RANDY STONEHILL - STORIES LYRICS

STORIES
LYRICS
(TAKEN VERBATIM FROM THE ORIGINAL LYRIC SHEET)
SIDE ONE	SIDE TWO
I Thirst For You	Charlie The Weatherman
Still, Small Voice	Sing In Portuguese
Rachel Delevoryas	Weight Of The Sky
Bells	Letter To My Family
Starlings	Christmas At Denny's
Turning Thirty	Hope Of Glory (Acoustic Version)
Coming Back Soon


I Thirst For You
I was the boy with the high-water pants Х Too shy to go to the dance Х 'Til I learned that I could sing and
play guitar Х And I finally felt like someone Х Though my questions still remained Х But I've come to find my
answers Х In the echo of Your name ХХ CHORUS Х And Lord I thirst for You Х Like a man in the desert
needs water to drink Х And I cling to Х You like a drowning sailor Х Trying not to sink Х And I want to trust
in Your hand of love Х More than what I feel or think Х I really do Х I thirst for You ХХ Oh, she stole my
heart away Х We got married on a winter's day Х  And we learned that love is harder than it seems Х But
through all of times we've laughed or cried Х Or let each other down Х Jesus is the heartbeat Х Of the true
love we have found ХХ CHORUS ХХ And when our baby girl arrived Х Oh, the air seemed electrified Х
You could almost feel the rush of angels' wings Х And when I kissed her tiny face Х I stood trembling and
amazed Х And I've understood what being happy means Х And I've always prayed from that first day Х That
she will understand Х That the gift of life is not complete Х Until she takes Your hand ХХ Produced by Terry
Taylor Х Written by Randy Stonehill - © Stonehillian Music/Word Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP)
View The Complete Transcribed Lyrics



Still Small Voice
I have heard a still, small voice Х That's whispering, "I Am, I Am, I Am" Х Have you heard a still, small
voice Х Whispering, "I Can, I Can, I Can" Х "If you'd only believe" Х "If you'd only believe" Х "If you'd 
only believe that there is love" ХХ I have heard a still, small voice Х That's whispering, "Tonight, Tonight,
Tonight" Х Oh, oh, oh, oh Х And if you hear that still, small voice Х That's whispering "It's right, oh it's
right, it's right" Х "If you'd only believe" Х "If you'd only believe" Х "If you'd only believe that there is love"
ХХ Oh, you can tell Him all of your sorrows Х Come and tell Him your dreams Х Tell Him your dreams Х
He could give you your dreams ХХ I have heard a still, small voice Х That's whispering "I Am, I Am, I Am"
Х Oh, oh, and if you hear that still, small voice Х Whispering, "Oh, He can, yes He can, He can" Х "If
you'd only believe" Х "Ooh, only believe" Х "If you'd only believe that there is love" Х There is love, oh
yeah, there is love Х And it's waiting for you ХХ And I really believe, oh, yes I do Х Really believe oh I, I
really believe Х That there is love Х Really believe that there is love Х Hey, yeah, really believe there is love 
Х I really believe, oh, oh Х Yes I, I really believe that there is love Х Really believe there is love ХХ From the
album Celebrate This Heartbeat (1984) Х Produced by Barry Miller Kaye Х Written by Randy Stonehill -
© Stonehillian Music/Word Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP)



Rachel Delevoryas
Rachel Delevoryas Х With her thick eye glasses and her plain Jane face Х Sat beside me in my fifth grade
class Х Looking so terribly out of place Х Rachel played the violin Х And classical music was out of style Х 
She couldn't control all her wild brown hair Х Her nervous laughter and her awkward smile and 
ХХ CHORUS Х It was clear that she'd never be one of us Х With her dowdy clothes Х And her violin Х
And a name like Rachel Delevoryas ХХ But I'd pass by her house in the evening Х Going to play with my
best friend Ray Х And the music floating from her window Х Spoke the things that Rachel could never say
Х Rachel Delevoryas was eating her lunch as the boys walked by Х "Rachel is ugly" she heard them shout Х 
She sat on the schoolyard bench and cried ХХ CHORUS ХХ And every year the hedge got higher Х As it
grew around Rachel's house Х Like the secret wall inside her Х That she built to keep all the heartache out Х
Rachel Delevoryas moved back east with her family Х Now she's dressed in a beautiful gown Х Standing on
stage with the symphony Х Rachel plays the violin Х But every night when the lights go down Х I wonder if she
still remembers those days Х And cruel little boys in this one horse town and ХХ CHORUS ХХ From the album
Wonderama (1992) Х Produced by Terry Taylor Х Written by Randy Stonehill - © Stonehillian Music/Word
Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP)



Bells
When I was a little boy Х  I'd wake up on a Sunday morning Х And hear the ringing of the bells Х And I
remember how good it made me feel inside Х It was like the Lord was saying "Good morning, all is well" Х
And I'd get dressed in a hurry Х And say, "Mama can you take me Х To where they're ringing the bells?"
ХХ CHORUS Х Hear the ringing of the bells Х Hear the ringing of the bells Х Ain't it like a Voice that's 
calling you home Х After being gone so long Х If you hear that ringing in your heart Х Then you'll know where
you belong ХХ I spent my days at school Х Chasing all those young man's dreams Х Now we can fall under that
spell Х You'd best be mindful of what you keep or leave behind Х I turned to find I didn't know myself so well ХХ
But I woke up one morning Х And oh my heart was aching Х I heard the ringing of the bells ХХ CHORUS ХХ
I can hear them ringing Х Ringing, ringing, ringing Х I can hear them ringing in my soul ХХ CHORUS ХХ
From the album Love Beyond Reason (1985) Х Produced by Barry Miller Kaye Х Written by Randy
Stonehill - © Stonehillian Music/Word Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP)



Starlings
Riding with my family in a '58 Buick Х I can still recall Х How we'd drive through the valley Х To my
grandmother's house Х Every summer vacation Х When I was small Х And I'd gaze out the window Х At the
farms and the orchards Х Watching the telephone poles passing by Х And the sound of our motor Х Would
frighten the starlings Х And they'd rise from the fields to fly ХХ My mother would grumble Х Those birds
are a curse Х They're a thorn in the farmers' side" Х But I couldn't help feeling sad and inspired Х By their
desperate ballet in the sky ХХ CHORUS Х Say a prayer for the starlings Х A hot, dry wind beats their ragged
wings Х Have a thought for the starlings Х No one ever listens to the songs they sing Х Say a prayer for the
starlings Х There's no welcome for them anywhere Х Leave some crumbs for the starlings Х They say that 
winter will be cold this year ХХ She was sitting on a curb by the Seven Eleven Х She asked if I had some
spare change Х Her skin wore that leathered and windburned look Х And the light in her blue eyes was wild
and strange Х I sat down beside her and asked her name Х She said, "Pick one you like, I need something to
eat." Х And her life made me think Х Of the dead leaves in autumn Х Drifting like ghosts down the street ХХ
Is the life that we celebrate only a dream Х A lie that we serve like a god made of stone Х And our hearts 
are the hunter Х Birds with no nesting place Х Weary and aching for home ХХ CHORUS ХХ From the album 
Return To Paradise (1989) Х Produced by Mark Heard with Randy Stonehill Х Written by Randy Stonehill -
© Stonehillian Music/Word Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP)



Turning Thirty
I've gotta house down by the ocean Х The rent is not too high Х And I love to watch the ships come in Х And 
hear the seagulls cry Х And lately I've been taking stock Х Of all that I've been through Х Oh, tomorrow is my 
birthday Х Feels funny but it's true Х I'm turning thirty ХХ Now I've got a wife who really loves me Х And she
makes my life so sweet Х And a little baby daughter Х Who plays games around my feet Х And my world is very
different Х From those lazy bachelor years Х But if I had the chance to go back Х I'd rather stay right here Х 
I'm turning thirty Х I'm turning thirty ХХ And I have friends who care about me Х They're the best I've ever had
Х And they always stood behind me Х Whenever times got bad Х And I love to play my music Х Though the road
can be a trial Х But every time I walk on stage Х It's worth each dusty mile Х I'm turning thirty ХХ Well, now
thirty ain't like fifteen Х And it's not like twenty-five Х My back's a little stiff Х And there's some lines 
around my eyes Х But I've still got my energy Х And I got most of my hair Х And I'm not too old to rock and 
roll Х And I'm not really scared of turning thirty ХХ Oh, the eighties look like tough times Х The world is 
turning sour Х So I'll keep on serving Jesus Х And await the final hour ХХ And though I've often failed him Х
In these thirty rocky years Х His mercy brought me this far Х And His love has dried my tears ХХ I'm turning
thirty Х (I'll treasure these years) Х I'm turning thirty Х That's alright Х I'm turning thirty Х (I'll treasure
these years) Х Turning thirty ХХ From the album Equator (1983) Х Produced by Terry Taylor Х Written by
Randy Stonehill - © Stonehillian Music/Word Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP)



Coming Back Soon
Morning steals the night Х The sun broke through the rain Х A little girl is sleeping Х While I pack to meet
my plane Х Then I kneel down by her bed Х And I kiss her sleepy head Х She hugs me tight Х She knows I'm
going away ХХ CHORUS Х She says "Tell me you're coming back soon  Х Now don't forget me Х I want to be with
you Х If you'll tell me you're coming back soon Х Then while you're gone Х The days won't seem so long ХХ I
watch my little girl Х And start to understand Х How God looks down from heaven Х And we're children in His
eyes Х Even though we're far apart Х He left behind His heart Х Like a promise to return for us someday 
ХХ CHORUS ХХ I know sometimes she feels so lost without me Х The world is such a big, confusing place Х
And it's then I pray she'll do the things I taught her Х Remember right from wrong Х Remember daddy's 
face ХХ I know I'm going home Х And hunger for that day Х Just like the Lord is waiting Х And He longs to
hear us say ХХ CHORUS ХХ From the album Can't Buy A Miracle (1988) Х Produced by Dave Perkins Х
Written by Randy Stonehill - © Stonehillian Music/Word Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP)


Charlie The Weatherman
It was Charlie who taught me to ride on a bike Х It was Charlie who taught me 'bout flyin' a kite Х It was Charlie
who taught me the beauty of dreams Х He'd say "Life's so much more than it seems" ХХ He looked like a 
scarecrow so ragged and thin Х When he knocked at the farmhouse door Х I could tell that my mother was
nervous at first Х With my father away in the war Х He said he was hungry from waking so far, Х But a handout
never would do Х "Now my name is Charlie and for something to eat Х I could predict the weather for you" ХХ He
talked of the talent with which he was blessed Х "It's an odd sort of gift," he explained Х "But the Lord makes
the weather and I just observe Х And only a fool could complain" Х As night time was falling we asked him to 
stay Х And he camped by the sycamore trees Х My mother asked "What will you do if it rains?" Х Charlie smiled 
and said, "Just leave the weather to me" ХХ CHORUS Х In the wandering breeze I can hear again Х The song that 
Charlie the weatherman sang Х Sweet breath of God blow he clouds away Х 'Til I walk in the light of that endless
spring day ХХ Now Charlie stayed with us as days turned to weeks Х It seemed that somehow he belonged Х And
I'd always tease him when he watched the sky Х But his forecasts never were wrong Х And Charlie would tell me
a story each night Х From the tattered old bible he read Х "Winter or summer, spring time or fall Х It's the
weather inside us that matters" he said. ХХ CHORUS Х One morning at breakfast he seemed a bit sad Х With a
far away look in his eyes, "Storms rollin' in" Х That was all he said though there wasn't a cloud in the sky Х
The last time I saw him he waved his old hat Х As he stood at the of the hill Х He left me his bible and in it he
wrote Х "Keep your eyes on the sky" and I always will Х And it rained and rained like the tears I cried Х The
day that Charlie the weatherman died Х And the wind has carried his heart away Х Past the silver-lined clouds
to that endless spring day ХХ Produced by Terry Taylor Х Written by Randy Stonehill and Terry Taylor -
© Stonehillian Music/Word Music (a div. of Word, Inc.)/Twitchen Vibes Music (ASCAP)



Sing In Portuguese
The kindest person I ever knew Х Was my grandmother Mary Х She came from the Azores Islands Х Off of
the Portugal coast Х And she and her husband worked on a little farm Х In the valley so green Х Called the
San Joaquin Х He was handsome and tall Х And he played the guitar with ease Х And she'd fallen in love when
he sang in Portuguese ХХ CHORUS Х La la la la la la la la Х La la la la la la Х Ate amanba miu amor (until
tomorrow my love) Х He sang in Portuguese ХХ My grandfather passed away Х Before he had time to grow old 
Х The life of an immigrant farmer had taken a terrible toll Х And Mary once told me she often would wake in
the night Х And she'd still hear him call Х Through the dark down the hall Х And she'd kneel by her bed and
take out her rosary beads Х And the tears would fall as she'd pray in Portuguese ХХ  La la la la la la la la Х 
La la la la la la Х Ate amanba miu amor (until tomorrow my love) Х She'd pray in Portuguese ХХ Oh, Mary the
church bells are ringing for Christmas Х Mary do you hear an angel's sweet voice Х Oh, Mary I know you 
must leave when he calls, Х But I wish that somehow you could stay Х 'Cuz I loved you most of all ХХ She lies
so still now in her snowy white hospital bed Х With the life that she loved so much Х Still going on in her
head Х She's there in her kitchen and laughter is filling the room Х Or her garden in spring with her roses
in bloom Х Now she smiles like she knows me Х Though I'm never sure who she sees Х But her eyes still light up 
when I sing in Portuguese ХХ La la la la la la la la Х La la la la la la Х Ate amanba miu amor (until tomorrow
my love) Х I sing in Portuguese Х La la la la la la la la Х La la la la la la la la Х Her eyes light up when I sing
in Portuguese ХХ From the album Wonderama (1992) Х Produced by Terry Taylor Х Written by Randy
Stonehill - © Stonehillian Music/Word Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP)



Weight Of The Sky
Michael was funny Х He was charming and wild Х In my high school days he was the king of the street Х Rode
his Harley down Blossom Hill Road Х And his life was over in a heartbeat ХХ CHORUS Х Not me, I think I'm
gonna stick around Х I've just got to find out how this movie ends Х And as I stumble through the mystery
of this life Х I'm gonna keep on trying to find a friend ХХ Danny was an actor, he was quick and he was 
good Х But his eyes betrayed a sadness that troubled me Х One night they found his empty car down on the
beach Х He'd just taken off his clothes and walked into the sea ХХ CHORUS ХХ Lost and drifting on the river
of longing Х Bowed and bloody from the weight of the sky Х Longing to call out for someone's forgiveness Х
But we're not sure who or why Х Maybe we're frightened like children in the darkness Х Chasing shadows
in the strangest dream Х Sometimes living is harder than dying Х Sometimes it feels like we're trapped in
between Х In between ХХ Mickey was so beautiful and gentle and kind Х The last time I saw her I almost
cried Х She'd married a sailor who liked to use his fists Х She could bandage all the cuts Х But she was
dead inside ХХ CHORUS ХХ From the album Return To Paradise (1989) Х Produced by Mark Heard with
Randy Stonehill Х Written by Randy Stonehill - © Stonehillian Music/Word Music (a div. of Word, Inc.)
(ASCAP)



Letter To My Family
Father you are older than me Х And in many ways you are wise Х But all of my life it's hurt to see Х The
sadness in your eyes Х And I know that your life has been hard Х And you struggle to do your best Х Now I 
want you to share the love I've found Х And give your poor heart a rest ХХ And He'll draw close to you Х If
you'd only ask Him to Х He will understand your heart's most secret prayer Х And He's waiting there ХХ
Dear mother I could never forget Х Your laughter and your worried tears Х And all of the loving things 
you did Х To help me get through those painful years Х And I know when you've given your heart Х That 
life has often been unkind Х But turning away you just might miss Х The love you've waited years to find
ХХ And He'll draw close to you Х If you'd only ask Him to Х Let Him wash away the bitterness and fear Х 
You'll see he's here ХХ Dear Brother I remember the days Х When I'd tag along to play Х And all of the
childish, angry things Х We never really meant to say Х And I know that those boys have grown up Х And
will never play those games again Х And that's why I hope you'll understand Х And listen to me as a friend
ХХ And He'll draw close to you Х If you'd only ask Him to Х Let Him have the chance Х To see what love can
do ХХ It's there for you Х It's there for you ХХ From the album Between the Glory and the Flame (1981) Х
Produced by Terry Taylor with Randy Stonehill Х Written by Randy Stonehill - © Stonehillian Music/Word
Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP)



Christmas At Denny's
They got Christmas Muzak piped in through the ceiling Х And the refills of coffee are always for free Х
And the waitress on graveyard and the surly night manager Х Are wishing that all of us losers would 
leave ХХ There's a star on the sign at the Texaco Station Х Like that star long ago on that midnight
clear Х As I look around at these cold, empty faces Х I doubt that you'd find many wise men here ХХ 
And I'm dreaming about a silent night, holy night Х When things were alright Х And I'm dreaming about 
how my life could have been Х If only, if only, if only Х But somewhere down the road I gave up that flight
Х Merry Christmas, it's Christmas at Denny's tonight ХХ Once I had a home and a wife and a daughter
Х Had a company job earning middle-class pay Х Then Lisa got killed by a car near the schoolyard Х And
my wife started drinking Х Just to get through each day Х I will never forget that little red wagon Х 
Turning to rust all alone in the rain Х One morning I flagged down a truck on the highway Х I just couldn't
bear to go back there again ХХ And I'm dreaming about a silent night, holy night Х When things were
alright Х And I'm dreaming about how my life could have been Х If only, if only, if only Х Well, it's not
just the blind man who loses his sight Х Merry Christmas, it's Christmas at Denny's tonight ХХ They
say life's full of cruel circumstance Х Fate plays the tune and we dance Х Dance 'til we drop in the 
dust and we're gone Х And the world just goes on ХХ The cop at the corner, he's the guardian angel Х He
watches these orphans through dark mirrored shades Х And the register rings like a bell sadly tolling
Х For the fools we've become and the price we paid Х Oh, when I was a boy, I believed in Christmas Х
Miracle Season to make a new start Х I don't need no miracle Х Sweet Baby Jesus just help me find Х
Some kind of hope in my heart ХХ And I'm dreaming a silent night, holy night Х When things were
alright Х And I'm dreaming about how my life could have been Х If only, if only, if only Х But I'm still
here at the morning's first light Х Merry Christmas, it's Christmas at Denny's tonight Х Merry
Christmas, it's Christmas at Denny's tonight ХХ From the album Return To Paradise (1989) Х
Produced by Mark Heard with Randy Stonehill Х Written by Randy Stonehill - © Stonehillian
Music/Word Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP)



Hope Of Glory  (Acoustic Version)
Oh, how much more could any man desire Х Than to know why he draws his every breath Х Oh, how
much more could any soul require Х Then that the Lord is near at his death ХХ CHORUS Х Do not
forget love's greatest story Х God knows the tears that you have cried Х Just set your sights upon the
hope of glory Х It was for this that Jesus died ХХ For every mile of rocky road you climb Х There is a 
jewel added to your crown Х For every doubt that drags you down sometimes Х There is an answer that
will be found ХХ CHORUS ХХCarry on, my family of the light Х All those who march unto a different
drum Х And know the truth will guide you through the night Х Until we rest in kingdom come ХХ
CHORUS ХХ Produced By Terry Taylor Х Written by Randy Stonehill - © Stonehillian Music/Word
Music (a div. of Word, Inc.) (ASCAP) (Original version recorded on the album The Wild Frontier)