:: Jon Sherwood - Contemporary Christian Music ::

The Unseen Hand

LYRICS

God is Love
From 1st Corinthians 13
Non-biblical lyrics and Music by Jon Sherwood
Copyright 2006 BMI

I could have everything and build a wall
But without love, it means nothing, nothing at all
What is the greatest wish for your life?
Love is the greatest gift that turns wrongs into rights
God is love
Love is kind
Love never boasts
Cause at times we’re all blind
Slow to anger
Love is patient
Never a stranger
God is love
God is the sunshine in my eyes
Helping me to see beyond my own skies
Love is my daughter-waving goodbye
On her way to school to open her mind
God is love
Love is kind
Love never boasts
Cause at times we’re all blind
Slow to anger
Love is patient
Never a stranger
God is love
When I was a child, I spoke like a child
Though I’m a man I sometimes forget how to smile
But love is graceful beyond our minds
The seeds of love will grow if the heart is right
Love is here. Love has arrived
Drawing us closer to the grand design
Love never worries
Cause it’s gonna be alright
He carries us through our darkest nights
God is love
Love is here
Standing in the midst of you
Waiting for you to hear
Love is courageous and has no fear
Love is God and God is love

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Connected
Sherwood and Frank 2006
Copyright 2006 BMI

Everyone needs a spiritual connection
Are you connected? Is it working?
Why do we look to the stars and the heavens?
Where do they begin? Do they ever end?
Try to do something ‘bout the problems right next to you
Not just the ones unseen and out of your reach
You can help solve mysteries
By helping somebody, we’re all strangers with needs
So rise up! Rise up! And get connected
Keep striving to live beyond the golden rule
Don’t let your soul be neglected
Don’t let this world take anything from you
Making sense of the elements
How we revolve around the sun
Tapping into the universe
Why can’t we all just get along?
What am I doing here?
What are you doing there?
We must be here for a reason or we wouldn’t be here to care…to care
So rise up! Rise up! And get connected
Keep trying to live beyond just the golden rule
Don’t let your mind be affected
There are no riches of this world that will take me away from you
There’s nothing in this world to keep you away from me
Don’t let anyone or anything take it away from you
Allow your soul to walk away free
Are you connected?

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Providence
Lyrics and Music by Jon Sherwood
Copyright 2006 BMI

Open up your window
See a whole new life
Knock on the door of the One who has made it right, made it right
Surrounded by Providence in this vast arena
I’m brimming with confidence there’s no distance between us
Master of the Universe, Dream-Giver and Savior
Forgiver of Consequence
Creator of All
Have you thought about the supreme order of things?
The intricate galaxies and planets are all playing the game, playing the game
Surrounded by Providence, divine intervention
You made the sacrifice for your free-willed invention
Caretaker of Paradise, Miracle Maker
Eternal Guardian of the Truth, Giver of Life…of Life
You’re in control of the future though we try to rearrange things
We’re crossing the border that keeps us from you
You are true and I believe in Your Providence
Master of the Universe, King of Grace and Mercy
Promise Keeper and Healer
Surrounding our souls, protecting us, redeeming us, taking us home

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Fill the Empty
Words and Music by Jon Sherwood 2006
Rap lyrics by Mercified (Matt Naden)
Copyright 2006 BMI

Going crazy flippin’ trippin’ out of my mind. I wasn’t one of the Lords’ and I was subject to find
I didn’t know where I was and what it was about, I belonged with the devil but think I stomped him out
He gave me a new beginning made the road bright and clear
Now, I can trust in His existence and Daddy’s always near
So if you’re looking for eternity love just start where you are

Fill the empty, with something I cannot touch
Fill the empty, enough is enough
Like Humpty Dumpty, I can’t put myself together
Fill the empty, there’s only one thing’s gonna fill me up
Have you ever been filled with the Spirit, the Living Spirit of Love?
The one who created us, fits your soul just like a glove

See it fits me like a glove, this love is from above
My Father up in heaven sent His Son down as a precious dove
So fill me up, fill me with Your Spirit, fill my cup
Lord, I need you more than ever so simply fill me up

Fill the empty
We all need something that we can trust
The well of plenty, there’s room for all of us
Like Humpty Dumpty, we all need to heal
So fill the empty, and let my soul feel
Have you ever been filled with the Spirit, the Living Spirit of Love?
The one who created us from somewhere up above
We all need something real just to survive
Try the words of Jesus
And be filled before your eyes

Take the bread…fill me up
Drink the wine…pour me the good stuff
Look inside…You’ve gotta let him in
Fill the empty and let my soul win
Fill the empty, lead me to a resting place
Fill the empty, please give me some of your grace
Like Raggedy Andy, I’ve been flopping all around
Fill the empty, without a sound. Fill the empty…

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The Unseen Hand
Lyrics by Jon Sherwood
Music by Kevin Gorman BMI and Jon Sherwood BMI

Lift us up with your Unseen Hand
Bring me to a place where I can understand
You carry the weight of the world in the palm of your hand
Your love is forever more than counting sand
Help us to believe when it all seems so lost
Encourage us to give on giving; I know it’s worth the cost
Lifting us out of the madness, you are The Unseen Hand
Everywhere, The Unseen Hand is everywhere
The Unseen Hand
I need the strength of Your Word again
Teach me to reach out and let Jesus in
I want to know all your mysteries and the wonders of your love
Ancient echoes still ringing true
Send us your spirit to touch us and guide us through
With so many broken-hearted, I still believe in the Master Plan
So many suffering people, life can be hard to understand
Lead us into tomorrow; help us to take a stand.
I can feel you all around me, you are The Unseen Hand
Everywhere, The Unseen Hand is everywhere

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Gratitude
Words and music by Jon Sherwood
Copyright 2006 BMI

I’m grateful for you, I’m grateful for me. I’m thankful we don’t live in the sea
I’m grateful for my little girl and when my life is in a whirl
I must remember how grateful I am
I’m happy for the friends I can’t buy, and the twinkle in my wife’s eyes
I’m grateful for my family and all that is good, I’m grateful that I’m not made of wood
Gratitude, for everything when so many people are dying to be free
Gratitude for all we’ve been given, we can be forgiven // Gratitude
I’m grateful that I live in a place that’s free where I can be myself and live out my
dreams. I’m thankful for so many things
Gratitude helps keep me sane. Changes my perception of pleasure, gets me through the pain
Gratitude is more than words to say, for the gift of today// Gratitude
When I wander, I can always sense you there. Through my blunders you handle
me with care. When I’m running away from you,
you’re right next to me helping me turn my life around
Gratitude, for everything when so many people are dying to be free
Gratitude for all we’ve been given, we can be forgiven// Gratitude
For all the love in our lives, gratitude, for every single day, gratitude
It’s what I’ve been missing//Gratitude
I’m grateful for you, I’m grateful for me

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Hold on to Your Dreams
Lyrics and Music by Jon Sherwood and Kevin Gorman
BMI

In a world so uncertain, where nothing’s quite as it seems
There’s still hope in every new day to find out what it means
Remember that God will someday dry all of our tears
When the world is confusing. Hold on to your dreams
For the children of tomorrow, your day is coming soon
Look inside of your heart child, find what’s real and true and hold on to your dreams
The world keeps on turning, (spinning round and round) and darling so do you
In faith, little girl turn with it, (you are a shining light) I want your skies to be blue
Young boy so full of life don’t turn away, you keep growing and changing every day
In this world of mixed beliefs, hold on to your dreams
Children of tomorrow, the time is now for you
You really are a miracle but you’ve got to be strong and hold on to your dreams
So many without direction…lost touch with what they need
Don’t lose your connection…or your reason to believe
For the children of tomorrow, your time is coming soon
You are the future. Find what’s real and true and hold on to your dreams
Find what’s real and true…hold on to your dreams. Hold on to your dreams
Just hold on tight to your dreams and I know they’ll come true

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Permanent Vacation
Lyrics and Music by Tom Frank, Kevin Gorman, and Jon Sherwood
Copyright 2006 BMI

A quiet desperation is setting in again
Constant contemplation, fearing how it all ends
I see time streaking by
Every day is mundane in my eyes
I wanna feel much more alive
No longer will I let my true life’s purpose be denied
Gonna change my destination, and this time I will fly
A permanent vacation from the way I‘ve lived my life
‘Cause I see time streaking by
Every day is mundane in my eyes
I wanna feel much more alive
No longer will I let my true life’s purpose be denied
The time has come to celebrate my life
No more time, wasted time
It’s time to celebrate my life
I’m gonna be free, free and alive
No longer will I let my true life’s purpose be denied
The time has come to celebrate my life
A permanent vacation. God is in my life

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Laid at Your Feet
Lyrics and Music by Kevin Gorman
BMI. Copyright 2006

You complain about your problems as you throw down some bacon and eggs
You’re tuned in to all your worries but your standing on two strong legs
I see you steeped in frustration. Your mid-life crisis making you weak
I watch you yearn for elation but it’s all laid at your feet
Yea, it’s all laid at your feet
You have more than most people. You have lattes and cars and dreams
You have food. You have water. And you don’t even hear their screams
Compared to most, you’re on vacation. You have a first-class front row seat
You’ll never wake up to starvation ‘Cause it’s all laid at your feet
Yea, it’s all laid at your feet. Oh, it’s all laid at your feet. Yea, it’s all laid at your feet
The strangest thing about perspective is that it sometimes becomes askew
We forget to just be grateful. We forget that the sky is blue
Compared to most you’re on vacation. You have a first-class front row seat
You’ll never wake up to starvation
‘Cause it’s all laid at your feet yea, it’s all laid at your feet
Oh, it’s all laid at your feet. Yea, it’s all laid at your feet

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Soulmates
Lyrics and Music by Jon Sherwood
Copyright 2006 BMI

Wherever I go in this world I am with you
For your soul is intertwined with mine
Call it a mutual thread, a destiny
It’s beyond me
I know that I’m aligned with you and I’m connected to you
We are one in the same. Not playing a game
We are soulmates, you and I
I can hear you breathing a thousand miles away
I can understand all the words you’ve yet to say
We’ll never run out of time
Our stars are all aligned
And they’re leading me to your front door…to your front door
We are one in the same, come and share my name
We are soulmates, you and I
Our alchemy is in my bloodstream
We are soulmates
In His eyes, in His eyes

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I always questioned if I belonged here. Never thought I made the grade
Life was filled with self-doubts. I was looking for peace and a place to call my home
Ran around searching for answers, when I never really had a clue
Thought I had given up but then I met you, again I met you
I found the home of redemption, now my feet are back on the ground
I worried a lot about tomorrow but no more with the love I’ve found
Home is what I found. Home I like the sound. Home I’ll stay around
Everyday is a holiday compared to my life before
My home is not just a place it’s really so much more, yeah so much more
God’s building us a another home for the greatest tomorrow, with treasures that overflow
New seeds I’ve had to sow. I feel whole at home. Even when I think I’m alone
Everyday He’s building our castle, and through our faith will be what we reap
Our love is a mansion and the promise is for us to keep. The promise is for those who seek
I use to wander hopelessly, I was nowhere to be found
Never thought I’d see a bright tomorrow but no more with the love I’ve found
I found a home called redemption, now my feet are back on the ground
I worried a lot about tomorrow but no more with the love I’ve found
Home is what I found. Home I like the sound. Home I’ll stay around
At home I’m no longer bound
Home…is what you make it. Home…is where this heart is

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I push you out but you never leave
I walk away but you’re still with me
You’ve been persistent I’ll give you that
A constant reminder of where I'm at
But I keep coming back; you keep me coming back for more
I’ve tried my way to mend my soul
Without you I don’t feel whole
I’ve changed directions and had to restart
(You keep calling, I hear you calling)
I know we’ll never be apart
What you say is true, and so are you
I want to see you in everything I do
Truth be known I’m not alone
I keep running back, you keep me coming back …coming back to you
(You keep calling, I hear you calling)
You’re in me and I feel you
I want to see you in everything I do
The truth is known I’m not alone
You keep me coming back, I keep running back
Let the truth be known we’re not alone
I’ll keep coming back, you keep me coming back
I’ll keep running back, you keep me running back
I’ll keep coming back, you keep me coming back …coming back to you

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Revival Songs
Traditional-Arrangement by Jon Sherwood 2006. BMI

No time to tarry here. No time to wait for you. No time to tarry here, for I’m on my journey home-Repeat
Brothers all fare ye well, brothers all fare ye well, brothers all fare ye well for I’m on my journey home
Sisters all fare ye well, sisters all fare ye well, sisters all fare ye well for I’m on my journey home
RISE, RISE, RISE!
Rise, oh Fathers rise, let’s go meet ‘em in the skies. We will hear the angels singing in that morning
I really do believe that just before the end of time we will hear the angels singing in that morning
Rise, oh Mothers rise, let’s go meet ‘em in the skies. We will hear the angels singing in that morning
And I really do believe that just before the end of time we will hear the angels singing in that morning.
We will hear the angels singing in that morning

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CREDITS

The Unseen Hand
Engineered and Produced by Jonathan Swanson and Keith Sommers

Recorded entirely at
Instep Recording Studio
3rd Street
McMinnville, Oregon

All Photography by Wes Houle
CD Art Design by David Kruger
Assisted by Wes Houle

Musicians
Jon Sherwood-Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/Percussion
Jake Blair-Electric Guitar
Dan Blunck-Saxophone/Flute
The Brown Sisters-Vocals
Chad Davies-Trumpet
Eric Fricke-Bass Guitar
Tim Gilson-String Bass/Cello
Kevin Gorman-Acoustic Guitar/Vocals
Christopher Lay-Drums
Maree Meyer-Vocals
Mercified (Matt Naden)-Rap Artist
Eddie Perrente-Mandolin/Viola/Violin
Robert Rife-Bagpipes/Whistles
Keith Sommers-Electric, Acoustic, and Bass Guitar/Percussion
Jonathan Swanson/Piano/Keyboards/Arranging/Programming

2005-2006 Cook School Choir
Brittany Ashley
Jamie Dennison
Faith Elmer
Samantha Johnson
Kate Kennedy
Kassidy Kinion
Kyra Lesner
Nikita Morgan
Shantiel Nicholson
Morgan Schoenthal
Hailey Wilson
Rachelle Winn
All other Cook Choir Members

Special Thanks
God, Shari Sherwood, Sophie Sherwood, Trevor Osterman, Sherwood Family, my extended Houle and Sherwood families, Keister Family, Heumier Family, Osterman Family, Beard Family, Bacon Family, Silbaugh Family, CS Church, Cook School staff and students, Gorman’s, Frank’s, Friends of SW Kathy Street, Swanson’s, Keith Sommers, Cindy and everyone at Union Block Coffee Shop, all the musicians who helped on this,Wes Houle, David Kruger, bandmates from the past, Leathers Family, friends from Minnesota, old friends-you know who you are, Don Boudon, Dennis Saunders, Doug Anderson, Hal Malcolm, Lonnie Cline, Dana Libonati, Frosty Lay, Larry Marsh, Ruben Contreras, Minnesota State University at Mankato faculty, GRsites.com, the guys at Gearbox Studios, and everyone else I should thank who is not on this list.

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The Unseen Hand | Lyrics | Credits