I Am A Servant
ALSO RELEASED ON: Lost Unto This World
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Version 1 is a full studio recording
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Version 2 is a re-recording of version 1
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In Another Land [Special Edition Cassette]
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Version 3 is a live band recording, from the Flevo Totaal Festival in Holland in 1989. Larry is backed by the Finnish band Q-Stone, with Dan Cutrona playing piano. The song is sung as a duet with Elisabeth Odegaard
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Version 4 is a live recording, performed solo with guitar by Randy Stonehill
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Judgment Day At Speedee Mart (Double vinyl 'mispressing' of Born Twice by Randy Stonehill)
The Cottage Tapes Book Two [Bandcamp version only] |
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Version 5 is a full studio recording. It is a remix by another artist
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Version 6 is a live recording, performed solo with piano
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Version 7 is a live recording, performed as a duet over piano (played by Dan Cutrona) during a concert in Northern Ireland. Note that on Rough Diamonds the track split between this song and One Way is moved such that the spoken words over the introduction to One Way are on the end of I Am A Servant instead
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Version 8 is an excerpt of a live recording, performed acapella during a concert in Northern Ireland
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Rough Diamonds, Precious Jewels Sampler Disc [First version] [See the CD tab on the singles page]
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Version 9 is the same recording as version 8, but unedited
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Belfast Bootlegs [Cornerstone pre-release]
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Version 10 is a live recording, performed solo with piano during a concert in Utah, in the 1980s
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Version 11 is a short snippet of version 1, played during a Prime Time America interview broadcast in 2003
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Eve Of Destruction CD Single [See the 'SRA' tab]
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Version 12 is a live recording, performed solo with guitar by Randy Stonehill
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Version 13 is a live recording, sung by Larry and accompanied by Dan Cutrona on piano, during a concert in Salem, Oregon, on June 24, 2005
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lyrics version 1
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing, an' I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am waiting for your call (Aah aah)
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall
So you feed my soul and you make me grow
And you let me know you love me
And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing, an' I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am waiting for your call (Aah aah)
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall
So you feed my soul and you make me grow
And you let me know you love me
And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
lyrics version 2
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing, an' I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for the call (Aah aah)
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can you choose me when I've never given all
How can you use me when you know I quickly fall
So you feed my soul and you make me grow
And you let me know you love me
And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing, an' I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for the call (Aah aah)
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can you choose me when I've never given all
How can you use me when you know I quickly fall
So you feed my soul and you make me grow
And you let me know you love me
And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
lyrics version 3
[Larry]
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I stand here waiting and I keep looking at this game
That I keep playing, I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, well you're the only one to blame
[Elisabeth]
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can you use me when I've fallen so quickly Lord
How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall
[Larry]
So you touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, help me make a vow
To humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
[Both]
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning, no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I stand here waiting and I keep looking at this game
That I keep playing, I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, well you're the only one to blame
[Elisabeth]
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can you use me when I've fallen so quickly Lord
How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall
[Larry]
So you touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, help me make a vow
To humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
[Both]
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning, no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
lyrics version 4
Ah
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing, I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for the call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can he use me when I've never given all
How can he choose me when he knows I'll quickly fall
But he feeds my soul and he makes me grow
And he lets me know he loves me
And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before thee
Please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning, no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing, I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for the call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can he use me when I've never given all
How can he choose me when he knows I'll quickly fall
But he feeds my soul and he makes me grow
And he lets me know he loves me
And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before thee
Please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning, no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
lyrics version 5
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing, an' I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am waiting for your call (Aah)
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall (Aah)
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall
So you feed my soul and you make me grow
And you let me know you love me
And I'm worthless now but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part (Aah)
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart (Aah)
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
I am your servant [x6]
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing, an' I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am waiting for your call (Aah)
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall (Aah)
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall
So you feed my soul and you make me grow
And you let me know you love me
And I'm worthless now but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part (Aah)
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart (Aah)
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
I am your servant [x6]
lyrics version 6
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at this game
That I've been playing, an' I've been staying much the same
When I am lonely, I'm the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful and now I sit here in this hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I'll quickly fall
You touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, but help me make the vow
And humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
I am your servant
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at this game
That I've been playing, an' I've been staying much the same
When I am lonely, I'm the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful and now I sit here in this hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I'll quickly fall
You touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, but help me make the vow
And humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
I am your servant
lyrics version 7
I just don't think I should sing this loudly, so I'm gonna back off [Spoken]
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I keep looking at this game
That I keep playing, I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in this hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall
So you touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, but help me make a vow
Humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning, no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
Thanks [Spoken]
Hi Dan [Spoken]
Hi Larry [Spoken, by Dan Cutrona] [On Rough Diamonds only, due to the track split]
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I keep looking at this game
That I keep playing, I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in this hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall
So you touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, but help me make a vow
Humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning, no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
Thanks [Spoken]
Hi Dan [Spoken]
Hi Larry [Spoken, by Dan Cutrona] [On Rough Diamonds only, due to the track split]
lyrics version 8
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I keep looking at this game
That I keep playing, I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in this hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
I sit here waiting, I keep looking at this game
That I keep playing, I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in this hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
lyrics version 9
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I keep looking at this game
That I keep playing, I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in this hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I'll quickly fall
So you touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, but help me make a vow
And humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
Oh I am a servant, I'm getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But we need your help to start
So please purify our hearts
You are our father
I am your servant
I sit here waiting, I keep looking at this game
That I keep playing, I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in this hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I'll quickly fall
So you touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, but help me make a vow
And humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
Oh I am a servant, I'm getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But we need your help to start
So please purify our hearts
You are our father
I am your servant
lyrics version 10
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting and I keep looking at this game
That I keep playing, and I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall
But you touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, help me make a vow
And humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
Help me to follow and be courageous in my heart
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
Unfaithful servant
I sit here waiting and I keep looking at this game
That I keep playing, and I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can you use me when I've never given all
How can you choose me when you know I quickly fall
But you touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, help me make a vow
And humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
Help me to follow and be courageous in my heart
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
Unfaithful servant
lyrics version 11
Host: Today's artist is considered by many to be the grandfather of christian rock, or the grandfather of Jesus music. He's nurtured artists like Randy Stonehill, Steve Camp, Daniel Amos, Mark Heard and Keith Green. [I Am A Servant starts playing]. In 2001 he was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame, the same night as Elvis Presley. He's written an estimated six to seven hundred songs since his childhood. Maybe you'll remember some of these classics from Larry Norman
I am a servant
I am listening for my name
I am a servant
I am listening for my name
Lyrics version 12
I am a servant, I am listening for my name, ye-ey
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing, I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for the call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can he use me when I've never given all
Why does he choose me when he knows I'll quickly fall
But he feeds my soul and he makes me grow
And he lets me know he loves me
And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning, no returning once I start
To live is a privilege, to love is such an art
Oh I need your help to start
Please purify my heart
I am your servant
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing, I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for the call
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can he use me when I've never given all
Why does he choose me when he knows I'll quickly fall
But he feeds my soul and he makes me grow
And he lets me know he loves me
And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning, no returning once I start
To live is a privilege, to love is such an art
Oh I need your help to start
Please purify my heart
I am your servant
lyrics version 13
Went to visit my parents. I was in Capitol Records, I had been signed to 'em for a few years. There's no follow spot I don't think, I'm just, just don't wanna keep on standing in one place. And uh my dad said to me in 1968, I'll tell you what Larry, today's your last day here. If you'll get a haircut, I'll buy you a suit. I wish my dad were here tonight. This is one of the only times I've had one of these on, and I think he'd kind of like it. So he took me to Maria some restaurant in San Jose where they made pies and he bought me a pie. I hate pie. I don't eat pie. And he made me stand in front of his house, i', with my new suit and my short, short army cut, holding this cardboard box with a pie inside. Say cheese. Pretty cheesy
And I flew back to Los Angeles on PSA Airlines, back when it was something like seventeen dollars to fly it one way. And I wrote this song, about my haircut, and how much I loved my dad and wanted to please him, even though I knew my hair was gonna grow back. And I went down to L.A. and I was offered the lead role, one of several lead roles, in the musical Hair. I thought, wow, I don't even have any. But some people have asked me at different times, what is this song about? It has so much feeling in it. And I don't really tell them, I don't want to disappoint them that I was sitting on the plane, writing it out on the flight [Spoken]
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at this game
That I keep playing, and I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful and now I stand here in this hall
How can you use me if I've never given all
I-how can you choose me if you know I'll quickly fall
So you touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, so help me make a vow
To humbly bow before thee
And please use me, I feel lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
And I flew back to Los Angeles on PSA Airlines, back when it was something like seventeen dollars to fly it one way. And I wrote this song, about my haircut, and how much I loved my dad and wanted to please him, even though I knew my hair was gonna grow back. And I went down to L.A. and I was offered the lead role, one of several lead roles, in the musical Hair. I thought, wow, I don't even have any. But some people have asked me at different times, what is this song about? It has so much feeling in it. And I don't really tell them, I don't want to disappoint them that I was sitting on the plane, writing it out on the flight [Spoken]
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I've been looking at this game
That I keep playing, and I keep staying much the same
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am listening for your call
I've been unfaithful and now I stand here in this hall
How can you use me if I've never given all
I-how can you choose me if you know I'll quickly fall
So you touch my soul, you help me grow
You let me know you love me
I might feel worthless now, so help me make a vow
To humbly bow before thee
And please use me, I feel lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am your servant
"This is one of Larry's most personal songs and he records it here with an unusual layering of notes which he sings into the orchestral arrangement with his voice, holding these airy notes against each other until they resolve. Larry sings the lead in a very broken and submitted way as though he is unable both to hit the notes or live the life. Other artists would have radio airplay with their versions. This was not Larry's attempt to "perform" the song but to make it "real", beyond its existence as a structured song."