind strays to other kinds of things and I can't always tell just what is going on. Even if I was some kind of hero, able to leap over real big building. I still wouldn't know just what was going on. I will call up on the Lord who is worth to be praise. So shall I be saved from my enemies. Some say all we are is just the product of some kind of super big explosion. They ahve no idea what is going on. Past lives and some kind of self awareness doesn't get you anywhere but stupid. They have no idea what is going on. I will call up on the Lord who is worthy to be praise. So shall I be saved from my enemies. I will call upon the Lord. The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock. Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
HERE ARE THE ELEVEN "NEW" SONGS from the HPT demos recorded in 1991 and 1992. Yep.
DEMO 1 - 1991
Notes: This the demo version of the song that eventually made it to the TWJP album. Nothing new to report here. I still dig the falsetto part on this tune. Nothing more to say about that.
Lyrics: I never know just what is wrong or right til fear goes away. I never realize I'm losing sight until the light of day. I never realize I've fallen down until I crawl a mile. I never realize I wear a frown, until I see a smile. How can I still make excuses, watch the selling out of souls. The fear of verbal abuses, I need to do what I'm told. No fear and no sadness, no stumbling, no loss. No shame and no blindness and no compromise. Everywhere you go. In all that you do. Every word God-breathed. You cannot lose. They're bowing down in front of things their hands have made. There's prostitution under every tree. I remember in the loyalty of your youth, you loved me as a bride. Followed me through the barren lands and holy you appeared to my eyes. Strayed so far now. Oh what fault in me could you have ever found. Why do you run? Unbelieving, follow idols and forget from where you've come. What have you done?
Notes: Goodness. I'm always amazed at what I thought passed for lyrics back in the day. Great little boogie rif though. You don't hear too many bands laying down the boogie like Dion did. = )
Lyrics: Just a bunch of plasti-faces in little doll houses. Not much of God's men. More like little mouses. What is this I'm searching for? I can't leave my old self behind. Lord Jesus just give me peace of mind. Da na na na na na na na na na na na na. Da na na na na na na na. Jesus take me home now. I don't want to be here. Not of this world. I don't belong. I've got a mission to tell the whole world about you. I know that you'll win even though... Yi ka ka ka ka ka kow! Nobody's listening to me. Jesus give me strength to tell the whole world about you. So, but, well, anyway... Something was said.
Notes: An older version of our modified hymn, I Will Call Upon The Lord. Fun song live. Kind of goofy when you actually read the lyrics. = )
Lyrics: I can't think, my brain is out of my head. I can't see behind me while in front. Oh I can't always tell just what is going on. Confusion, swirling mist of a seemingly twisted sense of abstract dissolution. I can't always tell just what is going on. Tru and tell me I'm the answer to my question? New age god is not my style. Tell me I have lived in lives that were before and I just have to crack a smile. Sometimes thining clear aint meant to be and my mind strays to other kinds of things and I can't always tell just what is going on. Even if I was some kind of hero, able to leap over real big building. I still wouldn't know just what was going on. I will call up on the Lord who is worth to be praise. So shall I be saved from my enemies. Some say all we are is just the product of some kind of super big explosion. They ahve no idea what is going on. Past lives and some kind of self awareness doesn't get you anywhere but stupid. They have no idea what is going on. I will call up on the Lord who is worthy to be praise. So shall I be saved from my enemies. I will call upon the Lord. The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock. Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Notes: Another early version of a soon-to-be TWJP album song. I've already gone of the record about my embarassment. No need to revisit it again. I don't know why people liked this song so much?
Lyrics: Somebody wants to hold your hand. Somebody wants to hold your hand. So you better get down to it. Give it everything and do it. Somebody wants to hold your hand. I was thinking about it just the other day. About all the things that seem to satisfy in some way. It turns out, I figured, most of it just 'aint worthwhile. In the long run all this physicality just 'aint in style. It don't last, the buzz of alcohol, the high of smoking dope. It don't last and won't pass the test of time. Nope 1 2. Reach higher man, dig deeper into what you really need. Everybody knows. Spiritual restoration. Now your back's against the wall and your world begins to fall. just surrender it all. Jesus listens. Searching for reason and rhyme. Finding ways to cloud your mind. Oh you're running out of time.
Notes: This is one of the oldest Turtle songs I have a copy of. If I remember right, we actually wrote this when Bil Brown was our bass player, pre-Dion. Bil, by the way, went on to start Dig Hay Zoose, another Kansas City band that got signed. Anyway... These are more lyrics I'm giggling at today. Bunch of psuedo religeous humanistic junk. = )
Lyrics: All the barriers between us. How could we ever gain the peace that was lost? All of ? and separations. The good of the few. How much did it cost? We are drifting apart. The strength we once had is fading away. Tear them down. All the walls that divid us. Tear them down. All the barriers we made. Tear them down. We have strength in our numbers. Tear them down. Join together today. Why do we keep on searching when the answers are clear? If only we could see. Separation is killing us. Think of how it would be if we'd...
Notes: This was our encore song at many a show and was always a fun one. It was one of the few that the guys could sing background vocals on since it was just yelling. = ) We throw in a little shout out to Dig Hay Zoose in the middle of this one. = )
Lyrics: Are you so blind that you cannot see the devil baiting the trap that leads to your demise? Look with new eyes at the things that you are into. Then realize, you're living in sin. Open up and you'll see what you are missing. Make a change. Rearrange your sinful way. Look to the Savior that gave you his only son. He holds a place for you. God has a plan. One true path you need to follow. One true Lord you need to serve. Give yourself up to the Savior. Only then can you begin to live. Let's creep. Yi yi yi yi. The funky creep. Yay. Do ya Dig Hay Zoose. This is for Bil, Philip, Jimi, and Dave. Over my head thunder starts to rumble. Under my feet, the earth starts to quake. Over the edge cried my concious to my spirit. Under attack. Can no one else hear it? Tempting me all around, never surrendering. Tearing my mind apart, telling me lies. Leading me off the true path I should follow. Confusing me as I walk into the shadow of sin.
DEMO 2 - 1992
Notes: This song is brutally long, clocking in at over 11 minutes here. I think we actually played versions of this song that were upwards of 19 minutes... I have no idea what we were thinking. This song was always well liked, although I think it was more a matter of pride that you'd survived the live version of the song. Kind of like eating a plate full of raw rocky mountain osters. You didn't really like it but -- you're a little proud of the accomplishment. Something like that.
Lyrics: Some Christian speak. As long as I get there. Like saying you don't matter, and what you stand for, I don't care for. As long as I escape hell and fire and it. Dont feel a need to practice ritualistic things. Think in terms of Savior. Not as Lord of all. Just a cure all. Dont care for jeweled crowns. Just not hell. Speak it to nail scarred, oustretched hands. Speak it to the sacrifice, the Christ. Speak it. Unrivaled love and blood and life given freely by Him when, and then, you stand and say Savior not Lord. Speak it. I don't even know what this is all about. How can you be clean within and not clean without? I would think you would at least have some desire to maybe make a change. But you're just riding waves. Just glide. A quote from an ego-Christian follows. "I will do what I will do and what you say don't bother me. What I want is what I see and who I am is who I'll be. Whatever you want from me is way too much to ask of me. I will be who I will be individuality. All important goal for me. I am right no matter what. Have a problem? So what. Can you see my Lord in me or do you see my individuality." Talk about stupidity. Picture this. You're alone, and you're kneeling. He's alive. Can you hear Him? Stand. What is this I'm leaving behind. Why is it we've wasted so much time. Stand and say Savior and Lord. Why don't you stand?
Notes: I had completely forgotten about this song until Dave sent me these songs on CD. Dave's guitar sound so thin on this recording but -- this was actually a very heavy song live. A bit of a precursor to what was to come on the Horsechild stuff.
Lyrics: Stop. Jesus Christ. The way of things is usually unfair and wrong. A total living sacrifice. Put away the things of life. Jesus Christ. Eternal life. Now decide. I will stop. But why would I quit. I will die. But why give up. I need to know there's something after. Jesus Christ supplies the answer. Now I know there's something after. Jesus Christ supplies the answers. Yeah yeah yeah...
Notes: Our first attempt at a rap song. I can't imagine what made us try this, or try it again on Fluerescent Funk. All I can say is that live music provides a lot of forgiveness. The energy of the live show covers over a multitude of musical and lyrical "sins." = )
Lyrics: I figure hey what's the worry and what's the fret trying to make a role model out of somebody. Set my mind on a mission to be hip, hop, wow? Try to appeal to the people with the happening crowd. Well I'm not thinking that'st he way it should be. There only one person you should try to be like. Your styles your own in God's grand plan. The only role model's the one that made man. I'm nobody special. You're nobody special. None of us is without sin. Nobody's special. Come out of your shell. No I don't know what I will find. Why don't you come with me boys and girls on a Hot Pink Turtle ride? Well you don't know what we will see. Why don't you share your dreams with me and Jesus Christ will set us free.
Notes: This song was my vote to make it on the album instead of Banana but -- I was outvoted three to one. It's not like this is a musical materpiece but -- it would be a heck of a lot better than Banana. I just wish I knew why I keep reverting to first person quotes asking questions or "Misters" and "old men" in my songs. I wonder what Freud would have to say about that? = )
Lyrics: If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. I'd rather be maimed than in hell with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. I'd rather be crippled than in hell with two feet. If your eye causes you to sin, cut it out. I'd rather be blind than in hell and see. Hey mister, is this room always dark, even when the light is all around? Well sometimes light shines in the windows by yes, mainly it is dark inside right now. Look. Look in the action. Light is all around. Hey mister, then how come that dark don't spill into the light that's all around? It's just not the way light and dark things go. Light shines into darkness, not the other way around. Your head, your foot, your eyes, your nose, your head, your arms, your knees, your elbows, your neck, your brains, your lips, your toes. If any of these cause you to sin. Separate yourself.
Notes: Same as the album cut, without the awesome crash at the end. I remember being incredibly please with this song after we recorded it. It was the first song that made me feel like we were getting somewhere... Starting to sound like a "real" band. Whatever that means.
Lyrics: I never am quite up to par in my mind of what I should be and how and what kind. It shouldn't be simple but maybe it is more simple than I make it out to be? I wonder just what He does want from me? I think I'll always thing He would want more. It seems I should be so perfect and so much. It seems I should feel the presence of His touch. What am I doing right? Yeah yeah. To act justly, love mercy and walk without pride with your God, Micah said, it seems so cut and dry. What am I doing right? I am so empathetic but I'll never live up to the price. That's what grace is for. Thank God.
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