Dedicated to Annette (Ruder) Rangel
Released: 2/1/90
"Through The Fire," the final song in the first volume of the
Living Water Composition Project, turned out to be an experiment in
pushing my stylistic envelope. The original version was a difficult
eight-part a cappella jazz piece which was not accessible to Living
Water until some years after its writing. However, it wasn't all that
good a piece even when accessible; I've since revised it to what I
feel is a much better form; the original melody and lyrics are
preserved, but now they're accompanied and flow more efficiently (you
can get into the gimmicks so much that you can forget why the music
is there in the first place...).
When I wrote this, I wasn't convinced that anyone would solve it.
However, Alison Noble developed an obsession with trying to solve the
LWCP songs a year later and invested a lot of time in the effort
(after a year of mental torture, she swore off ever trying to do that
again...). Her unstinting efforts paid off when she found the line
"Plan a true direction for my life" - the boldface letters
form a phoneticization of "Annette Ruder."
Dang'rous waters surround me,
Troubling visions astound me,
Doubt and struggle abound all around,
there I'm found on the ground with my face in the dirt!
Firestorms seek to destroy me,
Fears and worries annoy me,
Truth and wisdom seem void or decoyed
when employed to avoid the potential hurt!Chorus: I need you to lead me through the fire, Lord,
Lead me through the conflict and the strife,
Oh, give me the guidance I so greatly need,
Plan a true direction for my life.Jesus Christ will uphold me,
His loving arms will enfold me,
When I'm Spirit-conrolled in His mold,
I'll behold and be sold out completely to the Master above!
God is waiting to bring me
Out of prison to spring free,
I must give to my King my living,
everything, so I'll cling to my Lord and His love!Chorus Lead me through the fire, Lord! Chorus