Candle in the Rain – 1987

“All is God’s Creation” “God Only Knows” “The Water is Fine”

“Nothing To Forgive” “His Love Was Reaching”

Produced and arranged by Gino Vanelli and Joe Vanelli

Keyboards and Sequencer Programming: Joe Vanelli

Drum, Drum Programming and Percussion: David Garibaldi

Electric Guitar and Bass: Mike Miller

Saxophone: Marc Russo

Background Vocals: Alfie Silas, Maxayne Lewis, Marva King and Jean Johnson

Acoustic Piano: David Meece

Engineers: Joe Vanelli and Gino Vannelli

Recorded and Digitally Mixed at: Blue Moon Studio, Los Angeles, CA

Mastering Engineer: Bernie Grundman

Mastered AT: Bernie Grundman Mastering

Marc Russo appears courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

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“Higher Ground” “Candle in the Rain”

Produced and Arranged by Brian Tankersley and Rhett Lawrence

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“Amor Conquesta Todo (Love Conquers All)”

Produced by Brown Bannister

Arrangers: Shane Keister, Brown Bannister and Keith Thomas

Keyboards & Synthesizers: Shane Keister, Keith Thomas

Guitars: Tom Hemby, Dan Huff

Percussion: Lenny Castro

Engineers: Jeff Balding & Steve McMillian

Mixed: Brown Bannister & Jeff Balding

Recorded at: Omnisound Studio, Nashville, TN

Oceanway Studios and Mama Jo’s, North Hollywood, CA

Assistant to Brown Bannister: Kim Smith

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“Hold On”

Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Jonathan David Brown

Arranger: Carl Marsh, Jonathan David Brown, Howard McCrary

Fairlight, Drums, Bass, Keyboards: Carl Marsh

Background Vocals: Howard McCrary, Debbie McClendon

Guitar: Dan Huff

Engineer: Jonathan David Brown

Recorded at Omnisound Studios, Nashville, TN

Additional Recording and mixing at Mama Jo’s, North Hollywood, CA

2^nd Engineers: Bill Whittington, Danny Johnson, Kevin Clark

Production Coordination: Lynn Barrington

Mastering: Bernie Grundman Mastering

Art Direction/Design: Joan Tankersley

Design/Type Design: Bradley Grose

Photography: Moshe Brakha

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Special Thanks to:

Brian Tankersley – for being one of the best friends I’ve ever had and doing so many things so well – far beyond the call of duty. I love you, brother!

Gino and Joe Vannelli – for caring so much and as always doing fabulous and artistic work. You are both such an inspiration.

Brown Bannister and Jonathan David Brown – for jumping in and helping out at a very crucial time.

Randy Smith – for being my guide, confidant, motivator and best friend.

Roland Lundy- for making this album possible in the first place.

Lynn Nichols, Loren Balman, Debra Rhodes, Mark Maxwell, Diane Gray and everyone at Myrrh Records for support and encouragement.

Joan Tankersley for being a wonderful friend and honest encouragement. I depend on you for your visual eye and your artistic talent.

Lynn Barrington – for being a production assistant. Thanks for the extra amount of time and laughs.

Diane Vannelli – for taking care of everyone in a calm and sweet manner.

Jim Gibson, Don Cason and everyone at Word Publishing Group.

Wes Yoder and everyone at Ambassador Artist Agency.

Claudine Buchanan – for patience and understanding.

Nancy Polley – for keeping my office sane and intact.

And most important of all: Debbie, Christopher and Kelly for love and undying support.

ALL IS GOD’S CREATION

Words & Music by Gino Vannelli

I see ten thousand wars fought on a distant shore
In a baby’s toy
I see hunger and thirst but the last shall be first
So I sing for joy

All is God’s creation
Fashioned by one hand
Satan and salvation
Under one command

I see a poet in a cell in a cold wintery Hell
That has no voice
Though he’s tortured and weak he turns the other cheek
And says rejoice rejoice

For all is God’s creation
Fashioned by one hand
A day of celebration
Is coming to this land

All is God’s creation
All is in His hands
A day of celebration
Is coming to this land

Sometimes it feels like an endless night
But after the darkness comes the light
Rivers flowin’
Stars are gleamin’
So keep on rowin’
Just keep on believin’

I see ten thousand wars fought on a distant shore
In a baby’s toy

All is God’s creation
Fashioned by one hand
Satan and salvation
Under one command

For all is God’s creation
Fashioned by one hand
A day of celebration
Is coming to this land

All is God’s creation
All is in His hands
A day of celebration
Is coming to this land

AMOR CONQUESTA TODO

Words & Music by David Meece

Down in Mexico
There’s an old abandoned mission
That the weeds now own
And carved in its stone
Are the words of the prophets
Spoken long ago

Let he who has wisdom heed what I say
Remember these words for the rest of your day
Amor conquesta todo
The proud will stumble the mighty will fall
Amor conquesta todo
These walls may crumble but love will live on
Love conquers all

So remember this
When you see a weeping willow
Cast its shadow on the leaves
It speaks through the wind
And tells of a martyr nailed to its friend

And there on the willows we hung up our lives
But man could not kill something that cannot die

Amor conquesta todo
The proud will stumble the mighty will fall
Amor conquesta todo
These walls may crumble but love will live on
Love conquers all

Candle in the Rain

Words & Music by David Meece
Copyright 1987 Meece Music (admin by) WORD Music

Lonely voices crying in the night
Can you hear them

No more choices – just trying to get by
Can you see them

Stumbling in the dark
It only takes a spark

Chorus:

Light a candle in the rain
Light an everlasting flame
That burns the night away

That’s burning the night away

Light a candle in the rain
Light an everlasting flame
That burns the night away

That’s burning the night away

Listen people
If they don’t understand
Can you tell them?

Frightened people
They need a second chance
Can you help them?

Ooh They’ve got nowhere else to go
Oh Will they really know

Chorus:

Bridge:
Go to some people
Raise your candles high
Light a region in the night
Let it shine

Light a candle in the rain
Light an everlasting flame
That burns the night away

Chorus:

GOD ONLY KNOWS

Lyrics by Gino Vanelli and Roy Freeland
Music by Gino Vanelli
Copyright 1987 Black Keys Music/Screen Gems-EMI Music

There’s a star in the northern sky
And it shines
There’s a wind from another world
It blows through my mind

There are stones beneath my feet
There are valleys dark and wide
And though He shakens my belief
He will not be denied

There’s a road up there where the eagle flies
There’s a path beyond the highest hill
Oh no I don’t care how far Heaven lies
I stake my life in this road I chose
God only knows

There’s a voice from a distant place
It calls my name
There’s a hand that pulls me up
To a higher plain

There are mountains high to climb
And rivers deep to cross
Though His love may lead me blind
My soul will not be lost

There’s a road up there where the eagle flies
There’s a path beyond the highest hill
Oh no I don’t care how far Heaven lies
I stake my life in this road I chose
God only knows

Oh no I don’t care how far Heaven lies
I stake my life in this road I chose
God only knows
God only knows
God only knows
Only God really knows

HIGHER GROUND

Lift me up to higher ground
Lift me up, I’m sinking down
And I know the water’s cold
And I might drown
Lord, lift me up to higher ground

I feel the night closing in
I feel the tide rising again
And serenity slippin’ away from me, oh no
The sea of life, it batters the shore
The water’s higher than ever before
Gotta find me a way to get out of here
Gotta find me a way to get past the fear

Lift me up to higher ground
Lift me up, I’m sinking down And I know
the water’s cold
And I might drown
Lord, lift me up to higher ground

I’ve done my best, I still can’t win
And there’s no rest from the state I’m in
Insecurity’s getting the best of me, oh no
I see the light on a distant shore
But I’m too tired to row any more
Won’t You give me the strength to get through the wind
Won’t You show me the way to get home again

Lift me up to higher ground
Lift me up, I’m sinking down
And I know the water’s cold
And I might drown
Lord, lift me up to higher ground

(Repeat Refrain)

HIS LOVE IS REACHING

Lyrics by Gino Vannelli and David Meece
Music by David Meece
Copyright, 1987 Meece Music (admin by) Word Music/Black Keys Music

Where should I begin to tell my thoughts
What can I say that would do
Where are the words when I need them most
To show my gratitude

Though the times I was burdened
Yet I did not fall
Though the times I was certain
There was no one at all

His love was reaching
An invisible hand pulling me through
His love was reaching
Touching my life in more ways than I ever knew

As I lay beneath the southern cross
The stars tell more than I could
And if the words don’t say want I really mean
I pray I’m understood

When I thought I had nothing
Yet I had so much
Though the years when it seemed
We were out of touch

His love was reaching
An invisible hand pulling me through
Touching my life in more ways than I ever knew

How could I think I was living alone
How could a man be so blind
How could I have come so far
Without His hand in mine

His love was reaching
An invisible hand pulling me through
His love was reaching
Touching my life in more ways than I ever knew

HOLD ON

Lyrics by David Meece, Jonathan David Brown 7 Lynn Barrington
Music by David Meece
Copyright, 1987Meece Music (admin by) Word Music

Well your rent is due tomorrow
And you lost your job yesterday
And you’ve sent them all you can borrow
But the cost you still can’t pay

The pressure is not going to go away
There’s nothing you can do but pray

Hold on – for a miracle
Hold on – if it takes another day
Hold on – for a miracle
Hold on – and a miracle will come your way

Everyday will bring you a problem
That you will be forced to face
But you know that faith can solve them
Even though it’s hard to sit and wait

The Lord is bringing a turnaround
He’ll fight your battle on holy ground

Hold on – for a miracle
Hold on – if it takes another day
Hold on – for a miracle
Hold on – and a miracle will come your way

NOTHIN’ TO FORGIVE

Lyrics by Gino Vannelli and Roy Freeland
Music by Gino Vannelli and Paul Delph
Copyright 1987 Black Keys Music/Screen Gems-EMI Music

Hey brother don’t hide your face
Whatever you done you know you got a place in my heart
Hey listen don’t you hang your head down
You’re tied up in knots gotta get you unwound
For a start

If you can’t count on me know more
Then tell me what friends are for

Been through the fire
Been through the rain
They say nothing is forever
I say some things don’t change
You turned on your brother
You did what you did
But when you love someone
No matter what it is
There’s nothing to forgive

Hey there brother now don’t you lose faith
Any man would have stumbled
’Neath the back breaking weight of false pride
Hey now just hold on a second
I ain’t the real one with whom you’ve gotta reckon
So let it slide

Who am I to call you the guilty one
Every man is a sinner under the sun

THE WATER IS FINE

Lyrics by Gino Vannelli
Music by Gino Vannelli and Joe Vanelli
Copyright 1987 Black Keys Music

I came upon a river
I came upon a man
All clad in camel’s hair
With a staff held in his hand

He broke the silence quickly
He seemed to know my name
He said “Boy keep your shirt on
But let me help take off these chains”

What kind of man is this
What kind of man is this

He said walk right in (Oh no it don’t get better)
Walk right in
The water is fine
The water is fine

It was a dark day in December
My skin did feel a chill
He said the water is safe and warm
It’s just a matter of will

I cried “Who are you mister
And what do I owe this dream”
He said “I’m a voice crying in the wilderness
I’ve come to wipe your slate clean”

What kind of words are these
And what kind of man is this

He said walk right in (Oh no it don’t get better)
Walk right in
The water is fine
The water is fine

You have been high and dry and afraid to get wet
Take a chance on Jesus and wash your debts
Now hush your mouth and swallow your pride
Take a leap in the Jordan and come alive

He said walk right in (Oh no it don’t get better)
Walk right in
The water is fine
The water is fine

You have been high and dry and afraid to get wet
Take a chance on Jesus and wash your debts
Now hush your mouth and swallow your pride
Take a leap in the Jordan and come alive