RussHutto.com

As we enter into the Advent/Christmas season I wanted to write a simple song about Jesus entering the world as THE GREAT LIGHT that has overcome darkness.

This might not be the most singable song, the range jumps from medium to pretty high, but I think it could be adapted to a multiple singer setting. Maybe having guys lead out on the verses and then the ladies taking the verse (especially if you play this in a higher key).

Listen here: http://twt.fm/345300

He Is Light (Key A)
2009 Russ Hutto

Em                                         A
Today a Great Light has dawned shining brilliantly
Em                    A
Through the darkness in the land
Em                       C
The shadows no longer hold us captive
D                              E7
A new day has dawned, Jesus has come

A
He is light
Em
He is love
G
He is light
C              D
He is love, love, love
A
He is light

Em                               A
To show His great love for us, God gave His only Son
Em                  A
To light the way for all mankind
Em                            C
The darkness no more, will hold us captive
D                      E7
The light is shining, Jesus has come

A
Jesus is light, light light,
Em
No darkness in Him
G
For God has sent Him,
C           D
To show His love for us

A little encouragement based on Psalm 91. Just a little grown up lullaby.

I wanted to write a song using the beautiful truths in Psalm 91, without using the words dwell, abide, shelter, or wings. I think I did ok.

The “voice” is God singing to us. In essence He’s asking us all these tough questions that we ask ourselves…thing is He’s here for us and has always been. He’s the answers. Kind of a quit fooling yourself and just trust me kind of song.

Listen Here: http://twt.fm/340508

You Will Make It (Psalm 91)
2009 Russ Hutto

D                  D2
What do you do when you
Dsus                D
Feel like the world is wrong
D                  D2
What do you do when you
Dsus                D
Find yourself all alone

D                  D2
How do you make it through
Dsus                D
When others are falling
D                  D2
How do you make it through
Dsus                D
When the end is calling

G                         A                         D       Em      G
Look around you, I surround you, I’ll never let you go
G                       A                          D       Em      G
Open your eyes, No-o more lies, I’ll never let you go

D            A     Em     G
Have no fear, I am here
D          A          G
You are safe within
D          A      Em     G
Be at peace, I am here
D             E                 G
You will make it to the end

Where do you find the light
When the day turns to night
Where do you find the light
When you’ve lost your si-ight

Who do you tu-rn to
When nothing’s availing
Who do you tu-rn to
When your hope is failing

This is my second song today. And third for the week. I might try and keep this up!

As always if you like any of my tunes and would like to share them with your church or small group please feel free to. Just let me know if they go over well (or if they bomb)!

I really decided to write a VERY simple song of worship. I’ve been kind of moving through the Psalms this week and I’ve always loved the ACTION of verse 6. The whole come let us bow down notion. I love it!

The challenge of this was to write an “action” song without singing “Come let us bow down.” Nothing wrong with that phrasing but I wanted it to feel more personal. Like a small group of Believers could get together and feel comfortable actually bowing in worship. Not to each other of course. But to GOD! Or even an individual could sing it as well. I don’t know.

I’m not sold on the La la’s. I could work up a really meaty, face melting power build bridge. But somehow I just felt like maybe even leaving breathing room for an instrumental solo in there (where the la’s are) could be very powerful as well.

Listen Here: http://twt.fm/338284

Down, Down, Down Key of D (capo 3)
2009 Russ Hutto

D/F#                  G
Here we come again
Asus               D
The children of Your heart
D/F#                      G
Bringing songs of praise
Asus                  C2         D
And a heart filled with thankfulness (on the recording I say thanksgiving, but I think I like thankfulness better)

Am                  Em
And this one way we bring our praise
C                            D
We bend our knees and kneel
Am                       Em
We bow down, we worship now,
C             G/B   Gm/Bb
To show our love is real

D
We bow down, down, down
C2
Down, down, down
G/B
We bow down, down, down
D
We bow down

D/F#              G
Here we are again
Asus                 D
The people of Your voice
D/F#                    G
Gathered here to sing
Asus                 C2          D
Joyful songs of praise to You

Am                  Em
And this one way we bring our praise
C                            D
We bend our knees and kneel
Am                       Em
We bow down, we worship now,
C             G/B   Gm/Bb
To show our love is real

Am
La, la, la, la
Em
La, la, la, la
D
La

Other Songs I’ve written or arranged (previously written by me) for worship this year:
Psalm 93 (The Lord Reigns)
Glory (Psalm 29)
Psalm 63
Redeemer

Wow two songs in one week! Look out Mandy Thompson!

This is a song right out of Psalm 93 and has some Matthew 8 and 14 references as well. I love the references to the mighty oceans (floods) and crashing waves in Psalm 93. The gist of the Psalm is that God is mightier than even the oceans and that He is eternal. I thought that went hand in hand with Jesus (God with us) walking on the waves (Matthew 14) and also calming the storm (Matthew 8).

The challenge of writing a “The Lord Reigns” song is that it is such a familiar phrase with several popular songs already using the phrase as a hook. I hope this is a fresh take on that phrase for you. I think it’s simple, catchy and singable which is what I strive to write when I write songs for worship.

Listen here: http://twt.fm/337786

Psalm 93 (The Lord Reigns) Key of G (I capo 2 for A)
2009 Russ Hutto

Em           D/F#       G
You have always been
You will always be
You set the world in place
Am7             D/F#
You are God, You are God

Em  D/F#       G
You are the eternal One
You are clothed in strength
You are robed in majesty
Am7             D/F#
You are God, You are God

G     G/D# Em  D    Asus7(add3)
Your Kingdom reigns forever

Cmaj7     G
The Lord Reigns
Cmaj7     G
The Lord Reigns
Em7     D/F#
The Lord Reigns
C         G
The Lord Reigns

Em           D/F#        G
You will quiet the storms
You are Lord of the sea
You have walked on the water
Am7             D/F#
You are God, You are God

Em        D/F#          G
You will silence the wind
You are Lord of the waves
You thunder above them all
Am7               D/F#
You are God, You are God

G     G/D# Em  D    Asus7(add3)
Your Kingdom reigns forever

I’m still writing! Though it looks like my goal of 50 songs is beyond me. However, ANY songs are better than NO songs so I’m happy with this year’s output!

Glory

Based on Psalm 29. You know, the one that talks about ascribing glory to God? Well, I wanted to write that notion without using the word ascribe. In fact, I just wanted to sing “glory” without singing “ascribe” at all.

I think it turned out nicely. I had a little bit of lyrical help on the last line of the chorus. Thanks, Jon (my brother) and also on one word of the second verse (thank Mandy Thompson!! you’ll get your check later).

Which word? You’ll never know. Unless Mandy spills the beans.

I’m always torn between throwing down a quick acoustic guitar scratch track and pseudo-full-band demo’ing a song because I actually hear a sound when I’m writing. But I don’t want to pigeon hole a song either so I go back and forth.

For this song, I decided to go ahead and try and capture some of the sound I hear in my head. So, armed with a guitar and my macbookpro (no fancy studio equipment for me!!) I demo’d it out. Hope you like.

Listen here: http://twt.fm/336067 (opens in new window)

I’m using twt.fm to share music via twitter and track my plays. If you like this song please leave a comment here and use twt.fm to retweet!!

Chord chart and mp3 available on request.

Glory
2009 Russ & Jon Hutto

(v1)
The God of glory thunders
His voice a burning flame
The Lord of endless wonders
Holy is His name
Holy is His name

(c)
Glory
Glory
Glory
To the King of all the earth (repeat)

(v2)
In lightning bolts He flashes
He sets the sky aflame
His voice like thunder crashes
Holy is His name
Holy is His name

(c)

(b)
And the Lord is enthroned above all
And the Lord is exalted forever
And the Lord is enthroned above all
Glory to His name
Glory to His name