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Athens

by Ross Wright

supported by
David Terry
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David Terry excellent! love it Favorite track: Way You Are.
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1.
Some days, feel like my heart is sitting on a busy road Wear it on my sleeve, guess it fell off, here we go Always a risk when you decide to leave it exposed Like tryin’ to write poetry ‘stead of vanilla prose It’s a killer though, will I will or won’t Cause’ you know I got critics who love to be critical But I’m giving love, I’m spilling blood So if you ain’t spilling yours, save it for the judge I know the enemy is out to kill and destroy (3x) Voice in the back of my mind, sounds just like mine Telling me every time, everything is fine Telling me tomorrow’s gonna be the better time Right now, take a load off, let it slide But I don’t wanna be smack at the back of the race A fat waste, lackadaisical, last place I want people to know when they look at my faith Imma be the first to the finish, Imma break the tape I know the enemy is out to kill and destroy (3x) But listen up I know the author and finisher of the story I know the final score, I know the coming joy So if it’s tough right now we gotta keep it going When the sun comes for us (hallelujah chorus) Keep on keepin’ on (5x) We don’t choose our scars yet we still get ‘em But we can shoot for stars while we still livin’ Now I lay me down It’s over for the life I wanted / A better one has only started Now I lay me down I’m done for, I’m ended / Hands up and my heart surrendered
2.
Introduction 02:19
People of Athens. I’ve noticed your hearts reach for something eternal; a higher power; a purpose; a reason for breathing. I’ve seen the many gods and idols you worship. You even pray to the shrine of the Unknown God, so as to honor what you haven’t yet found. This unknown God… let me introduce him to you. He is the maker of the heavens and the earth, the giver of life, the lover of souls, a father and friend. He was before all and will forever be. In him we live and move and breathe. He created all life and allows kings to rise and to fall, nations to be built and to crumble, hearts to wander and to be redeemed. He holds the fabric of the world together. He is the fabric. He doesn’t live in a building or a book. He isn’t a statue, static and powerless. He wasn’t created by man… He is the creator. He’s ever present and all powerful and eternal. Reach. Athens, I beg you to reach. You’ll find something curious about this God… THE God. Though he is beyond comprehension and without comparison, majestic and mysterious, he is not distant, as you might imagine. He is not far away. He is present. Reach, Athens. Reach out. He is near.
3.
Running on the edge of the world I’m making my case I’m never too far, I see it now Reaching out and shaping our hearts O’er Infinite space Wherever we are, we need it now Athens, if you will Hearts be still Tonight we will live again Athens, if you reach The mystery Not too far from any man Listen people, gather round I notice you reach for every breeze That travels by Grasping at eternal straws You think that it’s alright But I know you need a love divine Athens, if you will Hearts be still Tonight we will live again Athens, if you reach The mystery Not too far from any man Written on every heart Mysterious way The word of the one eternal spark Whisper of the unknown God Invisible one We live and we move and here we are This is love This is what You were always meant to be Athens, if you run The race is won Lean into the victory People of Athens, check your pulses, you're still breathing Devout to all but the truth, take it from a heathen Idols on parade, burying your face, digital fever But my God doesn't get mad, he gets even Greater than the pain of an empty soul still reaching Greater than my doubt so I can believe while he's still teaching And I promise you this, if you're still seeking Then He is close by, Yahweh, inhale, breathe him
4.
I look around me and I See everybody Looking up Can't put their words around it I think I know what they're looking for Imagination firing Everyone is looking for the silver lining Well I don't have the miracle drug But I've felt the miracle Love is not far, no matter where you are Reach out Even if walk broken hearted in the dark Reach out There in the fables, read Between the lines, you will find it It's written on our skin Don't ever need a reminder We need a hand We're looking to the skies for the super man I don't have the answers But I found love Love is not far, no matter where you are Reach out Even if walk broken hearted in the dark Reach out Reach out You held your arms down by your side Pick them up and come alive Reach out, your redemption is on the move Loves already reaching out to you Reach out, Love’s already reaching out to you
5.
Soldier On 03:49
It’s hard to recall when you lose a battle That the war is won, it’s already won When it’s dark in you heart let a brother remind you That we have the sun, it’s already dawn (Keep on fighting), keep on fighting Soldier on for the war is won (Keep on fighting), keep on fighting Til the work is done for the war is won It’s hard to remember what we’re fighting for Ain’t it all for naught if it ain’t all for love Kings fall, nations crumble But we march to the beat of a higher drum (Keep on fighting), keep on fighting Soldier on for the war is won (Keep on fighting), keep on fighting Til the work is done for the war is won When it’s all said and done we’ll live in love So don’t lay down your arms, open them up It’s hard to recall when you lose a battle That the war is won, it’s already won When it’s dark in you heart let a brother remind you That we have the sun, it’s already dawn (Keep on fighting), keep on fighting Soldier on for the war is won (Keep on fighting), keep on fighting Til the work is done for the war is won Keep on keepin’ on We gotta keep on keepin’ on
6.
Grace, how you walk So delicate on the block I’ve turned to stray But you never turn me away Can I restart? I know that I’ve broken your heart I’m broken apart And I’m mended in who you are (Turn it up) Always new, still the same Everybody ought to know your love by name In your light I am changed Everybody ought to know your love by name Grace, I’m so blind Fix my eyes on love of a different kind Oh to see other creatures the way you look at me (Turn it up) Always new, still the same Everybody ought to know your love by name In your light I am changed Everybody ought to know your love by name Now that I’ve found you, oh I can’t go back to the old I’ll step to the ledge and more I’ll go over I won’t take my eyes off you I won’t take my eyes off you I won’t take my eyes off you Take my heart and turn it up Always new, still the same Everybody ought to know your love by name In your light I am changed Everybody ought to know your love by name Like the sky after rain Everybody ought to know your love by name Like a treasure I’d die to claim Everybody ought to know your love by name
7.
The hymnal is stained with tears An empty row where she cried She hasn’t been there for years, she tried She came in looking for answers To questions everybody asks But she wasn’t one of them, left and never went back I have to remind myself she’s out there I have to remind myself she’s out there And you are Lord of all He walks concrete and dirt, scraping for a single bite His next meal isn’t a sure thing tonight He doesn’t think about his soul He just wonders if he’ll live the month God, what does it mean that he’s hungry and I’m not? I have to remind myself she’s out there I have to remind myself she’s out there And you are Lord of all Break my life into a thousand pieces Break my will into a million parts Take it all and make a picture of your heart (You are Lord of all) Tonight, be with the ones who need you Grant me grace to reach for the ones I can reach to (Lord of All) Tonight, be with the ones who need you Grant me grace to reach for the ones I can reach to Break my life into a thousand pieces Break my will into a million parts Take it all and make a picture of your heart
8.
Eyes On You 04:16
Ever wonder why the rainclouds look the way they do? Ever wonder why it saddens you? Ever wonder where the roses go when the petals start to fall? When they’re dying on the grave they rest upon When the world is spinning and you don’t know where to fall My arms are open to you, my arms are open When you feel like no one sees your heart is dying all along My eyes are on you, my eyes are on you Ever see yourself in children when they don’t know right from wrong? Let he who’s blameless cast the first stone. Do you think that your hurt is hidden far away? But you’re begging, silent, crying for transparency When the world is spinning and you don’t know where to fall My arms are open to you, my arms are open When you feel like no one sees your heart is dying all along My eyes are on you, my eyes are on you When you offer up a smile and hope they see right through I’ll always want to know what’s hurting you. Choosing roads you know that you don’t wanna take You know I’ll always be right at arm’s length When the world is spinning and you don’t know where to fall My arms are open to you, my arms are open When you feel like no one sees your heart is dying all along My eyes are on you, my eyes are on you
9.
I grew up with some great examples of how to give love out Ate it up like Cap'n Crunch you know it gave me crunch mouth If my gums weren't hurtin' baby, it wasn't workin' If my heart ain't spurtin' maybe my love is worthless So can I give it out, give it up, live it out While others live it up, now what gon' be my livin' 'bout Will I leave my mark when I'm all done singing out? (Jason E. Call) Now tell the people what we singin' bout Laughin’s for the babies, dreamin’s for the child And high ideals for the college boy with blinders on his eyes Wisdom for the old man before he sails to other side I guess I’m caught in the middle and I realize I don’t know how, I don’t how to love I don’t know how, I don’t how to love I’ve taken so much I’ve had more than a couple lifetime’s enough, but I... I don’t know how, I don’t how to love We’ve all been guilty of living like we’ll never grow old But a couple of days in the real world can make a love grow cold (Can make a love grow cold) How do we keep the fires burning when we know it’s bound to get dark I guess I gotta get up It’s my turn to give everything I got I don’t know how, I don’t how to love I don’t know how, I don’t how to love I’ve taken so much I’ve had more than a couple lifetime’s enough, but I... I don’t know how, I don’t how to love I’m asking for your spirit, beggin’ for your song I can almost hear it after thirty years along Show me how to reach out, help me to see The beautiful way you’re reaching out to me I'm all done trusting in what man's made Show me how to love everything that your hands made If I can't live it, don't matter if I sing it God, you brought me so much love now show me how to bring it
10.
Way You Are 03:56
Colors run over everyone Lightning strike announcing that you’ve come Stars shine bright for Oceans cry for… The way you are The way you are Lightning strike without warning Red sky in the morning No formula can… No method explains The way you are The way you are You’re the mystery I’m longing for You’re the contradiction my heart adores You’re the complication I couldn’t see But my heart is at home so you just be You just be The way you are
11.
Roll it over, new day, reset the stop watch They tell me “get in the game,” too much stop, watch Dribbling in circles like I’m running down a shot clock Too afraid to throw it up, solid D, shot blocked You didn’t know? Then lemme tell it to you first Sunday had me feeling bad, Monday got me feeling worse String of really bad luck got me feeling cursed Gambling my life away, knowing it don’t reimburse And the bright colors of Christmas came off the tree Now winter’s here and everything is dead and bleak Need a shot of life, feeling weak Bruised up from choosing poor on this losing streak And bills creep, seeing red, wallet reeling Whatever money bought me then, now it’s panic feeling Can’t believe I whine about the Senate dealings When I broke glass a long time ago, debt ceiling And new year’s resolutions, I wrote a few Six days in, I broke a few It’s a new year, but nothing’s new Guess that why the newspaper saying everybody’s blue And the cold’s setting in and the weather man Said tomorrow’s temperature is gonna break the records and A high of 10, whatever man Couple of days, it’ll be warm weather again But the holidays left me with deeper chill Got what I wanted under the tree, but deeper still I need a life that goes deeper, but it’s all uphill And when it keeps getting steeper, what, you grin and deal? Aftermath, silent night, after that Nothing but pain when you try your hand at looking back Hindsight ain’t 20/20, for some it’s gloss But Christmas for others is just reliving loss There used to be another stocking hanging by the fire Now every single year your heart’ll be reminded And tears are ok, I heard ‘em say But who really wants to break down crying on Christmas Day? Maybe your loss is of another kind A childhood you never had and you can’t find You see pictures of a happy family in green and red And wonder what it’s like to have a feeling that you’ve never had And Jesus is the reason? You know, his birth? Then what’s the reason we ain’t got a speck of peace on earth? Here’s your glad tidings… Nations fighting And senseless violence demeaning what a life is worth I look at monsters and tell myself I’m nothing like ‘em But in my heart a storm’s raging, category 5’in I feel like God is testing me, that’s normal, right? But why he gotta keep testing me every single night? I don’t love me, I need acceptance I crave a love that’ll resurrect me to my senses My instinct is to push you out, it’s senseless Because I’m begging you to please break down my defenses Alright, the truth, this track and why I’m on it Soul vomit coming up from a year of wanting Wish I knew where I was coming from or where I’m going I hope it’s not out of reach, ‘case God knows I want it “First day of the rest of your life” And I feel like I’ve left behind the best of my life? Been a year of my broken heart detesting life Juxtaposed by warm greetings and festive lights And I confess to you I’m just not right And becoming a person that I just don’t like I’m in the tunnel, what I wouldn’t give to see the light January cold, man, I feel blue tonight (It's all over but the shoutin')
12.
Complications It's like my soul wants to be dry I'd take the life out of any good time Trouble breathing It's like my lungs are on fire Been running away from anything resembling life Do you see the rain clouds Should we take shelter What if the healing Pours from the heavens Oh, Do you feel the rain drops Could we go out and let it fall on us To wash away all we are Oh, From dust we came We turn to mud under the rain To be made over again
13.
14.
I was called out and now they know what I am I was ruined for all to see But you stepped up and drew a line in the sand You drew a line in the sand for me You find me where I am but you won’t leave me here You fill my lungs again and I breathe You take me by the hand to places I’ve never been You find me where I am Then you lead I remember you said “Go child, go and sin no more” And I stood up on my feet And when I go now I know don’t walk alone I walk as a child of the risen Son I’m the found and freed and forgiven one You find me where I am but you won’t leave me here You fill my lungs again and I breathe You take me by the hand to places I’ve never been You find me where I am Then you lead Lead me through the darkest midnight Lead me through the clearest day Lead me to the living waters to drink your grace Lead to a place of brokenness until your love is all that I have left I’m so glad you didn’t leave me Now its my joy to let you lead me You find me where I am but you won’t leave me here You fill my lungs again and I breathe You take me by the hand to places I’ve never been You find me where I am Then you lead
15.
Til all is said and done, our kingdoms crumble up Til all the dogs of war fade with the ash and stone Til every single fire is sparked by love’s desire Til all is said and done, this is my final song Love ain’t easy and we’ve so far to go I can’t wait ‘til it’s all we know Love ain’t easy and we’ve so far to go I can’t wait ‘til it’s all we know The battle rages but our hearts will hold I can’t wait til its all we know Love ain’t easy and we’ve so far to go I can’t wait ‘til it’s all we know Love is not far, no matter where you are No matter what you’ve done Love made you a daughter, love made you a son And we will rest and we will run Where it’s all we know And I can’t wait ‘til it’s all we know And I can’t wait ‘til it’s all we know

about

"Athens" is Ross Wright's fourth solo album. It is based on Paul's message to the people of Athens, Greece in Acts chapter 17.

credits

released November 18, 2014

Written, performed and produced by Ross Wright*
*"Eyes On You" written and performed by Rebekah Rafferty

Featuring (alphabetical):
Mike Abbamonte – vocals on 'Soldier On'
Jeremy Adams – photography
Jared Boggess - design
Jason Breneman – percussion on 'Soldier On'
Jason E. Call – lead vocals on 'Don't Know How to Love'
Jason Carter – djembe on 'Soldier On'
DJ Coles – vocals on 'Soldier On'
Lil Harris - spoken word on 'Introduction'
Kevin Hazelgrove – guitar on 'We Turn to Mud Under the Rain' and 'To Be Made Over Again.'
Melissa Hazelgrove – vocals on 'A Thousand Pieces' and 'We Turn to Mud Under the Rain'
Garth Jenkins – electric guitar on 'Soldier On'
Logan Jones – vocals on 'Athens, Pt. 2'
David Lege – electric guitar and vocals on 'One Six'
Matthew Prousalis – bass guitar on 'Athens, Pt. 2'
Rebekah Rafferty – vocals on 'Soldier On', keys and lead vocals on 'Eyes On You'
Jamie Storm – electric guitar on 'Don't Know How to Love'

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Ross Wright Richmond, Virginia

Ross lives in Richmond VA, where he writes pop songs about the human condition and the mysteries of love.

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