This song was a labor of love for me, and perhaps, appropriately, more work than I've ever put into a single peice of music. I composed it around 1991 and recorded the demo on my friend, Brook Finlayson's Tascam 4-Track Portastudio. Barbie & I recorded it around 1996-97 for the How Great Is Your Love album, but it remained unreleased for years, until 2018 - other than the end instrumental section ('97 version) being included on the 2014 Instruments album.
With Carly Rooks joining us in 2019 for a three week tour in Japan, I decided to make what was for me a bold move and include it in the set, asking her to sing it. I say "bold" because it had never before been performed live, I didn't know if Carly could sing it and I really didn't know if I could play it! Carly learned it well, and she and Barbie both learned the rather challenging acoustic guitar parts, and I got by okay, I guess...all in all it was a lot of fun and a blessing to share this song that has been so close to my heart for such a long time and to see such a great response. I'm so excited to have it re-recorded anew for the Incense album with Carly singing lead on the second verse.
Definitely influenced by my progressive rock favorites, Yes & Renaissance.
lyrics
INSTRUMENT OF WORSHIP
(Nori Kelley)
Lord, I come before you empty handed
There is no good thing in me
Nothing that I am can bring Your Spirit here
So I'm trusting in the grace You've shown to me
Lord, I bow before Your throne of mercy
In need of cleansing from my sin
Wash me with Your blood, clothe me with Your Son
So that I might humbly enter in
Make me an instrument of worship
Make me an instrument of praise
Make me an instrument of worship
I will lift You up, I will lift You up
I will lift You up all of my days
Lord, I come before you empty handed
Do what You desire to do
Anoint me with Your oil, consume me with Your fire
So that all that I am is found in You
Make me an instrument of worship
Make me an instrument of praise
Make me an instrument of worship
I will lift You up, I will lift You up
I will lift You up all of my days
Come with Your presence, come with Your love
Come with your Spirit, flow from above!
Make me an instrument of worship
Make me an instrument of praise
Make me an instrument of worship
I will lift You up, I will lift You up
I will lift You up all of my days
"WIND, presenting passionate music with high-flying flute, guitar acrobatics and killer chorus sections, seem to have no
hard time proving they can win over even the average music listener."
~ Shawn M. Haney, All Music Guide
"(Nori’s) guitar playing stuns." ~ Doug LeBlanc, CCM Magazine...more
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