1. |
Bend
03:35
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See the brittle branches on the ground
The ones the winter winds brought down
Lying thick upon the forest floor.
Too stubborn to bend any more
So when the storm comes...
I Hope we bend, I hope we don't break
I Hope our "give" outgives our "take"
I feel the leaves begin to shake and I hope we bend
I Hope we don't break
When our hearts grow dry and hard
Feel like we'd been pushed too far
Weighed down by December snow
I wonder, will we buckle, will we grow
I Hope we bend, I hope we don't break
I Hope our "give" outgives our "take"
Everybody makes mistakes and I hope we bend
I Hope we don't break
Instrumental
So when the storm comes...
When the storm comes
I Hope we bend, I hope we don't break
I Hope our "give" outgives our "take"
I feel the leaves begin to shake and I hope we bend
I Hope we bend, I hope we don't break
I Hope our "give" outgives our "take"
Cos everybody makes mistakes and I hope we bend
I Hope we don't break
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2. |
California
04:28
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I’d write the songs of the open roads
Or the sundrenched beaches where the palm trees grow
They say you only write what you know
And this ain’t California
No snow capped mountains where we are
Some days I’d trade these speed bumps for a boulevard
We’re so close and yet so far
Cos this ain’t California
Small town boy
Open your eyes
Look to where your treasure lies
And who’s to say your words won’t fly
Though this ain’t California
We’re all here tonight
We don’t have an interstate
I guess it’s a little like the A38
Ten times as long, and twice as straight
Cos this ain't California
Thursday morning, skies are grey
It lacks the grandure of the ‘frisco Bay
It seems a million miles away
Cos this ain’t California
Small town boy
Open your eyes
Look to where your treasure lies
And who’s to say your words won’t fly
Though this ain’t California
We’re all here tonight
Instrumental
So I don’t need a Hollywood sign
A three bedroomed semi will do just fine
What we have is yours and it’s mine
Though this ain’t California
This ain’t California...
Small town boy
Open your eyes
Look to where your treasure lies
And who’s to say your words won’t fly
Though this ain’t California
We’re all here tonight
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3. |
In our hands
03:21
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Some say love is in your eyes
In the way you look at me
But maybe that's a trick of the light
Some say love is in your voice
But talk is so cheap
And words can lose their meaning
So I say...
Love is in our hands
Not just in our hearts
If love’s to mean something
This is where it starts
Love isn't words alone
Love is flesh and bone
And a life poured out
Some say love is in his kiss
That's not where it is
It sounds more like lust to me
Some say love is in your heart
But feelings ebb and flow
And they can deceive you
So I say…
Love, love love is in our hands
Not just in our hearts
If love’s to mean something
This is where it starts
Love isn't words alone
Love is flesh and bone
And a life poured out
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4. |
Four
03:16
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Oh I wish that I was four
I'd get to dress up more
I'd spend more time outdoors
I wouldn't have to pay the bills
I'd have Calpol when I'm ill.
I wish that I was four
Oh I wish that I was four
I'd be more self assured
It would be cute when I snored
We'd be princesses and kings
You would push me on the swings
I wish that I was four
We'd play games
You'd let me win
I'd have ketchup with everything
Oh I wish that I was four
I'd see no rich, no poor
I'd sit cross-legged on the floor
Silly things would make me laugh
instead of showers, I'd have baths
I wish that I was four
Oh I wish that I was four
I'd get out of all the chores
I'd be ignorant of wars
But I have long grown past the size
When I could have a shoulder ride
I wish that I was four
Runny nose?
I'd use my sleeve
Say "it's true"
And I'll believe you
Instrumental
You'd explain
I'd understand
I'd get scared
You'd hold my hand
Oh I wish that I was four
I might be less mature
But I’d know that I am yours
I'll drink from a plastic cup
And not hurry to grow up
I wish that I was four
Oh I wish that I was four
It'd be simpler I'm sure
Oh for cynicism’s cure
We'd be quickly reconciled
And I could trust just like a child
I wish that I was four
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5. |
On the run
03:59
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Well your eyes don't look at me like they used to
And the gentleness within your voice has gone
What's gone wrong?
With our voices raised and tempers fraying
And the silences we leave can feel so long
What's gone wrong?
But what we've got here's worth chasing
Come and take my hand
When love goes on the run we've got to find it
We've come too far to let it get away
When love goes on the run, there's nothing to be done
But to keep on going
And we'll find love along the way.
We decided long ago to follow
A love that sometimes tries to get away
It goes astray
But what we've got here's worth chasing
Come and take my hand
When love goes on the run we've got to find it
We've come too far to let it get away
When love goes on the run, there's nothing to be done
But to keep on going
And we'll find love along the way.
So we fan the gently glowing embers
Love is still the fire that keeps us warm
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6. |
River
04:32
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You can't stop a river running
It keeps on til it hits the ocean
It will always find a way
You can't stop a heart from loving
Love is such a force of nature
It will always find a way
And this love is so strong
It can carry us along
And this love is so strong
It will never see you wrong
Like raging tidal waters
Pulled by forces they can’t fathom
Love will not be tamed
Love can quickly overwhelm us
Once you dip your toe into the water
It can carry you away
And this love is so strong
It can carry us along
And this love is so strong
It will never see you wrong
And this love is so strong
It can carry us along
And this love is so strong
It will never see you wrong
And tonight as I sing well I feel your love
And my heart is so dry but you never give up
When I’ve done all I can
You reach out and you take my hand
And tonight as I sing well I feel your love
And my heart is so dry but you never give up
When I’ve done all I can
You reach out and you take my hand
And this love is so strong
It can carry us along
And this love is so strong
It will never see you wrong
This love is so strong
It can carry us along
And this love is so strong
It will never see you wrong
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7. |
No love lost
04:19
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There’s no love lost
No love lost
No love lost
But love can still be found
There’s no love lost
No love lost
No love lost
It all comes back around
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8. |
Love is happening
03:34
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Oh, my heavy heart
As I read the morning papers
And oh the wars that rage
But show no sign of ending
This world could shake your faith
But I think that we should look again
Beyond the headlines,
And all the talk of hate
Love is happening
Love is happening
In the darkness
Brighter shines the flame...
Love is happening
Oh…..Love is happening
Love can fill your heart
and the space that lies between us
Oh… hate can eat you up
but love will make you stronger
Bright eyes, alive with hope
I can see - love’s already here
Beyond the headlines,
And all the talk of hate
Love is happening
Love is happening
In the darkness
Brighter shines the flame...
Love is happening
Oh…..Love is happening
Melt the cold hearts
Open up the space where love is happening
Love is happening
Sometimes you feel it, I can see it on your face
Love is happening
Love is happening
Beyond the headlines,
And all the talk of hate
Love is happening
Love is happening
In the darkness
Brighter shines the flame...
Love is happening
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9. |
Still got a way to go
04:04
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Maybe you woke with a fire in your heart
Maybe you woke with a pain in your head
Maybe sleep has left you behind.
It’s all you can do to get out of bed
Maybe you woke with a song in your heart
Maybe a thousand thoughts in your head
Bleary eyed with a heavy soul
Cheeks still wet from the tears you shed
But the light still shines, though there's darkness
And the fire still burns though there's cold
And the way we are, it isn't how we started, or how we'll finish
We still got a way to go
Maybe you wish you could make a new start
Take back some of those words that you said
Maybe you think that your chances are gone
But don't take your eyes off the journey ahead
Cos the light still shines, though there's darkness
And the fire still burns though there's cold
And the way we are, it isn't how we started, or how we'll finish
We still got a way to go
So if it all comes right in the end
But right now nothing's changing, I know
That the light still shines, though there's darkness
Ad the fire still burns though there's cold
And the way we are, it isn't how we started, or how we'll finish
We still got a way to go
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Paul Bell Nottinghamshire, UK
"Melodic Bliss" - BBC Introducing.
Paul is a singer, songwriter and worship leader based near
Nottingham. Featured on BBC Radio 2, BBC Introducing. Appeared at Greenbelt, Big Church Day Out, Spring Harvest and other UK Festivals
New worship music releasing 2023.
... more
Paul Bell recommends:
Emily is something of a songwriting genius. This whole album is great - beautifully simple. You'll not hear a better song than "Tennessee". Gorgeous.
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These are just great songs. Love them. Produced by Matt Weeks, who co-produced my latest too. Good sounds.
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To The Pine Roots
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This album has a rawness and a beauty to it. Great record.
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The folk artist explores grief through these smooth and soulful tracks.
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