You Get What You Pray For is a song that speaks to my experience of life, prayer and following my heart.  Many of my songs have a faith-based theme, and I’ve tried to reflect positive and uplifting lyrics within all my songs.  I’d always wanted to write songs ever since I was a teenager, but it wasn’t until almost 20 years later that I said a prayer asking God to allow me to write songs if it was within His will for me, and my prayer was answered in that very minute.  I went on to write over 200 songs in about a four year period while juggling everything else in my life, and learned the meaning of being careful what we pray for because it just might come true.  Surrounded by piles of lyrics, scribbles of written music and guitar chords, I found that I was overwhelmed by the responsibility of shepherding what I had prayed for.  Although I hadn’t prayed to be a performer, it seemed logical that I was to perform the songs I’d written, and despite investing my time and resources into trying, it wasn’t meant to be.  I questioned God’s purpose in giving me these songs if I was unable to do anything with them, yet now as I’m posting my songs online and describing their essence to you, God’s plan for my prayer was larger than I could have ever dreamed of on my own!  The key line in this song is the second verse of this line, “You know you get what you pray for, The Lord gives you what you need…”  Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~

I recorded my original song “You Get What You Pray For” on Set 4 in 1996, and this song completes the set.  The song speaks to my personal experience with prayer, for it was a prayer that led to this and all of my songs, “You know you get what you pray for, The Lord gives you what you need…” Enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

(Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

You Get What You Pray For

“You Get What You Pray For”, Collected Works Volume XIII, Copyright 1992, Mark D. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Verse One:

                     E    G           D     E

You know you get what you pray for     (x3)

      D                                  E

The Lord gives you what you need     (x3)  (End)

C                       D

Go to the Lord in prayer

C                       D

Give to Him your cares

C                  D

Open up your heart

      C                        D

And then the Lord will start     (x3)

     E         G     D       E

To answer your prayers     (x3)

      D                         E

And give you what you need     (x3)

Chorus:

      C                       D

The answer may take time

      C           D

And you may find

      C                              D

It’s not what you’re lookin’ for

         C                   D

When really it’s even more     (x3)

              E      G                 D      E

Than you ever prayed would come true     (x3)

             D                        E

That the Lord has given to you     (x3)  (Return to Verse One to end)

Verse Two:

C                     D

Pray Thy will be done

      C              D

The Lord hears everyone

     C                                     D

He wants our prayers to come true

                 C                           D

But there’s something we must do     (x3)

                 E             G               D      E

You got to open your heart to the answer     (x3)

            D                                     E

And the Lord will give you what you need     (x3)

Crooked Highway is a song about the journey of our lives – the wandering path we travel from birth to death and all points in between. Looking ahead from the inexperience of youth, the winding course before us leads into a fog of uncertainty: Where will it take us? How will it all turn out?  Will I live my dreams?  Will I be happy? Looking back from the wisdom of age, the course of our lives reminds us of the effort it took to get to this point in our lives, the wrong turns we’ve taken along the way, the disappointments we’ve had – as well as, the success and happiness we’ve achieved over the years. The truth is that none of us achieves anything on our own – for our success is the product of all those who have helped us along the way – and especially for me, it’s my faith in God that has given me the courage, confidence and ability to keep going into the future…  “The path goes on forever, Never an end in sight, You ask yourself a question, Will it all turn out alright…”

~~~~~~~~~~

I recorded my original song “Crooked Highway” as a demo on Set 14 in 1997, and it speaks to the journey of our lives, “You walk down a crooked highway, Follow a crooked path, You carry a heavy load, A burden upon your back…” Enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

(Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

Crooked Highway

“You Get What You Pray For”, Collected Works Volume XIII, Copyright 1992, Mark D. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Intro:

C   G   D   C   G     (x2)

C   G     (x2)

Verse One:

      C

You walk down a crooked highway, follow a crooked path

      D

You carry a heavy load, a burden upon your back

      C

The path goes on forever, never an end in sight

      D

You ask yourself a question, will it all turn out alright

         C

Will it all turn out alright

A

Alright

Chorus:

     C       G        D

We carry on our way

C                               G

Through the darkened night

     C           G        D

We stumble and we fall

C                    G

Try though we might

C           G          D

We can’t see the way

      C                      G

Our eyes don’t have sight

     D          C            G

We have to follow the light     (x3)

                  D

Through the night

                 G

The light of Christ

               D                       G

Follow the light, the light of Christ     (x2)

               D

Follow the light    (End)

Verse Two:

    C

In life you need a roadmap, to keep your goal in sight

     D

We only have one life, to find our way in the night

     C

We stumble and we fall, but then get up again

     D

We try the best we can, but need strength from within

     C

We need strength from within

         A

From Him

Fruit Of Your Heart is a dreamy, enchanting and mesmerizing little song that has a heavenly, otherworldly and mystical sort of feel to it. It’s the kind of song you could listen to with your eyes closed in the corner of a garden all by yourself while peacefully meditating.  The song equates our hearts to fertile soil, into which God plants a seed of love.  This seed of love then needs to root and grow while we water, nourish and nurture it. As the seed of love roots and grows in the fertile soil of our hearts, it gains strength to grow tall and flourish – bearing fruit that becomes the visible fruit of our hearts to others. Sadly, modern society isn’t always a nurturing place for love to flourish and grow, which requires us to create within us the nurturing environment and conditions where love can prosper and flourish until its fruit have matured – which are then to be given away as gifts of love to others.  “If you take the time, To let your love grow, You will find, Your love will flow from within, Love will flow from within…

~~~~~~~~~~

I recorded my original song “Fruit Of Your Heart” as a demo on Set 15 in 1997, and it speaks to nurturing the seed of love God plants in our hearts, “Take the time to water your heart, And love will be the fruit of your heart, And grow from within your heart…” Enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

(Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

Fruit Of Your Heart

“You Get What You Pray For”, Collected Works Volume XIII, Copyright 1992, Mark D. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Intro:

D7sus4   D7   G7   C     (x2)

D   C6/9   G     (x2)

Verse One:

D7sus4   D7     G7            C

Where is love if not in your heart

D7sus4       D7   G7                      C

How can we love without a place to start

D7sus4   D7          G7              C

Love is a seed God plants in our hearts

D7sus4    D7    G7       C

From that seed love will start

     D             C             G

To grow from within our hearts     (x3)     (Optional Ending)

Chorus:

   Am              G

If you take the time

    Am              G

To let your love grow

Am       G

You will find

                   Em          C

Your love will flow from within     (x3)

D          C6/9        G                      (D)

Love will flow from within     (x3)     (Ending)

(Return to Intro and then Verse Two)

Verse Two:

   D7sus4    D7         G7         C

In time that seed will root and grow

     D7sus4    D7          G7              C

And give you love more than you will know

D7sus4   D7       G7            C

Take the time to water your heart

    D7sus4   D7      G7              C

And love will be the fruit of your heart

      D              C               G

And grow from within your heart     (x3)     (To Chorus)

Love Is Like A Flower reflects a natural and organic approach to describing the glow and experience of being in love – after all, love is one of the most natural aspects of our lives!  What is love, if not the process of nurturing and nourishing souls? Love encourages us all to rise to the highest pinnacles of humanity to love and care for one another.  The singer in this song realizes that he or she doesn’t deserve the love that’s given to them, representing the selfless and giving aspect of unconditional love – love for love’s sake.  The rose symbolizes the fragile and precious nature of love so perfectly – in form, function, color, texture, aroma and fragrance – and the singer uses that symbolism in singing, “Love is like a flower, Like the petals of a rose, So perfect and fragile, Like a flower our love grows…”

~~~~~~~~~~

I recorded “Love Is Like A Flower” in two separate versions in Set 8, and will post both of them for you today. They’re played on my 12-string Ovation acoustic guitar, with Take One using a pick to strum with in my usual way, and Take Two was simply strumming the guitar with my fingers, which created a softer version of the same song and my favorite of the two ~ enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

This is the second take of when I recorded “Love Is Like A Flower” back in the 1996-1997 time frame. I simply strummed the guitar with my fingers, which was a different style that I used occasionally while practicing at home. The song is over 4 minutes long, which is a long song as my songs go, and I lost the rhythm of my finger strumming for a second or two in the middle of the song ~ but I like the overall softer and more tender version this take created…mistake and all! Enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

(Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

Love Is Like A Flower

“You Get What You Pray For”, Collected Works Volume XIII, Copyright 1992, Mark D. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Verse One:

C                           D

Why do you love me baby

C                                           G

Why do you say the things you do

C                           D

Why do you love me baby

A                             G

‘Cause if I were you I don’t know

       G          D

If I’d love me too     (D-G-D)     (x2)

Chorus:

A                G

Love is like a flower

            D             A

Like the petals of a rose

     A              G

So perfect and fragile

         D                   A

Like a flower our love grows

      A                 G

Our love will grow forever

      D                    A

And blossom in the sun

            A                  G

And our lives will grow together

            D                  A

And our love will be as one     (x2)

             G                  A

(And our love will be as one)     (Ending)

Verse Two:

       C                            D

Your love’s to good to be true

C                                   G

Without you what would I do

C                            D

Words can never tell you

A                                     G

‘Cause my words can never explain

               G       D

How much I love you     (D-G-D)     (x2)

Verse Three:

C                        D

How can I ever tell you

C                       G

How will you ever know

C                   D

That my love’s forever

A                                       G

‘Cause my love for you flows forever

        G           D

And I know it’s true     (D-G-D)     (x2)

Dawn Of Morning is an emotional song about the work of bringing the world together in light and love to solve the problems of the world – and make the pain of living go away for so many who are suffering around the world. The challenge appears so daunting and futile when standing alone, watching the sunrise of a new day and thinking about all the challenges facing our world.  Where does one even begin and what direction do we go, when so many people in our world are suffering today?

It may seem counterintuitive, but the place to start changing the world around us is by first changing ourselves from the inside out – to reflect the change we want to see in the world.  To bring peace and love into the world, our focus must first be on bringing peace and love into our own lives.  If we are successful in living our lives in peace and love, then over time, others will see it and want that same peace and love to fill their lives, too.  Changing the world isn’t about fixing everything at once, it’s about starting down the path of peace and love one step at a time within ourselves.  Once we have learned firsthand how to live lives of peace and love, then the task is simply showing the way for others to follow.  “Do you know the road to go, Do you know the way, Can you help to bring the world, A little more love today…”

~~~~~~~~~~

I recorded my original song “Dawn Of Morning” in two takes on Set 5 in 1996, and each one conveys a completely different flavor, feel and atmosphere to the song. Take one is a faster and more upbeat version while take two has a slower and more intimate feel ~ they both ask, “Can you help to bring the world, A little more love today…” ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

I recorded my original song “Dawn Of Morning” in two takes on Set 5 in 1996, and each one conveys a completely different flavor, feel and atmosphere to the song. Take one is a faster and more upbeat version while take two has a slower and more intimate feel ~ they both ask, “Can you help to bring the world, A little more love today…” ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

(Note: Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

Dawn Of Morning

“You Get What You Pray For”, Collected Works Volume XIII, Copyright 1992, Mark D. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Verse One:

  E

I stood at the dawn of morning

A

Watchin’ the breaking day

E

Lookin’ all around me

A

Searchin’ for a way

    E

To bring the world together

A

Hopin’ that someday

      D              A  B

The pain would go away     (x2)

Chorus:

E         A            D         A

Do you know the road to go

E         A            D

Do you know the way

E          A         D            A

Can you help to bring the world

   E             A    D

A little more love today     (x3)

E       A       D                     (E)

Jesus is the way     (x4)     (End)

Verse Two:

E

Sunshine all around me

A

Darkness has gone away

      E

The dawn of another mornin’

         A

There has to be a way

    E

To fill the world with light

     A

For love will find a way

    D      A                 B

To turn darkness into day     (x2)

Verse Three:

   E

A cry echoes in the morning

        A

Does anyone hear the call

E

Another baby suffers

A

Another old man falls

E

People won’t you listen

       A

And stop building walls

              D         A           B

Or they’ll all come tumblin’ down     (x2)

Verse Four:

  E

I rest my weary head

          A

As the dawn turns into day

E

Thinkin’ about the future

            A

And the work to be done today

  E

I gather up my strength

      A

And to the Lord I pray

      D    A        B

May Thy will be done     (x2)

Mercy, Mercy is a little song I wrote in 1992 about relationships and the generic power of attraction they can have over us.  This song always puts a smile on my face and tells the story of a girl named Mercy and the attraction she holds on the singer.  The song isn’t autobiographical, but serves as a reminder of the power of love and attraction – especially reflected in the common saying “mercy, mercy…goodness sakes alive!”  The singer acknowledges in each verse, “That girl’s got a hold on me, Her name is Mercy…sweet sweet Mercy…Got a hold on me!”

~~~~~~~~~~

I recorded “Mercy, Mercy” 3 times on Set 6 back in 1996, and this is the second take and the first of two versions I’ll share with you. It’s a fictional song about a girl named “Mercy” and how she has a hold on me ~ enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

I recorded “Mercy, Mercy” 3 times on Set 6 back in 1996, and this is the third take and the second of two versions I’ll share with you. It’s a fictional song about a girl named “Mercy” and how she has a hold on me ~ enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

(Note: Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

Mercy, Mercy

“You Get What You Pray For”, Collected Works Volume XIII, Copyright 1992, Mark D. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Verse One:

D                         G

Mercy, Mercy won’t let me be

D                            G

Mercy, Mercy got her sights on me

D                              G

Mercy, Mercy think I’m goin’ down

        A             G          D

That girl’s got a hold on me     (x3)

                  E                          G

Her name is Mercy, sweet sweet Mercy

                    D

Got a hold on me     (D-G-D)     (x2)

Verse Two:

E                               A

Mercy, Mercy she’s the girl for me

E                             A

Mercy, Mercy got her eyes on me

E                               A

Mercy, Mercy she’s my only one

        B             A          E

That girl’s got a hold on me     (x3)

                  D                          A

Her name is Mercy, sweet sweet Mercy

                     E

Got a hold on me     (E-A-E)     (x2)

Verse Three:

D                                G

Mercy, Mercy makes me feel alright

D                            G

Mercy, Mercy likes to hold me tight

D                               G

Mercy, Mercy she’s the only one

        A             G          D

That girl’s got a hold on me     (x3)

                  E                          G

Her name is Mercy, sweet sweet Mercy

                     D

Got a hold on me     (D-G-D)     (x2)

Do You Care is a song that asks if we care about helping the people in our world who struggle and suffer every day.  The song speaks of changing our world and alleviating suffering – pleading with all of us to, “Take a look around you, you know there has to be a better way, We can change the world if we try, and help the people who suffer and cry…”

~~~~~~~~~~

I recorded my original song “Do You Care” on Set Three in 1996, and it asks us to “Take a look around you, you know there has to be a better way, Look at the problems, in the world today, Are you helping, to make a better day, For the world, all around you, Do you care…” This track turned out as best as I could possibly do ~ so even if you haven’t listened before to my demos from years ago, you might want to listen to this one ~ enjoy! ♡ 🙂 Mark

~~~~~~~~~~

(Note: Emailed versions of these songs lose their chord alignment and formatting, so refer to the original post and/or the scanned lyric sheet as your guide!)

Do You Care

“You Get What You Pray For”, Collected Works Volume XIII, Copyright 1992, Mark D. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Verse One:

A                                                                                           G

Have you seen the sun rise, early in the morning, at the break of day

A                                                                                     G

Sunshine for a world, where people’s lives are often cold and gray

A                                                                                          G

You get up in the morning, and stumble off to work to start the day

A                                                                                   G

Take a look around you, you know there has to be a better way

Chorus:

Bm            G             Bm             G

Look at the problems, in the world today

Bm       G              Bm                G

Are you helping, to make a better day

                Em              C

Oh do you care, do you care  (x3)

           Em         C

For the world, all around you

G   D    A

Do you care  (x3)

Verse Two:

A                                                                             G

Have you seen the moon rise, over a city cold dark and gray

          A                                                                         G

People tryin’ to survive, just waiting for the light of another day

A                                                                                        G

Lookin’ all around them, wondering how they will ever find their way

            A

Is there something you could do, to help the people in your world

G

today

Verse Three:

A                                                                                G

Have you seen the snow fly, blown by the wind as a baby cries

          A                                                                            G

People livin’ shattered lives, looking to the world if only to ask why

A                                                                             G

Why do people suffer, why do they have to starve and die

            A

We can change the world if we try, and help the people who suffer and

G

cry