Unofficial Site For
The Music Ministry Of

a child of God's, chasing after his Lord's will for him.

The Lyrics Links

These lyrics are poetry.  The music adds flavor and dimension and avenues of wonder to explore, but the poetry stands strong on its own.  Special article:

Copyright © OUT OF THE BOX RECORDS 2013
Copyright © WHITE PLASTIC BAG MUSIC 2013
Out of the Box Records
All rights reserved
Lyrics reprinted by permission from Mitch Mcvicker

LYRICS 

Turn My Heart Around

I can feel the weight of the day close in
It comes just like a freight train approachin
And I'm stuck here in my stance
With worried thoughts and anxiousness
I just need a seventy times seventh chance

CHORUS
Turn my heart around
I wanna hear hear the sound
Of every single bird that's singing
A song of meaning profound
Open skies abound
I'll stare right through rain clouds
To see the stars are shining
And the silver lining to be found
So turn my heart around
Turn my heart around

Round and round I go I keep chasin wind
And before I know it I'm back again
Lookin straight up that mountain
Insane enough to think it'll amount to
A difference in me that has never been, that I've never seen ever

CHORUS

I can feel the weight of the day close in
Turn my heart around
I can feel the weight of the day closin in
Turn my heart around
I can feel the weight of the day
It's the weight of the day
It's the wait

Michael Aukofer: drums, percussion, piano
Carter Green: electric guitar, trombone, bgv
Dave Sprinkle: bass, trumpet
Mitch McVicker: acoustic guitar, bgv

Count On Me

Yesterday's a puff of smoke
Tomorrow's never here
Today's the only sure thing that we've got
The future's path is hard to know
Eyes can't see that clear
But count on me, I'll be there and I'll bring the love
(of the one who loves us, check it out what that does)

CHORUS
Who's gonna save you when the flood water rises
Who's gonna pull you from the fire
Who's gonna shield you from the storm winds blowin
Who's gonna hold you through the night
Count on me, it'll all be alright

Watch the birds with all they got
They never seem to ask
So there's no need to want more than we have
Trouble's constant, yeah more will come
Down roads we hadn't planned
But just count on me, I'll be there to hold your hand
(I'm holdin on to him who holds us, look what that does)

This day is our chance to love
Eyes cannot see clear enough
Cling to him who holds us
Cling to him who holds us

Michael Aukofer: drums, percussion, organ
Carter Green: electric guitar, loop, bgv
Dave Sprinkle: bass
Mitch McVicker: acoustic guitar, bgv

Danger

Danger is everywhere
It's in my footsteps
It's waiting at the door
It's where I'm goin, where I've been
That's the walk of faith
Time and time again
I am not afraid
Oh who am I tryin to kid?
 

CHORUS
Tell me you're closer than
You have ever been
'Cause I can't feel that now
I just feel alone again
No matter how close I get
The fear keeps crashin in
Show me you're love is
More than what's dangerous
Let me know you're here
And I'll be brave I swear

I've been swirlin on
That danger spiral
I've seen the world from top
And then I slip I fall
So every single day
I find I'm spinning spinning
It's nothin I can't take
Oh who am, who am I kidding?

CHORUS
I can't feel that no
I just feel alone

Michael Aukofer: drums, percussion, piano 
Carter Green: electric guitar, string, keyboard, string arrangement, bgv
Dave Sprinkle: bass 
Mitch McVicker: acoustic guitar, string arrangement, bgv

The Way Up Is the Way Down

The way up is the way down
If you're trusting in the ladder then you fall to the ground
Yeah the sick, the poor, the tired and ignored
They'll be climbin through the clouds
We're all lost coins kicked to the dirt
We're just one of ninety-nine but the last will be first
Because the hurt, the weak, and those who turn the other cheek
Lead an underground parade, listen to the chorus
 

HORUS
The way up is the way down
So wipe your frown
The way up is the way down
Let it go, let it flow, let it out
The way up is the way down
Come find your crown
The way up is the way down
Let it go, let it flow, the way up is the way down

The river flows right through the heat
Without the barest of the branches there would never be a spring
And the dark and defeated, the heart that's in pieces
Are risin up like never ever seen
'Cause the way up is the way down
And it's quiet at the moment but the horn is gonna sound
For the frightened in the dark, for the wounded and the scarred
So listen to em singin it out

CHORUS
The way up is the way down
Rain through this drought
The way up is the way down
Let it go, let it flow, let it out
The way up is the way down
Keep lookin round
The way up is the way down
Let it go let it flow the way up is the way down

No more runnin, no more hidin
No more lions, no more tigers
They all flee from, from the fire
We all stand inside it
Me, I'll stand inside

Michael Aukofer: drums, percussion, wurlitzer, gang vocal
Carter Green: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, gang vocal
Dave Sprinkle: bass, gang vocal
Erin Mills: gang vocal
Mitch McVicker: acoustic guitar, bgv, gang vocal

My Comforter

I think I died when
Nothing was hard
And it all seemed to flow
It was oh so enticin
For my wayward heart
And my wandering soul
So now I won't, I won't follow

CHORUS
I'm gonna be uncomfortable
With every corner I round
But I will walk through your kingdom
And live it all out
Because you're my comforter

Somehow life's found
On roughest path
Through narrowest gate
Goodness abounds
It's just a figment that passed
'Cause for ease I've exchanged it
So I'll tighten my grip

CHORUS

It's an uncomfortable comfort
But I, I am alive

CHORUS

Michael Aukofer: drums, percussion, accordion, piano
Carter Green: electric guitar, 12-string guitar, mandolin, bgv
Dave Sprinkle: bass
Mitch McVicker: acoustic guitar, harmonica

Savior, Savior

Savior, savior where'd you go
I was headin towards you
Thought sure that I was near
But Savior, savior where are you
I was goin your way
Seems like you have disappeared

You, you've never moved
And where you are is where you'll always be
You've never moved, your love is proof
Although I may not feel it
Your arms are wrapped around me
Always wrapped around me

Savior, savior
Was right in line
Then I looked through so many windows
With drifting eyes
Savior savior
You brought me back
I went round so many corners
But now I'll stop and stand

CHORUS

I never would have viewed that crimson moon
If my plans had not fallen through
I never would have viewed that crimson moon

CHORUS
You've never moved
This is true
When I was the one moving
You're arms were wrapped around me

Michael Aukofer: percussion, drums, piano, keyboard
Carter Green: electric guitar, 
Dave Sprinkle: bass, piano
Mitch McVicker: string arrangement, keyboard, bgv
 

Come Back to Your Heart

The smoldering wick
Will not be quenched
Nothin can snuff the flame
You've been promised
A stone with a new name
Within you there's a
Glowin treasure
Like flowers of pastures green
And darkest shadows
Can't cover up it's gleam

CHORUS
Come back to your heart
Come back to your soul
Come back to your heart
Come back home

We all have squandered
A thousand gifts yet
Look who runs our way
Blessed are those who
Return and long for grace
There's no dead end
The life we live
It showers from on high
And it swells within you
Remember what's inside

CHORUS

Michael Aukofer: drums, percussion, accordion, gang vocals/stomps/claps
Carter Green: 12-string guitar, mandolin, fiddle, gang vocals/stomps/claps
Dave Sprinkle: bass, gang vocals/stomps/claps
Erin Mills: gang vocals
Mitch McVicker: acoustic guitar, harmonica, bgv, gang vocals/stomps/claps

Stay Empty

Where does my heart lie?
For here I have no home
The wind cuts through night
And now I long to find where it blows from
The stuff of the earth dries
Up and lifts like smoke
Into widening skies, but no man is an island alone
And I just don't belong

CHORUS
I'll stay empty, I'm 'onna stay empty
I will not be filled
I'm through with this world
I'll stay empty, I'm 'onna stay empty
I said I'm through with this world
I won't fill myself, I'll wait
And stay empty

Where is that safe feeling?
Is that it resting there on the ground?
Acrobats fly, but they never will try
With their nets down
And I confess that same weakness

CHORUS

Silence is so full
And I'm reminded of how small I am
Love takes from me
What's in front of my king
So I'm grabbin just what matters

CHORUS

Michael Aukofer: drums, percussion, organ, 
Carter Green: electric guitar
Dave Sprinkle: bass
Erin Mills: bgv
Mitch McVicker: acoustic guitar, bgv

Underneath

Underneath it's silent, like at the  bottom of the deep dark sea
Just beneath you'll find there's more to both you and me
Underneath seems vacant, like the wounded nighttime sky
Just beneath the surface the soul carries home the light

CHORUS
Underneath yeah underneath yeah underneath
Behind the flashing of the lights there is a kingdom
I wanna make it my home
Underneath yeah underneath yeah underneath
Beyond the swirling of the sounds there is a heaven
It's where I will be livin oh oh oh

Security is highest, society told me so
What we gain defines us, the world said don't let go
Said what I control with my white grip hold is all I'm ever gonna have
But that river's run dry, so out I'm gonna climb and rise again new to stand

CHORUS

The night has been wounded
But I will stand again

CHORUS

Michael Aukofer: drums, percussion, organ, clavinet, keyboard
Carter Green: electric guitar
Dave Sprinkle: bass
Mitch McVicker: acoustic guitar, string arrangement, bgv

God of Heaven

Give me eyes to see lord
May you're light be my sight
Give me ears that I may hear
Your voice to be my guide
Give me feet to travel
The path you've placed me on
Each step I take is with breath you gave
You're the air that fills my lungs

CHORUS
You are god of heaven
Yet you make the mountains move
You bring heaven to this world
I will bring my praise to you
You are god of heaven
You move in mystery ways
Yet I can sing of how your great love saves
For you are god of heaven

Speak to me, I'll listen
And give thanks in small and great
Til every sound out of my mouth
Will always bear your name

CHORUS

You are god, you're my god
You are god of heaven
You are god, Your great love will save
You are god, you're my god
You are god of heaven
You are god, I will sing your praise

CHORUS

CHORUS

Michael Aukofer: percussion, drums, piano
Carter Green: nylon string guitar
Dave Sprinkle: bass
Mitch McVicker: bgv
Erin Mills: bgv
 

Produced by Mitch McVicker

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Carter Green at Greenjeans Studios

Photography and Design by Aaron Patton

Copyright © OUT OF THE BOX RECORDS 2011
Copyright © WHITE PLASTIC BAG MUSIC 2011
Out of the Box Records
All rights reserved
Lyrics reprinted by permission from Mitch Mcvicker

HERE COMES THE DAY

Music Review New: Everything Shines

Always Believe

Music review

LOVE WILL RISE 

Music review 

 MM THE 2006 LIMITED EDITION EP  ~ music review 

General  review: Link
Track by track review: Link

All rights reserved
Lyrics reprinted by permission from Mitch Mcvicker

All rights reserved. Lyrics reprinted 
by permission from Mitch Mcvicker

elease Date: March 06, 2001
(available at concerts starting Feb 18th, 2001)

Produced by Mark Robertson
Engineered by Jordan Richter
Photography by Ben Pearson

Players:
Mark Robertson - bass, glockenspeil 
Phil Madeira - acoustic, electric, & mando guitar, dobro, piano, B3 organ, accordian, toy piano, wurlitzer, pedal steel guitar, drums
Brad Layher - acoustic guitar, mandola, hammered dulcimer, BGVs
Rick Elias - acoustic & electric guitar
Dennis Holt - drums, percussion
Steve Hindalong - percussion
Riki Michelle - BGVs
Jim Hoke - clarinet, flute, horn arrangements
Bob Burns - tuba
Glen Rosengarden - french horn

 ~ Rich Mullins & Mitch McVicker 
*see note
Music Review & Lyrics
songs sung by Mitch

Review Link

Also, special thanks to Mitch for granting permission to include the Canticle lyrics on the Unofficial Site.  I am also thankful to him for reading this review to verify the story paraphrase is acceptable.

Unofficial Site For
The Music Ministry Of

a child of God's, chasing after his Lord's will for him.

The Lyrics Links

These lyrics are poetry.  The music adds flavor and dimension and avenues of wonder to explore, but the poetry stands strong on its own.  Special article:

LOVE WILL RISE 

Music review 

 MM THE 2006 LIMITED EDITION EP  ~ music review 

General  review: Link
Track by track review: Link

All rights reserved
Lyrics reprinted by permission from Mitch Mcvicker

All rights reserved. Lyrics reprinted 
by permission from Mitch Mcvicker

 ~ Rich Mullins & Mitch McVicker 
*see note
Music Review & Lyrics
songs sung by Mitch

Review Link

Also, special thanks to Mitch for granting permission to include the Canticle lyrics on the Unofficial Site.  I am also thankful to him for reading this review to verify the story paraphrase is acceptable.