New one, written for Ben and Jasmine Brown in Istanbul.

Chorus:
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
I am with you now
'Till the end of every age

Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
I have written down
The number of your days

Verse 1:
I have been trusted
By those who fear me
I am a shelter
While in this world

My name is holy
My ways are faithful
And you must trust me
While in this world

Verse 2:
Where can you go to?
Where else for refuge?
There is no other
While in this world

My heart is lowly
My promise is mercy
My oath is to keep you
While in this world

Be Not Afraid

Do Not Be Afraid

A new one, reminding us that the hardships are all worth it because of Jesus.

Verse 1:
You warned me that it would be this hard
That it would take all my heart
For a cross to be carried

You taught it should be no surprise
That jagged things in this life
Would tear into me

You say, "don't be afraid, don't be dismayed" 

Chorus: 
You are mighty
Full of mercy
Christ within me
Hope of glory

Verse 2:
You said that you have etched my name
Staked me in your royal claim
Written at Calvary

You've promised that you will provide
For every moment of life
Is covered for me

You say, "don't be afraid, don't be dismayed"

Hope of Glory

Hope Of Glory

Verse 1:
One part insipid sluggard
Addicted to his ease
Fold in some hedonism
With only self to please
More than a little pity
From victimhood disease
Here's the making of a fool
Here's the making of a fool

Verse 2:
A dollop of some dullness
And a pinch of apathy
Stir in some bad aversions
To all adversity
Blend it all together
And what is it that you’ll see? 
Here's the making of a fool
Here's the making of a fool

Chorus:
Do you hear her call?
Discern her voice?
And her pleading words
That we’d make the choice?
To come inside, out from the storm
Settle down, it’s nice and warm
The lady you've been listening to
Full of folly, no good for you
So come inside, instead you'll find
The good of wisdom, full of life

Verse 3:
A cup of willful ignorance
Naïveté, deceit
A crock of great excuses
Throughout the recipe
Resistance to the prudence
That discipline sets free
It’s the breaking of a fool
It’s the breaking of a fool


This song, along with "Slackers Hymn" make up a sort of biographical sketch of the grace and patience of God and His Spirit's work to transform this "slacker/fool" day by day more into the image of Jesus Christ.

©2021 walkdaplank music

Making of a Fool

The original, not much changed/added.  Incredible words.

All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name!

Written for dear friends in distress: Ben and Jasmine.

Lord, all your mercy
Your plenteous grace
I need your great faithfulness too
I need your upholding, 
My soul is unfolding:
Lord, all I need is you

One word from your lips
Stirs hope in the heart
Though everything's shaking apart
One thing have I asked
One thing I pursue:
And Lord, all I need is in you
I need your upholding, 
My soul is unfolding:
Lord, all I need is you


©2021 walkdaplank music

Lord, All I Need Is You

From Habakkuk 3:17-19

Verse 1:
Though the fig tree should fail to blossom
And the fruit should fail the vine
Though the fields and flocks forsake their yield
Oh, it's alright, it's alright

Verse 2:
Though the bread should fail my table
And my burdens should increase
Even if my body's breaking down
Oh, it's alright with me

Chorus:
I rejoice in the Lord
I rejoice in his strength
He makes my feet to tread the heights
In the drought or the dark of night
Yes, it's alright, it's alright

Verse 3:
Though my friends and kindred leave me
Though they leave me far behind
Though the moth and rust come feasting
Oh, it's alright, it's alright

It's Alright

A chronicle of Solomon's demise:

Verse 1: 
Solomon, son of David 
Ascended to the throne
Solomon, son of David
Started strong
Solomon, son of David
What could possibly go wrong?
The world is your oyster
Look at all those pearls!

Verse 2:
Solomon, son of David
Had his proverbs and his songs
Solomon, son of David
Reigned for long
Solomon, son of David
Strung his enemies along
The world is your oyster
A trap with all its pearls

Chorus:
Seven hundred wives
Many more concubines 
Discarded the silver for the gold
Your wisdom and your wealth
Couldn't keep you from filth
You couldn't keep under control

Verse 3:
Solomon, son of David
Had fawning fans galore 
Solomon, son of David
Wanted more
Solomon, son of David
Lost his soul upon the shore
Opening the oyster
He thought was his for sure

Solomon, Son Of David

Verse 1:
Napoleon invaded Russia
In the middle of a wintry rage
Napoleon had impressions
Of his eminence upon a stage
But the carnage came
And the losses piled high
In this cautionary tale
Pride comes before the fall
Pride comes before the fall

Verse 2:
Solomon built the temple
In the middle of the best of times
Solomon had expected
That he'd always, only see the light
But the darkness came
Overflowing from his soul 
Made ruins of it all
Pride comes before the fall
Pride comes before the fall

Tag:
Form in me a humble heart
Take from me the hardened part
Cleanse me, Lord, of all my pride
A contrite heart you won't despise

Ending:
Take my life and let it be
(Consecrated, Lord, to Thee)
Take my moments and my days
(Let them flow in ceaseless praise)

Napoleon Invaded Russia (Pride Comes Before The Fall)

13 Come Emmanuel

12 Hymn For The End

11 Peace On Earth

10 Soon

09 Only Then

08 The Dead Will Arise

07 Holy Mountain

06 Plowshares

05 Almost Time

04 Waiting For The Boil

03 Wash Away

02 Blood Red Moon

01 Emmanuel's Land

Almost Time

You Are The Vine

A song of longing written out of Romans 1 and several Psalms, looking to Christ's great return.

Let Your Glory Shine

A new song, coming out of 2 Corinthians 5:14-15:
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."

Just a simple song that expresses the believer's greatest desire: to give all of self to the glory and thanks of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 1:
He died for us, so we no longer live
for ourselves
But live for him who suffered for our sake,
and was raised

Pre-chorus:
All my life I must commit to you, Jesus
All my soul and everything I am is yours, Jesus

Chorus:
You gave your all for me, I give my all for you,
Jesus, all of me
Gave up your life to death, that I might give my own
Jesus, all of me

(Written for Crossway Church's Youth Camp: "Committed")

All of Me

A new song, coming from Romans 1:1, where Paul calls himself a "Doulos Christou" (Greek for "slave of Christ").

Verse 1:
Freedom never pans out in a place where nothing’s free
All these earthly comforts end up weighing down on me
Cravings, like the endless waves upon a tempestuous sea
Driving all directions howling, “here’s your liberty!"  

Verse 2:
"Slave," an ugly word off of the tongue and in the mind
Nothing pleasant with enslavement in the history of mankind
So it’s something strange to say this, that freedom is chained to you
That our sweet emancipation is: “doulos Christou"

Chorus:
All I want and all I that can see
Doulos Christou Iesou
Life and happiness and liberty
Doulos Christou Iesou
I am a slave, my loving Master died for me, O for me 

Verse 3:
The yoke he gives is easy and his burdens, they are light
The joy is overwhelming for the slave of Jesus Christ
His rule is perfect freedom, his cross brings a glorious view
And by his grace and grand design: it’s “doulos Christou"

Sketches

Doulos Christou

Song for my parents' 50th anniversary... stuck together in the kindness of God.  Featuring talents of whistling/yee-hawing Plank kids.

Verse 1:
Life is like a river fast, streams of water rushing past
While we’re paddlin’ ‘round in our canoe
We've seen the worst and seen the best
Now my love, I must confess:
There's never dull moments with you

Chorus 1:
God has been faithful
He has proven true
We have seen mercies 
Each morning brand new
With all that’s behind us
All that we’ve been through
I'm happy dear, he stuck me here 
Paddlin’ with you

Verse 2:
Life was like a cattle drive, keepin’ all our kids alive
Until the day they grew up like they do
And now my dear, we’re riding here, 
Happy trails, for all these years,
Riding to the sunset with you

Chorus 2:
God has been faithful
He has proven true
We have seen mercies 
Each morning brand new
With all that's behind us
All that we've been through
I'm happy dear, he stuck me here 
In the saddle with you

Verse 3:
Our love is like a vintage wine
Better with the pass of time
Sweeter with the trials we’ve been through
With His blessing, by his grace
We lift our glass and take a taste
What a joy to share this with you!

Chorus 3:
God has been faithful
He has proven true
We have seen mercies 
Each morning brand new
With all that's behind us
And all that we've been through
I'm happy dear, he stuck me here 
To share this life with you

For Mom and Dad 50th Anniversa

With You

New one.

Verse 1:
Worship at the endless wonder:
Jesus Christ, the Wonderful
Angel eyes are covered over
At the sight of God the Son
We don't see him, he's hidden
Yet we believe and we love him!
 
Chorus:
Wonderful, You are wonderful, Jesus
And your glory is flooding the universe
Beautiful, full of fire and splendor, Lord,
You are wonderful
 
Verse 2:
He is infinite in wonder
Who spoke and galaxies set flight
Bright and blazing at the center
Emanating sovereign might
All must tremble before him
Yes, we believe and adore him!
 
Verse 3:
Sinners, face the fearsome wonder
Jesus Christ, the Wonderful
Poured his holy blood to cover
All the wickedness we'd done
And by faith we come to him
Pardoned, pure only through him

You Are Wonderful

Coming from Isaiah 40:

Verse 1:
Every valley shall be lifted high
The rough way, made plain
Every mountain shall be leveled low
A highway 

Chorus:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God
The glory of the Lord shall be shown

Verse 2:
Will you listen to the crying voice:
Make room and make way?
Every human must prepare their own
Highway

Tag:
The mouth of the Lord has spoken
The mouth of the Lord has sworn
The mouth of the Lord has spoken
And unto us a child was born

Christmas 2020

Highway

Verse 1:
With miles to go and with mountains to climb
Take courage in God, keeping heaven in mind
And hold on to His promise
You must trust and carry on

Verse 2:
With miles to go and with mountains to climb
Christ is surrounding, before and behind
So press on in the mission
While clinging to His cross

Chorus:
For after all this long endurance
Come glories in the Son
This time cannot go on forever
The best is yet to come
Endure and keep the faith
For Christ is worth the wait

Verse 3:
With miles to go and with mountains to climb
No troubles compare to the treasures on high
Keep walking, praying, fighting
The battle's almost done

------------------------------------
music & lyrics by D. Plank
©2020 walkdaplank music

Sketches 2020

Miles to Go/Mountains to Climb

Verse 1:
Hold me, Lord
'Till my tempest is through
Hold me, Lord
'Till the harbor's in view
The waves are breaking
My soul is shaking
I'm trusting Lord, and I'm holding on to you

Verse 2:
Hold me, Lord
And the earth will melt away
Hold me, Lord
All troubles, in their place:
The Devil's knocking
The world may be mocking
With you, O Lord, I am not afraid

Verse 3:
Hold me, Lord
Would you keep me through this war
Hold me, Lord
'Till I've reached the temple door 
Within your presence
There is no darkness
Only light and love and pleasures evermore

Hold Me, Lord

Songwriting is a passion.  I am a husband/father/pastor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  My soundcloud feed contains demos, works in progress and all manner of audio madness.

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