Words by Fanny J. Crosby
Music by Phoebe Knapp

This arrangement © 2013, All Rights Reserved.

Blessed Assurance

Lyrically drawn from Hebrews 12:1 and Psalm 18.  Musically, a rather simple arrangement, consisting mostly of a wall of guitars.

Word & Music by Donnie Hart.   © 2013, All Rights Reserved.

Dont Slow Down

Fratris Luctum is Latin for "A brother's mourning".  This song was written after my brother was killed in an automobile accident in April, 2012.  It's an attempt to reflect the duality of the Christian experience: grief at the loss of a loved one, yet joy at knowing we will meet again, because my brother placed his faith solidly in Christ.  He was a 'fisher of men'.

Word & Music by Donnie Hart.   © 2013, All Rights Reserved.

Fratris Luctum

Inspired by our pastor's message on Isaiah chapter 61, as well as by Romans chapter 7, this song is written from the point of view of the captive, snared by his own devices and praying for someone to rescue him.  His rescuer is, of course, our savior Jesus Christ!

Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

Romans 7:18-25
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;  but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.  What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?  Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Lyrics:
I feel like a man in a foreign land, 
surrounded by things that I don't understand.
Mysterious things, that pull me in, 
and then before long I'm trapped again.

Why can't I do what's right?  Why must I always do what's wrong?
My shame is this: That I can't break free.
From what I know is wrong,
from what's been killing me.

So who will come and save me?  
Who will come and save me from the prison I've been living in?
I want to do what's right, but I'm a slave to sin.
Oh, save me!  Who will come and save me!  
My heart is captive in this place,
With the ashes of all my disgrace.

I'm not looking for things that will get me lost,
 but the treasure I want seems to be a lost cause.
When I think it's all right, then it starts to go wrong.
Maybe it's been me all along.

Why can't I do what's right?  Why must I always do what's wrong?
My shame is this: That I can't break free.
From what I know is wrong.
From what's been killing me.

So who will come and save me?  
Who will come and save me from the prison I've been living in?
I want to do what's right, but I'm a slave to sin.
Oh, save me!  Who will come and save me!  
My heart is captive in this place,
With the ashes of all my disgrace.

Word & Music by Donnie Hart.   © 2013, All Rights Reserved.

Save Me (Work In Progress)

Inspired by and heavily drawn from Song of Solomon, Isaiah 62:5 and Zephaniah 3:17.  This is the most upbeat song I've written, and the vocal is quite challenging for me, due to its bubbly melody and the sheer speed.  One of these days, I'll actually get the vocal down.  (For those who may be wondering, I refuse to rely upon Melodyne for vocals, because while Melodyne might make arguably recordings sound great, it can't make up for lack of ability or help during live performances.)

Lyrically, this song is a love song, from God to us.  Song of Solomon, otherwise known as Song of Songs, is an allegorical representation the love between God and His people.  The verses and chorus are drawn from Song of Solomon.  The outro (which isn't present on this recording, but which is documented below) says "You make me want to dance, you make me want to sing".  We don't often think of God singing and dancing over us, but Isaiah 62:5 says God rejoices over His people.  "Rejoice" in this verse means to dance and spin around!  Zephaniah 3:17 says:  "...He (The Lord) will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”  What an amazing thought: God singing and dancing over His people!  Next time you're feeling down or unwanted, why not listen to this song, and consider that if you believe in Jesus Christ, then your God does indeed sing and dance over you with joy!

Lyrics: 
Hey, hey, pretty things, with eyes like doves and lips like crimson, too!
I've been dreamin' all night and thinkin' all day about being right next to you.
Come away with me, the things that we will see, and the places that I'll show you.
When we're sittin' by the river and we're holding each other, there's nothin' that we can't do!

Don't tell me, you can't wait to be with me!  When will the day end?  Oh, this waiting's misery!

How delightful is your love!
It's more pleasing, more pleasing than wine!
With a look, you've stolen my heart;
sweet fountain, flowing water, I can't wait to make you mine!

You make me want to dance!  You make me want to shout!
You make me want to sing, 'cause I know everything will be all right.
You make me want to dance!   You make me want to sing!
Dancing 'cause I'm yours, and you are mine!

Word & Music by Donnie Hart.   © 2013, All Rights Reserved.

Song of Songs (Work In Progress)

Written after death of my childhood best friend due to an accidental drug overdose.  I'd known him for over twenty years.  He'd gone to church with me a number of times when we were younger, but as far as I know, never placed his faith in Christ.  This song is my way of saying goodbye to him, and it truly is a mournful and heartfelt goodbye.

Music by Donnie Hart.   © 2013, All Rights Reserved.

The Long Goodbye (Instrumental)

I'm a 36 year-old Christian musician and former music minister and youth pastor. My musical influences run a huge gamut, from Delirious, Matt Redman, to Carlos Santana, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Rush and even Bill Gaither. I love just about everything: Old gospel, black gospel, a Capella worship, classic rock, Elvis, the Beatles, modern worship, country, ethnic music, Latin music, classical, baroque and even a rap song or two!

I've been playing guitar for over 25 years, bass for 20, and piano for 15. I'm fairly new to actually recording and mixing my own music, though, and I welcome any critique, whether positive or negative (especially negative - iron sharpening iron and all that). If you hate my music, voice, mix or an arrangement, then I want to know about it so I can improve!  If you like my music, then please share it with others, so it might produce a little fruit.

Thanks for listening, and God bless you!

Ardent Heart

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