The Cause of Christ
2 Cor. 4:8-12
Words and Music by John Underdown

V1-We are hard-pressed on every side,
Yet we are not crushed, we will abide.
We are perplexed by what we see,
But we will not despair, we'll always be.

Chorus- For we must carry on the cause of Christ.
We must live out of His death and life.
We won't be cowed into a corner,
We won't back down from a fight,
For we must carry on the cause of Christ.

V2- We are persecuted by the world,
But we are not forsaken by the Lord.
We are struck down at every turn,
But we are not destroyed, we will not burn.

(Chorus)

Bridge- We are called to be His people to be here on earth,
To be a light for the nations and proclaim His worth.
Though we are dying daily, we have a new birth
That awaits the day when Christ will come forth.

Chorus

*Copyright 2022. Underdown Music. All rights reserved.

Rough Tracks 22

The Cause of Christ

Full of Fire
Words and Music by John Underdown

V1- Oh my son, who taught you to act that way?
Well, it musta been your mom, 'cause that's not how I play.
I can see that wild spirit
Growing every day...
Oh my son, who taught you to act that way?

V2-Oh my child, you're proving Calvin right:
You run like a devil and buck against the light.
You're picking up bad habits
With a mind that's steel-trap tight.
Oh my child, you're proving Calvin right.

Chorus-I'm all ember, you're full of fire;
I set the bar and you raise it higher.
You bound off with a boundless heart,
I'm behind, groping in the dark.
Could you slow down for just one hour?

V3-Oh my son, how do you have such energy?
I haven't seen its like in all my history.
You're a flaring candle burning
Through ancient tapestry.
Oh my son, how do you have such energy?

Chorus

V4-Oh my child, I can't help but love you more,
Although you jump on me when I lay on the floor...
I may get exasperated,
But I won't call it a chore.
'Cause my son, I can't help but love you more.

Chorus
'Cause I need to catch that boy that's full of fire...

*Copyright John Underdown. 2022. All rights reserved.

Full of Fire

I Wish It Would Rain
Words and Music: John Underdown

V1- In the dawn of a summer's day,
The muggy air like a blanket lay
Upon all creatures great and small,
But upon my skin most of all.
The sweat seeps down into my heart, 
Which beats slower in an anguished part.
Blood-flow is troubled in every vein;
Oh my God, I wish it would rain.

Chorus- Just a fist in the heavens
To bring a little rain, 
To relieve the sun's heat,
To relieve my pain.
'Cause, God, I've been runnin'
For my own gain;
Now my garden's a desert
And God, I wish it would rain.

V2- The grass is dry, brown, and frail,
Will this heat forever prevail?
My soul is pounding like a train,
Oh my God, I wish it would rain.

Chorus

Bridge- I'll pray until the colors return;
I'll hope until the music I relearn.
This haze of doubt sits like a stain...
Oh God, let it rain...

Chorus

*Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.

I Wish It Would Rain

A song about longing. Engineered by Anxcnt Awaken.

The Itch You Cannot Scratch
Ecclesiastes 3:9-15
Words and Music: John Underdown

V1- (It’s) the Kentucky woods;
(It’s) the Tennessee mountains;
(It’s) the Ohio River;
And the Atlantic Ocean;
It’s an old, old song,
Mixed with an old, old story;
(It’s) a nostalgic chord
From the days of glory.

Chorus- It’s the itch I (you) cannot scratch,
It’s the hole I (you) cannot patch
With my (your) own hands.
It’s the carrot I (you) can’t reach,
It’s the perfect, golden beach
Beyond mortal lands.

V2- It’s the friends you had,
Or the swing at the playground;
A time you knew,
Or a treasure you found.
It’s the games you played,
And ev’ry childhood mem’ry;
It’s who you were,
And who you could be.		(Chorus)

Bridge-Surely it is vain to try
To fill eternity
With the things that will fade. 
Beauty is sure to come,
And there will be a home
Built in God’s own way…      (Chorus)

*Baratown Music. 2016. All rights reserved.

The Itch You Can't Scratch-Single

The Itch You Cannot Scratch

A cowboy-ballad themed song.

BGVs by my lovely wife, Amy.

Purple Clouds
2 Tim. 3:1, 12-13
Words and Music by John Underdown

V1- Do you see purple clouds on the horizon?
There's a storm comin' slow but sure.
It's a squall you better keep your eyes on.
There's a storm comin' slow but sure.

Chorus- So move along (move along),
Down the trail (down the trail),
We'll ride with hearts of courage on a Power that won't fail.
Now move along (move along),
Through the dust (through the dust),
We'll hide within the Rock that we can trust.

V2- Now you see purple clouds are getting closer;
There's a storm comin' sure but soon.
And I know we'll be drenched in the water;
There's a storm comin' sure but soon.

Chorus

V3- Now purple clouds are racing overhead,
Here's the storm comin' soon and fast.
But, my friend, there's nothing here to dread;
Here's the storm comin' soon and fast.

Chorus
Yes, move along (move along),
Through the rain (through the rain),
We'll emerge on a bright and golden plain...
We'll emerge on a bright and golden plain...

*Baratown Music 2016. All rights reserved.

Rough Tracks

Purple Clouds

A short, simple, and sweet love song I wrote for my wife to celebrate her birthday.

Wanderings & Windings

V1- I walked through the clover
Expecting you there,
But when it was over
My heart was still bare.
I waited in sunshine, 
I sought you in rain.
I drank up the new wine
To assuage my pain.

V2- I painted a picture
Based on a dream.
I was caught up in rapture
On what was a gleam.
I stood in the moonlight,
I chased after gold,
But there in the twilight
I was empty and cold.

V3- At sunset of summer
God opened my eyes.
In Love's blessed plunder
Is found richest prize.
While waiting for morning
In fasting and prayer,
You came without warning
Yet with greatest care.

Tag- Yes, on a ruby river
A waterlily lay...
Now my heart holds a shiver
No ransom can pay.

*Baratown Music. 2017.

Wanderings and Windings

Planets
Words and Music by John Underdown

V1- We are planets in orbit around the sun;
Sometimes close together, at times far flung.
And we count the stars as we pass through space;
Spinning 'round until we meet face-to-face.

Chorus- Catch the message in my satellite,
As it drifts on beset by night.
Hear my song across the solar wind:
I am yours until we meet again.

V2- Meteors and comets lie strewn upon our path;
As we plow ahead, we incur their wrath.
And sometimes all the moons come and block our view;
But every telescope I have is trained upon you... 

Chorus

Bridge- I reach out with hands of gravity...
Let's brave the depths of this inky sea...

Chorus 2x

*Baratown Music. 2018. All rights reserved.

Planets

Endure It for Love
Words and Music by John Underdown

V1- I heard your breathing;
It sounded rough.
I heard it while sleeping,
And it told me enough.
But dear, what you're needing
Is peace from above.
So hear that heart beating,
And endure it for love...
Endure it for love...

Chorus- ('Cause) the good things in life rarely come without a fight,
So will your struggles be in bringing this baby to light.
This pain that you bear will be turned to joy soon enough;
So do what you do and, please, endure it for love.

V2- I know you're scared, dear,
I feel the same.
There is much that we can fear,
Without giving it a name.
Though the future is not clear,
No, it is not tame,
I will stay right here
Through your greatest pain..
Through your greatest pain...

Chorus

Bridge- Don't let the gray skies of winter
Sink into your skin...
You have trouble enough
Without letting that in...

Chorus

*Baratown Music. 2016. All rights reserved.

Endure It for Love

Hell Hath No Fury
Eph. 6:13; Matt. 16:18
Words and Music by John Underdown

V1- I see the dragon, flapping his wings,
He's blowing fire and smoke.
I know he's coming, coming for me,
'Cause love he hates and the truth he chokes.
If it wasn't for the Spirit, he would have his meal;
But my God is also my shield.

Chorus- (And) hell hath no fury that can move God's saints.
It can't singe a hair of those under His Name.
(And) Should Satan endeavor to use the whole world,
(Well) hell hath no fury against the children of the Lord.

V2- He's getting closer, I can see his form;
Scales glisten in the sun.
He bares his teeth, and he spreads his claws,
He'll burn the earth until he's done.
If it wasn't for King Jesus, he would have my soul;
But I've given Christ all control.

Chorus

Bridge- If it wasn't for the Father, my heart would wane;
But His power left the dragon slain...

Chorus

*Baratown Music. 2016. All rights reserved.

Hell Hath No Fury

Let the Heavens Be Glad
Psalm 96
Words and Music by John Underdown

V1- I think I'll sing to the Lord a new song...
I think it's time to bless His Name...
Declare His glory among the nations...
And let the peoples know His fame...

V2- For the Lord is good and should be praised...
There are no gods who can compare...
In splendor He made the heavens...
Strength and beauty dwell with Him there...

Chorus- Let the heavens be glad,
Let the earth rejoice;
Let the oceans roar and shout with one voice.
Let the fields exult
And all the trees sing,
For He comes! Behold the King!

V3- Ascribe to God the glory due Him...
Bring an offering to His courts...
Worship in His holy splendor...
Shout "He reigns!" to all the earth.

Chorus

Bridge- The Judge, the Judge of the world
Will rule in righteousness.
The King, the King of the earth
Will love in faithfulness... (Repeat)

Chorus 2x

I think I'll sing to the Lord a new song...

*Baratown Music. 2014.

Let the Heavens Be Glad

Christ Was In The Manger
Luke 2:8-16
Words and Music by John Underdown

V1- I am stressed out and worried,
I'm anxious and hurried,
And I think I'm being buried alive.
I'm burned out and fading,
I am always evading,
And I'm only holding on to survive.

Chorus- But Christ was in the manger,
And there is peace on earth.
And I am not a stranger
To that treasure of great worth.
So what have I to worry?
Why should I have dread?
For I am of that body
Where Jesus sits as Head.

V2- I am fed up and angry,
I am busted and weary,
And I can't focus on Christmastime.
I am worked up and broken,
Harsh words have been spoken,
And I can't hear the joyous bells chime.

Chorus

Bridge- Lord, draw my bloodshot heart
To that great work of art
That lay in a stable rude
And see what's the greater good.

Chorus

*Baratown Music. 2018. All rights reserved.

Christ Was in the Manger

An aspiring singer/songwriter writing about the Bible, life, and how they intersect.

John Underdown

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