A compilation of all songs written by or featuring Erika Melek

erika melek songs + features

Return to Me
A song about the Prodigal Son

the son said, “father i must go,
i wish not to stay here you know,
the world has much I want to see,
I hope that you will not stop me.
I see riches, I see gold
I see goods that I uphold
though it hurts to see you cry
I must bid you this last goodbye”

the father looked down lovingly
saying, “if you walk away from me
i will miss you with all of my heart
but even if you do depart
i will be waiting for you here
no matter if it takes you years
you are my son until the end
and I pray i will see you again”

the son left from his father’s place
with a smile on his face
ready to be free and grow
oh but little did he know
the world of pleasures has a cost
beware your soul may be lost
if you consume these earthly things 
and forget the joy your father brings 

the father looked out lovingly				
saying, “though you walked away from me
i miss you with all of my heart
but even though you did depart
I am waiting for you here
no matter if it takes you years
you are my son until the end
And I pray I will see you again”

the son quickly consumed his wealth
lost his food and lost his health
all his friends had left his side
so now he had to decide
should he live in misery,
watching pigs roam happily,
or return to his father’s place
to serve him for the rest of his days

the father looked out lovingly,
saying “son you have returned to me,
I have waited all this time
praying for you to be mine
let us kill the fattened calf
So we can sing and dance and laugh
to celebrate my son who died
who now has been brought back to life”

Return to Me

Lord, Lord

I feel like I’m here alone
And I wonder if you’re beside me
Everyday’s an uphill road
And this mountain surely reminds me
It’s been hard
Though you’re here, I feel alone

Lord, Lord

Place my soul into your hands
Lead me to the path of righteousness
Let your sun shine on my face
And remind me of your grace
It’s still hard
But I know, I’m not alone

Lord, Lord

Please don’t leave me here alone
Please don’t leave me here alone

Not Alone

Inspired by Hymns in St. Ephrem’s “Hymns on Paradise”

In the evening the world sleeps
closing its eyes
while the morning sun
continues to rise

He may feel distant
but a night’s length away
but now dawn is coming
and He’s here to stay

our death is behind us
our resurrection new
bear up life of mourning,
paradise awaits you

Its dew will wash off
all that plagues your skin,
in comfort He’ll crown you
and the race you’ll win

oh children of light,
you must pray and arise,
that you may be delivered
to the living paradise 

………

blessed are the people
who enter that place
where both men and women 
are clothed there with grace

the crippled will dance again
and the blind will see
the deaf will hear songs of joy
they’ll be so happy 

none toil or hunger
nor grow old or die
we will have no shame there
no reasons to cry

the serpent’s destroyed
and now he’s cast away
praise the Lord who saved you
for this blessed day

oh children of light,
you must pray and arise,
that you may be delivered
to the living paradise

The Living Paradise

Prayer:

"Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me,
Christ to win me, Christ to comfort me and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

Christ be with Me

Prayer Before the Setting of the Sun
St. Gregory of Nazianzus.
Hymn 2.1.25. 

Lyrics:

Word of God
and Truth itself, 
I gave this day to you; 
But now night has fallen. 
my lamp is barely bright;
This I prayed over
But even so my feet 
still stumbled, 
darkness fell around me,
That hater of salvation. 
Oh, Christ! Relight my lamp, 
And shine on me once more.

Shine on Me

Our Father Who Art in Heaven - CMGP Convent with Tasoni and Erin

41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬‬:‭41-42‬ NKJV)

One Thing is Needed (ft. Erin Melek)

This song was inspired by Job’s prayer of despondency  in Job 13: 20-28 and Job’s 6th Speech to Bildad where he trusts in his Redeemer in Job 19:25-27. 

Job’s prayer of despondency is one that makes me cry every time I read it. You can feel the heaviness weighing on Job in every word he utters, and many of us often share similar feelings to him although having endured much less. Despite this, Job continuously shows faith that his Redeemer lives and in that He will stand upon the Earth at last. Job will be able to see Him with his own eyes. 

The thought of that is beautiful, terrifying, and overwhelming - but a reminder that in our suffering, we cannot lose sight of our Redeemer. He is not dead, but alive - and one day, when He makes His triumphant return, we too will see Him with our own eyes.

Redeemer

Of All Nations - Jam Session

Lyrics:

for Your sake
we are dying all day long
with birthing pangs that grow so strong

in this place, here I sojourn 
for a love i’ll never earn
i am here groaning night and day
as I walk toward the Way

it is God who commanded us to shine out
of darkness 
who has shone in our hearts to give the light of Christ’s goodness
we’re not crushed, but hard pressed
not in despair, but perplexed
persecuted, but not forsaken
struck down not destroyed
knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Him

For my sake
You sought me when i’d gone astray
with staff and rod You lead the way 

You’ve destroyed sin in the flesh
and have made life out of death
You have torn the middle wall
for the salvation of all

so don’t lose heart, 
even though the outward man wastes away
the inward man’s being renewed day by day
and we have the Spirit as our guarantee 
that we may live with Him for eternity  
our light afflictions’ but a moment in time
in exchange for a greater eternal life
so we’ll endure pain in our body
looking towards eternal life not the temporary

For Your Sake

Lyrics:

your life’s like a mist 
floating by
and you don’t see
how time does fly

you’ve spent your life
boasting ‘bout tomorrow 
yet you don’t know
what tomorrow brings

what is your life
it appears for a little time
then suddenly
it will vanish

so you ought to say
the Lord will guide my way
and whatever He wills
I will do

so walk carefully
in wisdom towards He
who asks that you
redeem the time 

your life’s like a mist 
floating by
and you don’t see
how time does fly

Redeem the Time

Jesus Prayer (Slow with Harmony)

Intro: C F C

FCG
Glory to God the Father
FCG
And to the Son who reigns
FCGF
Glory to the Spirit, All-Holy,
FG
To whom we give praise     

FCG
This is the Single God, 
FCG
the Trinity,
FCGF
Who created all things that are;
FG
Who filled the heavens with spiritual beings, 

FCG
The land with earthly creatures,
FCG
The oceans, rivers, springs,
FCGF
With all aquatic living things.
FG
Out of his own Spirit he gives life
C
to all that lives (Ps. 104.30; Jn. 6.63)

FCG
Glory to God the Father
FCG
And to the Son who reigns
FCGF
Glory to the Spirit, All-Holy,
FG
To whom we give praise

FCG
So that all creation
FCG
can sing out in praise 
FCGF
To the wisdom of the Maker;
FG
That single cause of their existence,

FCG
And so,Father, grant me
FCG
In spirit and in soul, 
FCGF
in heart and voice, In purity (Mt. 5.8)
FGC
That I may give you the glory


St. Gregory of Nazianzus. Hymn 1.1.31. PG 37. 510-511

All That Lives

i wonder when it was that everything changed
some things in myself got re-arranged
sometimes i’m not sure who i am anymore
but i’m not really sure who i’m looking for 

i want to be like You, but then i turn the other way
i say i’ll try tomorrow, then again another day
i look for all the answers but i have no will to change
it really makes no sense and it feels a little strange

it’s difficult to me that what You want is very clear
but i’m hindering myself with uncertainty and fear
and it pains me to face that my faith is so weak
i close my ears to You and get upset that You don’t speak 

i wish that in my shame i’d come closer and hearken
but i run off and hide like adam did in the garden
You come find me in the trees and pull me into Your embrace 
and let me feel the sunshine emanating off Your face 
remind me that i don’t need to be anything at all
other than Your child who listens when You call

When You Call

Verse 1:
There was a rich man 
who lived a life of luxury
And a beggar named Lazarus
who lived in poverty

The rich man was consumed 
by his wealth and pride,
While Lazarus lay at his gate, 
hungry, sick and tired

Chorus:
A man of means, a man of wealth,
The rich man lived for his own self,
His heart was cold
his soul was dry,
to Lazarus turned a blind eye 

Verse 2:
Lazarus outside he lay
his body wasting away
the dogs would come, 
his wounds they’d lick
to comfort that man who was sick

time came when the beggar died
angels took him to abraham’s side
the rich man passed and was buried
but he was taken to Hades

Chorus:
A man of means, a man of wealth,
The rich man lived for his own self,
His heart was cold
his soul was dry,
to Lazarus turned a blind eye 

Verse 3: 
So the rich man in a plea
said, Abraham please have pity
send Lazarus with water that he
may give just a drop to quench me

Abraham replied, 
‘Son, remember in your life
you received all the good things,  
while Lazarus lived in strife 

Now he’s comforted
while you burn in the fire
for you lived your life in vain
now you cannot cross over

Chorus:
A man of means, a man of wealth,
The rich man lived for his own self,
His heart was cold, his soul was dry,
to Lazarus turned a blind eye 
but their fates reversed
for now the rich man did thirst
while Lazarus is at peace 
and his joy will never cease

Blind Eye

Lyrics:

if you love me carry the burdens of those who surround you 
if you love me you will walk in love and speak in words of truth 
if you love me take care of my flock and feed my sheep 
if you love me you’ll take up your cross and follow me

Lord i want to serve you
i want to wash your feet
all of Your commandments 
i will strive to keep 
Lord i want to pour out
all of myself for your sake
and i’ll give to others 
what you’ve given me to take 

if you love me be a helper to the sick and to the weak
if you love me you will give your hungry brother food to eat
if you love me you will show kindness to strangers in your land
if you love me you will lift up others with an outstretched hand 

Lord i want to serve you
i want to wash your feet
all of Your commandments 
i will strive to keep 
Lord i want to pour out
all of myself for your sake
and i’ll give to others 
what you’ve given me to take 

if you love me you will nurture the young and protect the old
if you love me you will give shelter to those out in the cold
if you love me you will visit prisoners locked in chains 
if you love me you would be a comfort to all those in pain

Lord you came to serve me
you came to wash my feet
all of Your commandments 
you show me how to keep 
Lord you came to pour out
all of yourself for my sake
so i’ll give to others 
what you’ve given me to take

If You Love Me

Heaven for Me

To bear my exile now, within this world of tears,
That glance, surcharged with love, consoles me through the years;        
The holy tender glance of Christ, my Lord, I need.
His loveliness displays the   taste of heaven indeed.
On me my Jesus smiles, when toward Him I aspire — ,
That love-glance of my God, that smile of holy fire,
The trial of my faith then weighs no more on me.
all these things together, is heaven for me

Tis heaven to have great grace from Christ to win
For every soul on earth that He may enter in,
For Holy Mother Church, for all my Sisters dear, 
Enflame our sinful hearts, and grant us joy and cheer.
All things my love can gain when, heart to heart, I pray,  
Beside His altar blest with Him I gladly stay, 
Alone with Jesus Christ in speechless ecstasy.
—all these things together, is heaven for me

My heaven in the Bread, safe hid and peaceful, lies,
From that great fount of love, doth endless life arise;
Where Jesus Christ abides, divinest, fairest Fair.
There day and night, my Lord doth hearken to my prayer.
When, in Thy perfect love (O moment blest and bright!)
That union of our hearts, that rapture of delight, —
Thou comest, Spouse most pure, me to transform in Thee,
all these things together, is heaven for me

My heaven is to feel in me some likeness blest
My heaven is always beneath His eye to rest.
To Him Who made me and my soul hath reconciled;
To call Him Father dear, and be His loving child.
Safe shielded in His arms, no storm my soul can fear;
To sleep upon His Heart, with His blest Face so near, — 
Complete abandonment my only law shall be.
all these things together, is heaven for me

Who dwells within my heart, the Prisoner of my love.
Thee will I love and serve until we meet above.
My heaven’s God alone, the Divine Trinity,
all these thing together, is heaven for me.

Heaven for Me

Swahili: (Nasema) Asante wewe Mungu wangu
English: (We say)“Thank you”, you my God
S: (Wewe ni) Alpha na Omega
E: (You are) Alpha and Omega
S: (Hakuna) Mungu kama wewe
E: (There is no) God like you

asante (thank you) - kenyan praise hymn

psalm 1

““Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him…
‭‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Turn to Me (Joel 2:12-14)

I have not much to offer You.
 Not near what You deserve,
 But still I come because Your cross
 Has placed in me my worth.
 
 O Christ, my king of sympathy
 Whose wounds secure my peace,
 Your grace extends to call me friend,
 Your mercy sets me free.
 
 And I know I’m weak,
 I know I’m unworthy
 To call upon Your name.
 But because of grace,
 Because of Your mercy,
 I stand here unashamed.
 
 I can’t explain this kind of love,
 I’m humbled and amazed
 That You’d come down from heaven’s heights
 And greet me face to face.
 
 Here I am, at Your feet,
 In my brokenness complete. 4x

And I know I’m weak,
 I know I’m unworthy
 To call upon Your name.
 But because of grace,
 Because of Your mercy,
 I stand here unashamed.

unashamed

a~~~~I-Am-Small • A-mong-My-Bro-the ⤷ ~~~~ers And-A-Boy • In-My-Fa-ther’s-Hou ⤷ ~~~~se I-ten-de • ↘↘↘ed-My-Fa-ther’s-Shee⤷ ~~~~ep My-Hands-Ma • ↘↘de-An-Orga⤷ ~~~n: And-My-Fin-gers • Tu↘↘ned-The-Psa-lt’ry (Alleluia X3) 

A~~~ And-Who-Shall-Te • ↘↘↘ ll-my-Lo ⤷ ~~~rd He-is-The-Lord • Who↘↘↘Liste ⤷ ~~~ns To⤻ev-ery⤻one⤻that-crie↘↘s-up-to-Hi ⤷ ~~~~m He↘↘ Sent • Hi↘↘↘s-A-nge ⤷ ~~~l And-Took-Me-From • M↘↘y-Fa-ther’s-Shee ⤷ ~~~p And-Anoin-ted-me⤻with-his-A-noint-ing⤻oil (Alleluia X3) 

A~~~~ My-Bro-thers • Are-Hand-some-And-Grea ⤷ ~~~t: But-The-Lord-Did-Not • T↘↘ake-Pleasure-In-The ⤷ ~~~~m • I-Went-Out • To⤻Meet-The-Phil-is-ti ⤷ ~~~ne: And-He-Cursed-Me • Wi↘↘th-His-Idols • (Alleluia X3) 

A~~~~ But-I-Dre • ↘↘↘w-His-Swo ⤷ ~~~~rd Which-He-Had • And-Be-hea-ded-Hi ⤷ ~~~~m And-Re-mo • ↘↘↘ved-Re-proa ⤷ ~~~ch From-The-Chil-dren-of ⦁ Is-ra-el • (Alleluia X3)

Psalm 151 (English) | St. Athanasius 2025

Capo 3
Chords: 
(G Em C D) x2
Am D G

Lyrics:

Christ is risen
truly risen
Christ is risen
from the dead
trampling down
death by death
Christ is risen 
from the dead

Christ is risen
truly risen
Christ is risen
from the dead
raising up those
in the graves
now to death
we are not slaves

Christ is risen
truly risen
Christ is risen
from the dead
granting us 
His blood and body
for the life of
humanity

Christ is Risen

Receive the Body | SMSM Ottawa

Dream A Little Dream

Where Skies are Blue

Church of the Nativity in Mississauga, Canada

Morning Doxologies - Coptic & English

O Mary - Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius

A translation/rewrite of the Arabic spiritual song "F Yom Mn El Ayam"

Lyrics:
Chorus:
In one of my dreams 
While sleeping in peace
I saw three fathers
And a soldier strong, yet meek

In one of my dreams
A great and beautiful scene
I saw three fathers
And a soldier strong, yet meek

Verse 1:
One had a long white beard
Old in age and held a rod
He lived in a distant cave 
Held the writings that he taught
His sayings were plenty
And the demons he fought

(My beloved Abba Anthony
May his blessings be with me) x2

Quickly I ran to him
Kissed the cross in his hand
He urged me to remember
From sin I must withstand

Verse 2:
The second had a sack
Carried it on his back
He walked around with care
And from it sand poured out
He said these are my sins 
In God's mercy do not doubt

(My beloved Abba Moses
The strong and the holy) X2

Quickly I ran with him
To bear my sufferings
He urged me to remember
The way of repentance

Verse 3:
The third was kneeling down
In the corner of his room
He had a bowl of water
With love he was consumed
He lived with our Lord
Washed the feet of the bridegroom

(My beloved Abba Pishoy
With love in Christ he grew) x2

Quickly I ran to him
In peace he let me in
He urged me to remember
Have love for all humans

Verse 4:
And the soldier was standing
Lifting up his hands
A red cloak on his shoulders
Two camels on the sand
Armour on his chest 
The monastery behind him

(My beloved St. Mina
The faithful intercessor) x2

Quickly I ran to him
With open arms he came my way
He urged me to remember
Be steadfast in the faith

erika melek

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