William Chong

This is a more overtly Christian contemporary song – clean chords, a standard verse-chorus x2, bridge chorus x2 structure and distilled lyrics in a humble attempt to be clear-cut.

The song is a metaphorical sketch of my own (and others, no doubt) experiences and challenges in presenting the gospel to a generation that’s largely apathetic or hostile to the thought of being accountable to someone other than themselves. The start of verse two references Philip Pullman, though I’ve used it as a reminder to myself re: accountability.

I have to say that using something like Garageband made it much easier for a soundtech-illiterate guy like me to put songs together. I’m now onto using Logic, which is an entirely different beast altogether.

As always, all songs are available for downloading, thanks to metatoaster‘s generous hosting. Comments/feedback/critiques are always welcome: either by using the comments box, or by flicking me an email).

Have a good day everyone!

 Save Our Souls [3:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Downloads 3042

Save Our Souls – WILLIAM CHONG
I can see the fiction in their eyes
As they talk towards their prison
They don’t know that He has risen
Yea they ask me why I’m saved inside
Why do I claim that I’m born again?
Well undying love’s the reason

What would you know about heaven’s gold?
He’s on his way today or tomorrow
What would you do if you knew the truth
the proof is right there waiting in the living Word
He’s the one who saved our souls

A subtle knife to bleed your purpose dry
Can you trust your worldly arrow
When it all comes down tomorrow
I’d rather have my trust in Jesus Christ
With the anchor that was Calvary
What a joy He rescued me!

Made us whole
He took us home when he saved our souls

I’ve been questioned on authenticity
and endured the worldly shame
Accusations, inconsistencies
Yet the logic’s still the same

This is a pared-down, guitar and voice number describing how beautiful the Lord’s sacrifice is.

 How Beautiful [3:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

How Beautiful – WILLIAM CHONG

How beautiful the rose, stranded in the earth
with thorns that pin it down
How beautiful the rose, buried yesterday:
it’s gonna rise again tomorrow

Now I know the reason He suffered for
And I know it’s not just a metaphor
What a way to bless us forevermore
Oh Lord I’ll worship you

For I’d have no protection
And no chance for correction
If not for His resurrection,
the most glorious thing there ever was
So this is my reaction
To praise Him for his actions
His undying love for me is still
the most glorious thing there ever was

How beautiful the Lamb seated on His throne
He was a sinless provider
How wonderful his plan, to sanctify our souls
And all we had to do was ask
Yes I know that I’m not worth dying for
Still I know His words now mean so much more
So I’ll sing to Him in praise once more
Oh Lord I’m in love with you

The three indicators of typical Christian Contemporary Music (CCM):

1. happy joy instrumentation. Lots of uplifting singers, they’re all so happy!
2. suspended chords (sus4, 9th chords, etc). Very good at heightening the excitement of listeners, especially in a packed CLC hall.
3. repeated refrains. Almost like writing lines afterschool-sort of repetition, except you *want* to repeat lines such as “MY REDEEMER LIVES” and “You are Holy” ad nauseam.

So yes! Here’s one I prepared earlier. I enjoyed lilting and singing. If I were a Pentecostal I’d include some blabbering tongues, hehe. Cheryl also provided backup vocals!

 Thats Our Jesus [3:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

(n.b.: All ye facebook users, click on into the actual site to access the podPress file.)

I like holidays/study breaks.

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That’s Our Jesus – WILLIAM CHONG

He came to save the world
He came to take us by the hand
He came to help us understand
He came to tell us all He was the Son of Man

He told us right from wrong
He told us about His land above
He told us who and how to love
He told us to spread the Word of God all around the world

When you love somebody
till your hands start to bleed, that’s our Jesus
When you take the fall
and then rise up again, that’s our Jesus
Didn’t matter that we despised Him
Didn’t matter that we rejected His love
He did it anyways

You’ll have enemies to face
Be persecuted for your faith
But you don’t have to be worried
Just remember that in our Saviour
We are all reborn again!

Holidays! This is what I’ve been waiting to finish for awhile. Tell me how it sounds! This one’s called “Head Over Heels”, you can probably tell it’s one of my most overtly soppy songs, written in an optimistic era. Don’t lose that!

 Head Over Heels [4:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Head over Heels – WILLIAM CHONG
Lyrics:

I sit on the edge of my seat
Wrapped round the winding streets
I’ll take in the sights
And just like the silver screen
You say how cliched this could be
Well maybe this is just one hell of a dream
I know it’s a long road, but I also know we can make it if we try

I stepped onto the roof, it was a starry starry night
How did you paint the sky so bright? (Can’t you see it?)
While I was thinking what should I say
A shooting star sailed right by me
I wondered what I could wish on a comet in full flight
It could be a rough ride, but then I think we can make it

I think I found the silver lining hiding from me
I could be imagining cos I’m starting to see
There’s a feeling inside of me that’s close to insanity
Either way, I may be head over heels for you

We soared hand-in-hand on the winds
The night sky I remember the sight of the stars
And the moon was quite night that night
You said it was beautiful
And I think I believe you cos the moon in that case
is exactly the same as you
I know I could stumble, but you could make it right all right all right

Thanks to Dennis and Henry for feedback re: song, and you can hear the elusive voice of Ethan Waters as he says many profound things in the course of the song! (oohs and waahs)

Please give some feedback, will do more soon, have a great day!