Paul Janssen Lyrics and Music

05/18/2026

One of the repeating themes of the Bible is God's calling. Here's a song that captures several direct encounters of God with people: Adam and Eve, Sarah, Jonah, Isaiah, Mary, and Peter. It ends with a question about how the singer will respond when God calls. It's a bit long, but people can chooses whichever verses they prefer to sing. https://youtu.be/DCQ3Pl0pD3g
If you don't have three minutes to watch the video and just want to read the lyrics, here they are:
You called our names;
we tried to hide,
when once your generous provision we'd denied.
But since you made us more for mercy than for blame,
to keep communion with our kind,
you called our names.
You called my name;
I laughed out loud,
that I, so old,
should have a son to make me proud?
Once I was barren,
but a mother I became!
To bless the world through my dear son,
you called my name.
You called my name;
I was hell-bent
to flee, for I did not want
heathens to repent.
Your grace unmasked the folly
of my childish game.
To show how love can conquer hate,
you called my name.
You called my name;
I said, "Send me!"
not knowing gruesome death
would be my destiny.
Still, I had good news
and salvation to proclaim,
to comfort your beloved folk,
you called my name.
You called my name;
and I reached out.
The tenderness within your voice
resolved my doubt.
I was in ashes,
but you set my soul aflame.
To heal my heart and make me whole,
you called my name.
You called my name;
I came undone.
Since I’d abandoned you,
what could I do but run?
You came when I was crushed,
and rescued me from shame.
To animate my lifeless soul,
you called my name.
And still you call,
"Come unto me,"
and when I hear your voice,
will I say "Let it be"?
Lord Jesus, may your
loving mission be my aim,
and may I follow when you gently
call my name.

This song captures several incidents in the Scriptures where God calls someone to do something. Thus, Adam and Eve, Sarah, Jonah, Isaiah, Mary, and Peter are...

02/20/2026

Here's a song that imagines what Sarah may have felt while holding little Isaac on her lap. It's not just about that little domestic scene, of course.

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01/29/2026

Here is part of a hymn on Micah 6:1-8 (not just the last verse). Some modifications are being made, but the melody is there, and the basic sense of the lyrics.

This is a (taste of) Micah 6: 1-8. I've pretty freely rendered and excerpted the text, imagining it being spoken from the mouth of God. Thus, we are singing ...

12/22/2025

I know - people don't like having their core Christmas vision punctured, even a wee bit. But, what the heck, here I go with this anyway. Was Jesus really born in a cave/stable? Was Mary really a virgin? Was there really a cruel innkeeper? Were there only three wise men/kings/astrologers/whatever? What matters more than those details is that in this event, God is with us, anything is possible, incarnation inspires generosity, and a new king-delegitimizing empire - is born.
To the familiar tune "God Rest You Merry".

12/10/2025

Here's a new Christmas carol.
Enjoy!

Jesus wasn't likely born in a cave, or in a "stable," but in the spare room of some relatives of Joseph in Bethlehem. This carol imagines the family saying "...

11/28/2025

New lyrics, and notes below.
The very first Christmas, the animals came
to welcome our Savior, Lord Jesus by name,
the donkey, the camel, the dove and the sheep,
all lullabied Jesus to deep, peaceful sleep.
But all of God's creatures perform in a choir,
with some singing low notes, and some singing higher,
and though it seems doubtful or even absurd,
give glory with voices completely unheard.
The panda, the bison, the lion, the vole,
the jaguar, the wombat, the mouse and the mole,
each offer their praises with nary a word,
but merely by being they worship the Lord.
The kiwi, the puffin, goldfinch and hoopoe,
the ostrich, the condor, the red robin, too,
will warble and twitter in elegant song,
inviting the woodlands to carol along.
The gar and the oscar, tilapia and plaice,
the fugu, the dhufish, the far-reaching dace
make splashes and slipstreams with barely a sound,
yet soul-stirring anthems should be so profound.
And, lest we forget all the slithering beasts,
their scaly appearance delights us the least,
but whether they rattle or whistle or hiss,
God honors their subtle reptilian bliss.
So what joyful noise can our voices create
with harmonies simple or wildly ornate?
However we sound, let us all do our part,
and offer to Jesus our jubilant hearts.
Had some fun writing this song, which is more a lark than anything serious. Basically, it "argues" something like Psalm 19:
"The heavens are telling the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth
and their words to the end of the world."
It starts with "the friendly beasts," then says,, they're not the only beasts that offer praise. Mammals, and birds, and fish, and even reptiles do, too. Though the reptile verse strains to rhyme, I'll admit. (I'm sticking with animalia with this one. Thought I might do a verse with flora as well, but we're already 7 verses in.) In each of the "other animals" verses, I included at least one beast from each of the "6" continents. Sometimes I had to add an extra one. I think kids might like doing research on the different animals - some quite common, others, well, NOT.
BTW I set it to 6.5.6.5.6.5.6.5., which you may recognize as the meter of "Away in a Manger." A few years ag I wrote alternate words to that, and wanted a different tune to differentiate altogether. Anyhoo, have fun with it. If you want to hear the music, you'll have to give me some time to put that together.