Bread Album notes and lyrics
It had been many years since I had released a new album. My wife went away to Arizona for 10 days and I decided to see if I could do an album in that time frame. Many of the songs had music but no lyrics and a couple of songs were completed, but in a different form. Taking the 10-day challenge I decided to start the album in earnest. The 10 days flew by, and I was able to get an albums worth of songs by including a couple of cover songs. “Jet” by Paul McCartney, was never in doubt. I’ve always wanted to cover that one. The other cover was a bit difficult. I decided to do a Bob Dylan song from his Christian period. The lyrics to this album are very personal. The title “Bread” came from a parable Jesus spoke. Right after he taught his disciples how to pray and gives them the Lord’s Prayer, he tells the parable of the man needing bread from his neighbor. He bangs and bangs on the door until his neighbor wakes up and gives him the bread he needs. This is about prayer. Jesus is the only one with the spiritual bread that I am desperate for. I go to Him in prayer and say, “you are the only one who has what I need. I have to have it. You have to give it to me because there is nowhere else for me to get it from.” It’s an amazing parable and a deep truth. Only Christ can give me what I need. I don’t act as if I believe that because I’m always looking for what I “need” from other sources, and always being disappointed. I need God to “help my unbelief” to trust Him alone for the bread I need… for everything I need.I pray this album blesses you. I’d love to hear from you about this. Contact me if you’d like to discuss any of these things. You are loved and cared for – Rick
Help My UnbeliefWords and music by Rick Altizer
I got my smile on - even though it’s piled onAnd hope is hanging by a threadInside it feels like - it’s taking all my mightTo go one more step
There’s things I know in my head - but they don’t get to my heartI’m disconnected, dismayed Because there’s too much pain - or maybe too much fear Getting in the way
An adopted son You’ve chosen for your ownFeeling so alone
Chorus I believe, I believe, I believe Lord, help my unbelief I believe, I believe, I believe Lord, will you help my unbelief
I can quote the promises - I can preach the positive Mostly, I preach to myselfI listen to the words - coming out of my mouthLike they’re from someone else
I know faith is a gift - I know I’m in need of itBut it only comes from YouI know this empty cup - can never be filled upUnless it’s filled by You
An adopted son You’ve chosen for your ownFeeling so alone
Chorus
It’s in the middle of the nightI’m knocking at your door againI’m not leaving hereTill your bread appears
Chorus
BreadWords and music by Rick Altizer
Hey, I gotta have breadHey, I gotta have breadYou're the only one, You're the only oneYou're the only one, You're the only one
Knock, knock, knock - Won't you get out of bedKnock, knock, knock - Did you hear what I saidYou're the only one, You're the only oneYou're the only one, You're the only one
Lord, you gotta give me some breadLord you know, I gotta have breadYou're the only one, You're the only oneYou're the only one, You're the only one
You're the only one, who's got any breadYou're the only one, who's got any bread
Another YesterdayWords and Music by Rick Altizer
God in heaven aboveCan you hear me when I prayI’ve just got one small request to makeCould you let me have another yesterday
Twenty-four hours is all I’m asking forTo get me back where I was beforeCan you spin the sun the other wayAnd let me have another yesterday
Before I threw it all awayBefore I didn’t need another yesterday
I don’t need to know what the future’s gonna beI’m not asking for a dinosaur to seeFor you it’s such a little thingCan you let me have another yesterdayPlease let me have another yesterday
Before I knew of my mistakesBefore I didn’t need another yesterday
God in heaven aboveHear me now, I prayCan you spin the sun the other wayAnd let me have another yesterdayCould we do it again and get another yesterday
Before I knew what I would breakBefore I made all these mistakesFor you it’s such a little thingSo, could I please just have another yesterday
OrphanWords and music by Rick Altizer
Orphan– like an orphanLiving like I’ve been left on the doorstep
I don’t need nobody to help meI can do it all by myselfNo one really cares anywayThey only think about themselves
A complete unknown – all alone
ChorusOrphan– like an orphanLiving like I’ve been left on the doorstepLike I’m nobody’s son and You don’t existWith nowhere to belong – like an orphan
I’ve lived so many years in a fortressWalls and habits are hard to breakToo afraid to trust anyoneDisappointment is my middle name
A complete unknown, all alone
Did You say that I was Your own?Did You really say that I was Your own?All alone - unknown
I got pretty good at pretendingI’m not a liar and I’m not a thiefMy actions confuse and betray meLord, I’m a believerCan You help this unbeliever
Chorus
Did You say that I was Your own?Did You really say that I was Your own?
Better Than the Best ThingsWords and music by Rick Altizer
Never thought I’d wake upTo find this happy dayNever knew my own skinCould ever feel this way Running from a past life Into the daylight
(Chorus)You are - You are - You areBetter than the best thingsYou are - You are - You areBetter than the best things
Better than the BeatlesOr being someone elseBetter than religionOr believing in myself
Better than any life I could have without you Don’t want to live without you
Chorus
The best things in life are free Still, they cost you everything
It’s not obsessionBut it is addictionYou are what I bleedYou’re that deep in me
Chorus
Nothing You Can DoWords and music by Rick Altizer
Christian unbelief, self-sufficiency Convinced I’m not a hypocriteTwo-face façade, hatred for GodBut too self-righteous to admit
ChorusThere’s nothing you can do – there’s nothing you can doThere’s nothing you can do that will separate you From the love of God
A life resentful, a mind judgmentalBlaming God in my heartGiving bitterness but not forgivenessAchieving criticism art
Chorus
Trusting in myself, believing no one elseAn orphan functionallyThinking I’m better than, blind to my own sinNo repentance for my unbelief
Chorus
More BeautifulWords and music by Rick Altizer
You are more beautiful than anything to meYou have a radiance that sparkles like the seaI'd rather hold You than have diamonds in my handIt all goes far beyond what I can understand
You are more beautiful than the moon and the starsHeavenly angels love the way You areMy every fear is wiped away with Your smileI know that You possess all that is worthwhile
You are more beautiful than life's great mystery There is no way to measure all You give to me
You are so beautiful like the laughter of a childYour love is pure and undefiledI would dare to travel any destinyKnowing You'd be standing next to me
You are more beautiful than all the universeYou satisfy my hunger and my thirstThere is no treasure I desire more than YouNo glory in this world can shine the way You do
In The GardenWords and music by Bob Dylan
When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?Did they know He was the Son of God, did they know that He was Lord?Did they hear when He told Peter, "Peter, put up your sword"?When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?
When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?Nicodemus came at night so he wouldn't be seen by menSaying, "Master, tell me why a man must be born again"When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?When He said, "Pick up your bed and walk, why must you criticize?Same thing My Father do, I can do likewise"When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?The multitude wanted to make Him king, put a crown upon His headWhy did He slip away to a quiet place instead?Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?When He rose from the dead, did they believe?He said, "All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth"Did they know right then and there what the power was worth?When He rose from the dead, did they believe?When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
Revive MeWords and Music by Rick Altizer
My anger, my silenceAre these the gifts I bring to youMy mind falls so quicklyBetraying all I know if true
Revive me, revive meBreathe your life within meAnd heal my soulRevive me, revive meMy peace, my hope, my passionMy first loveRevive me, revive me
Your mercy and forgivenessHumbly, Lord, I ask for theseI plead the blood of JesusSo thankful that it cleanses me
Revive me, revive meBreathe your life within meAnd heal my soulRevive me, revive meMy peace, my hope, my passionMy first loveRevive me, revive me
Help My UnbeliefWords and music by Rick Altizer
I got my smile on - even though it’s piled onAnd hope is hanging by a threadInside it feels like - it’s taking all my mightTo go one more step
There’s things I know in my head - but they don’t get to my heartI’m disconnected, dismayed Because there’s too much pain - or maybe too much fear Getting in the way
An adopted son You’ve chosen for your ownFeeling so alone
Chorus I believe, I believe, I believe Lord, help my unbelief I believe, I believe, I believe Lord, will you help my unbelief
I can quote the promises - I can preach the positive Mostly, I preach to myselfI listen to the words - coming out of my mouthLike they’re from someone else
I know faith is a gift - I know I’m in need of itBut it only comes from YouI know this empty cup - can never be filled upUnless it’s filled by You
An adopted son You’ve chosen for your ownFeeling so alone
Chorus
It’s in the middle of the nightI’m knocking at your door againI’m not leaving hereTill your bread appears
Chorus
BreadWords and music by Rick Altizer
Hey, I gotta have breadHey, I gotta have breadYou're the only one, You're the only oneYou're the only one, You're the only one
Knock, knock, knock - Won't you get out of bedKnock, knock, knock - Did you hear what I saidYou're the only one, You're the only oneYou're the only one, You're the only one
Lord, you gotta give me some breadLord you know, I gotta have breadYou're the only one, You're the only oneYou're the only one, You're the only one
You're the only one, who's got any breadYou're the only one, who's got any bread
Another YesterdayWords and Music by Rick Altizer
God in heaven aboveCan you hear me when I prayI’ve just got one small request to makeCould you let me have another yesterday
Twenty-four hours is all I’m asking forTo get me back where I was beforeCan you spin the sun the other wayAnd let me have another yesterday
Before I threw it all awayBefore I didn’t need another yesterday
I don’t need to know what the future’s gonna beI’m not asking for a dinosaur to seeFor you it’s such a little thingCan you let me have another yesterdayPlease let me have another yesterday
Before I knew of my mistakesBefore I didn’t need another yesterday
God in heaven aboveHear me now, I prayCan you spin the sun the other wayAnd let me have another yesterdayCould we do it again and get another yesterday
Before I knew what I would breakBefore I made all these mistakesFor you it’s such a little thingSo, could I please just have another yesterday
OrphanWords and music by Rick Altizer
Orphan– like an orphanLiving like I’ve been left on the doorstep
I don’t need nobody to help meI can do it all by myselfNo one really cares anywayThey only think about themselves
A complete unknown – all alone
ChorusOrphan– like an orphanLiving like I’ve been left on the doorstepLike I’m nobody’s son and You don’t existWith nowhere to belong – like an orphan
I’ve lived so many years in a fortressWalls and habits are hard to breakToo afraid to trust anyoneDisappointment is my middle name
A complete unknown, all alone
Did You say that I was Your own?Did You really say that I was Your own?All alone - unknown
I got pretty good at pretendingI’m not a liar and I’m not a thiefMy actions confuse and betray meLord, I’m a believerCan You help this unbeliever
Chorus
Did You say that I was Your own?Did You really say that I was Your own?
Better Than the Best ThingsWords and music by Rick Altizer
Never thought I’d wake upTo find this happy dayNever knew my own skinCould ever feel this way Running from a past life Into the daylight
(Chorus)You are - You are - You areBetter than the best thingsYou are - You are - You areBetter than the best things
Better than the BeatlesOr being someone elseBetter than religionOr believing in myself
Better than any life I could have without you Don’t want to live without you
Chorus
The best things in life are free Still, they cost you everything
It’s not obsessionBut it is addictionYou are what I bleedYou’re that deep in me
Chorus
Nothing You Can DoWords and music by Rick Altizer
Christian unbelief, self-sufficiency Convinced I’m not a hypocriteTwo-face façade, hatred for GodBut too self-righteous to admit
ChorusThere’s nothing you can do – there’s nothing you can doThere’s nothing you can do that will separate you From the love of God
A life resentful, a mind judgmentalBlaming God in my heartGiving bitterness but not forgivenessAchieving criticism art
Chorus
Trusting in myself, believing no one elseAn orphan functionallyThinking I’m better than, blind to my own sinNo repentance for my unbelief
Chorus
More BeautifulWords and music by Rick Altizer
You are more beautiful than anything to meYou have a radiance that sparkles like the seaI'd rather hold You than have diamonds in my handIt all goes far beyond what I can understand
You are more beautiful than the moon and the starsHeavenly angels love the way You areMy every fear is wiped away with Your smileI know that You possess all that is worthwhile
You are more beautiful than life's great mystery There is no way to measure all You give to me
You are so beautiful like the laughter of a childYour love is pure and undefiledI would dare to travel any destinyKnowing You'd be standing next to me
You are more beautiful than all the universeYou satisfy my hunger and my thirstThere is no treasure I desire more than YouNo glory in this world can shine the way You do
In The GardenWords and music by Bob Dylan
When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?Did they know He was the Son of God, did they know that He was Lord?Did they hear when He told Peter, "Peter, put up your sword"?When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?
When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?Nicodemus came at night so he wouldn't be seen by menSaying, "Master, tell me why a man must be born again"When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?When He said, "Pick up your bed and walk, why must you criticize?Same thing My Father do, I can do likewise"When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?The multitude wanted to make Him king, put a crown upon His headWhy did He slip away to a quiet place instead?Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?When He rose from the dead, did they believe?He said, "All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth"Did they know right then and there what the power was worth?When He rose from the dead, did they believe?When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
Revive MeWords and Music by Rick Altizer
My anger, my silenceAre these the gifts I bring to youMy mind falls so quicklyBetraying all I know if true
Revive me, revive meBreathe your life within meAnd heal my soulRevive me, revive meMy peace, my hope, my passionMy first loveRevive me, revive me
Your mercy and forgivenessHumbly, Lord, I ask for theseI plead the blood of JesusSo thankful that it cleanses me
Revive me, revive meBreathe your life within meAnd heal my soulRevive me, revive meMy peace, my hope, my passionMy first loveRevive me, revive me