Upon This Rock |
1969 / 1970
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Published on Bandcamp on June 25, 2021
This is disc one of the 2002 double CD edition |
This album was recorded for Capitol Records in 1969, but almost all evidence points to it not being issued until 1970. It is believed that initial test pressings and promotional copies may date from December 1969. Capitol pressed 20000 copies and dropped Larry from the label soon after the album's release. Larry later revealed that he had not been happy with how the album had turned out, and that he had convinced Capitol to give him access to the master tapes to enable a remix / partial re-recording. Larry's remix is the version that was leased to Benson / Impact, and went on to sell very well worldwide under a variety of labels. The Impact version was released in early 1971, probably April
"When I did the second album "Upon This Rock" the theme was "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters." So - - - "rock" is the "firmament" and the watery blue cover is both sky and water. Though I'm flying, people also correctly mistook the photo to show that I was swimming. And the evening and the morning were the second day"
"When I did the second album "Upon This Rock" the theme was "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters." So - - - "rock" is the "firmament" and the watery blue cover is both sky and water. Though I'm flying, people also correctly mistook the photo to show that I was swimming. And the evening and the morning were the second day"
"Beechwood Version" (Capitol) - Note that the Capitol version has only ever been released on vinyl. All subsequent releases reflect the "Larry Norman version"
prelude
you can't take away the lord
[Go to Song Page]
You can take away my kids
Take away my wife
You can take away my job
You can take away my life
You can take away my house
Take away my Ford
But you can't take away the Lord
Now listen Satan
You just can't take away the church
Or the bible book
Unless you wanna waste your time
You better take a second look
'Cause you can't take away my shield
Can't take away my sword
And you can't take away the Lord
Well he made me and he saved me, ba ba ba
And I follow after
Everywhere he leads
There's peace and laughter
Laughing in the spirit
Listen and you'll hear it
You can take away the pill
And the atom bomb
Take away Einstein's theories
And the things all yet to come
You could'a took away the wheel
With the dinosaur
But you can't take away the Lord, oh no
Well he made me and he saved me, ba ba ba ba-ow
And I follow after
Everywhere he leads
There's peace and laughter
Laughing in the spirit
Listen and you'll hear it
You can take away the pill
And the atom bomb
Take away Einstein's theories
And the things all yet to come
You could'a took away the wheel
With the dinosaur
But you can't take away the Lord
Na na na no you'll never take away
My sweet reward
'Cause you can't take away the Lord
You can take away my kids
Take away my wife
You can take away my job
You can take away my life
You can take away my house
Take away my Ford
But you can't take away the Lord
Now listen Satan
You just can't take away the church
Or the bible book
Unless you wanna waste your time
You better take a second look
'Cause you can't take away my shield
Can't take away my sword
And you can't take away the Lord
Well he made me and he saved me, ba ba ba
And I follow after
Everywhere he leads
There's peace and laughter
Laughing in the spirit
Listen and you'll hear it
You can take away the pill
And the atom bomb
Take away Einstein's theories
And the things all yet to come
You could'a took away the wheel
With the dinosaur
But you can't take away the Lord, oh no
Well he made me and he saved me, ba ba ba ba-ow
And I follow after
Everywhere he leads
There's peace and laughter
Laughing in the spirit
Listen and you'll hear it
You can take away the pill
And the atom bomb
Take away Einstein's theories
And the things all yet to come
You could'a took away the wheel
With the dinosaur
But you can't take away the Lord
Na na na no you'll never take away
My sweet reward
'Cause you can't take away the Lord
i don't believe in miracles
[Go to Song Page]
I don't believe in miracles
I know what's real, I don't pretend
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Life is no one's friend
But when we met I felt so free
And suddenly I felt a change come over me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
I don't believe in miracles
I've been around, I've seen enough
The only way to get along you must be strong
You must be tough
Life is one big bluff
But then you opened up the door
An' I walked right in and all my fears fell on the floor
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Pa [x35]
But then you opened up the door
An' I walked right in and all my fears fell on the floor
Do you suppose
I don't believe in miracles
I know what's real, I don't pretend
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Life is no one's friend
But then we met and suddenly
I felt so strange
I felt a change come over me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
I don't believe in miracles
I know what's real, I don't pretend
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Life is no one's friend
But when we met I felt so free
And suddenly I felt a change come over me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
I don't believe in miracles
I've been around, I've seen enough
The only way to get along you must be strong
You must be tough
Life is one big bluff
But then you opened up the door
An' I walked right in and all my fears fell on the floor
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Pa [x35]
But then you opened up the door
An' I walked right in and all my fears fell on the floor
Do you suppose
I don't believe in miracles
I know what's real, I don't pretend
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Life is no one's friend
But then we met and suddenly
I felt so strange
I felt a change come over me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
moses in the wilderness
[Go to Song Page]
Moses tending sheep in the fields one day
When he thought he heard a burning scrub-brush say
Gotta free your people
From the Pharaoh's hand
Gotta take 'em all to the promised land
Moses knew that God was talking to him
So he set off to Egypt with a vigor and vim
And Moses bugged the Pharaoh, he bugged him
And he bugged him
'Till he got his people freed
He used real bugs
Yes indeed, ow ow
He got his people freed
Ow ow ow ow [x2]
Moses on the banks of the wide Red Sea
He stuck out a stick and one two three
The water rolled back
And the people walked down
Everybody knew they wouldn't drown
Pharaoh told his army to bring 'em all back
An' here come the chariots, clickety clack
Why Moses took his stick
And he closed up the water
An' the 'Gyptians all took a bath
Ow ow ow ow
What a laugh
Ow they all took a bath
Ow ow ow [cough] ow
Ow ow ow ow
Dirty 'Gyptians
Grab my foot, take my hand
Lead me on to the promised land
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Me and all my people is here
So keep on sending manna
From the atmosphere
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Milk and honey, milk and honey
After forty long years in the wilderness
They finally saw their potential metropolis
They all gave thanks
And they all praised the Lord
Even though it took time he kept his word
He grab their foot and he tooken their hand
And he brung 'em all over
To the promised land
But it seems to me like an awful long time to be
Looking for a home
Ow ow ow ow
A mighty long roam, home
Looking for a home, a home a home
Never borrow money needlessly [cough]
Moses tending sheep in the fields one day
When he thought he heard a burning scrub-brush say
Gotta free your people
From the Pharaoh's hand
Gotta take 'em all to the promised land
Moses knew that God was talking to him
So he set off to Egypt with a vigor and vim
And Moses bugged the Pharaoh, he bugged him
And he bugged him
'Till he got his people freed
He used real bugs
Yes indeed, ow ow
He got his people freed
Ow ow ow ow [x2]
Moses on the banks of the wide Red Sea
He stuck out a stick and one two three
The water rolled back
And the people walked down
Everybody knew they wouldn't drown
Pharaoh told his army to bring 'em all back
An' here come the chariots, clickety clack
Why Moses took his stick
And he closed up the water
An' the 'Gyptians all took a bath
Ow ow ow ow
What a laugh
Ow they all took a bath
Ow ow ow [cough] ow
Ow ow ow ow
Dirty 'Gyptians
Grab my foot, take my hand
Lead me on to the promised land
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Me and all my people is here
So keep on sending manna
From the atmosphere
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Milk and honey, milk and honey
After forty long years in the wilderness
They finally saw their potential metropolis
They all gave thanks
And they all praised the Lord
Even though it took time he kept his word
He grab their foot and he tooken their hand
And he brung 'em all over
To the promised land
But it seems to me like an awful long time to be
Looking for a home
Ow ow ow ow
A mighty long roam, home
Looking for a home, a home a home
Never borrow money needlessly [cough]
walking backwards down the stairs
[Go to Song Page]
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
Watching life elude me
Slipping through my grasp
Oh I know the truth at last
But to reach the top I've got to stop from
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
People stop to watch me
Wonder what I'm doing
What direction I'm pursuing
I pretend I'm free but actually I'm
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher, higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
Watching life elude me
Slipping through my grasp
Oh I know the truth at last
But to reach the top I've got to stop from
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
People stop to watch me
Wonder what I'm doing
What direction I'm pursuing
I pretend I'm free but actually I'm
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher, higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
ha ha world
[Go to Song Page]
Ha ha world
Every day I used to write you a letter
But you never wrote back
And you never made me feel any better
Always sitting here
Fretting and getting confused
Halfway desperate
For a headline of hope in the news
When the telephone rang
I spilled it all over my sweater
Oh yeah
The call was for me
And I answered the phone in the kitchen (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
But the room was too hot
I forgot I was cooking my chicken (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was burning like hell
But the stove wasn't on
Then the voice on the line
Says the chicken is gone
The receiver goes dead and it
Hums while the plot starts to thicken
Oh oh yeah oh
Would I have hung up the phone had I known
The whole room would start swaying (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was instantly cold
And I knew why my life wasn't paying (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I had money and fame
But my wealth wasn't wise
What good are the coins on a dead man's eyes
And the ringing of chimes in my head
Said it's time to start praying
Oh oh yeah oh
I’ve been sitting here praying
And laying up treasures in heaven (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was home and the front door was locked
When the clock struck eleven (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I heard the bride outside yell millennium
Though the sun was still up
The twelfth hour has come
The bible says
Without a vision the people perish
Ha ha world
Every day I used to write you a letter
But you never wrote back
And you never made me feel any better
Always sitting here
Fretting and getting confused
Halfway desperate
For a headline of hope in the news
When the telephone rang
I spilled it all over my sweater
Oh yeah
The call was for me
And I answered the phone in the kitchen (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
But the room was too hot
I forgot I was cooking my chicken (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was burning like hell
But the stove wasn't on
Then the voice on the line
Says the chicken is gone
The receiver goes dead and it
Hums while the plot starts to thicken
Oh oh yeah oh
Would I have hung up the phone had I known
The whole room would start swaying (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was instantly cold
And I knew why my life wasn't paying (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I had money and fame
But my wealth wasn't wise
What good are the coins on a dead man's eyes
And the ringing of chimes in my head
Said it's time to start praying
Oh oh yeah oh
I’ve been sitting here praying
And laying up treasures in heaven (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was home and the front door was locked
When the clock struck eleven (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I heard the bride outside yell millennium
Though the sun was still up
The twelfth hour has come
The bible says
Without a vision the people perish
sweet sweet song of salvation
[Go to Song Page]
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na nada na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na nada na na
When you know a pretty story
You don't let it go unsaid
You tell it to your children
As you tuck them into bed
And when you know a wonderful secret
You tell it to your friends
Because a lifetime filled with happiness
Is like a street that never ends
Alright
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let your laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And tell the people everywhere
A-sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man, every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let the people know that Jesus cares
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na nada na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na da da na na
Well look around you as you sing it
There are people everywhere
And to those who stop to listen
Your sweet song becomes a prayer
'Cause when you know a wonderful secret
You tell it to your friends
Tell them that a lifetime filled with Jesus
Is like a street that never ends
Alright co' co' co' sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let the laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet (sweet) sweet song of salvation
Tell the people everywhere
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man an' every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let the people know that Jesus cares
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
Sing it like you mean it
And let your laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
Song of salvation
Tell the people everywhere
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man and every nation
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing a song of salvation
Let the people know that Jesus care
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing, sweet sweet song of salvation
Tell all your friends about it
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing that sweet, sweet sweet song
To every man and every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation (Salvation)
And let the people know that Jesus cares
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation)
Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing out
Sing out, only if you mean it
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation)
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na nada na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na nada na na
When you know a pretty story
You don't let it go unsaid
You tell it to your children
As you tuck them into bed
And when you know a wonderful secret
You tell it to your friends
Because a lifetime filled with happiness
Is like a street that never ends
Alright
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let your laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And tell the people everywhere
A-sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man, every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let the people know that Jesus cares
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na nada na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na da da na na
Well look around you as you sing it
There are people everywhere
And to those who stop to listen
Your sweet song becomes a prayer
'Cause when you know a wonderful secret
You tell it to your friends
Tell them that a lifetime filled with Jesus
Is like a street that never ends
Alright co' co' co' sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let the laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet (sweet) sweet song of salvation
Tell the people everywhere
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man an' every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let the people know that Jesus cares
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
Sing it like you mean it
And let your laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
Song of salvation
Tell the people everywhere
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man and every nation
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing a song of salvation
Let the people know that Jesus care
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing, sweet sweet song of salvation
Tell all your friends about it
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing that sweet, sweet sweet song
To every man and every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation (Salvation)
And let the people know that Jesus cares
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation)
Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing out
Sing out, only if you mean it
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation)
forget your hexagram
[Go to Song Page]
Forget your hexagram, you'll soon feel fine
Stop looking at the stars
You don't live under the signs
Don't mess with gypsies
Or have your fortune read
Keep your table on the floor
And don't you listen to the dead
You can't a-hitchhike your way to heaven
The devil's closed the roads
You live once and you die once with no
Re-incarnate episodes
You can't hitchhike to heaven
Or get there by just being good
The rules were set down long ago
When the spikes went in the wood
Heaven is in your mind
When love is in your heart
Maybe you'll find the way
But first you have to start
Forget your hexagram, you'll soon feel fine
An' stop looking at the stars
You don't live under the signs
Don't mess with gypsies
Or have your fortune read
Keep your table on the floor
And don't you listen to the dead
You can't hitchhike your way to heaven
The devil's closed the roads
You live once and you die once with no
Re-incarnate episodes
You can't hitchhike to heaven
Or get there by just being good
The rules were set down long ago
When the spikes went in the wood
Forget your hexagram, you'll soon feel fine
Stop looking at the stars
You don't live under the signs
Don't mess with gypsies
Or have your fortune read
Keep your table on the floor
And don't you listen to the dead
You can't a-hitchhike your way to heaven
The devil's closed the roads
You live once and you die once with no
Re-incarnate episodes
You can't hitchhike to heaven
Or get there by just being good
The rules were set down long ago
When the spikes went in the wood
Heaven is in your mind
When love is in your heart
Maybe you'll find the way
But first you have to start
Forget your hexagram, you'll soon feel fine
An' stop looking at the stars
You don't live under the signs
Don't mess with gypsies
Or have your fortune read
Keep your table on the floor
And don't you listen to the dead
You can't hitchhike your way to heaven
The devil's closed the roads
You live once and you die once with no
Re-incarnate episodes
You can't hitchhike to heaven
Or get there by just being good
The rules were set down long ago
When the spikes went in the wood
the last supper
[Go to Song Page]
There was a pig on the table
With a fig in his mouth
And a snake crawled around the plate
And when the wine turned to water
And the bread turned to dust
I knew I'd arrived too late
It was the last supper
A seven course meal for the soul
It was the last supper
But I was the last to know
I saw my name in a book
That lay in front of the veil
With a key in between the pages
And when I unlocked the door
I found a hall full of mirrors
And I saw my life in stages
It was the last supper
And a snake crawled around the plate
It was the last supper
And I knew I'd arrived too late
Ah ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah
Last night I came to the gate
With invitation in hand
And my old life left behind
I came as soon as he called
But long before I had planned
Still I came prepared to dine
It was the last supper
And a snake crawled around the plate
It was the last supper
And I knew I'd arrived too late
There was a pig on the table
With a fig in his mouth
And a snake crawled around the plate
And when the wine turned to water
And the bread turned to dust
I knew I'd arrived too late
It was the last supper
A seven course meal for the soul
It was the last supper
But I was the last to know
I saw my name in a book
That lay in front of the veil
With a key in between the pages
And when I unlocked the door
I found a hall full of mirrors
And I saw my life in stages
It was the last supper
And a snake crawled around the plate
It was the last supper
And I knew I'd arrived too late
Ah ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah
Last night I came to the gate
With invitation in hand
And my old life left behind
I came as soon as he called
But long before I had planned
Still I came prepared to dine
It was the last supper
And a snake crawled around the plate
It was the last supper
And I knew I'd arrived too late
i wish we'd all been ready
[Go to Song Page]
Life was filled with guns and war
And everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind
A man and wife asleep in bed
She hears a noise and turns her head
He's gone
I wish we'd all been ready
Two men walking up a hill
One disappears and one's left standing still
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind
La la la la la la la
La la la-la la la la la la la la la la
Life was filled with guns and war
And everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
How could you have been so blind
The father spoke the demons dined
The son has come and you've been left behind
You've been left behind [x5]
Life was filled with guns and war
And everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind
A man and wife asleep in bed
She hears a noise and turns her head
He's gone
I wish we'd all been ready
Two men walking up a hill
One disappears and one's left standing still
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind
La la la la la la la
La la la-la la la la la la la la la la
Life was filled with guns and war
And everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
How could you have been so blind
The father spoke the demons dined
The son has come and you've been left behind
You've been left behind [x5]
nothing really changes
[Go to Song Page]
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die [x2]
If we could live in Shakespeare's days
I wonder who we'd be
If people then could live today
I wonder who we'd see
They'd prob'ly stop a corner cop
And ask what the whole world's coming to
If people then could live today
I wonder what they'd do
Yes I wonder what they'd do
Would Romeo and Juliet watch Nelson Eddy kiss Jeanette
Would Bacchus read Police Gazette
And window peep at silhouettes
Would Caesar pay to see the Mets
Would Icarus join the jet set
Would Satan smoke menthol cigarettes
Would Samson razor with Gilette
Bi di dip'n bow
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Unless we love the Lord
(Nothing really changes) Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Would Henry the eighth use etiquette
In a busy New York luncheonette
Would Cleopatra die when bit
Or save herself with a tourniquet
Would Beethoven join a jazz quartet
Would Ben Hur drive a blue Corvette
Would Aristotle be an acid head
Would Cain kill Abel with a bayonet, ah
(Nothing really changes)
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Unless we love the Lord
(Nothing really changes) Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die [x2]
Unless we love the Lord
(Nothing really changes)
Everything remains the same
(We are what we are till the day that we die) Till the day that we die
I'm gonna sing it to you one more time now (Nothing really changes)
Everything remains the same
(We are what we are till the day that we die) Till the day that we die-ah-ah
(Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die) [x3]
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die [x2]
If we could live in Shakespeare's days
I wonder who we'd be
If people then could live today
I wonder who we'd see
They'd prob'ly stop a corner cop
And ask what the whole world's coming to
If people then could live today
I wonder what they'd do
Yes I wonder what they'd do
Would Romeo and Juliet watch Nelson Eddy kiss Jeanette
Would Bacchus read Police Gazette
And window peep at silhouettes
Would Caesar pay to see the Mets
Would Icarus join the jet set
Would Satan smoke menthol cigarettes
Would Samson razor with Gilette
Bi di dip'n bow
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Unless we love the Lord
(Nothing really changes) Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Would Henry the eighth use etiquette
In a busy New York luncheonette
Would Cleopatra die when bit
Or save herself with a tourniquet
Would Beethoven join a jazz quartet
Would Ben Hur drive a blue Corvette
Would Aristotle be an acid head
Would Cain kill Abel with a bayonet, ah
(Nothing really changes)
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Unless we love the Lord
(Nothing really changes) Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die [x2]
Unless we love the Lord
(Nothing really changes)
Everything remains the same
(We are what we are till the day that we die) Till the day that we die
I'm gonna sing it to you one more time now (Nothing really changes)
Everything remains the same
(We are what we are till the day that we die) Till the day that we die-ah-ah
(Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die) [x3]
postlude
[Go to Song Page]
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Do you suppose a miracle
Is happening to me, to me
Heaven is in your mind
When love is in your heart
Na na na na na na na na
Ha ha world, ha ha world
Na na na na na na na-na na
When you know a wonderful secret
You don't let it go unsaid
I wish we'd all been ready [x7]
I wish we'd all
[Note, this song is almost entirely sung by the backing vocalists. Larry only sings during the second 'na na' line]
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Do you suppose a miracle
Is happening to me, to me
Heaven is in your mind
When love is in your heart
Na na na na na na na na
Ha ha world, ha ha world
Na na na na na na na-na na
When you know a wonderful secret
You don't let it go unsaid
I wish we'd all been ready [x7]
I wish we'd all
[Note, this song is almost entirely sung by the backing vocalists. Larry only sings during the second 'na na' line]
"Larry Norman Version" - The re-recorded version has the same track listing as the Capitol release, apart from Prelude being omitted. Every song differs from the Capitol version, some only slightly and some significantly. Those marked ** are lyrically different
You can't take away the lord **
[Go to Song Page]
Ah
You can take away my kids
Take away my wife
You can take away my job
And you can take away my life
You can take away my house
Take away my Ford
But you can't take away the Lord
Now listen Satan
You just can't take away the church
Or the bible book
Unless you wanna waste your time
You better take a second look
'Cause you can't take away my shield
Can't take away my sword
And you can't take away the Lord
Well he made me and he saved me, ba ba ba
And I follow after
Everywhere he leads
There's peace and laughter
Laughing in the spirit
Listen and you'll hear it
You can take away the pill
And the atom bomb
Take away Einstein's theories
And the things all yet to come
You could'a took away the wheel
With the dinosaur
But you can't take away the Lord, oh no
Well he made me and he saved me, ba ba ba ba-ow
And I follow after
Everywhere he leads
There's peace and laughter
Laughing in the spirit
Listen and you'll hear it
You can take away the pill, wooh
And the atom bomb
Take away Einstein's theories
And the things all yet to come
You could'a took away the wheel
With the dinosaur
But you can't take away the Lord
Na na na no you'll never take away
My sweet reward
'Cause you can't take away the Lord
Ah
You can take away my kids
Take away my wife
You can take away my job
And you can take away my life
You can take away my house
Take away my Ford
But you can't take away the Lord
Now listen Satan
You just can't take away the church
Or the bible book
Unless you wanna waste your time
You better take a second look
'Cause you can't take away my shield
Can't take away my sword
And you can't take away the Lord
Well he made me and he saved me, ba ba ba
And I follow after
Everywhere he leads
There's peace and laughter
Laughing in the spirit
Listen and you'll hear it
You can take away the pill
And the atom bomb
Take away Einstein's theories
And the things all yet to come
You could'a took away the wheel
With the dinosaur
But you can't take away the Lord, oh no
Well he made me and he saved me, ba ba ba ba-ow
And I follow after
Everywhere he leads
There's peace and laughter
Laughing in the spirit
Listen and you'll hear it
You can take away the pill, wooh
And the atom bomb
Take away Einstein's theories
And the things all yet to come
You could'a took away the wheel
With the dinosaur
But you can't take away the Lord
Na na na no you'll never take away
My sweet reward
'Cause you can't take away the Lord
i don't believe in miracles
[Go to Song Page]
I don't believe in miracles
I know what's real, I don't pretend
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Life is no one's friend
But when we met I felt so free
And suddenly I felt a change come over me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
I don't believe in miracles
I've been around, I've seen enough
The only way to get along you must be strong
You must be tough
Life is one big bluff
But then you opened up the door
An' I walked right in and all my fears fell on the floor
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Pa [x35]
But then you opened up the door
An' I walked right in and all my fears fell on the floor
Do you suppose
I don't believe in miracles
I know what's real, I don't pretend
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Life is no one's friend
But then we met and suddenly
I felt so strange
I felt a change come over me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
I don't believe in miracles
I know what's real, I don't pretend
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Life is no one's friend
But when we met I felt so free
And suddenly I felt a change come over me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
I don't believe in miracles
I've been around, I've seen enough
The only way to get along you must be strong
You must be tough
Life is one big bluff
But then you opened up the door
An' I walked right in and all my fears fell on the floor
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Pa [x35]
But then you opened up the door
An' I walked right in and all my fears fell on the floor
Do you suppose
I don't believe in miracles
I know what's real, I don't pretend
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Life is no one's friend
But then we met and suddenly
I felt so strange
I felt a change come over me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
Do you suppose a miracle is happening to me
moses in the wilderness
[Go to Song Page]
Moses tending sheep in the fields one day
When he thought he heard a burning scrub-brush say
Gotta free your people
From the Pharaoh's hand
Gotta take 'em all to the promised land
Moses knew that God was talking to him
So he set off to Egypt with a vigor and vim
And Moses bugged the Pharaoh, he bugged him
And he bugged him
'Till he got his people freed
He used real bugs
Yes indeed, ow ow
He got his people freed
Ow ow ow ow [x2]
Moses on the banks of the wide Red Sea
He stuck out a stick and one two three
The water rolled back
And the people walked down
Everybody knew they wouldn't drown
Pharaoh told his army to bring 'em all back
An' here come the chariots, clickety clack
Why Moses took his stick
And he closed up the water
An' the 'Gyptians all took a bath
Ow ow ow ow
What a laugh
Ow they all took a bath
Ow ow ow [cough] ow
Ow ow ow ow
Dirty 'Gyptians
Grab my foot, take my hand
Lead me on to the promised land
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Me and all my people is here
So keep on sending manna
From the atmosphere
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Milk and honey, milk and honey
After forty long years in the wilderness
They finally saw their potential metropolis
They all gave thanks
And they all praised the Lord
Even though it took time he kept his word
He grab their foot and he tooken their hand
And he brung 'em all over
To the promised land
But it seems to me like an awful long time to be
Looking for a home
Ow ow ow ow
A mighty long roam, home
Looking for a home, a home a home
Never borrow money needlessly [cough]
Moses tending sheep in the fields one day
When he thought he heard a burning scrub-brush say
Gotta free your people
From the Pharaoh's hand
Gotta take 'em all to the promised land
Moses knew that God was talking to him
So he set off to Egypt with a vigor and vim
And Moses bugged the Pharaoh, he bugged him
And he bugged him
'Till he got his people freed
He used real bugs
Yes indeed, ow ow
He got his people freed
Ow ow ow ow [x2]
Moses on the banks of the wide Red Sea
He stuck out a stick and one two three
The water rolled back
And the people walked down
Everybody knew they wouldn't drown
Pharaoh told his army to bring 'em all back
An' here come the chariots, clickety clack
Why Moses took his stick
And he closed up the water
An' the 'Gyptians all took a bath
Ow ow ow ow
What a laugh
Ow they all took a bath
Ow ow ow [cough] ow
Ow ow ow ow
Dirty 'Gyptians
Grab my foot, take my hand
Lead me on to the promised land
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Me and all my people is here
So keep on sending manna
From the atmosphere
Milk and honey, milk and honey
Milk and honey, milk and honey
After forty long years in the wilderness
They finally saw their potential metropolis
They all gave thanks
And they all praised the Lord
Even though it took time he kept his word
He grab their foot and he tooken their hand
And he brung 'em all over
To the promised land
But it seems to me like an awful long time to be
Looking for a home
Ow ow ow ow
A mighty long roam, home
Looking for a home, a home a home
Never borrow money needlessly [cough]
walking backwards down the stairs
[Go to Song Page]
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
Watching life elude me
Slipping through my grasp
Oh I know the truth at last
But to reach the top I've got to stop from
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
People stop to watch me
Wonder what I'm doing
What direction I'm pursuing
I pretend I'm free but actually I'm
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher, higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
Watching life elude me
Slipping through my grasp
Oh I know the truth at last
But to reach the top I've got to stop from
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
People stop to watch me
Wonder what I'm doing
What direction I'm pursuing
I pretend I'm free but actually I'm
Walking backwards down the stairs
Trying to get higher, higher
How can I get anywhere
Walking backwards down the stairs
ha ha world
[Go to Song Page]
Ha ha world
Every day I used to write you a letter
But you never wrote back
And you never made me feel any better
Always sitting here
Fretting and getting confused
Halfway desperate
For a headline of hope in the news
When the telephone rang
I spilled it all over my sweater
Oh yeah
The call was for me
And I answered the phone in the kitchen (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
But the room was too hot
I forgot I was cooking my chicken (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was burning like hell
But the stove wasn't on
Then the voice on the line
Says the chicken is gone
The receiver goes dead and it
Hums while the plot starts to thicken
Oh oh yeah oh
Would I have hung up the phone had I known
The whole room would start swaying (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was instantly cold
And I knew why my life wasn't paying (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I had money and fame
But my wealth wasn't wise
What good are the coins on a dead man's eyes
And the ringing of chimes in my head
Said it's time to start praying
Oh oh yeah oh
I’ve been sitting here praying
And laying up treasures in heaven (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was home and the front door was locked
When the clock struck eleven (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I heard the bride outside yell millennium
Though the sun was still up
The twelfth hour has come
The bible says
Without a vision the people perish
Ha ha world
Every day I used to write you a letter
But you never wrote back
And you never made me feel any better
Always sitting here
Fretting and getting confused
Halfway desperate
For a headline of hope in the news
When the telephone rang
I spilled it all over my sweater
Oh yeah
The call was for me
And I answered the phone in the kitchen (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
But the room was too hot
I forgot I was cooking my chicken (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was burning like hell
But the stove wasn't on
Then the voice on the line
Says the chicken is gone
The receiver goes dead and it
Hums while the plot starts to thicken
Oh oh yeah oh
Would I have hung up the phone had I known
The whole room would start swaying (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was instantly cold
And I knew why my life wasn't paying (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I had money and fame
But my wealth wasn't wise
What good are the coins on a dead man's eyes
And the ringing of chimes in my head
Said it's time to start praying
Oh oh yeah oh
I’ve been sitting here praying
And laying up treasures in heaven (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I was home and the front door was locked
When the clock struck eleven (Ha ha world, ha ha world)
I heard the bride outside yell millennium
Though the sun was still up
The twelfth hour has come
The bible says
Without a vision the people perish
sweet sweet song of salvation **
[Go to Song Page]
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na nada na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na nada na na
When you know a pretty story
You don't let it go unsaid
You tell it to your children
As you tuck them into bed
And when you know a wonderful secret
You tell it to your friends
Because a lifetime filled with happiness
Is like a street that never ends
Alright
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let your laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And tell the people everywhere
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man in every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
An' let the people know that Jesus cares
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na nada na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na da da na na
Well look around you as you sing it
There are people everywhere
And to those who stop to listen
Your sweet song becomes a prayer
'Cause when you know a wonderful secret
You tell it to your friends
Tell them that a lifetime filled with Jesus
Is like a street that never ends
Alright co' co' co' sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let the laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet (sweet) sweet song of salvation
Tell the people everywhere
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man an' every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let the people know that Jesus cares
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
Sing it like you mean it
And let your laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
Song of salvation
Tell the people everywhere (Yeah ah ah)
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man and every nation
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing a song of salvation
Let the people know that Jesus care
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing, sweet sweet song of salvation
Tell all your friends about it
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing that sweet, sweet sweet song
To every man and every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation (Salvation)
And let the people know that Jesus cares
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation)
Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing out
Sing out, only if you mean it
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation)
And let the laughter
Sing that sweet sweet song ever after
(Sing that sweet, sweet song of salvation)
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na nada na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na nada na na
When you know a pretty story
You don't let it go unsaid
You tell it to your children
As you tuck them into bed
And when you know a wonderful secret
You tell it to your friends
Because a lifetime filled with happiness
Is like a street that never ends
Alright
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let your laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And tell the people everywhere
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man in every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
An' let the people know that Jesus cares
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na nada na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na da da na na
Well look around you as you sing it
There are people everywhere
And to those who stop to listen
Your sweet song becomes a prayer
'Cause when you know a wonderful secret
You tell it to your friends
Tell them that a lifetime filled with Jesus
Is like a street that never ends
Alright co' co' co' sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let the laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet (sweet) sweet song of salvation
Tell the people everywhere
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man an' every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
And let the people know that Jesus cares
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
Sing it like you mean it
And let your laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
Song of salvation
Tell the people everywhere (Yeah ah ah)
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
To every man and every nation
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing a song of salvation
Let the people know that Jesus care
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing, sweet sweet song of salvation
Tell all your friends about it
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation) Sing that sweet, sweet sweet song
To every man and every nation
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation (Salvation)
And let the people know that Jesus cares
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation)
Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing out
Sing out, only if you mean it
(Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation)
And let the laughter
Sing that sweet sweet song ever after
(Sing that sweet, sweet song of salvation)
forget your hexagram **
[Go to Song Page]
Ah forget your hexagram, you'll soon feel fine
Stop looking at the stars
You don't live under the signs
Don't mess with gypsies
Or have your fortune read
Keep the table on the floor
And don't you listen to the dead
You can't hitchhike your way to heaven
The devil's closed the roads
You live once and you die once with no
Re-incarnate episodes
You can't hitchhike to heaven
Or get there by just being good
The rules were set down long ago
When the spikes went in the wood
OK now [Very faintly]
Oh
Heaven is in your mind
When love is in your heart
Maybe you'll find the way
But first you have to start
Forget your hexagram, you'll soon feel fine
Stop looking at the stars
You don't live under the signs
Don't mess with gypsies
Or have your fortune read
Keep your table on the floor
And don't you listen to the dead
You can't hitchhike your way to heaven
The devil's closed the roads
You live once and you die once with no
Re-incarnate episodes
You can't hitchhike to heaven
Or get there by just being good
The rules were set down long ago
When the spikes went in the wood
Ah forget your hexagram, you'll soon feel fine
Stop looking at the stars
You don't live under the signs
Don't mess with gypsies
Or have your fortune read
Keep the table on the floor
And don't you listen to the dead
You can't hitchhike your way to heaven
The devil's closed the roads
You live once and you die once with no
Re-incarnate episodes
You can't hitchhike to heaven
Or get there by just being good
The rules were set down long ago
When the spikes went in the wood
OK now [Very faintly]
Oh
Heaven is in your mind
When love is in your heart
Maybe you'll find the way
But first you have to start
Forget your hexagram, you'll soon feel fine
Stop looking at the stars
You don't live under the signs
Don't mess with gypsies
Or have your fortune read
Keep your table on the floor
And don't you listen to the dead
You can't hitchhike your way to heaven
The devil's closed the roads
You live once and you die once with no
Re-incarnate episodes
You can't hitchhike to heaven
Or get there by just being good
The rules were set down long ago
When the spikes went in the wood
the last supper **
[Go to Song Page]
There was a pig on the table
With a fig in his mouth
And a snake crawled around the plate
And when the wine turned to water
And the bread turned to dust
I knew I'd arrived too late
It was the last supper
A seven course meal for the soul
It was the last supper
And I was the last to know
I saw my name in the book
That lay in front of the veil
With the key in between the pages
And when I unlocked the door
I found a hall full of mirrors
And I saw my life in stages
It was the last supper
And a snake crawled around the plate
It was the last supper
And I knew I'd arrived too late
Last night I came to the gates
With invitation in hand
And my old life left behind
I came as soon as he called
But long before I had planned
Still I came prepared to dine
It was the last supper
A snake crawled around the plate
It was the last supper
And I knew I'd arrived too late
There was a pig on the table
With a fig in his mouth
And a snake crawled around the plate
And when the wine turned to water
And the bread turned to dust
I knew I'd arrived too late
It was the last supper
A seven course meal for the soul
It was the last supper
And I was the last to know
I saw my name in the book
That lay in front of the veil
With the key in between the pages
And when I unlocked the door
I found a hall full of mirrors
And I saw my life in stages
It was the last supper
And a snake crawled around the plate
It was the last supper
And I knew I'd arrived too late
Last night I came to the gates
With invitation in hand
And my old life left behind
I came as soon as he called
But long before I had planned
Still I came prepared to dine
It was the last supper
A snake crawled around the plate
It was the last supper
And I knew I'd arrived too late
i wish we'd all been ready **
[Go to Song Page]
Life was filled with guns and war
And everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind
A man and wife asleep in bed
She hears a noise and turns her head
He's gone
I wish we'd all been ready
Two men walking up a hill
One disappears and one's left standing still
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
Life was filled with guns and war
And everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
How could you have been so blind
The father spoke the demons dined
The son has come and you've been left behind
You've been left behind [x4]
Life was filled with guns and war
And everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind
A man and wife asleep in bed
She hears a noise and turns her head
He's gone
I wish we'd all been ready
Two men walking up a hill
One disappears and one's left standing still
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
Life was filled with guns and war
And everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
How could you have been so blind
The father spoke the demons dined
The son has come and you've been left behind
You've been left behind [x4]
nothing really changes **
[Go to Song Page]
Oh
One two one two three, oh
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die [x2]
If we could live in Shakespeare's days
I wonder who we'd be
If people then could live today
I wonder who we'd see
They'd prob'ly stop a corner cop
And ask what the whole world's coming to
If people then could live today
I wonder what they'd do
Yes I wonder what they'd do
Would Romeo and Juliet watch Nelson Eddy kiss Jeanette
Would Bacchus read Police Gazette
And window peep at silhouettes
Would Caesar pay to see the Mets
Would Icarus join the jet set
Would Satan smoke menthol cigarettes
Would Samson razor with Gilette
Bi di dip'n bow
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Unless we love the Lord
(Nothing really changes) Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Would Henry the eighth use etiquette
In a busy New York luncheonette
Would Cleopatra die when bit
Or save herself with a tourniquet
Would Beethoven join a jazz quartet
Would Ben Hur drive a blue Corvette
Would Aristotle be an acid head
Would Cain kill Abel with a bayonet, ah
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Yeah
Nothing really changes
Talk about it
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Oh
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Unless we love the Lord
(Nothing really changes) Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are (till the day that we die) Till the day we die
Unless JC sets you free (Nothing really changes)
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
I'm gonna sing it to you one more time now (Nothing really changes)
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we (die) Die-ah-ah
(Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die)
Ah ah ah-ah
(Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die)
(Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die) ??? [Something is said in the left channel]
Oh
One two one two three, oh
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die [x2]
If we could live in Shakespeare's days
I wonder who we'd be
If people then could live today
I wonder who we'd see
They'd prob'ly stop a corner cop
And ask what the whole world's coming to
If people then could live today
I wonder what they'd do
Yes I wonder what they'd do
Would Romeo and Juliet watch Nelson Eddy kiss Jeanette
Would Bacchus read Police Gazette
And window peep at silhouettes
Would Caesar pay to see the Mets
Would Icarus join the jet set
Would Satan smoke menthol cigarettes
Would Samson razor with Gilette
Bi di dip'n bow
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Unless we love the Lord
(Nothing really changes) Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Would Henry the eighth use etiquette
In a busy New York luncheonette
Would Cleopatra die when bit
Or save herself with a tourniquet
Would Beethoven join a jazz quartet
Would Ben Hur drive a blue Corvette
Would Aristotle be an acid head
Would Cain kill Abel with a bayonet, ah
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Yeah
Nothing really changes
Talk about it
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Oh
Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
Unless we love the Lord
(Nothing really changes) Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are (till the day that we die) Till the day we die
Unless JC sets you free (Nothing really changes)
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die
I'm gonna sing it to you one more time now (Nothing really changes)
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we (die) Die-ah-ah
(Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die)
Ah ah ah-ah
(Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die)
(Nothing really changes
Everything remains the same
We are what we are till the day that we die) ??? [Something is said in the left channel]
postlude **
[Go to Song Page]
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Do you suppose a miracle
Is happening to me, to me
Heaven is in your mind
When love is in your heart
Na na na na na na na na
Ha ha world, ha ha world
Na na na na na na na
When you know a wonderful secret
You don't let it go unsaid
I wish we'd all been ready [x9]
I
[Note, this song is almost entirely sung by the backing vocalists. Larry only sings during the second 'na na' line]
I don't believe in miracles
Or stories with a happy end
Do you suppose a miracle
Is happening to me, to me
Heaven is in your mind
When love is in your heart
Na na na na na na na na
Ha ha world, ha ha world
Na na na na na na na
When you know a wonderful secret
You don't let it go unsaid
I wish we'd all been ready [x9]
I
[Note, this song is almost entirely sung by the backing vocalists. Larry only sings during the second 'na na' line]
Note that the stereo image on the South African Impact release is reversed. Also, the UK LP releases (Key, Dove, Kingsway) have shorter gaps between the songs Forget Your Hexagram and The Last Supper, and between The Last Supper and I Wish We'd All Been Ready. Overall, the UK LPs run around ten seconds shorter than most Impact ones
The 1998 Radio Promo CD release added three bonus tracks, Prelude, The Last Supper and Ha Ha World from the Capitol version
The 2001 Illegal Noise CD release was basically a copy of the Radio Promo CD with Dear Malcolm, Dear Alwyn added on the end. This is a vinyl transfer from the Jubilation compilation LP - see the Other Releases page
The 2001 Illegal Noise CD release was basically a copy of the Radio Promo CD with Dear Malcolm, Dear Alwyn added on the end. This is a vinyl transfer from the Jubilation compilation LP - see the Other Releases page
dear malcolm, dear alwyn
[Go to Song Page]
Dear Malcolm, dear Alwyn
You're my favorite singers in England
And I love you so much
You got the holy spirit's touch
You're much more than just a two man band
I got a memo from Turner
He's a poet, I'm a learner
And he says you're coming back to L.A.
So I'll see you when you land
I'll hope your schedule's not too planned
I know you can't, but I wish you could stay
I miss you my friends
I think about you all the time
You're so far away
Well I hope you're feeling fine
Beware of the snakes and the robbers and the fakes
And the guys who want to take a percent
You don't need them anymore
God is gonna close that door
It's getting time to pack up your tent
Dear Malcolm (dear Malcolm), dear Alwyn (dear Alwyn)
La la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la
I miss you my friends
I think about you all the time
You're so far away
Well I hope you're feeling fine
Dear Malcolm (dear Malcolm), dear Alwyn (dear Alwyn)
You're my favorite singers in England
And your songs are so simple
But they take me to the temple
I guess I'm just your number one fan
Dear Malcolm, dear Alwyn
You're my favorite singers in England
And I love you so much
You got the holy spirit's touch
You're much more than just a two man band
I got a memo from Turner
He's a poet, I'm a learner
And he says you're coming back to L.A.
So I'll see you when you land
I'll hope your schedule's not too planned
I know you can't, but I wish you could stay
I miss you my friends
I think about you all the time
You're so far away
Well I hope you're feeling fine
Beware of the snakes and the robbers and the fakes
And the guys who want to take a percent
You don't need them anymore
God is gonna close that door
It's getting time to pack up your tent
Dear Malcolm (dear Malcolm), dear Alwyn (dear Alwyn)
La la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la
I miss you my friends
I think about you all the time
You're so far away
Well I hope you're feeling fine
Dear Malcolm (dear Malcolm), dear Alwyn (dear Alwyn)
You're my favorite singers in England
And your songs are so simple
But they take me to the temple
I guess I'm just your number one fan
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Kingsway KMCD2101
[1989, UK] 4 page booklet Kode: UTR-UK7 Note that at least some copies have a reversed stereo image |
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Matrix: 'INTERPRESS KMCD-2101', '11', 'MASTERED BY DADC AUSTRIA'
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Kingsway KMCD2101
[1989, UK] 4 page booklet Kode: UTR-UK13 |
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Matrix: 'INTERPRESS KMCD-2101', '11', 'MASTERED BY DADC AUSTRIA'
Same matrix as UTR-UK7 but also has embossed mould text: ‘INTERPRESS COMPACT DISC’, ‘MADE IN W. GERMANY’
Same matrix as UTR-UK7 but also has embossed mould text: ‘INTERPRESS COMPACT DISC’, ‘MADE IN W. GERMANY’
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Solid Rock Records, uncatalogued "radio promo cd" [1998, USA]
Double sided insert Kode: UTR-US19 |
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Matrix: '26204 2 6 <8011> UPONTHISROCK WAVELENGTH', 'IFPI L487'. Mould code: 'IFPI8151'
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Solid Rock Records, uncatalogued Illegal Noise Series [2001, USA, CDR]
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[Red] Kode: UTR-US20
[Blue] Kode: UTR-US21 |
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There are "red" and "blue" versions, signified by the colour of the text "Illegal Noise Series". It's quite probable that copies exist with a combination of both colours - red disc with blue artwork and vice versa
Double sided insert |
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Solid Rock Records SRD-969 [2002, USA]
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28 page booklet, includes lyrics and extensive write up
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Matrix disc one: 'OPTIDISC SOLUTIONS STAMPER 362671D1', 'IFPI LM26'. Mould code 'IFPI KN08'
Matrix disc two: 'OPTIDISC SOLUTIONS STAMPER 362672D5', 'IFPI LM26'. Mould code 'IFPI KN05' Matrix disc one: 'OPTIDISC SOLUTIONS STAMPER 362674D2', 'IFPI LM26'. Mould code 'IFPI KN08' Matrix disc two: 'OPTIDISC SOLUTIONS STAMPER 362672D5', 'IFPI LM26'. Mould code 'IFPI KN08' Matrix disc one: 'CDDC/CA - LARRY NORMAN - 3734', 'CD-0730-3458', 'IFPI WA'. Mould code 'IFPI 4Q10' Matrix disc two: 'CDDC/CA - TOP ROCK - 3735', 'CD-0730-3459', 'IFPI WA' |
Kode: UTR-US22
Kode: UTR-US27 Kode: UTR-US28 |
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Solid Rock Records SRD-969 [2003, USA]
16 page booklet, includes lyrics and write up Kode: UTR-US23 |
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Matrix: 'CDDC/CA - UPON THIS ROCK - 4081', 'CD-1001-4685', 'IFPI WA'. Mould code: 'IFPI 4Q10'
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Solid Rock Records SRDX-001 [2008, USA]
12 page booklet, includes lyrics and write up |
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Matrix: 'CA/ - Upon This Rock 2008 - 30518', 'IFPI VL02'
Matrix: 'CA/ - Upon This Rock 2008 - 30518' |
Kode: UTR-US24
Kode: UTR-US29 |
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Solid Rock Records Uncatalogued [2021, USA, CDR]
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Kode: UTR-US32
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Gatefold cardboard sleeve. Thanks to Stephen Johns for providing images
Capitol used several different factories to press their records. Pressings from each can be identified by symbols etched in the matrix area:
- Jacksonville, Florida - signified by the letter O, which sometimes looks like an octagon, and a 1.5" diameter pressing ring
- Los Angeles, California - signified by what looks like the petals of a flower / an asterisk, and a 1 9/16" diameter pressing ring
- Scranton, Pennsylvania - signified by the letters I AM inside a triangle. Some pressings also had an & symbol, indicating that the lacquers were stereo
- Winchester, Virginia - signified by a line that branches into a triangle. The symbol looks like a long stemmed wine glass, and is intended to represent a Winchester rifle. Winchester pressings have a 1.390625" diameter pressing ring. Side 1 also had a 0.34375" ring and side 2 a 0.53125" ring
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Capitol Records Test Pressing [1969, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US1
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Larry's personal copy with alternate track list and possibly alternate mixes
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Capitol Records Test Pressing [1970, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US2
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Test pressing of regular Capitol release
Capitol Records, SKAO-446 / ST-446 [1970, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US3
Kode: UTR-US4 Kode: UTR-US26 |
Matrix, etched, side one: 'SKAO1-446-W1'. Side two: 'SKAO2-446-X2 #2'. Scranton plant symbol on both sides
Matrix: SKAO1-446-P6 #2 / SKAO2-446-W1. Scranton plant symbol on both sides Matrix, etched, side one: 'SKAO1-446-P6'. Side two: 'SKAO2-446-X2'. Scranton plant symbol on both sides |
Note: Initial copies of the album used the ST-446 sleeve but had catalogue number SKAO-446 printed on the labels. S=stereo, K=price code, A=one LP, O=special packaging of some sort - possibly indicating a gatefold sleeve or an insert. It appears that Capitol changed their minds on both pricing ('T' reflected a different price code) and packaging very soon after initial LPs were pressed
Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising of UTR-US4
Capitol Records ST-446 [1970, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US5
Kode: UTR-US6 Kode: UTR-US7 Kode: UTR-US8 Kode: UTR-US9 Kode: UTR-US10 |
Matrix, etched, side one: 'ST-SKAO-1-446-A-3·'. Side two: 'ST-SKAO-2-446-A-3·'. Both sides have an LA plant symbol and what looks like a stamped '1' on its side. Note, 'SKAO' is scored out on both sides
Matrix: ST-1-446-B2 #1 / SKAO-2-B4 #1 [SKAO not scored out] Matrix: ST-1-446-X4 / ST-2-446-X4 Matrix: ST-1-446-X4 / ST-2-446-W3 Matrix: ST-1-446-W3 / ST-2-446-W3 Matrix: ST-1-446-W3 / ST-2-446-X4 [Winchester plant]. Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising of this variant |
American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) RL 44-0 [1970, USA - release year assumed]
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Very rare plain sleeved LP that was pressed for use on US military base radio stations Features selected tracks from the album Deja Vu by Crosby, Still, Nash & Young on one side and Upon This Rock (Capitol version) on the other |
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The opening track is titled Prelude here, as it was on the sleeve of the Capitol LP. The Capitol labels listed it as Overture Also, the correct duration for I Wish We'd All Been Ready is given, whereas the Capitol timing was a minute out |
The "Larry Norman" version was pressed many times, though fundamentally only from two different master stampers. The earliest examples have the "Jesus loves you" matrix like UTR-US30. Pressings from 1972/3 onwards have the "3121" matrix, like UTR-US15
The "3121" copies have a longer gap between The Last Supper and I Wish We'd All Been Ready than was probably intended. The "Jesus loves you" copies have a much shorter gap here, resulting in an overall run time for the album of about ten seconds less
The "3121" copies have a longer gap between The Last Supper and I Wish We'd All Been Ready than was probably intended. The "Jesus loves you" copies have a much shorter gap here, resulting in an overall run time for the album of about ten seconds less
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Impact HWS 3121 [1971, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US30
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Matrix: Etched, side one: ‘9074’, Artisan Sound Recorders symbol, ‘JESUS LOVES YOU’, ‘RECEIVE YE THE HOLY SPIRIT’. Side two: 9075’, Artisan Sound Recorders symbol, ‘TO ELIZABETH’. Both sides also have additional etched symbols. Fourth Avenue addressed labels
Thanks to Robert Termorshuizen for providing images
Thanks to Robert Termorshuizen for providing images
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Impact HWS 3121 [1971, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US34
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Same matrix as UTR-US30
This pressing has a Broadway addressed label on side one and a Fourth Avenue label on side two. Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising of this variant and for providing label images
This pressing has a Broadway addressed label on side one and a Fourth Avenue label on side two. Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising of this variant and for providing label images
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Impact HWS 3121 [1971, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US16
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No images at present
Same matrix as UTR-US30, but with black Broadway addressed labels. This pressing has a single large diameter pressing ring only
Impact HWS 3121 [1971, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US31
Kode: UTR-US15
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Same matrix as UTR-US30, but with Broadway addressed labels
Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising of this variant, which has a single small diameter pressing ring only Matrix, etched, side one: 'R-3121A'. Side two: 'R-3121B'. Both sides also have a smaller etched 'GB'
This variant dates from 1972 most likely |
Key Records KL010 [1972, UK]
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Kode: UTR-UK1
Kode: UTR-UK8 Kode: UTR-UK9 Kode: UTR-UK12 |
Matrix: Etched, side one: 'KL 010 A3', 'K'. Side two: 'KL 010 B3', 'J'
Matrix: Etched, side one: 'KL 010 A3', 'H'. Side two: 'KL 010 B3', 'I' Matrix: Etched, side one: 'KL 010 A3', 'M'. Side two: 'KL 010 B3', 'Q' Matrix: Etched, side one: 'KL 010 A3', 'R'. Side two: 'KL 010 B3', 'O' |
All matrixes have additional etched text and symbol markings. The text is: 'JESUS LOVES YOU' and 'RECEIVE YE THE HOLY SPIRIT' on side one, and 'TO ELIZABETH' on side two. Both sides also have a short line, which could be a dash, a sideways 1 or lower case L, and both sides have a letter on its side, denoting the slave stamper
Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising the existence of UTR-UK9 and to Robert Termorshuizen for UTR-UK12
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Impact HWS 3121 [1972, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US14
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Same matrix and labels as UTR-US15, but with two pressing rings
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Impact HWS 3121 [1973 or later, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US13
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Same matrix as UTR-US15
Evidence suggests the red Impact labels were introduced in 1973. Note that the sleeve was not changed, so the artwork denotes catalog number HWS 3121, whereas the labels omit 'HWS'
Evidence suggests the red Impact labels were introduced in 1973. Note that the sleeve was not changed, so the artwork denotes catalog number HWS 3121, whereas the labels omit 'HWS'
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Heart Warming Records R 3121 [1973, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US17
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Same matrix as UTR-US15. Note that the sleeve was not changed, so the artwork denotes catalog number HWS 3121
Dove / Kingsway Music Dove 64 [1973, UK]
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Kode: UTR-UK2
Kode: UTR-UK11 |
Matrix: Etched, side one: 'DOVE 64 A3', 'AH'. Side two: 'DOVE 64 B3', 'Y'. Note that the 'AH' on side one is etched twice, but one set was evidently laid out incorrectly and is scored out
Matrix: Etched, side one: 'DOVE 64 A3', 'AF'. Side two: 'DOVE 64 B3', 'M'. |
This pressing uses the same master stamper as the 1972 Key Records release, UTR-UK1. As such the matrixes have additional etched text and symbol markings. The text is: 'JESUS LOVES YOU' and 'RECEIVE YE THE HOLY SPIRIT' on side one, and 'TO ELIZABETH' on side two. Both sides also have a short line, which could be a sideways 1 or lower case L, and both sides have letter/s on their side, denoting the slave stamper. Note that the catalogue numbers were created by scoring out 'KL 010' and etching 'DOVE 64' before it
Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising the existence of UTR-UK11
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Heart Warming / Concorde Productions HWS 3121 [1973, New Zealand]
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Kode: UTR-NZ1
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Same matrix as UTR-US15. The Heart Warming logo on the front cover is a sticker placed over the Impact logo. The Concorde details on the rear cover is also a sticker. Note that the disc labels are the same colour / shade - my camera exposed them differently as the sun briefly broke through the clouds when I photographed side 2! The side 1 image is closer to the actual shade
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Heart Warming / Concorde Productions HWS 3121 [1973, New Zealand]
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Kode: UTR-NZ3
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Same matrix as UTR-US15. This variant is almost identical to UTR-NZ1, except for the absence of a second pressing ring on side one. Thanks to Robert Termorshuizen for advising the existence of this, and for providing images
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Impact HWS 3121 [1974, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US25
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Same matrix as UTR-US15
This mispressing is similar to UTR-US12, with two pressing rings. However, side one has a Great Circle Road label and side two a Broadway one. Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising of this variant. Evidence suggests that the Great Circle Road address applied from 1974
This mispressing is similar to UTR-US12, with two pressing rings. However, side one has a Great Circle Road label and side two a Broadway one. Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising of this variant. Evidence suggests that the Great Circle Road address applied from 1974
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Impact HWS 3121 [1974, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US33
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Same matrix as UTR-US15
This mispressing is similar to UTR-US25, but with the mixed label addresses the other way round
This mispressing is similar to UTR-US25, but with the mixed label addresses the other way round
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Impact HWS 3121 [1974, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US12
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Same matrix as UTR-US15
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Impact HWS 3121 [1974, USA]
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Kode: UTR-US11
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Same matrix as UTR-US15. Note the single small diameter pressing ring, as opposed to the two rings of UTR-US12
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Impact 3121 [1974, Canada]
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Kode: UTR-CA1
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Same matrix as UTR-US15
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Impact 3121 [1974, Canada]
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Kode: UTR-CA5
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Same matrix as UTR-US15. Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising of this variant and for providing label images
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Impact HWS 3121 [Unknown year, Canada]
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Kode: UTR-CA4
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Matrix, etched, side one: 'HWS-3121-A'. Side two: 'HWS-3121-B'. Both sides also have an etched 'TR'
Manufactured and distributed by Praise Records. Thanks to Robert Termorshuizen for providing images
Manufactured and distributed by Praise Records. Thanks to Robert Termorshuizen for providing images
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Heart Warming Records HWS 3121 [Unknown year, Canada]
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Kode: UTR-CA2
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Same matrix as UTR-CA4. Manufactured and distributed by Praise Records
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Heart Warming Records HWS 3121 [Unknown year, Canada]
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Kode: UTR-CA3
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Same matrix as UTR-CA4. Manufactured and distributed by Praise Records. Note the absence of 'Made. in Canada' text on the rear sleeve
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Impact HWS 3121 [Unknown Year, South Africa]
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Kode: UTR-SA1
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Matrix, etched, side one: 'R3121-A'. Side two: 'R3121-B'. The catalogue number text 'STEREO HWS 3121' on the front cover is obscured by a sticker in the above image
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Bet-El Gospel Recordings BE 2015 [1981, South Africa]
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Kode: UTR-SA2
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Thanks to Robert Termorshuizen for advising the existence of this, and for providing images
Dove / Kingsway Publications Dove 64 [1983, UK]
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Kode: UTR-UK4
Kode: UTR-UK10 |
Matrix: Etched, side one: 'DOVE 64 A3', 'C'. Side two: 'DOVE 64 B3', 'C'
Matrix: Etched, side one: 'DOVE 64 A3', 'A'. Side two: 'DOVE 64 B3', 'B' |
This pressing uses the same master stamper as the 1972 Key Records release, UTR-UK1. As such the matrixes have additional etched text and symbol markings. The text is: 'JESUS LOVES YOU' and 'RECEIVE YE THE HOLY SPIRIT' on side one, and 'TO ELIZABETH' on side two. Both sides also have a short line, which could be a dash, a sideways 1 or lower case L, and both sides have an upside down letter denoting the slave stamper. Note that the catalogue numbers were created by scoring out 'KL 010' and etching 'DOVE 64' before it
Thanks to Mike Rohlinger for advising the existence of UTR-UK10
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Impact C-9121
[Unknown Year, USA] Kode: UTR-US18 |
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Key Records KCS010 [Unknown year, UK]
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Kode: UTR-UK3
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Kingsway Music DVCS 164
[Unknown year, UK] Kode: UTR-UK14 Black shell and paper labels with Dove symbol |
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Kingsway Music DVCS 164
[Unknown year, UK] Kode: UTR-UK15 Gray shell and paper labels with K symbol |
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This variant is incorrectly assembled, with sides 1 and 2 swapped. It is not known whether correctly assembled copies exist
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Kingsway Music DVCS 164
[Unknown year, UK] Kode: UTR-UK5 Printed gray shell with K symbol |
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This variant is incorrectly assembled, with sides 1 and 2 swapped. It is not known whether correctly assembled copies exist
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Kingsway Music KMC2101
[1991, UK] Kode: UTR-UK6 Side 2 has a reversed stereo image on at least some copies |
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Heart Warming / Concorde Productions HWS-C 3121
[1973, New Zealand] Kode: UTR-NZ2 |
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Other known variants not yet koded
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A Canadian LP, a US cassette, a New Zealand cassette, a US 8 track cassette and a Canadian 8 track. Images courtesy of Robert Termorshuizen
Masterphonic Sounds [197?, USA]
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This 8 track release altered the song running order and oddly added Jim Ware's Blues (Why Don't You Look Into Jesus) from the album Street Level. Note that it is believed this was an illegal counterfeit - likely the very first unauthorised Larry Norman recording to be manufactured and distributed. Photographs courtesy of Randy Layton (white shell) and Gunnar Lorens Lien (black shell)