Safe

Chorus:You’re safe in my armsSafe in my armsCause I’m safe in the arms of JesusSafe in my armsSafe in His armsWe are safe in the arms of God

You’re a beautiful babySometimes I think maybe I’ll hold you foreverI won’t let you go-- never!And make you stay littleHey diddle, diddle!There’ll be no more growing up here

Now if I’m not mistakenI’m quite sure you’re making my life so much brighterMy little one round knock-out fighterCan’t help but giggleWorm wiggle wiggleThere’ll soon be footsteps around here

Chorus

The life of a babyAt times quite crazyQuiet as a mouseThen tear down the dadgum houseLord above help me!You’re just like your DaddyAnd there’ll be no more peace around here

Chorus

We’re safeWe are safeIn His arms

Acoustic Guitar & Vocal: Ben HallmanBaby Rattle: Ivan DiazKim’s childhood Jaymar piano: Hank LueckBaby Sounds: www.audiosparx.com

Don’t Forget

Honey, please let me beWork was hard can’t you seeCome back when my aches are goneJust a little time aloneDon’t worry me today, we’ve got plenty of time tomorrowNothing left to say... wait! I’m begging your pardonSometimes I forget to say I love youI don’t want to forget to show you that I doI don’t mean to forget to say I love youWhoa! Don’t forget, don’t forget, don’t forget

Time was slipping away from meIf I’d only known the urgencyI’d have held you from the dawn ‘til dawnWho’d have known you’d soon be gone?And I wish I could go back... Lord, turn me away from tomorrowBut I can’t go back, I’m stuck here to suffer in my sorrow

I didn’t want to forget to say I love youI didn’t want to forget to show you that I doI didn’t mean to forget to say I love youWhoa! Don’t forget, don’t forget, don’t forget

Right now it seems we’ve got ten thousand yearsBut you know our days they are numberedNow don’t be offended, lest you forgetConsider this a friendly reminder

Don’t you forget to say I love youPlease don’t forget to show ‘em that it’s trueI’m beggin’ don’t forget to say I love youWhoa! Don’t forget, don’t forget, don’t forget

Now don’t you forget to say I love youPlease, please don’t forget to show ‘em that you careDon’t dare forget to say I love youWhoa! Don’t forget, don’t forget, don’t forgetDon’t you forget, don’t forget, don’t forget

Don’t you forget, don’t forget, don’t forget, don’t forgetDon’t forget

Acoustic Guitar & Vocal: Ben HallmanDrums: Jim ArrendaleBass: Jake WolfPiano: Aaron PriceElectric Guitar: Tom Leiner Electric Guitar Feedback and Lead: Jeff LawingKeyboards: Hank Lueck BGV Arrangements: Hank Lueck BGV: Ben’s Clones

Faith Can Move Me

I began recording this album in March 2006. The vocal track on this song was recorded the day before we found out Kim had leukemia in July 2006. Subsequently the recording was put on hold and did not resume until September 2007. Before she died Kim told me to be sure and finish the CD.

Lord I am waiting to receive Your final wordAfraid to move forward, I wish I could see You along the wayYou desire to show me heights unknownDo I know the way? Must it seem I’m all alone?

Chorus:If faith can move mountains, help me know faith can move meLet it take me to where You are in an instant, effortlesslyThough I see through eyes that are blind, You have promised to never leaveHelp me know faith can move me

You’ve held my hand as I’ve stumbled towards Your willYou’ve lifted me higher, the battle is won, but still I see thatWhere You want me to go is such a leap of faithHow can I get there? Can’t You show me an easier way?

Chorus

Acoustic Guitar & Vocal: Ben HallmanDrums: Jim ArrendaleBass: Gary LockabyPiano & Keyboards: Hank Lueck Violin: Wanda Vick

Comin’ Again

Hallelujah! Amen!Jesus is comin’ againClap your hands, stomp your feetWe’ve got ourselves a savior to greet

Can I see this congregation have a celebration?Will you get off your pew and start dancing?When there ain’t no doubt about itLet’s celebrate and shout it Need I say more don’t make me say it again!

Hallelujah! Amen!Jesus is comin’ againShout the mountains, tell all your friendsTo be ready cause He’s comin’ again

We have an obligation to share our informationDon’t you know that someone’s got to love them?When there ain’t no doubt about itOur life it ought to shout itNeed I say more don’t make me say it again!

Hallelujah! Amen!Jesus is comin’ againClap your hands, stomp your feetWe’ve got ourselves a savior to greet

Shout the mountains, tell all your friendsTo be ready cause He’s comin’ again

Better get ready cause it won’t be longMay be before I finish this song!May be before I finish this song!May be before I finish...

Acoustic Guitars & Vocal: Ben HallmanDrums: Jim ArrendaleBass: Gary LockabyDobro & Pedal Steel Guitar: Robin RuddyBGV Arrangements: Terry Letman BGV: Kelsie Clark, Leslie Council, Terry Letman

All I Am

(chorus)All I AmAnd all I haveAll I ever hope to beI give it all to youAll I am

Not much to offerYou made everythingI came here with nothingEmpty-handed I will leave

chorus

Far beyond mercyGrace caressed meI’ll never repay YouMy life is at Your feet

chorus

All I AmEverythingAll I ever dream to seeI give it all, I give it all All I amEvery dreamAll I am

Guitar & Vocal: Ben HallmanDrums: Jim ArrendaleBass: Gary LockabyPiano: Hank Lueck Pedal Steel Guitar: Robin RuddyAlto Sax: James Cook

If you want to know if there really is a God just say “show me”. If you’re in trouble and need help just say “help me”. If you want to go to heaven just say “take me”. I promise you He will do all these things :)

Thank you: God!, Mom & Dad for never giving up on your prodigal son, Keith & Louetta for raising the best wife a man could have, Chloe and Daniel for gracefully teaching a bonehead how to love, Beth for faithfully spending time with the kids while I recorded this. Thank you Hank (Chief FB) these songs are better because of you (But did you have to challenge every word and note?). Thank you Ivan (the original Alien) for your friendship, en-couragement, talent, and influence. Thanks to all the musicians, to Brad and Rachel and the rest of the Care Group for the picture of Kim and the kids, to Rob Wilkins for photography, to Nathan Billingsley for CD packet design and artwork.

Thank you to all of our family, friends, and complete strangers who have faithfully prayed for us over the last several years and who were the arms, hands, and feet of Jesus during Kim’s illness. Special thanks to Sonshine Preschool and Mills River Elementary, and to WFU Baptist Medical Center for your love and care and for doing everything you knew to do. Also an extra special thank you to Maria Moore MD for the same.

God bless all you cancer patients and caregivers, I say a prayer when I see you and I am pulling for you HUGE!

Produced, engineered, edited, and mixed by Hank Lueck at Mission Recording in Asheville, NC <www.missionrecording.com>

Executive Producer: Ben Hallman

Violin, pedal steel guitar, dobro, saxophone, and harmonica overdubs recorded at The Parlor Studio in Nashville TN <www.parlorproductions.com> and engineered by Greg Lawrence. A BIG thank you to Matt King <www.mattking.com> for your hospitality and coordination of Nashville sessions.

Mastered by Stephen Smith at Soundsmiths Mastering Inc in Asheville, NC <www.soundsmiths.net>

All songs ©2008 Ben Hallman BMI

In loving memory of one of Jesus’ treasured sparrows,

Kim Stamey Hallman, an honorable wife

and mother.

October 7, 1964-July 20, 2007

Rescue Me

Well I swear this world it seems out of controlSometimes I don’t know if I can take anymoreThe flames kiss my clothing, my voice starts to quiverKeep my eyes focused on the One who’ll deliverI’m here to tell you He’s not far awayHe sees the things we do, hears everything we sayI see Him approaching in all of His splendorA shepherd’s staff in one hand, a sword in the other

Rescue meRescue meYes I believe, He’ll rescue meWell maybe you just don’t quite understandLet me tell you sister, if you take His handThough the world mocks you and tears your flesh to the boneKeep your eyes focused on Jesus, He’ll bring you home

He’ll rescue meAnd He’ll rescue youCan’t you see?He’ll rescue meRescue me... Oh yes He will!... And rescue youGracefully, He’ll rescue me... and you

Acoustic Guitars & Vocal: Ben HallmanDrums: Jim ArrendaleBass: Jake WolfPiano: Aaron PriceElectric Guitar: Tom Leiner Electric Lead Guitar: Jeff LawingAccordion: Gerald BallBGV Arrangements: Terry Letman BGV: Kelsie Clark, Leslie Council, Terry Letman

Can I Stay?

I must be dreaming, ‘cause in my dreams You love meI ain’t believing these images before me

Oh Father I’m Your prodigal sonDon’t mind me I won’t be bothering anyoneFor I have changed while I’ve been away

Oh Father, please forgive meOh please, can You forgive me?Oh Father, please forgive me, and please... can I stay?

I’ve got this feeling of nervous desperationAnd I’ve forsaken all of Your instructionBut there’s been a change in my heartI know You might not believe itFather I promise You, and now I’m begging YouFor one more chance to prove itOh I know I’ve gone my own wayThe road has not been easyAnd I have not been a happy manSince the day I left You

Oh Father I’m Your prodigal sonDon’t mind me I won’t be bothering anyoneFor I have changed while I’ve been awayOh Father, please forgive meOh please, can You forgive me?Oh Father, please forgive me, and please... can I stay?Oh please, can I stay?

Somebody pinch me... I know I must be dreaming

Acoustic & Electric Guitars & Vocal: Ben HallmanDrums & Percussion: Ivan DiazFretless Bass: Tracy DavisOrgan: Hank LueckHarmonica: James CookViolin & Mandolin: Wanda Vick Percussion: Paul Babelay

The SparrowMatthew 10:29-31I finished this song for Kim while with her for a 6 week long hospital stay for initial chemotherapy, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, July-August 2006

I don’t know how You even find meIn this great big world I am so smallA billion others fly around meI wonder how You even care at all

But everywhere I goThere You areFlying high or lowYou are always watching

For You are the LordAnd I am the sparrow

I could never live without YouI could never spread my wings and flyI know that I was made by YouAnd You’ll take me when I breathe my last and die

Even when I goFar from homeHere inside I knowFor You I am searching

And You are the LordThe Prince of Peace is my soul provider You’re my LordAnd I am Your sparrow

Acoustic Guitar & Vocal: Ben Hallman8va Violin: Wanda Vick

Let It Go

I guess sometimes to get what we want, we have to let it goEven though it surely breaks our heartI just try and understand it won’t be this way foreverThere’ll come a day when we’ll all be together

I found this baby in a basket on the riverAbandoned there by his poor motherShe had to leave him there or lose him foreverNow what kind of choice is that for a mother?

Hush now baby don’t you cry no moreI did not save you to harm youWell times are tough and there are babies goin’ downIt’s not that she did not want you around

I guess sometimes to get what we want, we have to let it goEven though it surely breaks our heartJust try and understand it won’t be this way foreverThere’ll come a day when we’ll all be togetherAnd she’ll meet you thereShe’ll meet you there

Well in this day of abandon and confusionThere are many things that we may cling toAnd God grants the choice for us to turn from Him foreverNow what kind of choice is that for our loving Father?

I guess sometimes to get what we want, we have to let it goEven though it surely breaks our heartJust try and understand it won’t be this way foreverThere’ll come a day when we’ll all be togetherAnd He’ll meet us thereHe’ll meet us there

In His Love, in His honor we will always be togetherNow you know it won’t be longSo I’ll see you later!

Acoustic Guitars & Vocal: Ben HallmanDrums: Jim ArrendaleBass: Jake WolfPiano: Aaron PriceElectric Guitar: Tom LeinerBanjo: Troy Harrison

The Lord He Gives

Call on the Lord, He is waiting to answerLet’s fill this valley with praiseLift up our voice, and sing out His anthemsLet’s really rock this placeThe Lord He gives me strengthTo handle my trialsThe Lord He gives me strengthThat I may move mountains in the name of the LordIn the name of the Lord

Live with the Lord He will lead you to gloryHe’ll carry you through this mazeHe fills my soul with love everlastingLasts me the rest of my days

The Lord He gives me wisdomThough sometimes you may wonderThe Lord He gives me wisdomTo come in from the thunder in the name of the LordIn the name of the Lord

The Lord He gives more than I can fathomI thank God He gave His only Son!

The Lord He gives me hopeWhen life feels like dyingThe Lord He gives me hopeA reason to keep living in the name of the Lord

The Lord He givesStrength to move mountainsThe Lord He givesA reason for livingThe Lord He givesMore than I can fathomThe Lord He givesThe Lord He gives, He gives

Acoustic Guitar & Vocal: Ben HallmanDrums: Jim ArrendaleFretless Bass: Jake WolfOrgan: Aaron PriceCapo Acoustic Guitar: Tom Leiner Vibes: Paul BabelayBGV Arrangements: Terry Letman BGV: Kelsie Clark, Leslie Council, Terry Letman

In His Time for Eric Ross

There you stand, lonely, you feel you’re the only one coming apart at the seems

Your blue skies now cry, you wish you could die with the death of yet one more dreamCan’t God find the time to pay you some mind?You’re sure He’s the one you should blameWell hang in there brother, you’re less than no otherand His answer is coming...In His time, In His time

God really loves you, He’d do anything for you and you know, He wouldn’t hesitateBut He sees the big picture and this piece just won’t fit there,the puzzle will just have to waitBut some day you will find you’re not wasting your timeand your prayers aren’t just blowing awaySo hold on my brother, He hears every utterand His answer is coming...In His time, In His time

Sometimes God moves so slowBut you know, He’s always on timeAnd right now you’re feeling so lowBut soon you will findHe’s got something better in mind!

Consider the flowers, been growing for hours and don’t even care how or whyBut God watches o’er them and Oh! how He clothes themin colors only He can describeWell if God’s got the time to watch o’er the daisies,if you think He ignores you-- you’re crazy!So lift up your prayer to Him, prepare to bear with HimHis answer is coming...In His time, In His timeIn His time

Acoustic Guitar & Vocal: Ben HallmanFretless Bass: Tracy DavisKeyboards: Hank LueckPercussion: Paul BabelayFlute Arrangement: Laura CrockettFlute: Marcia McConnell

Mama Margie’s Comin’

for Marjorie Ray Hallman I sang this song to Mama Margie as a gift for Christmas 2003. She passed away in early December 2004.

It’s an early morning on a SaturdayA little boy rides out to meet the sunIt seems much brighter than all the other daysOr maybe it’s just because he’s expecting someone

She’s barreling down the highway in a sky blue PontiacThe little boy’s heart beats like a heart attackDue around 11 she usually arrives more towards noonWhen waitin’ on Grandma she can’t get there too soon

Is that tires on the gravel?Well, that sound has just made my day cuz

Chorus:Mama Margie’s comin’!Mama Margie’s comin’!Bust through the door feet hit the ground already runnin’Cuz Mama Margie’s comin’, and you know I love that womanThen, now, later, forever... Oh yeah!

Mama Margie ain’t quite from the old schoolShe was just born a little early--she’s always been pretty coolAnd she can tell a story that’ll grab ahold of youSo hold on tight we’ll hear one tonight!

And see the look on this little boy’s faceWhen she says “Come let’s see what’s in my suitcase”

Chorus

And sometimes on an early morning SaturdayMe and the wife and kids get our bikes and rideRelieving the struggles of the working daysPeddling forward drifting back in time...

Is that tires on the gravel?Just for a moment... I close my eyes and

Mama Margie’s comin’!Mama Margie’s comin’!Bust through the door feet hit the ground already runnin’Cuz Mama Margie’s comin’, man you know I love that womanThen, now, later, foreverI love you then, now, and laterGrandma I love you forever! Oh yeah!

Acoustic Guitar & Vocal: Ben HallmanDrums: Jim ArrendaleBass: Gary LockabyOrgan: Hank LueckDobro: Robin RuddyPercussion: Paul BabelayBGV Arrangements: Terry Letman BGV: Kelsie Clark, Leslie Council, Terry Letman