Four songs from God (+ Bethlehem Lullaby)
God's task for me during Lent 2012 was writing and recording 4 new songs about God's love for us. The
Holy Spirit provided both the words and the music. The words were written down and recorded with the songs at least a year after the music was composed.
Below these four songs is a song I wrote about 4 years ago to celebrate Jesus' birth: Bethlehem Lullaby.
Please read the lyrics and listen to each song below.
Click the PLAY arrow to the left of each link below to hear the song.
(Right-click and choose "Save target as..." to download MP3 file)
God So Loved the World
Love Is...
Free!
God Loves You!
Bethlehem Lullaby
God So Loved the World (based on John 3:16)
Words by Stephen Cottingham
Music arranged and adapted by S. Cottingham from Gabriel's Oboe by Ennio Morricone and Ave Maria by Franz Biebl
Sung by Judith Cottingham
God so loved the world,
He sent to us His one and only Son
That whoever believes in Him shall never die.
For God so loved the world,
He gave His only Son
So that we might live abundantly,
For God is love.
Jesus died for us.
He died upon a cross on Calvary.
He saved us from our sins for all eternity.
No greater love was this,
To give His life for us and humanity,
To save us from our sins.
He died for us,
And He lives in us,
For God so loved the world.
Amen.
LOVE IS... (a love song from God, based on 1 Corinthians 13)
Words by Stephen Cottingham, Music by Wayne Gratz
Sung by Stephen Cottingham
Do you really know what love is?
God wants you to know what love is...
Love never insists on having its own way,
Is peaceful day by day.
Love is giving, trusting, sharing.
Love is pleasing, hoping, caring.
Love bears all things,
Love believes all things,
Love hopes all things,
Love endures all things.
Love shall never fail,
Love shall never end,
Love will be forevermore.
Love is patient, love is kind,
Love is seeing, love is blind,
Love is meek, love is mild,
Love is humble like a child.
Love is gentle, love is strong,
Love can right the wrongest wrong.
Love respects both you and me.
Love seeks peace and harmony.
Do you really know what love is?
God wants you to know what love is...
Jesus taught us, "Love your neighbor, too,
just as God loves you."
Do you really know what love is?
God wants you to know what love is...
FREE!
Words by Stephen Cottingham, Music by Wayne Gratz
Sung by Stephen Cottingham
Jesus said, "Come follow me.
I will make all of you fishers of men.
You'll be free --
Free from sin, free to live,
Free to love and forgive.
If you believe in me,
You'll be free!"
God sent His only Son into the world.
He came not as a man but a tiny baby boy.
He came free.
He preached the Word throughout all Galilee,
And He cured the sick, and the lame He made whole again.
They were free.
He paid for us the ultimate price.
He gave up His life for us.
On the cross, he bled and died.
He sacrificed Himself to save us from our sins
In this life and forevermore.
Jesus said, "Come unto me.
I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.
I'll set you free.
I came to fulfill the Law and Prophecy."
He said, "If you believe in me,
I will give life to you eternally.
My gift is free!"
GOD LOVES YOU!
Words by Stephen Cottingham, Music by Wayne Gratz
Sung by Stephen Cottingham
God loves you! God loves you!
When you are sad, when you are down,
God takes your life and turns it 'round.
When life is rough, when you can't cope,
Turn to God's Word, and you'll find hope.
God sent his Son to us to share His love, to die for us!
He gave His life for us, to save us from eternal death. He's there for us!
God loves you! God loves you!
When you are faced with trouble and strife,
God's precious Son gives Truth and Life.
When you face sickness, sorrow, and woe,
Just pray to God, and faith will grow.
Our God is there, He's always watching us -- He cares for us!
He knows our needs before we ask for help -- He's there for us!
God loves you! I know this is true!
God gave us His only Son to die for us.
He bled and died to give us eternal life,
To take our sins upon Himself. He loves us so!
God loves you! I know this is true!
When you are lost with nowhere to go,
Just read God's Word, and He will show
That He knows the Way, and He has a plan.
He'll take you to the Promised Land!
Our God is there, He's always watching us -- He cares for us!
He knows our needs before we ask for help -- He's there for us!
God loves you! God loves you!
God is Love! God is Love!
BETHLEHEM LULLABY
Words and Music by Stephen Cottingham
Sung by Stephen and Judith Cottingham, and accompanied by Wayne Gratz
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay —
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
CHORUS:
Lullaby, sweet Jesus, you bring us God's love.
Lullaby, sweet Jesus, you're sent from above.
Lullaby, sweet Jesus, with peace for the earth,
We praise you forever at your wondrous birth.
The cattle are lowing. The baby awakes.
But sweet little Jesus — no crying He makes.
I love thee Lord Jesus. Look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh.
CHORUS
Be near me, Lord Jesus. I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.
CHORUS