Track 1 from the Hope Songs EP.

Song Credits:
Lyrics: Bishop SJ
Beat Producer: F3licity Beats
Production, mixing, and mastering: Bishop SJ
Audio Clip: Fulton Sheen

-Lyrics-

Coming out swinging with all of my might
Take to world 
shining my light
All of my fight, all of my life 
Brought to the day, 
goodbye to the night.
What can I say, most of the days
Lost in the maze stuck in the daze
Locked in my room 
Crafting these tunes
So what can I do?
Preach!

Hope songs!
Hope songs!
All bushel baskets are long gone
Lamp stands I burn on 
The good fight we spurn on 
No discount no coupon 
Hear the good news 
when you turn on 
No old views, only New dawn
Bad vibes better move on
These are hope songs 

Hope songs

These are hope songs

My Strength spent
Clothes fine but my heart's rent
Looking for signs heaven sent
Only speak words of his parchment
Saints and sinner march in
Out from ourselves to the margins 
No cheap deals, no bargains
These are hope songs

"We never come to a higher point in life until we have passed through a lower one.
There is a death to something low before there is a birth to something better.
Maybe the God we're looking for is not the God we expected... maybe He's carrying all of the burdens, and anxieties, and fears, and dreads of the world."

Hope songs
Hope songs
All bushel baskets are long gone
Lamp stands I burn on 
The good fight we spurn on 
No discount no coupon 
Hear the good news 
when you turn on 
No old views, only New dawn
Bad vibes better move on
These are hope songs 

"He's carrying all of the burdens, and anxieties, and fears, and dreads of the world."

Hope songs
Hope songs
All bushel baskets are long gone
Lamp stands I burn on 
The good fight we spurn on 
No discount no coupon 
Hear the good news 
when you turn on 
No old views, only New dawn
Bad vibes better move on
These are hope songs 

Hope songs
All bushel baskets are long gone
Lamp stands I burn on 
The good fight we spurn on 
No discount no coupon 
Hear the good news 
when you turn on 
No old views, only New dawn
Bad vibes better move on
These are hope songs

Hope Songs

Hope Songs | Bishop SJ

Track 2 from the Hope Songs EP.

Song Credits:
Lyrics: Bishop SJ
Beat Producer: Marow
Production, mixing, and mastering: Bishop SJ

-Lyrics-

The Lord said to me,
"Follow me into the desert and let me teach you to find joy there."
I said Lord, there's nothing in the desert.
He smiled and replied, "Exactly."

Turns out doubt don’t disqualify
Matter of fact it verifies 
I’m living right, deliberate, 
skipping vice, deliverance
Doing what I can to keep true
Despite the fact I can't see you
But I feel you and I feel your hand
I trust you and I trust your plan

Follow like fool when I follow you
Still seems what I ought to do 
Won’t forget that you brought me through
Can’t forget what you brought me through
Help me move help me to realize it 
Aaint my first time 
but it feels fresh 
Sun burns down 
oppress my flesh 
Wrecks my rush 
Tells me hush 
slows me down
look around me
Sounds are sounding
Head is pounding
grace is this grounding
Growing showing life 
Demons all around me temptin strife
But I keep my hands in his
I keep my eyes on you

Step by step, 
left then right, 
1 then 2 
Be alright, 
in the night
Stars shine
Shedding light
To my weary heart
Stop me when I start
Wandering pondering 
Can it really be 
Sand stretches endlessly
Seems a cruel way to free 
Your people from their slavery

Surely Son of Man
Has a plan 
And he can
Flip twist switch 
Pain to bliss
Glory glory 
Grown from a seed called crucifix
Forgive me if I reminisce 
in the yet to be
The mystery
The present of the present suffering 

Mmmm and how he brings
Me clear cross cut through 
Wilderness like nothing new
We call that journey 
We call that life 
I call that grace, 
some call that strife.
Some call it death, 
He, The way to life
Some think its darkness
But He’s the light of life 
I thought I’d never find,
Joy in the desert
Joy in the desert.

No Springs of water, 
no fields of green
No Paradise like a movie scene
No Promised land like in the dreams
No Neverland, no flowing streams,
Only blood and water pouring from the seems
From His Heart
From His Heart.

Only life blood, only what you need
Only true joy and simplicity 
Sand as far as eye can see
But He frees his people, yes indeed
From their slavery
He’s unwavering and he’s faithful 
Merciful beyond measure
Gave me joy in the desert.

No Springs of water, 
no fields of green
No Paradise like a movie scene
No Promised land like in the dreams
No Neverland, no flowing streams,
Only blood and water pouring from the seems
From His Heart
From His Heart.

Only life blood, only what you need
Only true joy and simplicity 
Sand as far as eye can see
But He frees his people, yes indeed
From their slavery
He’s unwavering and he’s faithful 
Merciful beyond measure

Desert | Bishop SJ

Track 3 from the Hope Songs EP.

Song Credits:
Lyrics: Bishop SJ
Beat Producer: nat
Production, mixing, and mastering: Bishop SJ

-Lyrics-

Victorious

I always loved the rhythm and the rhyme    
Untwist the words jumbled in my mind
Mumbled in the light they might
Caterpillar crawl 
catapult into butterfly
Tongue set to flight, 
ideas hidden in the night
Shadows cast flames 
flames shed light
Bursting burning turning bright
Turning wrong to right
Hurting taking too many hits in the fight 
Turns out I’m alright

I’m victorious 

No credit can to me be given
Only one is king and truly risen
He rise to the tip top of the criss cross
Raise his head then it drops
Breath stops, 
Did they really kill God?
The spirit goes up, the body goes down
In the ground
only sound the rolling stone
Seal the grave and a fate unknown
Hold up.
So quick to forget
When the temple’s torn down, he resurrects it
Takes death, redirects it
aims at Satan, boom pow direct hit
Death destroyed, yeah he wrecks it
I’ll confess this:

He’s victorious 

There’s a whole lotta holes in my soul
On which I fix my eyes, lose sight of my dreams goals
Forget I’m a son beloved and prodigal
Ignore the fact that it's actually possible,
Probably probable God called an audible
Sent his son as sacrifice done with all the bullsheesh
John 3:16, put upon his back the whole dang team
A wooden beam to show you that weak can and will be made strong
In weakness, defeated, wounded He won 
Called us by name and gave us his dub

We’re victorious

Victorious

Victorious | Bishop SJ

Track 4 from the Hope Songs EP.

Song Credits:
Lyrics: Bishop SJ
Beat Producer: FYKSEN
Production, mixing and mastering: Bishop SJ

-Lyrics-

"Yo, I just wanted to call real quick to say that I love you, I appreciate you."

I want take a moment for my family and my friends
My brothers my sister who’re with me to the end
Keep me from breaking when I really start to bend
Bring me out of myself when I wanna cave in
Make the goodness of life so very blatant
Make sweet sweeter the  roses more fragrant
God knows I don’t deserve them
God knows I couldn't earn them

The wise man says 
Friendship is gold
Heat to the cold 
Fan to the flame
Well, they stay the same 
Rock steady Always ready to roll 
Pour themselves themselves out so I may be full

They done a whole lotta layin down
Their lives on the ground for me
Planted themselves as seeds
Came like sunshine, fell like rain on me
So whatever fruit you see
credit to my team
It’s their love blossoming
If you see a masterpiece 
Kneel down say please, God 
can I get some friends like that 
Always got my back 
That’s a fact
My favorite sound track
I hear them laugh
Lie about my music to me so “bro, that slaps”
My crew forever running laps 
Round yours
That’s for sure,
So

So this one’s a love song
For all the one’s who keep me strong
For all the one’s who get me through
For all the one’s who teach me truth
This one's the love song
This one's the love song
For all the one’s who get me through
For all the one’s who teach me truth

Turn grayest of skies to bluest of blue
My number 1 fans who bump all my tunes
So what can I do 
To express gratitude 
When it captures my heart
I mean where do I start
When all that I am 
Is shaped by fam
And made by crew
I got no clue
How to tell them 

They teach me the love of the one 
I love the most 
They prolly don’t know 
All of the ways 
Delivering grace
Show me God’s face
So what can I say
Other than I made this song for you

Love Song | Bishop SJ

Sinner's Song | Bishop SJ

Song Credits:
Lyrics: Bishop SJ
Beat Producer: LUCAS QUINN
Production, mixing, mastering: Bishop SJ

-Lyrics-
Be silent for a second
Take a seat take listen
Prepare for the lesson
Bow down for the blessing
No more guessing what God might say
Time to pray time to press play
On the record
The failure that I’ve measure
The times I’ve endeavored
To run away, evade his grace, hide my face
Cause if God only knew the things I’ve done,
There is no way he would ever show me love
Don’t speak of hope, I believe there is none
Don’t preach at me about his blood
I am not, I am not his son
I am not his son

At least I don’t deserve to be
I ran far I tried to flee
Far as I could be
Far from his mercy
And I don’t know how to turn around
I don’t know how to let him love me now

The false gods I have been worshipping,
They might have eyes but they do not see,
They make a lot of noise but they do not speak,
I do what I want, but I am not free.

The false gods I have been worshipping,
They might have eyes but they do not see,
They make a lot of noise but they do not speak,
I do what I want, but I am not free.

I’m not so sure that I wanna change
Why don’t we negotiate
The terms of our engagement 
The rules and the places
A method of facing the facts
I am complacent, I recognize that.
The vices I cling to got a hold on me
If God wants me back gonna need a whole army
I’m too far gone, and the price too high
I’m not that happy, but at least I’m fine,
Well, kind of, right? At least I tried
I’ll sort out my life whenever I die. 
In the meantime I’ll keep on wondering why
And keep on hiding behind all of these lies
The truth is I’m tired and I wanna come home,
I wanna live for you but I’m scared if they know
I’m scared that you’ll blow it all away
I’m afraid if I follow you I’ll lose everything.

I’m beginning to think that it's worth it
What I’m doing right now isn't really working
I’m hurting, I’m hoping, I’m choking back all the tears,
All of the sudden it seems so clear.

The false gods I have been worshipping,
They might have eyes but they do not see,
They make a lot of noise but they do not speak,
I do what I want, but I am not free.

The false gods I have been worshipping,
They might have eyes but they do not see,
They make a lot of noise but they do not speak,
I do what I want, but I am not free.

Sinner's Song | Bishop SJ

Smile | DJ Philly Wonka

Song Credits:
Lyrics: DJ Philly Wonka
Beat Producer: GC
Production, mixing, mastering: Bishop SJ

-Lyrics-

Every time you see me, yeah, you know that I’m cheesing
I got so many reasons, but most importantly it’s cuz my savior is Jesus
He gives me so many blessings, like my family and friends
And they all still love me even in spite of my sins
I got the robe, and a ring, and a spot at the table
And He carries me in His arms when He knows I’m not able
To go that extra mile, then he flashes me that ole smile
Makes me pick up my cross and go through any trial
Since I was juvenile, He was never switchin’ up
That’s why I praise Him everytime I take the blessed cup
Until He comes again; that’s why I’m with the grin
I throw the orans up -- all I do is win
Like Moses and the Amalekites or David with the Philistines
Spread God’s kingdom with my conquest just like I was Constantine
Never cursin’ in these verses, rapping like I’m Mr. Clean
Philly I like your smile -- you use that Listerine?
I don’t though, I just brush it with the Colgate
Took a vow of chastity cause Jesus is my soulmate
The Lord is my inheritance, you know we got the probate
And we crush the game we stomping on it like its home plate
Keep it pure just like my home state
Looking up to God thinking about how He’s so great
Just like He is in the Bible. Word is alive that’s why I’ve got the smile!

Okay, got that sweet tooth so they call me Philly Wonka
Got that Sixth Sense so they call me Peter Parker
And its apropos because I got that power up my sleeve,
To escape and not get caught up in the tangled webs they weave
Want you to see
Want you to believe
Just want you to smile
Want you to show your teeth!
Like Jaws, but it’s souls that I’m fishing 
Always working hard being faithful to the mission
That I’m livin’ that I’m given on high from the Savior
Wanna catch ‘em all like Poke’mon trainer
Straighten up my act I better put on my retainer
Spread the joy around the world, just like Francis Xavier

Smile | DJ Philly Wonka

Will I ever change?

Song Credits:
Lyrics: Bishop SJ
Beat Producer: Bishop SJ
Production, mixing, mastering: Bishop SJ

-Lyrics-

Oh, will I ever change?
Oh, will I ever change?
Oh, will I ever change?
Oh, will I ever change?

I am off balance out of wack
Separating self from the rest of the pack
It’s kinda problematic when nobody's got your back
It’s kinda automatic when your stuck in the track
Going through the motion not giving jack
No plan of attack 
No intention to change 
Single minded set on staying the same
Simple minded sinking, set in my ways

Oh, will I ever change?
Oh, will I ever change?
Oh, will I ever change?
Oh, will I ever change?

Will I Ever Change | Bishop SJ

Tell Me Who I Am | Bishop SJ

Song Credits:
Lyrics: Bishop SJ
Beat Producer: Bishop SJ
Production, mixing, mastering: Bishop SJ

-Lyrics-
 
I’ve been doing way too much thinking in my mind
I been getting way too good at wasting all my time
I been dotting all my T’s, I been crossing all my I’s
I been stretching on the boundaries, I been coloring out the lines
Looking long inside letting light shine through
Burning in the night the way a night light do
I been wrestling some demons, I’ve been mixing up the seasons, 
letting leaves and life leave me, falling in the summer, asking God to free me, will you spring from my grave, will you give me summer grace, 
will you send me down some rain or some rays light my way,
show me how to pray, tell what to say, 
Cause I just wanna praise ya 

But I’m caught in myself
Putting God up on a shelf
Worship concept and I sell 
you short

Forget how to listen to your voice
Forget that you love me as I am
You called a broken man 
So broken may I be
Broken may you see
That doesn't keep 
You from loving me 
Even when I sit and wonder will I ever change?
Worry as I ponder if I’ll simply stay the same
Sin again and again
Pray to God, beg my friends
Won’t you tell who I am
Won’t you tell me who I am

[Hook] Tell me who I am!

Pardon me for a minute
I can’t see when I’m in it
Not so clear if I’m winning
Have no fear we are winning

Desolation cloud my sight
Lack of vision in the night 
Still I try still I fight
Giving it all my might
But my mind might
Get like my grip
Loosen up, lose the gloves
Take the punch
Take the fall
Coming off the top with it
God sending waves 
So Lean with rock with it
Never gonna stop with it
So what?

It’s a little unclear when I look in mirror
Who am I, one to waste my time 
Worrying about me oh my 
There’s a good God looking down
Try to tell me right now
Whisper to my heart how
Come I can’t hear the sound
Maybe cause I’m crying out
Im to proud I’m too loud 
Like to shout 
If would open ears close my mouth
Truth appears clear my doubts
I could hear the answer 
Coming down

I am just a man
Make demands 
Do my dance 
Go my way
Call the plays when I pray 
Not okay, so I say 

[Hook] Tell me who I am!

Tell Me Who I Am | Bishop SJ

Walk | Bishop SJ (feat. preachercurl)

Shoutout to my brother, Trevor, for making this song with me. It started last summer in Puerto Rico when I asked him "Hey! Want to make music?" In less than ten minutes we had the backbone of what this song has become. I hope you hear Jesus' invitation to walk and talk with Him.
AMDG

Lyrics by: Bishop SJ & preachercurl
Produced by: Bishop SJ (w/ contributions from preachercurl)
Mixed and Mastered by: Bishop SJ
Cover Art by: Bishop SJ 

Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
I been thinking
way too much
for my own
good luck
keeping on the path
by your own self

think you know so well
so what
who’s gonna carry you
when it gets too tough

how you stay in touch
when you stay so far
how you gonna love
When you keep a cold heart
need a flame
need a friend
need minute
to rethink
just to pray
Just to pray

Outta my element
stoppin development
feeling irrelevant
stepped on the pedal like
whoops,
hit the brakes
not the gas
made a mistake
tried to pass
the master
of the plan
the Son of man
one who’s always with me
fights the foes who against me
attemptin to attain speed
to remain free
without conversing
doesn't that seem crazy

[Prechorus]
Can I get a minute of your time? ‘Cause I got a lot that’s on my mind

[hook]:
Wanna go for a walk with me, walk with me, walk with me
See you wanna have a talk with me, talk with me, talk with me, but I’m
Not quite quite sure what I’ll be in for or what lies upon the other shore, but
If I walk, and I talk, then I guess I can wait and see

[Verse 2]
I been...waiting...not e-nough...for my...own...good...but...see,
I’ve been working on being patient; it’s not been the same since you
came and put these songs...on my playlist
I wanna listen really hard, wanna believe in the heart of the cards, and
wanting to want it is half of the battle...but a shore or two too far when
I get frustrated, when I feel like I’m faking, when I
end...up breaking every promise I’m making
Why do I always do...all the things that I hate?
All I need to do...is walk and talk and wait...see I
See on the ground all these footprints in the sand,
But I keep losing sight of the plan

[Prechorus]
Can I get a minute of your time? ‘Cause I got a lot that’s on my mind

[hook]:
Wanna go for a walk with me, walk with me, walk with me
See you wanna have a talk with me, talk with me, talk with me, but I’m
Not quite quite sure what I’ll be in for or what lies upon the other shore, but
If I walk, and I talk, then I guess I can wait and see

Walk | Bishop SJ (feat. preachercurl)

-Song Credits-
Performances by:
Bishop SJ, DJ Philly Wonka, CP3

Produced by:
Bishop SJ and Nick²


Written by:
Timothy Bishop SJ, Collin Price SJ, Philip Cooley SJ, Nick Blair SJ

Production, mixing, and mastering by Bishop SJ

Special Thanks to:
Chris Castaneda SJ, Justin Prom SJ, Justin Kelley SJ

Cannonball | Jesuit Jam 2022

Praying that this song gives hope to all who hear it.

Special thanks to Mike Martinez, SJ, aka "Miami Mike" who helped me to rediscover the great gift of music in my life.

Song Credits:
Lyrics: Bishop SJ
Beat Producer: Soulis
Production, mixing, and mastering: Bishop SJ

-Lyrics-

“Yo, shout out to Miami Mike”

Keep your chin up, I now you always been a fighter
Days are coming when the sun’ll shine a little brighter
Don’t look down, don’t give up now
I know we gonna win it even if we don’t know how.

You saying “are you sure of that?”
I’m saying I assure you that
If you trust in the Truth of the voice that you heard
If you cling to the Vine, if you listen to the Word.

He’ll deliver you, to the promised land
He’s gonna keep, His promise, man
And take you to the place where there ain’t no tears
You’ll see Him face to face, it’ll all be clear

Quit your stressin, count your blessings, why you testin God, and
Don’t you know that this is God’s plan?
One of these days it all be over
Let go of the wheel and let God be the chauffeur 

HOOK

Yeah,
I’m not naive to what’s on the TV screens
Politicians and murder scenes, 
Climate change and mass disease,
The peoples crying out and begging please
Saying this ain't how its supposed to be
What happened to our hopes and dreams
Well, I say put your hope in the King of kings
The who still gives us reasons to believe
Always more present than we presently perceive
One of these days we’ll look back and see 
Our good God was there all along
With us in the suffering keeping us strong
Giving us the grace we need to fight on
The battle rage on,
That’s why I am writing this song
We know not the hour or the minute,
But trust in the end our good God is gonna win it

HOOK

One of These Days | Bishop SJ

AMDG
Music is an anchor for my soul. I hope you are fed by some of the fruits of my love.
   ---   
Through his music, Bishop SJ aspires share the gifts and talents that he has been given. He has been fascinated since childhood with all things musical.  However, in recent years his music and his life experience have met in a new way allowing the emergence of music as prayer and ministry.
   ---
"...be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another [in] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." Ephesians 5:18-20

Bishop SJ

Popular tracks