Dancing Thanks
Before our opening eyes so many wonders rise
Such love, such mystery coming each day to set us free
coming to loose our chains and join us with all the saints
who can see their inheritance coming through
As they’re dancing thanks to you.
And as we dance our thanks, your joy will be our strength
And your love will be the wine that makes our spirits shine
with a holy light that’s burning a hole in the night
as we make Your presence known
Dancing thanks and praise before your throne.
BRIDGE:Your love will be the wine that makes our spirits shine
And as we dance our thanks, your joy will be our strength.
So come dance the streets with me
Oh yeah now, come and let’s set some captives free
Dance them out some hopeful sign, pour them out some holy wine
To loose off all of their chains, to join in with all of the saints
Who can see their inheritance coming through
As they’re dancing thanks and praise to you.
Words & music by Peter Tigchelaar
February 9, 2002
The Bells
Let it ring through the bells in the world
It’s a message more precious than the costliest of pearls
The most beckoningly beautiful song that ever could be sung
Unfathomable riches for every race & tongue
Where lesser spirits will have failed them
they find a kind & eager welcome:
Sweet vibrations through the bells in the world.
Light the fire in the world’s hearts of pain
Light the way to the only life that lives again
To the only Shepherd who can gather in the scattered sheep
To the only healer who can deal with a wound so deep
No there’s no symphony, there’s no language
could ever capture the voice of anguish
being sent out through the bells in the world
Let it ring through the bells in the world.
There’s an eternal longing ringing through the planet sky
It’s a universal rhythm, it’s a deep elemental cry
Billions of bells built to resonate with the truth
Billions of hearts being shaped for bearing eternal truth
And there’s no healing half so precious
as the reconciling message
being sent out through the bells in the world
Let it ring through the bells in the world.
Text & music by Peter Tigchelaar
January 1991
News From On High
The eagle picks my eye, the worm he licks my bone. . .
John Lennon – Yer Blues
People eat, drink and give themselves in marriage like before the Flood
But these unions are becoming so empty as they ignore the blood.
How long will we be blind to the things that make for peace
And how long can we stand to see iniquity increase?
Myriads of the redeemed are getting dressed in white
And a mama eagle circles in mid heaven’s endless light
Screaming “woe! woe! woe!” up against the bleeding sky
She’s got the blood in her voice, she brings news from On High.
So many of our children don’t know where they belong
Well, it’s very little wonder when there’s so little harmony within the bond
We only let ourselves love when we see that it meets our needs
And yet we let spirit rapists have free reign over our streets
How long until Jesus calls the devil’s bluff
And how long will all this unfaithfulness pass for love
Sometimes I’ll scream like that eagle up against the bleeding sky
I feel the blood in my voice when I hear news from On High.
How long are you going to be gone before the Dawn?
That’s when both the quick & the dead meet the judge – both the queen & the pawn
We’ll be at the meeting of steadfast love and faithfulness
Yes, and when we reach repentance, peace and righteousness will kiss!
How long will human jewels be bought & sold
And how long will people’s love keep growing cold?
Could those be clouds of glory beginning to form in the sky?
Hey, have you heard the news of who’s coming from On High?
Words & music by Peter Tigchelaar
November 1981
Gracious Window
for my brother Roger
It’s another gracious window
opening out of a broken down day
and here’s yet another faithful stairway
bringing down songs to light the way
I don’t know how long it’s going to be open
and I can’t see the end of the galaxies
pouring through this gracious window
but I can see more from on my knees.
I see a big house with many mansions!
It’s such a big house, ‘cause it’s the universe
Such risky grace taking so many chances
to rescue each one from the ancient curse
I don’t know how long it’s going to be open
but your stairway is here, this is the day
to climb on in through this gracious window
come on in ~ it’s the universe!
I don’t know how long it’s going to be open
and I can’t see the end of the galaxies
pouring through this gracious window
cascading down this faithful stairway
but I can see more from on my knees.
Words & music by Peter Tigchelaar
Christus Victor
CHORUS
You are the Victor, Your work is complete
Chains have been broken and laid at Your feet
I stand up strong and receive the joy
You have prepared for me.
With comfort and joy You respond to our cries
Our peace is restored with one look in Your eyes
Your enemies scatter as they see You rise
With healing in Your wings.
CHORUS
With every good thing we are being satisfied
Our place at Your table will not be denied
The doors of our prisons are thrown open wide
Before our coming King.
CHORUS
With songs of deliverance Your people surround
Rekindle our passion for taking new ground
We dance on the chains that once held us bound
And this is what we sing:
You are the Victor, Your work is complete
Chains have been broken and laid at Your feet
I stand up strong and receive the joy
You have prepared for me.
Words & music by
Martha Krueger & Peter Tigchelaar
Friend of Mine
When there’s so much answered prayer, you’ve got to know you’re in someone’s care
So if anyone asks, I can usually say I’m fine
But there’s an aching I can’t hide that makes me want to get outside
To see if I can find some good harmony & wine
with a friend of mine.
When I’m feeling split in half, I find healing in your laugh
The world seems much less cruel when you smile
And you carry the light that spills into my night
Yes, I can see the master when you let your kindness shine
sweet friend of mine.
I want to bear fruit that will last, but my desire fades so fast
Yeah, I can really only do it by abiding in the vine
Oh, and when I hear the lion roar, I want to spread my wings and soar
And go dancing on top of bare branches in wintertime
with a friend of mine.
When I get to the end of my song and again I find myself alone
There’s one friend who I know won’t leave be stranded or blind
When I asked where he was from, he invited me to come
To stay with him forever and never die
yeah, he’s a friend of mine.
Words & music by Peter Tigchelaar
May 1981
Light Me Up
I tell ya nothing helps me more when the going gets rough
Than the little reminders of your faithful love
And I like it when we talk – it helps us get unlocked
To be as free as we’re meant to be as we’re being made into one
So won’t you light me up with your laughter once again?
Let’s laugh like we used to when we first were friends.
O yeah, you light me up in the morning with your soft skin
And that’s helping me to make it through thick & thin
The tenderness that flows out of times of being close
Settles in my heart & travels with me everywhere I go
So light me up with that smile one more time
Let’s play like we used to, making harmony & wine.
And I like the way that our children look like us
It reminds me that their journey began with love
And it thrills me all the time just to know they’re yours & mine
And we can shape them now to shake their world with an overflowing love
So light me up as the one who loves their Mom
And in their lives let’s watch the Kingdom come.
Our culture’s counterfeits of intimate bliss
Are so many cold potatoes compared to this:
That I’m yours and you are mine - with no others by design
Together we soar through the open door when we give each other the key
Yeah, you light me up with hope every time you do
And I just want to be a beacon of hope for you.
Words & music by Peter Tigchelaar
February 2002
In the Momentum
For Ian & Brooke
All along the way back into light, all around the colours of dawn
Here comes a healing of hearing & sight ~
hope flowing out, hope holding on
For what was once an unbearable weight
now helps you sway in the momentum of grace
Where one time you fought, now you’re just glad to be caught up into this dangerous embrace
All around every step and pleasure you’ve known
Wherever you’ve wept, in each place you’ve grown
The colours of love light up a song that lights up your face
Pretend that most of your worries are lies
then you’ll remember this rhythm of grace
Lifting the scales from your eyes, lifting you up to find your own place
To find your way back through the way that you fell
back through those days that didn’t go so well
And that’s right where you find ~ right down the line ~
these arms round your heart & mind
All around every step and heartache you’ve known
Wherever you’ve wept, round each seed you’ve sown
The colours of love light up a song as you’re running your race.
BRIDGE:Let’s pretend that we’ve got it all wrong:
We were never meant, by ourselves, to be strong
No, we were meant to be held, doing what we do well
In the spreading momentum of grace.
Arms around every step and pleasure you’ve known:
Wherever you’ve slept, round each place you’ve grown
You see the colours of love light up a song as you finish your race
in the momentum of grace.
Text & music by Peter Tigchelaar
March 2008
Islands on the Horizon
Wild Open Ocean stretching right to the sky
Islands on the horizon tease the naked eye
With glimpses of the distance where there’s melody galore
Far from all the pain that pounds away on these shores
Yeah, waves of sorrow surround the beauty that abounds
And the more you hear of this music, the more there is to be found
And as the morning’s clear light is overcoming the night
Those islands on the horizon are coming into sight.
Yes, and love will overwhelm you with the desire to climb
Up to some higher ground to see beyond the borders of time
Because you’d rather be on fire than be so all alone
With pangs of anxious sorrow slowly turning you into stone.
It’s all so easy to go along with the flow
But the more you hear of this music, the more you want to know.
Now in the morning’s clear light desire’s taking flight
As those islands on the horizon are coming into sight.
Wind among the treetops and the circling of birds
Such sweet elusive music, sighs too deep for words
Wild Open Ocean, deep mysterious wood
It’s the groaning of creation still working together for good
In the gravity pull and the lingering glow ~
The more you’re wounded by this music, the more you want to go
Into the morning’s clear light as it’s overcome the night
Towards those islands on the horizon coming into sight.
Words & music by Peter Tigchelaar
Spirit of Elijah
We’re going forth in the spirit of Elijah
praying the prayer that brings about change
Trusting in God that in the name of Jesus
mountains are moved and the dead will be raised. (repeat)
Mountains moved, dead are raised
It is done in Jesus’ name.
Fathers’ hearts are turning to their children
and children are turning to their fathers again
Healing goes forth in the mighty name of Jesus
mountains are moved and the dead are being raised.
Mothers’ hearts are turning to their children
as the children are turning to their Mamas again
Healing goes forth in the mighty name of Jesus
mountains are moved and the dead are being raised.
Mountains moved, dead are raised
it is done in Jesus’ name.
We’re going forth in the spirit of Elijah
praying the prayer that brings about change
Trusting in God that in the name of Jesus
mountains are moved and the dead will be raised
Mothers and fathers are turning to their children
as the children turn to Mama and Abba again
Healing goes forth in the mighty name of Jesus
mountains are moved and the dead are being raised.
Words & music by Geoff Thurman & Mark Hauth
Additional lyrics by Tig based on Malachi 4:5,6 and Luke 1:17
October 28, 2008 (revision of an original from ’78 – ‘90’s)Healing Suite for Hamilton in E major
I. Allegro d’un Fleuve: When I See A River
Deep love coming from On High from beyond the satellite sky
Ever flowing streams of mercy that alone can satisfy
Where the thirsty can deeply drink
and those who have no money can buy
hey, that’s why when I see a river I cry.
Deep joy coming into flower with each cleansing drenching shower
With each opening of the floodgates when the Spirit comes with power
And in this uninterrupted flow there comes a love that can never run dry
and it’s why when I see a river I cry
yeah, that’s why when I see any deep flowing river, I cry.
An epiphany like I’ve never read shining up from my Dad’s death bed
Family holding hands singing Peace Like A River as his struggle came to an end
Well, I just knew in my heart he would rise into a life that cannot die
and that’s why when I see a river I cry
yeah, that’s why when I see a river I cry.
And that’s why I’m calling to you
you can come to the waters too
Come! Feel this river flowing through.
See in this uninterrupted flow a deep love that can never run dry
and it’s why when I see a river I cry
yeah, that’s why when I see a river I cry.
II. Andante aux Larmes: Pillar of Tears
Welling up epiphany - is this a burning bush I see
or eyes peering through the lattice at me to catch me up into their gaze?
Cool shelter through the burning day, warm comfort me through the cold dark night
as love and deep wonder come into play - spirit & truth on the rise
in a geyser of burning life
Pillar of tears, pillar of tears warming my cold heart, calming my fears
It’s triggered by a trembling as the Beloved appears
Oh, I will always follow this pillar of tears.
And as I’m touching this ancient well, I feel the tolling of an ancient bell
and I’m standing out in the dangerous swell
of waves that could sweep me away
All these vistas of the Holy Real catch me up into an open field
into a hospital where I can quickly heal
from the venom of enemy darts
that have hit me in my inmost parts.
Pillar of tears, healing inner tears warming my cold heart, calming my fears
It’s triggered by a trembling as the Beloved appears
Oh, I will always follow this pillar of tears.
Yes I’ll follow to the very end into the arms of this loving friend
Who’s always been near with peace for my fear
and for every fresh dance I’ve tried
He’s always been there to cheer.
I want to follow to the very end; I want to go up around the bend
to where I can see through the lattice and be
caught up in astonishment in the arms of this friend
Who knows every echo I make, each disappointment, every ache
who knows what makes me laugh and what makes me break
as He numbers my hairs and bottles my tears
While sheltering me through the burning day
warming me through the cold, dark night
as He lets all His children out to play
under the smile of His delight
in a geyser of burning life
In a pillar of tears, pillar of tears, it’s triggered by a trembling
as the Beloved appears, come to warm my cold heart
and speak peace to my fears
O how can I but follow this pillar of tears?
June 2000 - February 2002
III. Allegro Waltzing Mercy: Aching for Dawn
Where the Body of Love is being formed
broken hearts are being softened & warmed
And the membrane grows thinner between
these streets & the healing unseen
And where these chimes of redemption resound
I’m waltzing mercy all through my home town
bearing ointment & holy wine
pointing up at the gathering signs
In back of the dawn where the beloved has gone
with a spring in my step and fire on my breath
I’m singing into the aching for dawn
Singing into my city’s wounds:
throwing parties and blowing up balloons
spreading feasts right where darkness has raped
spreading all kinds of ways of escape
Into all of the fullness of joy
that the darkness can never destroy
into a song that we waltz in mid-air
on wings of harmonious prayer
In back of this song is an aching for dawn
a deep longing for peace crying up from these streets
that have known only pain for so long.
In back of this song where the beloved has gone
He’s about to release His love on these streets
that have known mostly shame for too long.
We’re waltzing mercy
bearing ointment and holy wine
the Father’s holy wine.
February 2002 ~ New Orleans
