CD Song Lyrics: Witness, Year Blue, Semester 1, Grades 5-8

Walking slowly past the tree Seeing what they want to see Same as you, and same as me Knowing here them captive free

Where do we go from here? Where do we go from here? A curse and a promise, a blessing upon us Where do we go from here? Father asks for one more day Mother says he just can't stay How it ever got this way No one really wants to say

Where do we go from here? Where do we go from here? A curse and a promise, a blessing upon us Where do we go from here?

Set against September's sun A fragile balance came undone From Kandahar to Washington The fallout falls on everyone

Where do we go from here? Where do we go from here? A curse and a promise, a blessing upon us Where do we go from here?

Yesterday he breathed his last Gatherings recall the past And ponder questions never asked Dreams and visions fade so fast

Where do we go from here Where do we go from here

1 A curse and a promise, a blessing upon us Where do we go from here

Contributor Information LOST AND FOUND, Michael Bridges and George Baum, play concerts around the country all year. Their latest CD is Something Different. Check their Web site for concert dates in your area.

Contact Information www.speedwood.com

Don't look at what you don't got Look at what you got. Don't look at what you don't got Look at what you got.

Shame on you, Cain. Why did you try to bring the pain? God's maybe not happy when you get sad. See but loves you the same. You got mad cause you felt bad. You didn't look at what you had. My sibling is such a nerd. We exchange words, we get hurt. But I would never, ever ever ever Stop the family from being together That's my crew, I thought you knew Keep each other, that's how we do.

Am I my brother's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my brother's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my brother's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) If you really know it then your love will surely show it.

Am I my sister's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my sister's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my sister's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Love (Love). We (We). (Got. to show it).

The mark means God is keeping us The mark means God is keeping us The mark means God is keeping us This is a promise that we can trust. Even though Cain done really messed up, God still showed some grace. Even though I do really mess up, God gives me an embrace. So right now give at least four hugs. And mark them with a cross of love on their forehead.

3 Say, "I am marked with a sign of love" "I am marked with a sign of love" Just like Cain when he messed up Just like Cain when he messed up That's worth bouncing up and down for That's worth bouncing up and down for So praise the Lord and make some more So praise the Lord and make some more... noise Loose your voice

Am I my brother's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my brother's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my brother's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) If you really know it then your love will surely show it.

Am I my sister's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my sister's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my sister's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Love (Love). We (We). (Got. to show it).

So why this hating in the family? We gotta s.p.r.e.a.d. l.o.v. to e. Scheming on taking what your family has. Don't get jealous talking all that jazz. Throw your hands up for your brother if you got his back. (Yeah. I like that) Throw your hands down for your sister if you got her back (I like that) Give a high five to a homie if you got their back (Yeah, I like that) Bounce if you love your homie and you love the track. (Yeah, it’s like that.) Be grateful for the plateful of food. Don't be the dude that's hateful Be gracious with the basics in the world don't be the girl that's racist Cain, you shoulda known That we all in the family when we all get home. Just love each other and keep each other. Love each other and keep each other. Love each other and keep each other. Keep your sister and keep your brother.

Am I my brother's keeper? (ya ya ya know it)

4 Am I my brother's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my brother's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) If you really know it then your love will surely show it.

Am I my sister's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my sister's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Am I my sister's keeper? (ya ya ya know it) Love (Love). We (We). (Got. to show it).

Contributor Information David Scherer spreads a positive flow through hip hop. Dave combines rapping, dancing, and storytelling to captivate his audience and challenge them to explore their faith in God. He has released two CDs and has traveled from Seattle to Puerto Rico and many places in between with his Hip Hop Outreach ministry.

Contact Information www.hiphopoutreach.com

Contributor Information HappyFunTime is a comedy troupe based out of Minneapolis. They use video sketches and live improv to get people to laugh and to think about their faith in new and fresh ways. In addition to creating original comedy material for Augsburg Fortress Sunday school and VBS curriculum, HappyFunTime tours nationally, performing at youth gatherings, churches, colleges, and other events.

Contact information www.happyfuntime.net

Keep the Commandments. And when you can’t keep the Commandments, Remember that God still loves you. Even when you’re lost, God loves you.

I’m the Lord your God, brought you out of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol.

Some clowns try to do that with the Bible. Whether it’s in heaven or it’s in the water, Don’t bow to them, bow to your Father I, the Lord your God am a jealous God. But I don’t think you hear me. I said, I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. Don’t put your faith in Sponge Bob.

But I show steadfast l.o.v.e. to your sis and to your bro To your grandmamma and your grandpapa And to your grandma’s grandma’s grandma’s grandma’s grandmama And to your grandpa’s grandpa’s grandpa’s…

Keep the Commandments. And when you can’t keep the Commandments, Remember that God still loves you. Even when you’re lost, God loves you.

You shall not make wrongful use Observe the Sabbath Day and keep it holy, okay One day two day three day four Fifth day, you get paid late, that’s cool Sixth day you work and play you learn to stay in school The seventh day, remember the drill. What’s that? Be still. Honor your father even if he bothers you You know what else to do?

8 Honor your mother tell you that you love her ‘Cause she loves you too

Do not murder I’ve never murdered, except a cheeseburger But words are sure to discourage Don’t kill ‘em with your words Talk to ‘em first Love each other and love me The biggest commandment there ever will be.

You shall not commit adultery on this earth. You shall respect their bodies for what they’re worth You shall not steal You shall respect others a great deal

You shall not bear false witness You shall never forget this You shall not covet You shall enjoy your life and love it.

And if you cannot keep all ten, Remember that grace will overcome sin.

Keep the Commandments. And when you can’t keep the Commandments, Remember that God still loves you. Even when you’re lost, God loves you.

Love the Lord your God, And love each other. That’s what it comes down to, right?

Contact Information www.hiphopoutreach.com

Contact information www.happyfuntime.net

Chorus: Real love and the whole truth Compassion and honesty Real love and the whole truth Living with integrity

Two ladies shared a house How about we call them Alice and Zoe? They both had babies in the same week Are you ready for this strange story?

Well, one night Alice in the middle of the night rolled over on her baby son and he died So Alice she decided to take the dead baby into Zoe’s room She had a plan by the light of the moon Now Alice quietly took Zoe’s son away and she laid her dead baby down in his place Took Zoe's baby back to her own bed with sheets of satin Went back to sleep like nothing happened

Next morning Zoe came to Alice and said, "You know as well as I do That’s my boy you have there and if you lie to me, I’m just gonna have to sue you I mean, I’m sorry, my friend, that your baby is gone but give me back my son"

But Alice lied and said, "No, no, no way I think you must be crazy This one’s mine and that one’s yours. If you’ve got a problem with that, we can just take it to King Solomon’s court (or if he’s busy, Judge Judy’s just down the street) So they went to see King Solomon and tell him the whole story Each woman said her piece with all of the gory details- like it was heads or tails It was up to the King to get the scoop, ask for proof Who would he believe and how would he know who was telling the truth?

Chorus Real love and the whole truth (What’s in your heart?) Compassion and honesty Real love and the whole truth (How will you live?) Living with integrity

The King looked at the ladies, said, "Just one thing to do. Someone get me a sword- we’ll chop this perfectly good baby in two You heard me right, then you can each have half." Both mamas gasped. Zoe screamed, "No! Whatever you do- no no! Don’t hurt the child because I love him so That’s a crazy idea of justice you got, King. Just give the baby to Alice, safe and sound and we’ll forget the whole thing" Well then Alice had her chance to talk to the king about his idea of the guillotine thing She said, "Yeah, whatever"- see she didn’t really care Course you know she’d been lying the whole time- she didn’t care what was fair

Well, King Solomon said, "A ha!" ‘cause he was mighty wise Hold that sword! The boy doesn’t have to die Give the baby to Zoe because it’s clear to me She’s the real Mama, not Alice, you see The real mother of the child wouldn’t let no thing happen to her baby by a crazy king That’s my judgment, my decision; that’s my rule And that’s the story of real love and the whole truth

Chorus Real Love and the whole truth (What’s in your heart?) Compassion and honesty Real love and the whole truth (How will you live?) Living with integrity Contributor Information Richard Bruxvoort Colligan is a student of Theology and the Arts at United Theological Seminary of Minneapolis. He is a freelance workshop leader, concert performer, and composer.

Contact information www.riversvoice.com

Contact information www.happyfuntime.net

Esther was the queen and Haman was the bad guy Esther had a cousin who took care of her named Mordecai Who wouldn’t bow to Haman which made Haman very mad And that’s how it all began

Haman had a hankering to have a meeting with the king He told him lies until the king agreed to give his signet ring So Haman had the power now do to just about anything And going after Mordecai and Israel was just the thing

CHORUS: Never give up, never give up You gotta do what you can, when hope is lost Oh, when hope is gone The hand that holds you up is the hand of God

Well, don’t forget that Esther was the queen inside the castle keep Her cousin Mordecai sent word, "Hey, we’re in trouble really deep. "Haman has the evil eye on me and all the Israelites; "Please go to the king."

Esther said to Mordecai, "I’d love to help but I’m afraid.

"The king has rules and if I try to see him I might end up dead." But Mordecai gave this reply, "Dear cousin you must do or die. "Maybe you’ve become the queen for just this very time."

CHORUS Oh, when hope is lost You gotta do what you can, don’t count the cost Oh, when hope is gone The hand that holds you up is the hand of God

Esther said, "I see your point. I will ponder, fast and pray, "Tell our people do not fear, help is coming on the way." "I will make some supper and the king will come on over "And Haman will think all the fuss is all about him."

And so the king, he came and ate and he and Haman cleaned their plates Later after supper when he went to bed he lay awake He read some royal history books and when he took a closer look Mordecai had saved his life in chapter twenty-five

CHORUS: Oh, when hope is lost You gotta do what you can, don’t count the cost Oh, when hope is gone The hand that holds you up is the hand of God So he said to Haman, "There’s a man who’s due some recognition And Haman thought, "I think it’s me!" and offered this suggestion: "Bring a horse, a royal robe, and have a big parade." And the king said, "That sounds great….Mordecai will LOVE it!"

Now if you thought that Haman was an angry little man before Well, just imagine how he felt to have to go to Morty’s door And put a robe upon his back and help him up upon the horse

Meanwhile at the castle keep the queen was cooking up a scheme When Haman showed for dinner he saw Mordecai beside the king And though he tried to hide it, Haman was so very steamed To see his enemy becoming friends with the king

CHORUS

"And now my dear" the king, he said, "please tell me what is your request. "Half my kingdom, all my best, I’d give to you if you would ask." Esther said, "Please spare my life, and all my people from your sword. "Please have mercy, Lord."

The king was shocked to hear the news. "Who threatens you?!" he finally roared "The man who’s sitting next to you," said Esther. "He’s the one, my lord." And Haman, who had hoped to have the honor of the king Was now, to say the very least, in trouble very deep

18 Well, Haman begged for mercy, but that only made it so much worse The tables had been turned on him and so he got his just desserts And Mordecai was honored by the king for all his days And Israel was saved

CHORUS

And so that is the tale of what we know of Esther’s history How it came together still appears to some a mystery To some it seemed coincidence Events that coincide by chance But Esther knew that all of it Her pots and pans and crown and wit Were given, guarded, held, and helped along by unseen Hands Until the very end

Contributor InformationCathy Pino is a musician/writer from Minneapolis. She began her career as an English teacher, then detoured into mission work and youth ministry. In addition to freelancing for AFP, Cathy directs Youth Encounter's summer worship workshop, and shares her own music at camps, women's retreats, youth events and churches nationwide.

Contact information [email protected]

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths, for his names’ sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. You are with me. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. I will dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

God said to Jonah, go to Nineveh Tell all the people what the Lord say But Jonah ran away from lonely Nineveh And on the way to Tarshish Got swallowed by a large fish

Chorus: Now Jonah’s in the fish It all comes down to this In the dark, dark, dark It’s so glug, glug, glug It’s so cold, cold, cold Then you behold, hold, hold, hold That God is in the fish

It all comes down to this It’s so dark, dark, dark, It’s so cold, cold, cold But there’s more love, love, love Than you can hold, hold, hold, hold

Jonah set out for lonely Nineveh To tell all the people what the Lord did say Don’t you run away from lonely Nineveh There’s nothing much in Tarshish But a really large fish

Chorus

God said to Jonah, I’m making you a bush It’s lovely to look at, and you can rest your tush And when its gone away You’ll love it anyway Cause when it’s dark, dark, dark, And so glug, glug, glug And it’s cold, cold, cold There’s still a love, love, love

21 Than you can hold, hold, hold, hold That God is in the fish It all comes down to this It’s so dark, dark, dark, It’s so cold, cold, cold But there’s more love, love, love Than you can hold, hold, hold, hold

God said to Jonah, go to Nineveh

Contributor Information Justin Roberts is an award-winning Chicago-based singer/songwriter who tours nationwide playing songs from his four children's albums."Not Naptime" was a recipient of a 2003 Parents' Choice Gold Award. His latest release is "Way Out."

Contact information www.justinroberts.org

Elizabeth: Oh my cousin, who am I – that God should look on me and smile To bring you over many miles The mother of my Lord

Mary: Oh Elizabeth, I too Am truly as amazed as you At what God intends to do Through me, a humble servant

Both: My soul will glorify you, Lord And my spirit will rejoice For you lift the humble up And do not forget your promise

Mary: How is one so humble blessed To be trusted with this test Oh what joy, what faithfulness The child will surely save us

Elizabeth: Mary, Mary, it is so You believed what you were told We will see it all unfold And many generations will say

Both: My soul will glorify you, Lord And my spirit will rejoice For you lift the humble up And do not forget your promise

Elizabeth: And when you came the spirit filled me And the baby leaped for joy The truth was suddenly revealed to me That you fulfilled the promise

Mary: My soul will glorify you, Lord And my spirit will rejoice

23 For you lift the humble up And do not forget your promise (repeat)

Contact Information www.bekihemingway.com

Track 14: Little Baby John The angel said, "You will have a little baby." (little baby) The angel said, "You will have a little baby." (little baby) A baby boy (a baby boy) To give us joy (to give us joy) The angel said, "you will have a little baby." (little baby)

Chorus: Little baby John, prophet of the most, our God. Little baby John, prophet of the Son of God, baby Jesus.

Zechariah said, "I can’t have a little baby." (little baby) Zechariah said, "I can’t have a little baby." (little baby) ‘Cause I’m too old (‘cause I’m too old) So I’ve been told (so I’ve been told) Zechariah said, "I can’t have a little baby." (little baby)

Chorus

Elizabeth said, I will have a little baby (little baby) Elizabeth said, I will have a little baby (little baby) A little child (a little child) So meek and mild (so meek and mild) Elizabeth said, I will have a little baby (little baby) Chorus

The neighbors said, "What’s the name of little baby?" (little baby) The neighbors said, "What’s the name of little baby?" (little baby) His name is John (his name is John) Beloved one (beloved one) The neighbors said, "What’s the name of little baby?" (little baby)

Chorus

God said, "I will bless the little baby." (little baby) God said, "I will bless the little baby." (little baby) To speak my word, (to speak my word) Till all have heard (till all have heard) God said, "I will bless the little baby." (little baby)

Chorus

Contact information www.happyfuntime.net

You gotta be a… You gotta… You gotta be a… You gotta…

Read the Bible every day (3x) There’s a lot of stories in there Listen to what they say (2x)

You gotta be a Witness You gotta Witness You gotta be a Witness You gotta Witness, Witness

There’s a whole wide world out there (3x) And a lot of stories too. For everyone to share (2x)

You gotta be a Witness You gotta Witness You gotta be a Witness You gotta Witness, Witness

There’s a whole wide world in you (3x) You got a lot of stories in there Let ‘em all ring true (2x) Read the Bible Learn the Good News Live the life you were born to choose Help out the ones that got the blues Help them find their dancing shoes

And to do that, you gotta

You gotta be a… You gotta… You gotta be a…

28 You gotta…

Read the Bible every day There’s a whole wide world out there There’s a whole wide world in you You got a lot of stories in there Let em all ring true (2x)

You gotta be a Witness You gotta Witness You gotta be a Witness You gotta Witness, Witness

Contact information www.justinroberts.org

Contact information www.happyfuntime.net