Sing, Fred!!

Although our first attempt to see Fred Hammond two weeks ago was foiled by an unannounced cancellation, my co-workers and I persevered. Our efforts were rewarded tonight with great seats at a Fred concert. It was, in a word, incredible. I actually had a hard time getting into it at first, but then he sang (or should I say killed) Give Me A Clean Heart.

I'm not sure if there were instruments involved, but I know he sang it without backup singers. A calypso-speed metal quartet could have joined in, for all I know. All I heard from the fourth or fifth realm of heaven where I was worshipping was his voice. The arrangement made the most of his perfectly pure and controlled voice, and his second alto to first soprano range.

As if I wasn't already in tears, he followed it up with my favorite of all of his songs, Don't Pass Me By. It tells the story of Blind Bartimeus from Mark 10:46-52, then relates it to his own life. It's sobering and humbling and anthemic for me every single time I hear or sing it. Here are the lyrics:

There was a blind man on the road side and he heard a commotion
It was Jesus passing by with a crowd and it stirred his emotion
He'd been displaced his whole life
Should he even try

"Don't bother Jesus," they said,
"You have nothing to offer.
Stay in your place."
Right then he knew he had to choose
He had nothing to lose

So he cried, "Jesus, I need you,
Please don't pass me by."
He cried out, "Jesus, I'm not ashamed
To tell you I need you in my life."

I'm not much different from that man and this is the honest truth
Could this simple one with this messed up life, could I ever serve you
People and things clutter my mind
Should I even try

"Don't bother Jesus,"
That's what they say,
"You have nothing to offer.
Stay in your place."
I must admit I need you in my life

So I cry, "Jesus, I need you,
Please don't pass me by."
I'm crying out, "Jesus, I'm not ashamed
To tell you I need you in my life."

As the deer panteth
Thirsting for the water
My soul desires and longs to be with you

I don't mean to waste your time
But I can't listen to the crowd
Of situations in my life
Telling me to keep it down
'Cause I need you

I know I'm broken but you can heal me
Jesus, Jesus, I'm calling you
Might not be worth much, but I'm still willing
Jesus, Jesus, I'm calling you