The Nacho Song (Not Your . . . )

By Michael L. Alumbaugh, © 1988, 2005, 2014

Who's to say why lyricists write what they do, but some little ditty gets into their heads. It could be some catchy phrase or maybe a melody and they start humming it. Then their mind homes in on an idea, the scribbling begins, they get on a roll and the result is a song. Sometimes they are good songs, inspired, maybe even epic. Then there are the rest. I will let the reader be the judge.

If we look to scripture for our moral compass, the lesson is clear: "Don't go there!"  But many have fallen. It takes two, a man and a woman. They are both guilty as charged. (Look at Adam and Eve!) No room for excuses. Take heed. Be rude, run, but get out of there.

"To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul." – Proverbs 6: 24 - 32

After school one day
He spied a sweet young thing.

He’d heard that this new girl

Might carry quite a sting.

Well, she came on to him

But he was cold as ice

‘Cause  deep down in his heart, he knew

The way she wanted him

Was not so nice!

He said “No. No. No. No! I’m not your boy!

My body’s not for you!

It’s not your toy!

It wasn’t made without a plan.

It was designed by the Creator’s hand.

It didn’t crawl out of the sea,

But God breathed His breath of life in me.

My body’s not for you.  He paid for me!

So let me be!”

There was a pretty girl

And she was looking good!

She went to church on Sunday

And did all the things she should.

But a pretty boy

With a pirate’s smile

Stole her purity.

That’s all he wanted all the while!

She should have said, “No. No!
I’m not your girl!

My body’s not for you

It’s a priceless pearl.

It wasn’t made without a plan
It was designed by the Creator’s hand.

It didn’t crawl out of the sea.

But God breathed His breath of life in me.

My body’s not for you.  He paid for me!

So let me be!”

So if you’re feeling slack

“Bout hopping in the sack,

Don’t play with fire!

It is a flesh desire!

Sex isn’t, if you please,

A game you play with ease!

And if you fool around

You may end up with a real disease.

Just say, “No, No. No. No! I’m not your one!

I’ve been redeemed by God’s own Son.

I wasn’t made without a plan.

I was designed by the Creator’s hand.

I didn’t crawl out of the sea

But God breathed His breath of life in me.

My body’s not for you

He paid for me!

So, devil, let me be!”

Just say, “No, No. No. No. I’m not your boy!

My body’s not for you

It’s not your toy!

It wasn’t made without a plan

It was designed by the Creator’s hand.

It didn’t crawl out of the sea

But God breathed His breathe of life in me.

My body’s not for you.  He paid for me

So let me be!”

Just say, “No, No. No. No. I’m not your girl!

My body’s not for you!

It’s a priceless pearl.

It wasn’t made without a plan.

It was designed by the Creator’s hand.

It didn’t crawl out of the sea,

But God breathed His breath of life in me.

My body’s not for you.  He paid for me

So let me be!”

Mary's Lamb

By Michael L. Alumbaugh, ©  1979, 2005, 2014

Having established ourselves locally as a Contemporary Christian band called Servant, we set out on extensive and exhausting weekend tours to such glamorous locations as Seward, Nebraska and Arkansas City, Kansas, to name a few. Occasionally, we had to fund our food budget by leaning vending machines back in search of loose change to provide nourishment for our hungry tummies while on the road. 

These engagements found us playing in coffee houses, amphitheaters, open outdoor stages, church sanctuaries, as well as private parties. One such gig got me thrown in a swimming pool . . . fully clothed. 

We eventually attracted a local ministry in Wichita Kansas, our hometown, and soon became a household name, and house band, at the Dandelion. The pay wasn't great but we had a lot of fun and met some wonderful people along the way. 

Through the Dandelion, we were honored as the opening act for such great Christian musicians as Phil Keaggy and Randy Matthews. 

Playing almost exclusively original material by then, our repertoire grew. Mary's Lamb was one of those fun crowd-pleasing novelty songs with a hidden punch.

 

Mary had a little Lamb, a little lamb, yes, a little Lamb.

Mary had a little Lamb who was as pure as snow.

She followed him to school one day

He'd teach those Pharisees the righteous way.

And stop those Jews from religious play,

Which was against their rules!

So they had a rebellion on their little hill,

With a hole and a cross His Spirit they'd kill!

They nailed His hands and His blood did spill.

He was set free instead! So! . . .

Mary had a little Lamb, a little lamb, yes, a little Lamb.

Mary had a little Lamb who was as pure as snow.

He rose again and He lives today!

He lives today! Yes, He lives today!

He rose again and He lives today,

Salvation free for all!

Well, I had a rebellion in my heart one day

When I heard that man called Jesus say,

"I'll free you of the sin in your soul today.

Repent and follow me!" So! . . .

Mary had a little Lamb, a little lamb, yes, a little Lamb.

Mary had a little Lamb who was as pure as snow.

He rose again and He lives today!

He lives today! Yes, He lives today!

He rose again and He lives today,

Salvation free for all!

Salvation free for all!

Salvation free for all!

Fancy Musician

By Michael L. Alumbaugh, © 1978, 2005, 2014

It has been a tumultuous year emotionally and spiritually. I had broken a long-term relationship with a college sweetheart in late '77. It was mid-summer 1978. I had become very disillusioned about the Christianity I had been exposed to through my upbringing, and the denominational publishing company I was working for as a graphic artist. I saw the same "hypocrisy" as I'd attended their affiliated college previously near home. During a conversation with college friends I stated emphatically that I had concluded it wasn't possible for me to "remain a Nazarene and still be a Christian" or the converse, "I can't be a Christian and still be a Nazarene. The two don't coincide."  It was like Moses splitting the Red Sea with his rod! Everyone stepped back away from me as if lightning would soon strike me down!

Additionally, I'd become infatuated with a young lady who would later become my Bride, though, at the time, she didn't share my vision for us. I had "popped the question" but she was confident of her decision to move on and confirmed it by returning to her home in Missouri. (I was moving too fast!)

With that, I  prepared to move from the Kansas City area to the smaller town of Wichita, Ks to start over fresh and build a Christian Contemporary band with a high school buddy of mine living there.

Having pondered the circumstances, I announced to my Dad my plans to leave Olathe and try a new beginning. His response was less than supportive firmly informing me that I was ". . . running off half cocked!" Back at my rental duplex I sat staring out the front window, licking my wounds, and noodling on my guitar. The thoughts, words and music fell together. The is the first song I ever wrote.

I'm not a fancy musician.

I don't get too many auditions,

I just play my music for the Lord.

You know, the words may not always rhyme.

You know, the beat may be out of time.

I just play my music to the Lord.

So if you just hear a pretty song

And you'd like to sing along,

Then, with your voice,

Sing your praises to the Lord!

You may not like the world's conditions.

You may not hold a high-ranking position,

But you can still be thankful.

Just praise the Lord.

Because He loves you for just being you.

He wants to make your life anew.

So with your voice, just praise the Lord.

And if you just hear a pretty song,

And you can't help singing along,

Then, with your heart,

You're singing praises to the Lord . . .

To the Lord. . . 

To the Lord. . .  

To the Lord. . . 

Just praise the Lord. 

Beautiful Music

By Michael L. Alumbaugh © 1978, 2005, 2014

It was the fall/winter of 1978. I was living the dream. I had moved to Wichita, Ks. I was living in a duplex in a salt & pepper community near a bar at 3rd and New York. I was single (with an aching heart), working for a small weekly shopper news agency called PennyPower as a graphic artist, and I had a Christian band called Servant, later to be renamed Wisdom Song. I was enjoying my fresh start, but the gigs required new material. So I was writing. Looking back I think I needed to dream bigger. Oh well.

There's music, beautiful music

Ringing in my ears.

That music, beautiful music

Has been around two thousand years.

But in my short time

I failed to rhyme

The words till recent days.

But now they ring

And I can sing

My Lord's amazing grace!

Yes, there's music, beautiful music,

And it plays in every key.

It tells of joy in trouble,

And in bondage, "Be set free!"

And that music, beautiful music,

Well, it just appeared to me

That if I lost myself in Jesus Christ

I'd live abundantly!

So sound the trumpets

And blow the horns

And praise the King of Kings!

Clap your hands

And lift your voice!

Let your full heart sing!

Praise His heavens

And praise His earth

And praise His mighty plan

To save a lost and dying world

And His mighty works in man!

Well, there's music, beautiful music,

And it plays throughout the land,

Because of Christ, God's only Son,

Who brought this love down to man!

And that music, beautiful music,

Has left but one command:

To love the Lord God with all your heart

And love your fellow man.

So sound the trumpets

And blow the horns

And praise the King of Kings!

Clap your hands

And lift your voice!

Let your full heart sing!

Praise His heavens

And praise His earth

And praise His mighty plan

To save a lost and dying world

And His mighty works in man!

There's music, beautiful music

Ringing in my ears.

That music, beautiful music

Has been around two thousand years.

But in my short time

I failed to rhyme

The words till recent days.

But now they ring

And I can sing

My Lord's amazing grace!

Yes, there's music, beautiful music,

And it plays in every key.

It tells of joy in trouble,

And in bondage, "Be set free!"

And that music, beautiful music,

Well, it just appeared to me

That if I lost myself in Jesus Christ

I'd live abundantly!

'Cause if I lost myself in Jesus Christ

I'd live abundantly!