Songs & Lyrical Review on OUT OF MY HANDS
Track 1: RESTORATION - Words and Music
by: Ed Nicholson & Joe Beck. This
song was originally written for a Phillips, Craig, and Dean album,
being the title song.
Ed Nicholson's CD is launched with a rousing start with
this peppy acoustic rhythmic rock worship song, which advises
the listener to take some time for self-reflection and self
evaluation, turn to the Lord, confess wrongdoing, and find forgiveness
and restoration through Jesus. Human beings have the tendency
to do the wrong thing, swayed by many temptations lurking in
our secular culture and ourselves. (Romans 7:15-25)
The song begins with a strong, driving
acoustic guitar sound in a minor key for two stanzas, supported
by some mean maracas, which establishes both the rhythmic pattern
of the song and provides a nice introduction to the melody as
well. Verse 1 is quiet with just guitar, vocals, and some interesting
soft sounds of perhaps a keyboard. Sound swells at the chorus
as rest of band and drums jump in for fine effect, building
in dynamics throughout the chorus. Drums, percussion pick up
the rhythmic pattern set by the guitar. Other verses are quieter
as well, but the musical accompaniment builds in each additional
verse, which adds some interesting variances and some color.
It all gives fine support to the expressive, dynamic energetic
vocals by Ed. Adding strings to various parts adds a nice touch,
and works well with the electric guitar parts. Song's last stanzas
quiets down to just the rhythmic percussion pattern and some
interesting sounds.
Related Scripture References: Romans
7:15-25, Romans 2:4, 2nd Peter 3:9, 2nd Cor. 7:10, Psalm 139:23-24
Lyrical Samples:
1) Looking at this fallen race. Standing
in the light of grace. We can't see the shadow of the past.
Building our security, Truth lost its identity, But there's
still time for us to get it back. Chorus: If we sing hey now,
hey nananana now, And take some time for self examination.
Chorus: If we sing hey now, hey nananana
now, We need to be baptized in salvation. If we sing hey now,
hey nananana now, What we need is Restoration. We sing hey now.
Hey nananana now. What we really need is Restoration.
2) Twisted in this awful mess. Swimming
in our own success. Watching as the truth just fades away. It's
time to put our faith to test. Let our souls be undressed. Show
the world we mean what we say.
3) Staring somewhere into space. Hoping
to find some saving grace. I felt a tug within my heart. You
rolled the stone, pulled me apart. Your light illuminates the
dark. And makes my voice cry out loud.
Track 2: HELPLESS - Words and Music by
Ed Nicholson, Phil Hair, and Joe Beck
A favorite of this reviewer. Song starts
with an easy drum beat and nice acoustic guitar intro which
sets the beat and introduces the catchy melody. Electric guitars
join the acoustic guitar, filling in chords and supporting the
rhythm. Vocals are strong and expressive, with nice backup
vocals in the chorus. Verse 1 explores a common weakness in
our human nature, a common problem which can trip us up on our
faith walk, getting us off track. Verse 2 describes a painful
learning process which is often the result of our own folly.
Luckily we have a faithful Lord who loves us and will forgive
our shortcomings.
Related Scripture References: (John 1:4,
5, 9, and 8:12, Psalm 18:1-3, 28, Psalm 143:11,12, 2nd Cor.
12:9 & 1 Peter 4:11)
Lyrical Samples:
1) I have ignored the signs, Pretended
I was blind. Like I could run away from You. You can bend the
truth so far, 'til you've forgotten who you are. Ambiguous becomes
a way of life. I've let my foolish ambition. Walk the bridge
between. What's wrong and what is right. I've built a fortress
around my heart. But now I'm letting down my guard. I'm giving
up the fight.
Chorus: I'm Helpless. I'm down on my
knees. I'm desperate and broken now. I'm praying Lord save me.
Because without You there's no meaning. There's no purpose,
there's no hope at all. Without You there's no light. I stumble
and I fall. I'm learning without Your love....I'm helpless.
2) For every action there's a cause.
The consequences get us all. We all pay for our mistakes. The
future leaves a bitter taste. When you come face to face. With
who you are. It's so hard to swallow. And just like the prodigal.
I've squandered a fortune of oh so precious time. But even though
I kept my distance. Every time I open up Lord You know I always
find. Chorus.
Bridge: If I could I would be strong
for You. But all I have to offer is my weakness, And all these
broken pieces. Hook: Oh yes, I'm learning without Your love,
Oh yes, I'm learning without Your love. Learning without Your
love....I'm Helpless.
Track 3: ILLOGICAL - Words and Music by
Ed Nicholson, Phil Hair, and Joe Beck
Driving rock beat, supported by driving
guitars which both support the rhythm and main melody and fine
vocals. Interesting sounds add spice to the composition, all
which supports and enhances the melody and fine vocals.
Related Scripture References: (John
10:27-30, Col. 1:17-20, John 3:16)
Lyrical Samples:
1) You picked me up and put me together.
You made the pieces fit even better. How could you choose to
place your hand on me. I run away but You draw me near. I tumble
down but You bring me here. This perfect place where I don't
deserve to be.
Bridge: And it makes no sense when all
I see is, How Your grace goes on so endlessly.
Chorus: Cause it's so, so illogical.
So impossible to see Your love for me through my eyes. Yes,
it's so, so untypical, Of anything I've known. But I'll take
it all on faith because it's so...illogical.
2) I scream Your name I doubt my faith.
I shake my fist but still you wait. Patiently through every
season. You lost your life so I'd gain forever. Don't understand
how You could ever, Love so far beyond my reason. Bridge 2:
And I still can't comprehend how You could give Your life for
me so selflessly. Chorus
Track 4: CANYONS (YOU LIFT MY VOICE) -
Words and Music by Ed Nicholson and Joe Beck
A lovely contemporary prayer hymn, a
praise, and worship song with light percussion, a very nice acoustical
guitar support for the melody, with electrical guitar chords
in the chorus. A strong melody, coupled with meaningful lyrics
and an upbeat chorus, with nice vocal harmony, sung with expressive
feeling by Nicholson creates a lovely contemporary prayer hymn
that would be at home in most denominations that use contemporary
music.
When trials and sorrows enter our lives,
this song encourages us to remember all the times the Lord has
been faithful in our lives, and find comfort in the faithfulness
of our loving Lord, who empowers us, upholds us, and gives us
an inner joy and peace, despite our circumstances.
Related Scripture References: (Psalm
8, Phil 4:6-8, Hebrew 13:6)
Lyrical Samples:
1) Oh when sorrow fills my hollow heart
again. I try to grasp for things that slip right through my
hands. There's so much here for me to try and comprehend. Your
Spirit plays a melody I understand. Chorus
2) When shadows hide the void that's
in my life. And darkness tries to veil Your ever present light.
I hear Your praise in me, it echoes from above Lord. You wrote
the symphony of love.
Chorus: You lift my voice, You lift
my voice, (To Praise You). It echoes through the canyons of
my soul. You lift my voice, You lift my voice, (To worship You,
to worship You).
Bridge: And now I stand in awe a witness.
Of all the things You've done for me. You play me like the instrument
that I long to be. Lord I long to be.
3) Oh the vastness of
creation takes my breath. I see the sights, the sounds, the
colors, and the depth Of who You are and the power that You
possess. And Your overwhelming faithfulness. Chorus
Track 5: BEAUTIFUL THING - Words and Music
by Ed Nicholson and Joe Beck
Another favorite of this reviewer. A
funky R& B rock-style, syncopated rhythm, and percussion melded
into the melody, expressed by guitars and drums, and touches
of horns and keyboards, sung in this style beautifully by Ed,
who expresses the joy and amazement that the Lord loves us despite
our weaknesses, tendencies to do the wrong thing, and Who has
devised a plan that allows us through Jesus to be cleansed of
our sin and become His children.
Related Scripture References: (John 3:16,
Psalm 8, Romans 5:6-8, 1 John 5:7 and Romans 7:14-25)
Lyrical Samples:
1) From the very beginning, There was
never any doubt that, You would have to save my soul. Cause
under any condition, I'm still just flesh and blood yeah, A
life out of control. And here in Your scheme of redemption.
Your grace comes falling down. Your mercy takes hold.
Chorus: It's a beautiful, beautiful,
a beautiful thing, The way You love me. It's a beautiful, beautiful
a beautiful thing, The way You reach for me, You reach for me.
2) I see the world around me. Hear creation
sing your praises. It's a spiritual affair. And the closer I
get to who You are, The more I feel your presence, Lord. It's
everywhere, It's everywhere. Chorus
Track 6 : ALWAYS A SAVIOR - Words and Music
by Ed Nicholson and Joe Beck
A real peppy Christian rock praise and
worship song, that cooks with a strong rock beat driving throughout
the song, supported by guitars and keyboard, which nicely melds
with a fine melody, great lyrics, and plenty of enthusiasm with
great dynamics in it's musical composition, as well as in the
fine vocals.
When things go wrong, our lives unravel
and we suffer pain and disappointment, we always have a faithful
friend in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Related Scripture References: (John 14:1,
1 John 19-21, Romans 8:35-38, Matt. 11:28-30)
Lyrical Samples:
1) Playing on your sympathy, Questioning
what you believe has taken its toll. Your blanket of securities.
Unraveling and all you see are lies. Your life is spinning out
of control. (Your life is spinning out of control)
Chorus: But for every disappointment,
Every doubt. For the pain that's just too deep to talk about.
When the candle of hope is burning out. You know there's always
a Savior. (Always a Savior). You know there's always a Savior.
(Always a Savior). You know there's always a Savior. (Always
a Savior).
2) So this is how you pass the time.
Reliving every bitter lie. It's a door that won't close. Self-pity
is how you endure. Your faith in life so insecure. And it's
hard to just let it go. But you ought to know, Yes, you ought
to know. (There's something you ought to know) Chorus.
Track 7: TOTALLY GOD - Words and Music by
Ed Nicholson and Joe Beck
Another favorite of this reviewer. A
reverent praise and worship hymn song that quietly starts with
expressive vocals, acoustic guitar, touch of electrical guitar
solo, bongos. Strings, light drums join at the second stanza.
Nice counter melody on electric guitar, other instruments. Nice
vocal and composition dynamics, which steadily grows throughout
the song. Nice blending of electrical guitars and strings.
Related Scripture References: (John 10:14-16,
Psalm 18:1-2 & 31-32, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:7-8)
Lyrical Samples:
1) He knows my name. He knows that I
am flesh and blood. But He loves me just the same. Even when
I turn away. Blessings still come. Like showers of grace from
heav'n above. Drowning me in love. And it goes beyond any words
that I could say.
Chorus: 'Cause it's all Totally God.
It's out of my hands. It's bigger than anything I could plan.
I'm covered in grace. I'm totally loved. With no strings attached,
no circumstances. Yes, I know. It's Totally God.
2) He is my strength. A comfort in my
time of need. He took the blame. When He died for me. When He
died for me. When I am weak, My heart's too hard, my eyes can't
see. When I'm on my knees. He's always there and waiting patiently.
Chorus
3) Hook:
Hidden in this chaos of life. There's a longing just to know
Him. He fills the void that's deep inside. He is our only hope.
Our one way to survive. Chorus
Track 9: MERCY SEED - Words and Music
by Ed Nicholson and Joe Beck
This song is this reviewer's favorite
on the CD. Starts off with easy drums, a flute, a cello, acoustic
guitar, with the cello playing the intro to the melody. An acoustic
guitar and soft keyboard support the main beautiful melody,
fine expressive vocals, and back-up harmony. Add meaningful lyrics
put so well together with the melody, and the kind of song that
lifts you up around the room is created.
The song tells the story of two people
who step out on faith and reach out in love when they listen
to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit within them. Showing
our faith through our actions towards others in need can plant
a seed which can sprout into a belief in Jesus. We should take
the time from our busy lives to plant a seed of faith by taking
care of others' needs.
Related Scripture References: (James 2:8,
22, 24, 1 John 4:11,12, Jude 2:22, 23 and Galations 5:22)
Lyrical Samples:
1) Well she saw the wounded wandering,
And she heard them cry. "Oh please is there a place where we
can go?" So she wrapped them in love's shelter as she felt the
grace within her. Reaching out mercy's hand to those she saw
in need.
Chorus: Her Heart sang, Hey I'm gonna
take the time to see, That there are thousands of people dying
to be free. And their only hope for mercy are the years He's
given me. And the time....to plant the seed.
2) He heard a voice within in the darkness,
Calling to his heart saying, "I'll give you words to speak",
So he started on his journey, Not knowing where it would lead
him, Reaching out...mercy's hand...to those he saw in need.
Chorus
Bridge 1: Calling out to me, Calling
out to me, Hear Him calling out to me.
3) If you feel the urge within you of
compassion's plea. Breaking down your heart of stone. You don't
have to be a priest to understand the simple theology, Of reaching
out...Mercy's hand to those who are in need. Chorus Hey I'm
gonna take the time to see. That there are thousands of people
dying to be free. And their only hope for mercy are the years
He's given me. And the time. Take some time, Oh, take the time,
To plant the seed, Calling out to me.
.Track 10: THERE'S NOT A CHANCE IN THIS
WORLD - Words and Music by Ed Nicholson, Joe Beck, and Brian
White
A song of lament and personal confession,
written in a minor key, using keyboard, guitar, horn, soft electrical
guitar accents. The melody segues into a major key at the chorus,
as it explains that the only way to find happiness, truth, and
peace is through the Lord. Related Scriptural References: (Romans
12:2, 1 Peter 1:14, 1 John 2:15, Ephesians 4:22-24)
Lyrical Samples:
1) Sometimes I feel just like a street
corner preacher. Sharing my heart to a world gone mad. No one
ever seems to take the time to stop and listen. They've got
no time for some crazy old man. They chase the dream in pursuit
of the rainbow. Hoping someday to find their pot of gold. They
long for life and a sense of freedom. But in the end what do
they really hold. Can't they see. When will they learn.
Chorus: There's not a chance in this
world. Of ever finding happiness. There's not a chance in this
world. Of ever finding the truth. There's not a chance in this
world. Of ever finding peace. No not a chance without You.
2) I've put my trust in some worldly
wisdom. I've cast my pearls before the swine. I've built my
castles just to sit and watch them crumble. I've heard a voice
inside this heart of mine saying....Chorus
Julie Carr - Reviewer for Christianmusic.com
To listen to a sample of songs on the CD, visit Ed's website: ednicholson.info
Ed Nicholson
To see pictures of one of the community
worship festivals, where worships leaders from other churches
come together to play live music for the community at large.
Go to: worshipmore.com