Lyrics and "Stories Behind the Songs" from Things I Think About
Answer
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
I looked for the answer without the right question
I looked for the music without the right song
I looked to myself but I only found darkness
I looked to myself until you came along
Jesus you are the answer to the questions that I ask
You are the reason for the song that I sing
You are the hope when I’m feeling hopeless
You are the one who breathes life into me …into me
I looked for the end before the beginning
I looked for the forest instead of the trees
I looked to myself and I found you before me
I looked to myself then I fell to my knees.
The Story Behind “Answer”
Answer was written during a time in my life when I had a lot
of questions for God that I did not seem to be getting an answer to.
It was really written more as a statement of faith at the time than a statement of
fact. But the more I sing it and listen to it the more I realize the truth in the lyrics.
Truly Jesus is the “Answer” to the questions that I ask.
In The Quiet
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
My life is full of things that are loud
It’s hard to hear you in the midst of the crowd
The music droning all through the day
So many voices, oh what do they say
I look for a place where I can find peace
To commune with you and find some relief
In the quiet you speak help me to listen
In a still small voice help me to hear
Cars drive by with the stereo’s booming
Billboards shout out with pictures and lights
TV distracts with the volume up high
What am I missing I can’t hear my cry
The Story Behind “In The Quiet”
It was Thanksgiving Day a few years back. In the middle of the afternoon I went for a walk in our quiet little town.
It was a sunny but brisk day with a cool wind blowing. As I walked I realized that no one was outside at all in the town.
Everyone was inside hanging out with their families, watching the game, or gone traveling. The streets were literally deserted.
As I was walking at first I felt a little lonely. Then I started listening to the birds singing and started noticing things
that I would not normally notice. As I started to appreciate God’s creation I realized that God was talking to me
in a way that normally I would be too busy to hear. About that time, a car finally appeared out of nowhere
with its stereo “booming”. I realized that normally I would be the one in the car with the distraction of listening
to loud music. As I sat there contemplating that I remembered the story in the Bible about how
God did not speak through the wind, or the fire, or the earthquake, but instead spoke
in a quiet whisper. (I Kings 19:11-13) …and it made me wonder how much we
miss with all the “noise” in our lives. I trust that I am learning to listen.
Noah
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
Once, there was a man named Noah He did not sin
All the people around him did not listen to him
God saw the people were sinning They were not listening to him
So God decided to destroy them because they held on to sin
Noah he didn’t get wet When all the other people were up to their necks
Noah he stayed dry because he kept all of his focus on the sky
God told Noah to build a big boat One for him and his kids
Then for all the other creatures Noah listened to him
Now if you listen like Noah and obey without a frown
Then you’ll be safe like Noah and you’ll never drown
The Story Behind “Noah”
I wrote Noah when I was in my early twenties. A couple of friends and I were asked to open a concert
for a Ska band that was coming to our town. We did not really have any material at the time. So I decided
that I should come up with something original. During my devotions at the time I was reading about “Noah.”
The song pretty much wrote itself as I read the story.
Jacob’s Song
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
He picked up a crayon when he was two he colored and colored until he was through
By three in the lines he colored and stayed by four drawing was the only game that he played
He stayed in the house while his friends played outdoors holding crayons in his
hand as he worked on the table drawing pictures of dragons and monsters that
roar his mind without limit to all heights would it soar
He colored in black and in green white and blue He colored expressing the feelings he knew
He colored me pictures because of his love a short smiling angel with crayons from above
When Jacob turned 5 an artist he was drawing daily all of the things that he loved
Drawing soldiers and trains and airplanes galore drawing sharks trees and boats and oh so much more
But to me every day a new picture some love from my son a little piece of heaven
The Story Behind “Jacob’s Song”
This song is pretty much self explanatory. When my oldest son Jacob was younger he was very into art,
especially drawing/coloring. Every day I would come home from work and he would have a picture
waiting for me to bring to work. I had a whole wall of his art where I worked and loved coming home to
see what he came up with next. He did everything from Star Wars to Transformers to almost everything
else you could think of. And this is before he was 5. Then, unfortunately, the place where I work decided
that they did not want “personal” things hanging up in the work area, so I had to take the pictures down.
(which was a bummer for me because I enjoyed having them up reminding me that he was thinking about me during the day)
A lot of my co-workers were bummed out too because they liked to see what I was bringing in every day.
But the pictures were Jacob’s way of saying “I love you dad” so I thought I would write a song about it.
Fall
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
When clouds appear and the rain starts to fall when the wind starts to blow trees start to waver
When the light turns to grey and the clear turns to cloudy when I think I’m OK but I’m drowning
I want to fall with you like a leaf from the tree when the wind starts to blow will you catch me
I want to fall with you into your loving arms of grace Will you catch me
When the tide washes in and the water is rising when the flood waters come and wash over
When I think that I know the direction to go but it turns out my mind has been lying
Father you know my heart and the thoughts of my mind when I’ve fallen your hands have sustained me
When I stumble again and I fall to the ground will you lift me back up
The Story Behind “Fall”
I live in a very windy part of the country in south western MN. There are a lot of corn fields here and not much
to stop the wind. On one fall day I was sitting in my living room looking outside at the leaves falling from the
trees in our yard as the wind was blowing. I realized as I watched them that no matter how hard the wind blew
the leaves still seemed to make it to the ground intact. Somehow they would just float with the wind and somehow
end up OK on the ground. As I contemplated what I was seeing I kind of felt like God spoke to me and said, “if I can
take care of a leaf when it falls, I can take care of you when you fall as well.” I realized that if I fall in my life I would
rather fall with God on my side, than with God against me. I would rather not fall at all, of course, but when I do fall
I trust God to catch me and help me land safely.
Fake
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
I was driving down the street and I saw Elvis in a store
With Marilyn Monroe a tassled suit he wore
But then I walked into the church and saw my brother standing there
He was jealous of his friend with nicer suit and better hair
Then I was watching the TV and saw an expose on stars
And though they seems to have the world they were really very scarred
And then I walked into the church and saw the wounded standing there
Looking oh so fine on Sunday with the makeup and the hair
Are we all just fake do we pretend to get along
In the stories that we tell are we honest with ourselves
Do we love our friends Do we hate our enemies
Do we love ourselves are we all just fake fake are we all just fake
So I went to by a car and the salesman was not real
With his suit and combed back hair selling lemons with appeal
Then I turned the TV on and saw a preacher on the air
Saying send me all your money then you’ll live without a care
Then a week or two went by and that preachers on the news
I guess he spent all of my money now he’ll spend some time in blues
Then I scratch my head a realize why we do not save the land
When all they see is fakeness and not a helping hand
So I wondered to myself is this real or just a dream
Do we care about each other Are we playing as a team
Then I thought to myself is this the way it’s supposed to be
Do we take the blinders off does anybody want to see.
The Story Behind “Fake”
This is a song I wrote about church life. In the Bible Jesus tells us that they will know we are Christians
because of the love we have for each other. But unfortunately, I have noticed after years of growing up in
the church that sometimes church relationships are forced. I have too often observed dynamics in churches
where the people that attend barely get along with each other. …and often only get along with each other because
they know they are supposed to, not because they want to, or because they love their fellow Christians.
Sometimes in certain instances it seems forced or fake. Hence the song “Fake.” Hopefully it is a small
wake up call to not be fake.
You Didn’t Ask It Of Me
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
When I look around and see the pain I see When I see a need looking back at me
Sometimes I’m tempted to look the other way Sometimes I’m tired but then I have to say
You laid down your life in full humility you paid with your blood you didn’t ask it of me
You gave everything you gave it all away you paid with your blood you didn’t ask it of me
When I hear your voice whisper in my ear asking me to move telling me to hear
I’ve made excuses I’ve turned and walked away I’ve made excuses but now I have to say
That I have no reason to walk away from pain I must do something I’m reminded once again
The Story Behind “You Didn’t Ask It of Me”
I wrote this song after reading the story of the Crucifixion. As I was reading it the meaning
of what Christ did on the cross was made real to me once again. While I realized the great
price that was paid, I also recalled that we are asked to follow his example and die to self
as we live for those around us.
My Beautiful
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
Back in high school is when I met her 15 years ago or more
She caught my eye after I caught hers became friends then became more
And when she laughs the sun comes out the clouds disappear
And when she cries I hold her close and wipe her tears
She’s my beautiful Ahhh My beautiful Ahhhh She’s my beautiful Ahhh My Beautiful Ahhh
After 2 years we got married and we started our new life
5 years later 12 years wiser our first pain cut like a knife
She’s stayed with me through the good times and with me through the bad
She’s been my stronghold when I’ve doubted the best friend I ever had
The Story Behind “My Beautiful”
Every male musician has to write a song for the love of his life. It’s stereotypical but true. I am kind of surprised
that it took me so long to write one. But as it turns out I do like the one that I wrote. One day I was thinking
about my wife while I was messing around with the guitar and the phrase “My beautiful” kept going
through my head. Eventually that turned the chorus of this song and the rest worked itself out.
Ironically, it is really pretty much a punk style song played acoustically.
By the way, the
“pain that cut like a knife” refers to a miscarriage that we went through. It was probably the
toughest thing we have gone through as a couple so far. Because of that we have a strong
empathy for those that go through a miscarriage or worse yet lose a child.
Lift Your Eyes Up
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
She walked into the room and turned the light on she dropped her keys to the floor as she saw him
How could he do that and hurt her again How could she forgive him for what he had done
Lift your eyes up Look to the sky The answer is there Leave the ground and you’ll fly
Lift your eyes up let your feet leave the ground. The answer is there waiting just to be found
Lift your eyes up
She turned 19 today but tears filled her eyes today her boy would have been 5
Had she not given in and taken his life away How could God forgive her for what she had done
They snuck down the stairs to hear it again The voices grew louder as the argument swelled
They looked at each other with pain in their eyes Would anyone love them did anyone care
The Story Behind “Lift Your Eyes Up”
I wrote this song as a reminder to take our eyes off of the circumstances that life can bring and
to focus them on what is important. It is a song about looking for answers in the right place.
It is about a God that can bring forgiveness and love where it does not naturally exist.
It is a about seeing the bigger picture.
There You Are
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
When I close my eyes and the darkness falls
When I open them I have no hope at all
Where are you? Where are you?
Where are you when the darkness falls like rain
Where are you when the feeling left is pain
Where are you when I’m lost and all alone
Where are you Will you answer me
When the storm clouds come and the thunder rolls
When the wind grows still I hear nothing at all
Where are you? Where are you?
When I’m all alone no one there with me
When I listen close I can hear your voice
There are you There are you
The Story Behind “There You Are”
This song is one of the first songs that I wrote. The topic is obvious. This was written
at a time in my life when I felt like God was not there. …or perhaps rather than not being
there, that He just did not care about me personally or our family. It was written at a time
when everything seemed to be falling apart and I could not see God in anything that was
going on. The last verse was written years later as I saw how God worked through
those circumstances despite what it looked like at the time.
Reflection
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
I wake in the morning and get out of bed already dwelling on the day ahead
No time for prayer and speaking with you focused on myself I have too much to do
Get to work late falling behind I have no time for you on my heart or my mind
Co-workers show up with pain in their eyes wanting wisdom from me
Though I can barely survive
Give me your voice in the words that I use Give me your wisdom help me to choose
Like the sun glowing off the calm of the sea Help others to see your reflection in me
I get home at night tired from running all day My kids run up to me expecting to play
I turn them down gently I’m needing my rest Life wore me out I’m feeling the stress
My wife asks for help with chores around the house After I am done yelling she’s quiet as a mouse
I go to be tired and ashamed to be me then I whisper a prayer that you will help me to see and
On my own I can’t make it I need you to be So bright in my life that you help me to see
Beyond my own sight and the life that I live To the others around me and what I can give
The Story Behind “Reflection”
I wrote this song really as a prayer more than anything. One of my desires is to be a reflection
of God to those around me. I often fall short in this area. It is a prayer for God to help me
remember what I am supposed to be reflecting. It is also a reminder to keep working on it when I fail.
Streets of Gold
Copyright 2009 Ben Sheppard Music
When your time on this earth is done When the song is rote and the bells have rung
When the things of this world seem to disappear Will I see you there
On the streets of Gold I want to see you there On the streets of Gold I want to see you there
Will I see you there?
After all the accolades have ceased After trading business for peace
After sorrow and after tears Will I see you there
All I want to see is that smile on your face When I see you there
The Story Behind “Streets of Gold”
I wrote this song while I was thinking about my Grandma who we lost to breast cancer. I wrote it not
because I did not think I would see her there, but because I pictured her up there healthy again.
It comes in part from a story that our pastor tells about what he pictures after getting to heaven
and looking around. … first looking for his kids, then his wife, then one at a time
everyone else that he knows. I am not that great with remembering names myself, but
I am pretty good with faces. There are a lot of people that I am hoping to see there.
I hope to see you there!