These simple songs have been written over the years in my living room, during the quiet times before and after daylight, and in the joyfully noisy times filled with children and family life. They have been written with close friends in their living rooms and churches across the country, inspired by studying God’s Word, theological books, poetry and music from saints who have gone before. I invite you to partake in the intimacy that singing scripture and prayers and love songs to Jesus brings to your relationship with God. We’ve recorded these videos with the heart to share them with the whole church. If you lead worship in your fellowship, whether Sunday mornings in a congregation or Wednesday nights in your home, please strum along with me and learn your favorites. I would be honored to have these songs bring you and your family into the presence of our Lord and Savior. We plan to release a new recording every couple of weeks so please stop by and visit!
Servant Wide Awake – Kate Delmore & Ryan Delmore | Chords
On our last morning camping up in Big Sur, my eleven year old daughter Kate “woke up” with a song. Sleepy-eyed, stirring the embers in the fire pit, I could hear her singing this beautiful melody over and over next to the little running creek. The words she sang were: “Oh my King, how my soul awaits for the day of your coming.” I asked her what song that was, and she said, “Oh, I just woke up singing it, thinking about it, I’m not sure if it was a dream or not.”It was captivating, so I asked her to keep singing it throughout the morning as we packed up our gear to head back home.
On the drive down Highway 1, I asked Kate if she would like to try and maker her song a little bit more like a song you would hear at church, or a record, or whatever. She said yes, and we entered into a father/daughter songwriting-partner agreement. It was the most fun I’ve had chasing down a song. The experience was a gift to me from God; I know for sure.
We spent the next few days chipping away. I would come up with something; lyrics, progression, melodies, etc. Some she liked, some she didn’t. She would offer ideas, some that worked and some that didn’t. I was careful to make sure she was happy with every little bit of the song by the time we thought it might be finished.
This is what we ended up with. We hope it blesses and encourages you as it has blessed us and our church family.
“The Spirit and the bride say Come!”
-Ryan Delmore | January 2013
The Verses Project is musical and visual art to empower the memorization and meditation of scripture. Every week a new scripture is added to the queue. These past weeks people have been memorizing the whole of Psalm 91. Ryan Delmore wrote the music and melody for Psalm 91:11-13. Producer Darren Clarke of Clarke Lane Music recorded, produced and played electric guitar for this song.
Wide Open by Alan Dahlquist | Chords
This is one of my favorite songs to play right now, written by my good buddy Alan Dahlquist. The verses contain powerful words about God calling us and saving us from sin and death. And the chorus is a great big sing-a-long response. Wish I’d written it! We recorded this little one take in a beautiful barn near my house in Nipomo with my brother-in-twang Mark Folkrod on the snare and suitcase kickdrum. It’s ragged and joyful and I hope it encourages you today. Grace and peace to you.
