lyrics for "what the fire is"

1. plexiglass
in the eye of the storm all is quiet
here i am all alone
i see you through the plexiglass
reach in and lead me home
"what do you want?" she said
"to know in my heart that God loves me"
"hmmm...
can't you pick something less daunting?"
[chorus]
He said, "Love Me that I may love thee."
"Love Me that I may love thee."
"If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee.[1]"
"If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee."
i probably should be angry with you
i know I should be angry with you
i probably should be angry with you
but i see me in you
hand of God or hand of man
love of God or love of you
my heart needs glasses
it's gotten them confused
He said, "Turn thy sight unto thyself."
"Turn thy sight unto thyself,
that thou mayest find Me
standing within thee..."
"Turn thy sight unto thyself,
that thou mayest find Me standing within thee
mighty, powerful,
and self-subsisting.[2]"
2. freedom of choice
my heart is burning holes in my chest
my mind is churning over this test
i wish i could fast forward
to when this will all be gone
take the pain
i'll take the blame
take my heart
break me apart
take my soul
just make it go away
i can't go on
[chorus]
God don't make me choose
'cause either way, I'm sure to lose
my heart is breaking in anticipation
with undulating reverberation
shaking, making me close in, to stop the din
i give in
i give in
i give in
i give in
take me
[chorus]
[chorus] (with refresh & gladden overlaid)
O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit.
Purify my heart.
Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.
I lay all my affairs in Thy hand.[3]
3. doubt
i’m a clever chick
it’s a clever trick
when failure is preempted
effort is exempted
every time i fail
mirror hears my tale
i can pawn the blame
she deserves my shame
but what do i know about being a victim
“blessed with success, constant happiness”
behind every door failure lies in wait
good luck is a gift; i don’t merit it
but who needs ego and self-delusion
unworthiness is my religion
thankfully my God is kind
no need for me to be blind
with Her help i hope
i can climb the rope
though i have no skill
there’s a chance i will
not a test of me
but of faith and direction
so there’s no question
just action
4. you’ll never be
i have loved you
since before you were born
before you were conceived
my whole life
i've been holding my breath
for the day we would first meet
to hold you in my arms
to hear your sweet voice
to give you all of me
the hardest thing
i've ever had to face
is that you'll never be
oh, God, where do i put all this love?
oh, God, it's a cruel joke.
oh, God, why did You take him away
before You gave him a soul?
my only food
is my broken heart
the end i just can't see
nothing in my prayers
seems to comfort me
knowing that you'll never be
5. cornerstone
brick by brick, and stone by stone
we're building a fortress, we're building a home
we're building a cathedral for the ones to come
and you laid the cornerstone
you led us with courage and sacrifice
with integrity, wisdom, and good advice
brick by brick, and day by day
you guided us along the way
how will we find the way?
without you beside us every day
how will we do it on our own?
as we build atop that cornerstone
we carry the burden, we carry the load
as we march and we trudge down the long long road
we could always count on you
to steer us right and see us through
with vision you guided us, you never divided us
you took the arrows with your own chest
in the darkest night you kept hope burning bright
you taught us always to do our best
how will we find the way?
without you beside us every day
how will we do it on our own?
as we build atop that cornerstone
we will find our way
we'll miss you beside us every day
you have taught us to do it on our own
we will build atop your cornerstone
one day we'll know it, one day we'll see
a world where people can all love free
and when that cathedral is topped off and done
we'll thank you for laying the cornerstone
6. humpty dumpty
things that break either scar
or can’t be glued strong and true
too rigid, too tough or too fragile
like humpty dumpty or captain hook
what i mean is
after the dream is
broken what is
left what is
right what is
whole what is
real it’s just
sand slipping through my hands
wind whistles thru brittle skeleton bones
sunlight shines on cold hard stone
the waves scrub the rocks
wearing them smooth day by day
just can’t get them clean
they give up and float away
i surrender
breathe life into me
7. gleam
take me to the pressure wash
these daily tears are not enough
to clean the crud off my heart
put me thru some strong chemicals
and white hot heat
scrub & scrape me, shine & buff me till I glow - oh.
take me to the pressure wash
these daily tears are not enough
to clean the crud off my heart
the slime and goo and rust and guck
it's just not coming off
salt water's just not that tough
take me to the pressure wash
these daily tears just aren't enough
to clean the crud off my heart
put me thru some strong chemicals
and white hot heat
scrub & scrape me, shine & buff me till I glow - oh.
be careful though that you don't scratch
or nick my gleam
wear gloves and use a microfiber chamois cloth
and don't drop me - i might shatter
8. softness can be strength
tear out the scars
make room for
clean structure
with integrity
soft strength
in clarity
tear out my heart
re-weave veins
and arteries
built all new
soft strength
with receptivity
scoop me out and fill me with pure love
it’s the pain of birth of pure love
scoop me out and fill me with pure love
i don't know
i don't know
beautiful mantra
i don't know
i don't know
open to Your way
loving being
torn to pieces
loving Your
gentle hands
molding me again
from the clay of love
pure love
make me new
pure love
make me You
pure love
made anew
made from You
9. give in
give in, my love
give in to love
give in, my love
give in to love
open your heart
shine your light through
love me so my love
can get through to you
give in, my sweet
give all your heart
give in, my sweet
give all your love
break through the pain
hurt of the past
let yourself hope
don't run away so fast
let yourself trust
know i am strong
stop holding back
i've been patient so long
this is not time to be stoic
walking away's not heroic
give in, my love
give in to love
give in, my love
give in to love
10. lights and suns
O my God! O my God! Thou seest me in my lowliness and weakness, occupied with the greatest undertaking, determined to raise Thy word among the masses and to spread Thy teachings among Thy peoples. How can I succeed unless Thou assist me with the breath of the Holy Spirit, help me to triumph by the hosts of Thy glorious kingdom, and shower upon me Thy confirmations, which alone can change a gnat into an eagle, a drop of water into rivers and seas, and an atom into lights and suns? O my Lord! Assist me with Thy triumphant and effective might, so that my tongue may utter Thy praises and attributes among all people and my soul overflow with the wine of Thy love and knowledge.
Thou art the Omnipotent and the Doer of whatsoever Thou willest.[4]
11. dahlia’s prayer
O Thou peerless Lord! Let this suckling babe be nursed from the breast of Thy loving-kindness, guard it within the cradle of Thy safety and protection and grant that it be reared in the arms of Thy tender affection.[5]
12. what the fire is
I know not, O my God, what the Fire is which Thou didst kindle in Thy land. Earth can never cloud its splendor, nor water quench its flame. All the peoples of the world are powerless to resist its force. Great is the blessedness of him that hath drawn nigh unto it, and heard its roaring.
Some, O my God, Thou didst, through Thy strengthening grace, enable to approach it, while others Thou didst keep back by reason of what their hands have wrought in Thy days. Whoso hath hasted towards it and attained unto it hath, in his eagerness to gaze on Thy beauty, yielded his life in Thy path, and ascended unto Thee, wholly detached from aught else except Thyself.
I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by this Fire which blazeth and rageth in the world of creation, to rend asunder the veils that have hindered me from appearing before the throne of Thy majesty, and from standing at the door of Thy gate. Do Thou ordain for me, O my Lord, every good thing Thou didst send down in Thy Book, and suffer me not to be far removed from the shelter of Thy mercy.
Powerful art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou art, verily, the All-Powerful, the Most Generous.[6]
-------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic #5
[2] Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic #13
[3] adapted from a prayer by an unknown author
[4] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, teaching prayer for the Southern States from the Tablets of the Divine Plan (title added by Katharine Key)
[5] Prayer by Abdu’l-Bahá (title added by Katharine Key)
[6] Prayer by Bahá'u'lláh (title added by Katharine Key)
in the eye of the storm all is quiet
here i am all alone
i see you through the plexiglass
reach in and lead me home
"what do you want?" she said
"to know in my heart that God loves me"
"hmmm...
can't you pick something less daunting?"
[chorus]
He said, "Love Me that I may love thee."
"Love Me that I may love thee."
"If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee.[1]"
"If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee."
i probably should be angry with you
i know I should be angry with you
i probably should be angry with you
but i see me in you
hand of God or hand of man
love of God or love of you
my heart needs glasses
it's gotten them confused
He said, "Turn thy sight unto thyself."
"Turn thy sight unto thyself,
that thou mayest find Me
standing within thee..."
"Turn thy sight unto thyself,
that thou mayest find Me standing within thee
mighty, powerful,
and self-subsisting.[2]"
2. freedom of choice
my heart is burning holes in my chest
my mind is churning over this test
i wish i could fast forward
to when this will all be gone
take the pain
i'll take the blame
take my heart
break me apart
take my soul
just make it go away
i can't go on
[chorus]
God don't make me choose
'cause either way, I'm sure to lose
my heart is breaking in anticipation
with undulating reverberation
shaking, making me close in, to stop the din
i give in
i give in
i give in
i give in
take me
[chorus]
[chorus] (with refresh & gladden overlaid)
O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit.
Purify my heart.
Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.
I lay all my affairs in Thy hand.[3]
3. doubt
i’m a clever chick
it’s a clever trick
when failure is preempted
effort is exempted
every time i fail
mirror hears my tale
i can pawn the blame
she deserves my shame
but what do i know about being a victim
“blessed with success, constant happiness”
behind every door failure lies in wait
good luck is a gift; i don’t merit it
but who needs ego and self-delusion
unworthiness is my religion
thankfully my God is kind
no need for me to be blind
with Her help i hope
i can climb the rope
though i have no skill
there’s a chance i will
not a test of me
but of faith and direction
so there’s no question
just action
4. you’ll never be
i have loved you
since before you were born
before you were conceived
my whole life
i've been holding my breath
for the day we would first meet
to hold you in my arms
to hear your sweet voice
to give you all of me
the hardest thing
i've ever had to face
is that you'll never be
oh, God, where do i put all this love?
oh, God, it's a cruel joke.
oh, God, why did You take him away
before You gave him a soul?
my only food
is my broken heart
the end i just can't see
nothing in my prayers
seems to comfort me
knowing that you'll never be
5. cornerstone
brick by brick, and stone by stone
we're building a fortress, we're building a home
we're building a cathedral for the ones to come
and you laid the cornerstone
you led us with courage and sacrifice
with integrity, wisdom, and good advice
brick by brick, and day by day
you guided us along the way
how will we find the way?
without you beside us every day
how will we do it on our own?
as we build atop that cornerstone
we carry the burden, we carry the load
as we march and we trudge down the long long road
we could always count on you
to steer us right and see us through
with vision you guided us, you never divided us
you took the arrows with your own chest
in the darkest night you kept hope burning bright
you taught us always to do our best
how will we find the way?
without you beside us every day
how will we do it on our own?
as we build atop that cornerstone
we will find our way
we'll miss you beside us every day
you have taught us to do it on our own
we will build atop your cornerstone
one day we'll know it, one day we'll see
a world where people can all love free
and when that cathedral is topped off and done
we'll thank you for laying the cornerstone
6. humpty dumpty
things that break either scar
or can’t be glued strong and true
too rigid, too tough or too fragile
like humpty dumpty or captain hook
what i mean is
after the dream is
broken what is
left what is
right what is
whole what is
real it’s just
sand slipping through my hands
wind whistles thru brittle skeleton bones
sunlight shines on cold hard stone
the waves scrub the rocks
wearing them smooth day by day
just can’t get them clean
they give up and float away
i surrender
breathe life into me
7. gleam
take me to the pressure wash
these daily tears are not enough
to clean the crud off my heart
put me thru some strong chemicals
and white hot heat
scrub & scrape me, shine & buff me till I glow - oh.
take me to the pressure wash
these daily tears are not enough
to clean the crud off my heart
the slime and goo and rust and guck
it's just not coming off
salt water's just not that tough
take me to the pressure wash
these daily tears just aren't enough
to clean the crud off my heart
put me thru some strong chemicals
and white hot heat
scrub & scrape me, shine & buff me till I glow - oh.
be careful though that you don't scratch
or nick my gleam
wear gloves and use a microfiber chamois cloth
and don't drop me - i might shatter
8. softness can be strength
tear out the scars
make room for
clean structure
with integrity
soft strength
in clarity
tear out my heart
re-weave veins
and arteries
built all new
soft strength
with receptivity
scoop me out and fill me with pure love
it’s the pain of birth of pure love
scoop me out and fill me with pure love
i don't know
i don't know
beautiful mantra
i don't know
i don't know
open to Your way
loving being
torn to pieces
loving Your
gentle hands
molding me again
from the clay of love
pure love
make me new
pure love
make me You
pure love
made anew
made from You
9. give in
give in, my love
give in to love
give in, my love
give in to love
open your heart
shine your light through
love me so my love
can get through to you
give in, my sweet
give all your heart
give in, my sweet
give all your love
break through the pain
hurt of the past
let yourself hope
don't run away so fast
let yourself trust
know i am strong
stop holding back
i've been patient so long
this is not time to be stoic
walking away's not heroic
give in, my love
give in to love
give in, my love
give in to love
10. lights and suns
O my God! O my God! Thou seest me in my lowliness and weakness, occupied with the greatest undertaking, determined to raise Thy word among the masses and to spread Thy teachings among Thy peoples. How can I succeed unless Thou assist me with the breath of the Holy Spirit, help me to triumph by the hosts of Thy glorious kingdom, and shower upon me Thy confirmations, which alone can change a gnat into an eagle, a drop of water into rivers and seas, and an atom into lights and suns? O my Lord! Assist me with Thy triumphant and effective might, so that my tongue may utter Thy praises and attributes among all people and my soul overflow with the wine of Thy love and knowledge.
Thou art the Omnipotent and the Doer of whatsoever Thou willest.[4]
11. dahlia’s prayer
O Thou peerless Lord! Let this suckling babe be nursed from the breast of Thy loving-kindness, guard it within the cradle of Thy safety and protection and grant that it be reared in the arms of Thy tender affection.[5]
12. what the fire is
I know not, O my God, what the Fire is which Thou didst kindle in Thy land. Earth can never cloud its splendor, nor water quench its flame. All the peoples of the world are powerless to resist its force. Great is the blessedness of him that hath drawn nigh unto it, and heard its roaring.
Some, O my God, Thou didst, through Thy strengthening grace, enable to approach it, while others Thou didst keep back by reason of what their hands have wrought in Thy days. Whoso hath hasted towards it and attained unto it hath, in his eagerness to gaze on Thy beauty, yielded his life in Thy path, and ascended unto Thee, wholly detached from aught else except Thyself.
I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by this Fire which blazeth and rageth in the world of creation, to rend asunder the veils that have hindered me from appearing before the throne of Thy majesty, and from standing at the door of Thy gate. Do Thou ordain for me, O my Lord, every good thing Thou didst send down in Thy Book, and suffer me not to be far removed from the shelter of Thy mercy.
Powerful art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou art, verily, the All-Powerful, the Most Generous.[6]
-------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic #5
[2] Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic #13
[3] adapted from a prayer by an unknown author
[4] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, teaching prayer for the Southern States from the Tablets of the Divine Plan (title added by Katharine Key)
[5] Prayer by Abdu’l-Bahá (title added by Katharine Key)
[6] Prayer by Bahá'u'lláh (title added by Katharine Key)