Liner Notes
“Koinonia is a transliterated form of the Greek word κοινωνία, which refers to concepts such as communion or fellowship, joint participation, the share which one has in anything, a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution.” (Wikipedia)
These songs aren’t church songs, necessarily. But they were born and raised there. For a few years I played and sang in the house band of the Koinonia worship service at First Congregational, an open and affirming church in Battle Creek, Michigan. It was a community of seekers, doubters, prophets. Fertile ground for songs of struggle and comfort.
These songs were written in my living room, but came to life among the people of Koinonia. I am grateful to them all. All who stood. All who raised their hearts to meet the sound. All who sang harmony. I am grateful for Emily Joye, for the ground, for the nudge. And I am grateful for Tom and Oz, brothers both, for their gifts jointly contributed.
Thank you,
Andy
All songs written and performed by Andy Helmboldt
Released March 23, 2020
Copyright 2020 Andrew Melvin Helmboldt
Album Art: Communal painting by Koinonia congregational, First Congregational Church of Battle Creek.
All proceeds from the sale of this album go to the Neighbors in Need Fund, which provides transportation support, temporary housing for trans folk/women and eviction prevention in the Battle Creek, Michigan community.
Lyrics
Before I Run To Ground
There’s a light on the ocean
There’s a light on the sea
And I know there’s a light
That will shine on me
Before I run to ground
Before I run to ground
Before I run to ground
Oh I know there’s a light
That will shine on me
Before I run to ground
There is one who waits for me
There is one who waits for me
And in her hands, in her hands
Is the whole wide world
She waits to lay on me
Before I run to ground
Before I run to ground
Oh I know there are hands
That will lay on me
Before I run to ground
Oh
Oh
Oh I know there’s a light
That will shine on me
Before I run to ground
There’s a light on the ocean
There’s a light on the sea
Lay Me Down (Psalm 23)
Comfort me as I walk through the dark
Comfort me as I walk through the dark
And I will feel no evil in my heart
And lay me down
Lay me down
In fields so green
By waters oh so calm
Set my table overflow my cup
Set my table overflow my cup
Feed my enemies with grace and love
And lay me down
Lay me down
In fields so green
By waters oh so calm
And lay me down
Lay me down
In fields so green
By waters oh so calm
Follow me with mercy all my life
Follow me with mercy all my life
shelter me with goodness and light
And lay me down
Lay me down
Lay me down
More Love
You say more bombs
I say No, more love
More fear more fight more might
No, more love
You say go home, go home
No, more love
More love
More more more more more more more more love
You say one flag
I say No, one love
One light one book one look
No, one love
You say one day one way
No, one love
More love
More more more more more more more more love
You say my God
My God says more love
My God my God my God says
More love
We know they will know us
By our love
More love
More more more more more more more more love
Sometimes You’re the Ocean
Sometimes you’re running
Sometimes you’re free
Sometimes the distance
Between you and me
Is wide like a river
In a hurry to the shore
Sometimes you’re the ocean
Sometimes you’re more
And sometimes you’re a million grains of sand
But each one feels alone
Sometimes you’re Jonah
Sometimes you’re the whale
Sometimes you’re the ocean
Sometimes you’re the gale
Sometimes you swallow
A belly full of fear
Sometimes you holler
Sometimes you hear
And sometimes you feel like jumping
But you don’t, you just hold on
Sometimes you follow
Sometimes you chase
We are all going
To the very same place
Sometimes come morning
There ain’t nothing left to say
Sometimes come darkness
Love finds a way
And sometimes you just close your eyes
And you cry, oh you cry, you cry
Sometimes you’re the ocean
Sometimes you’re the wave
Sometimes you’re crashing
Sometimes you’re brave
Sometimes you’re thankful
For all that you’ve got
Sometimes you’re graceful
And sometimes…
Sometimes you just sit and stare at your daughters
And pray they’ll be happy
They’ll be happy
We all shall be happy
I Will
I will worry
I will crawl
I will build up
I will fall
I will hurry
I will sleep
I will wait up
I will keep
I will keep
I will listen
I will feel
I will cry out
I will kneel
I will go on
I will spring
I will winter
I will sing
I will sing
I will lay down
I will love
I’m so sorry
For all I’ve done
I’m so sorry
For all I’ve done
I will lay down
I will love
I will love
Dry Land
The storm is
Over
A great rain
Has come and gone
Dry land
I see it
I can see it
Birds are rising
Higher
Heaven
I see it
Like a city rising
Higher
And the people
Are all dancing
To the music rising
Higher
I feel it
I feel it
Mountain
Climbing
Higher
Strangers in a
Strange land
Seeking
Something
Bushes burning
Bring down
Words of
Mercy
For the people of the
Dry land
Who are thirsty
They are thirsty
For the music rising
Higher
I can feel it
I feel it
Grace is rolling down on me…
Cattle
Lowing
And a baby
Hungry for his momma
Who is hungry
For his daddy
Who is wandering the
Dry land
Seeking
He is seeking
Something from the
Ancient
People
Follow
The music rising
Higher
Feel it
Feel it
Grace is rolling down on me…