Anthology, Volume 2

Back to the Future, circa 1984

The Tim Gallant Anthology, Volume 2 features what I figured was my best work from 1984. I was still wet behind the ears, but by 1983, my songs had started to evince at least some signs of growing up, and that continued here.

Lyrically, I was starting to pay some attention to various social issues, as evident from tracks such as “The Drug Bust” and “Lookin’ Away” (my shot at an anti-abortion screed).

To have something recorded for some of the better material, I did these rough recordings in the mid 2000s. Audio and lyrics below.

All recordings here are subject to possible future polishing.

1 Take My Hand

View Lyrics

April 21, 1984

I have tried to pull my weight
I have cried trapped in my hate
And now I know I can’t do it on my strength

Chorus A:
So take my hand, lead me home
Make me stand, don’t let me roam
Take my hand lead me home.

I’m losin’ my way in the dark
Lord, won’t You take a holda my heart?
Won’t You pick me up and make me stand
Help me to hold Your nail-scarred hand
Let me find You where You are
And then take me out of the dark

Chorus B:
Take my light, make it shine
Make me right, don’t let me be blind
Through my stand let others be shown
Then take my hand and lead me home

[Repeat chorus A]

Trouble begins in the heart
It gets its roots in, that’s how it starts
But that’s not the way it has to be
Jesus will give us victory
We don’t have to have any scars
When trouble begins in the heart

[Repeat intro, chorus A]

2 The Drug Bust

View lyrics

September 21, 1984

Tonight my heart is full of woe for all those wounded kids
Who wanna get high on something low they don’t know what it is
You watch them waste away their lives by flowin’ with the tide
And grown-ups try to legalize this tortured suicide

Chorus:
The drug bust! they say it’s cool but it’s such a bust
The drug bust! the kids at school they say it’s a must
They say it’s just a harmless little game you play
But this harmless little game is blowin’ poor Johnny away.

There are times Johnny looks so fine for all his foolin’ ‘round
But ah he’s dying inside his mind can’t get up when he’s down
The drugs do not attract him now but he is hooked, you see
Like many he does not know how to leave this agony

[Repeat chorus]

There are so many just like John who have just lost all hope
Their entire will to live is now gone they exist for their dope
They once had oh so much to give now there’s nothing they can do
There’s so little positive such as, “God still loves you.”

I wanna say - “God still loves you.”
I wanna say - “God still loves you.”
God still loves you.

3 The Victory Is Yours

View lyrics

November 15, 1984

Get all excited let your faith be ignited
Let your light burn bright and sure that the whole world might know
That all power is the Lord’s
Get all excited let your faith be ignited
Oh my friend right to the end sing it wherever you go
The victory is yours

Don’t be defeated stand up and praise His name
Give it to Jesus you will not be the same
Don’t be defeated rise up and win this race
Satan’s unseated and he has lost his place
He is weak and in defeat at the hands of the Lord
The victory is yours

Chorus:
The victory is yours! go and take the land
The victory is yours! go and make a stand
The victory is yours! the roaring lion has been torn
Judah’s lamb He has won
All glory to the Son
And it is time we get in line to all go through the Door
The victory is yours!

Get all excited let your faith be ignited
God has won the victory that the whole world might live
For all honour is the Lord’s
Get all excited let your faith be ignited
Where you go oh this you know there is salvation to give
The victory is yours

Don’t be defeated stand up for Him who died
Lift up your Jesus you don’t have to be shy
Don’t be defeated stand up and share His grace
Losin’s deleted when you’re runnin’ His race
He is strong, it won’t be long until we’re with the Lord
The victory is yours!

[Repeat chorus]

4 Thinkin’ Survival

View lyrics

February 12, 1984

Oh, thinkin’ survival has taken its toll
Cause after a while you cease to know
You cease from carin’ love passes you by
For all you intended, look how it’s ended
And you don’t even wonder why

Chorus:
Oh, you’ve thought survival long enough
Just get your Bible find God’s love
Throw caution to the wind fall into Him
Stop thinkin’ survival get into your Bible

Oh, it’s almost over and you don’t even care
You been dragged under without a prayer
You cease from carin’ life’s passed you by
You wish it was over over your shoulder
And you don’t even wonder why

[Repeat chorus]

5 If You’d Read Your Bible

View lyrics

July 10, 1984

There’s hundreds of pages of your Bible that you’ve never seen
When someone comes to your house, you bring it back out
You put your Bible on the table to hide your dirty magazines

Chorus:
If you’d read your Bible believed its words
If you’d read your Bible maybe you would learn
How to conquer sin with His might
If you’d read your Bible believed its words
If you’d read your Bible maybe you would learn
God is a light God is a light!

There’s thousands of people of our cities that have never heard
We wanna be one of the guys, so we compromise
We are so righteous in our churches, but can’t give time for His Word

[Repeat chorus: “If we’d read our Bibles....”]

6 Holiness or Hell

View lyrics

March 17, 1984

Seems people these days they’re foolin’ around
They wanna go their own way do it all on their own
They leave their Bibles at home think bein’ Sunday Christians is swell
But we all know, it’s written so: it’s holiness or hell.

Chorus:
It’s written in the Bible it’s holiness or hell
It’s written in the Bible everything we need to know it tells
So we can choose what we want to we can live as we please
But we should beware we’re not gonna do too well
Cause we all know, it’s written so: it’s holiness or hell.

Seems churches these days they’re socially bound
Seems whatever that they say it’s only empty sound
They leave their Bibles at home think bein’ Sunday Christians is swell
But we should know, it’s written so: it’s holiness or hell.

[Repeat chorus]

7 No Compromise

View lyrics

July 10, 1984

Well, I seen the life that you’ve been livin’
And it’s compromise
And I seen how much that you’ve been givin’
Hopin’ money buys
But I want your life more than your money
And I want your eyes to end their running

Chorus:
Cause it’s time you realize I’m a God of no compromise
It’s all the way or not at all sit on a fence and you will fall
Come to Me and your flesh must die I’m a God of no compromise

You aren’t cold or hot you’re in the middle
So I’ll spew you out
You’re stale and you rot you’re only willing
To hold the world somehow
Oh, I count your life above the sparrow
But still you just fight the way’s too narrow

[Repeat chorus]

8 I’m a Killer

View lyrics

July 21, 1984

Well some people say when they came to Christ they didn’t kill anymore
That’s not like me, I took one look in His eyes I found what His love is for

Cause I never really killed anyone until I found my God’s will
Never guilty of any murder until the Son of God, He taught me to kill

Chorus:
Through the power of Christ I’m a killer
I kill all the guilt and the sin and the strife and all within
I kill all my flesh and my will and my life of carnal man
Through the power of Christ I’m a killer

It’s written in the Bible that we must mortify our carnal man
Gotta put away our idols, our sin and our lust cause through Christ’s power we can

Well, preachers these days are talkin’ of love that we are just sanctified
But if we live in sin we won’t make heaven above we are doomed till our flesh dies

[Repeat chorus]

Well, people like to say they’re Christians now almost like a passing fad
And so many singers dance and scream and take their bows but inside, many are sad

So many are talkin’ about the Lord and they sing like God’s own birds
But there’s so many dying while they just hoard “kill your flesh” - those were His words

[Repeat chorus]

9 When We Gonna Do What’s Right

View lyrics

August 7, 1984

Everybody’s got the Holy Ghost but nobody wants the fire
And everybody’s speakin’ in tongues but who’s conquerin’ the liar?
Well it’s fine and dandy to have healin’ left and right
And it’s nicely candied always singin’ “I saw the light”
But tell me, when we gonna get into the fight?
Tell me - when we gonna do what’s right?

Chorus:
When we gonna do what’s right and stop foolin’ around
When we gonna do what’s right and start helpin’ the down
But how we gonna help anyone if we are not right ourselves
And how we gonna present the Son if we are livin’ like hell?
Well now, when we gonna take up the light?
Tell me, when we gonna do what’s right?

Well, everybody’s got the Holy Ghost but where are the fruits thereof?
And everybody’s speakin’ in tongues and talkin’ a lot about love
But is the whole story really bein’ seen and told
Or does fleshly glory prevent us from bein’ bold
Why is it, everywhere preachers shut their lips tight
Tell me, when we gonna do what’s right?

[Repeat chorus]

Well, everybody’s got the Holy Ghost but sin has become routine
And everybody’s speakin’ in tongues but can we really say we’re clean?
We say things so nicely so our churches grow in size
“Wisdom,” we call it piously but God calls it compromise
And then we don’t care people stumble without sight
Tell me, when we gonna do what’s right?

[Repeat chorus]

10 Leavin’ the World Behind

View lyrics

July 11, 1984

I want you leavin’ the world behind
Cause I caught you tryin’ to walk the line
Cause if you’re gonna be part of my fold
You’re gonna be hot - not warm, not cold
Cause I want your soul and I want your mind
I want you leavin’ the world behind

Chorus:
Leavin’ the world behind leavin’ the world behind
Pressin’ on, forgettin’ the past takin’ now and makin’ it last
I want you I want your soul I want your mind
I want you leavin’ the world behind

I want you leavin’ the world behind
Cause I bought you and really you are mine
I don’t want you to live part of two lives
Cause I want you all no compromise
And I want you hot cause warm is not fine
I want you leavin’ the world behind

[Repeat chorus]

11 Batter My Heart

View lyrics

July 11, 1984; adapted from John Donne

Batter my heart, sweet Trinity
For so far, You’ve but shone on me
That I may rise and stand, throw me down
Force Your hand make me new all round
For like a town in its captured hour
I now am under another pow’r
And though I struggle to let You in
I am blinded by my sin

Theology, I thought, was Your representative
But it has proved untrue and not allowed me to live
Yet dearly I love You and would be loved the same
But I am married to one who defies Your name
Take me to You imprison me
Except You enthrall me I’ll never be free
Nor ever chaste except You ravish me.

12 Christ Will Get the Glory

View lyrics

July 11, 1984

Well Jesus has been tellin’ me to walk by faith, I’m walkin’
And Jesus has been tellin’ me to share His grace, I’m talkin’
I’m talkin’ - I’m talkin’ o’ Jesus

Chorus:
Well, one of these days and we’ll be there
We’ll see His face, the love we’ll share
Share all the love we should have here
Knowin’ that love casts out all fear
Christ will get the glory and we will hear the stories
Of His blessed saints of all the martyrs’ pain
Christ will get the glory

Well Jesus has been tellin’ me to live holy, I’m livin’
And Jesus wants me just to give to Him only, I’m givin’
I’m givin’ - I’m givin’ to Jesus

[Repeat chorus]

Well, I’ve been contemplating His powerful love, I’m thinkin’
And Jesus wants me drinkin’ of His precious blood, I’m drinkin’
I’m drinkin’ - I’m drinkin’ o’ Jesus

[Repeat chorus]

13 Have You Ever Heard

View lyrics

June 5, 1984

Restless minds are churning peace and innocence long gone
Soon there’ll be a burning many lost in hell with Babylon
Where morning’s gone forever and darkness tears the soul
They thought they were clever but how were they to know?

Have you ever heard a warning?
Have you ever stopped ignoring?
If you haven’t well, you better
Read the Bible ev’ry letter ev’ry letter
Don’t you miss a word cause if you do
You’ll miss His promises to you.

Troubled hearts are turning from the wicked things they done
Now the saints will journey to the land of ever-shining Son
Where morning breaks forever and darkness turns to dawn
Where we meet the Master and heaven sings one song

Have you ever heard the promise
Have you ever ever done this?
If you haven’t try do better
Read the Bible ev’ry letter ev’ry letter
Don’t you miss a word cause if you do
You’ll miss His promises to you
You’ll miss His promises to you.

14 Are You Ready?

View lyrics

July 25, 1984

Jesus is coming soon, are you ready? are you ready?
Is your heart in tune, is it ready? are you ready?

Chorus:
Are you ready to meet the Lord, are you ready to see His face?
Are you listenin’ to His words, are you ready for that great day?
Are you ready? well tell me, are you ready? are you ready?

You won’t live forever, are you ready? are you ready?
Have you left the devil, are you ready? are you ready?
Well if you’ve been walkin’ with the Lord there’s nothin’ scary to say
But if you’ve been walkin’ away from Him you better fear for that day

[Repeat chorus]

Well, should the trumpet blow, are you ready? are you ready?
And are you set to go, are you ready? are you ready?
Well if you’ve been holdin’ to the Bible well, then there’s nothin’ to fear
But if you’ve been tryin’ out compromise get ready while you’re still here

[Repeat chorus]

15 Eat of My Flesh

View lyrics

August 13, 1984; verse 2b & chorus March 3, 1990

Eat of My flesh and drink of My blood
And you will never be hungry
Eat of My flesh and drink of My blood
And the truth shall set you free

So love the Lord with all of your heart
And you will never be hungry
Live in His Word and walk in His love
And the truth shall set you free

Chorus:
I AM that bread of life
I AM that living water
I AM the Lamb of God
I AM the way to the Father
I AM the way.

So trust the Lord with all of your heart
And you will walk in the victory
Live in His life and do not depart
And the truth shall set you free

I am the vine and you are of Me
If you are constantly striving
Seek and you’ll find and ask and receive
And the truth shall set you free

[Repeat chorus]

16 You Satisfied Me

View lyrics

November 30, 1984

I lived my life lookin’ for something to fill the void
And it was a lie puttin’ up hollow fronts for a love destroyed
And my restless mind took me far too far away in the land of broken hearts
Until Your love it found and set me free
Lord, You satisfied me

Chorus:
You satisfied me gave me the love I needed desperately
You satisfied me took away my sin for eternity
Cause I was driftin’ in an endless vacuum
I saw You there and I said “There’s no room”
But a change of heart was quick to be
When Lord You satisfied me.

I lived my life wishin’ I could only see the way
And You made it right replacin’ my emptiness with a love that’s stayed
And You were so kind to take up my load right offa my shoulders onto Yours
And by Your love I found Your liberty
Lord, You satisfied me

[Repeat chorus]

17 It’s Your Choice

View lyrics

August 14, 1984

You wanna be cool but you’re gonna burn
You bend all the rules you think it won’t hurt
You wanna have fun but you’re gonna cry
You live it up some but you’re gonna die

Chorus:
Fire in the blackness forever burning
Pain in the darkness there’s no returning
Why do you wait till it’s too late
Cause He gave the key to eternity
Just take His gift and enter in
Look where you are and look what you got
Worthless toys
They won’t go far but you might get caught
It’s your choice

You laugh and be coy but inside you are blue
Think you’re a playboy but Satan plays with you
You eat up the fun he eats up your soul
And you try to run but where is your goal?

[Repeat chorus]

You say you love life but you live in death
You carry a knife but peace you confess
Don’t wanna lose friends but you’re all alone
You are your own man but you’re just a clone

Chorus 2
Dissatisfaction with separation
But you won’t take action no transformation
It’s up to you what will you do
Will you take the key to eternity
Or shun His gift, pay for your sin
Look where you been and look where you’ll go
It’s your choice
Cause you have seen just what’s down the road
It’s your choice

Fire in the blackness
Forever burning
Pain in the darkness....

18 Solid Gold

View lyrics

July 21–22, 1984

You chose to live your life reachin’ for the cookie jar
But now you’re gettin’ tired and you wonder where you are
You’re surrounded by golden tinsel
But your life’s in such a mess
You chose the bright lights of the sinful
But it’s just colourful emptiness

It looked so good back then like a golden ornament
But now you’ve found that sin turns us into hollow men
You’ve had your thrills and you’ve had your fun
You’ve found it empty and cold
Now I think it’s time you know the Son
Can give you a life of solid gold

Chorus:
Solid gold
You’ve found what it’s like walkin’ the night
And you’re gettin’ tired of goin’ alone
So you have decided to stop bein’ idle
You’re gonna give up the old yeah, give up the old
You’re gonna trade it in for His life of solid gold

Does the world look so good, does the glitter get to you?
Men’ve grabbed for all they could; is one happy, tell me who
Sin will never leave you satisfied
Despite what some people say
You can always take your dazzling lights
But don’t you doubt that there’s a price to pay

You think that God is just some building you saw today
Just some dull altar cross too dull for the young, you say
But He died to give eternal life
To the young and to the old
Yeah I think it’s time you know that Christ
Can give you a life of solid gold

[Repeat chorus]

19 Where Did It All Begin?

View lyrics

October 9, 1984

Chorus:
Mankind came from monkeys!
Didn’t you know? man has no soul
Join the revolution believe in evolution
Didn’t you know man has no soul
He’s an animal!

Oh they tell me a gas explosion foreran the human race
But they won’t tell me where all this here gas came from in the first place
Where did it all begin they don’t explain too well
Well it began with sin this mess started when man rebelled

[Repeat chorus]

Oh they tell me the Bible’s just a great big myth and a lie
But they can’t tell me where it all began and why I am alive
Where did it all begin they don’t explain at all
Well it began with sin it began with old Adam’s fall

[Repeat chorus]

Oh I’ll tell them the Bible’s the only book I’ll ever trust
Yes I’ll tell them that evolution’s just a child of their lust
Where did it all begin the Bible shows us well
Yes it began with sin and it can only end with hell

[Repeat chorus]

Well I know the whole world is goin’ ape
It’s full of hatred, murder and rape
Maybe instead of fingers we should have claws
But it’s all because
We’ve broken God’s laws.

20 Lookin’ Away

View lyrics

November 5, 1984; ending added July 8, 1992

Avoidin’ the issues turnin’ our blind eyes away
Saying it’s just tissue just to do with what we may
This don’t change reality this don’t change what is to be
Say what we will say what we like it’s still murder to kill
And my friend, there’s eternity to pay for what we do and say
And to me it’s a mystery how you can turn and look away

Chorus:
Just another baby just another body
Just another human life to throw away
Just another baby just another body
Just where is all this leading to anyway?
We’re runnin’ outta time where do we draw the line?
Stop! stop the knife!
Stop! genocide!
See the children outside at play
How can you turn and look away?

Identify the group it is all unborn children
Sayin’ it’s just tissue just is coldhearted killin’
This is cold hard genocide only there’s no place to hide
Say what we will say what we like it’s still murder to kill
And my friends there’s eternity to pay for what we do and say
And we darken history when we turn and look away

[Repeat chorus]

Lookin’ away away from the right and wrong
Lookin’ away just killin’ the weak and young
Lookin’ away lookin’ away lookin’ away lookin’ away
Lookin’ away!

Then look away look inside
Ask yourself why ask yourself away
See the children outside at play
How can you turn and look away?

21 Where Would I Be Without You?

View lyrics

May 27, 1984

Chorus:
Where would I be without love
And where would I be without You
And just what would I be thinkin’ of
If I had nothin’ to do
Where would I be without You?

I’d be in trouble, I know with no place to go
Why, why, why have I tried
To go it alone?
Why, why, why have I cried
And sunk like a stone?
Why, why, why?

Then out of the dark somewhere You came and You cared
You, You, You brought me through
And gave me the light
You, You, You made me new
And made me all right
You, You, You

[Repeat chorus]

No longer in the corner no longer a mourner
Cause You, You, You took my soul
And made me anew
You, You, You took control
And showed me the truth
You, You, You!

[Repeat chorus]

Jesus took me from the wrong He gave me a song
And you, you, you can be His
The same as I am
And you, you, you just can’t miss
By the blood of the Lamb
You, you, you!

[Repeat chorus]