Rise My Soul (EP) – CityAlight
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CityAlight is a ministry of St. Paul’s Castle Hill in Sydney, Australia. Their vision is to write songs with biblically rich lyrics and simple melodies for the Christian church to sing. Rise My Soul, their latest release, offers the church a collection of songs that lift our eyes right up onto God in a world that is calling us to look down in a million different inferior directions.

The EP includes four new songs. Here are a few comments about each of the songs:

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

• More of this review and a review of To Save a Child: An Intimate Live Concert by Eric Clapton
• Music News
• Song of the Week Lyrics ~ “Rise My Soul, The Lord is Risen” by CityAlight

Rise My Soul, The Lord is Risen – This resurrection song was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa. A version of the song was released earlier this year by Keith and Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa. The song features keys, bass, drums, guitar and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
Rise my soul the Lord is risen
Come behold the empty grave

The Battle and the Blessing – This song was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Nigel Hendroff and Matt Redman. The song features guitar, drums, keys, strings, bass, and backing vocals. Jesus paid our debt at the cross, fighting out fight.
Key lyric:
You stood and faced this world’s rejection
I stand, accepted by Your love

The Way, The Truth, and the Life – This song, based on John 14:6, was written by James Ferguson, Jaywan Maxwell and Ian Lewis. The song features piano, keys, drums, bass, guitar and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
I will run the race with hope and faith
No turning back He leads the way
On that final day with thanks and praise
I will run through Heaven’s gates

Welcome Home – This song, based on Matthew 25:23, was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, and Sandra McCracken. The song features keys, guitar, bass, strings, and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
And when my time
On earth is done
And I am called
Into His love
Then He shall say
By grace alone:
Well done good servant
And welcome home

You can listen to Rise My Soul here.

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To Save a Child: An Intimate Live Concert – Eric Clapton
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Eric Clapton performed an intimate concert filmed in London in front of a small audience in December 2023. His setlist featured his solo music, blues covers, songs from Derek and the Dominoes and a cover of George Harrison’s “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” which included a special guest appearance from Harrison’s son Dhani Harrison. Also included is a new studio recording “Prayer of a Child”.
The concert was filmed and recorded at RD Studios in Park Royal, London.
It was broadcast online, and the project is available digitally, on vinyl, CD and Blu-Ray. The proceeds will be donated in aid of the children in Gaza.

Below is the complete setlist and a list of the members of the band:

Voice of a Child – This is a new instrumental song.
Tears in Heaven – This is a song that Clapton wrote with Will Jennings after the death of his four-year-old son Conor.
Layla – Clapton wrote this song with Jim Gordon and was originally recorded by Derek and the Dominoes. It is probably Clapton’s most popular song.
Nobody Knows you are Down and Out – This song was written by Jimmy Cox.
Key to the Highway – This song was written by Charles Segar and William Lee Conley Broonzy.
Hoochie Coochie Man – This song was written by Willie Dixon.
River of Tears – This song was written by Clapton and Simon Climie.
Got to Get Better in a Little While – This song was written by Clapton and was originally recorded by Derek and the Dominoes.
The Sky is Crying – This song was written by Elmore James.
Crossroads – This song was written by Robert Johnson.
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) – This song was written by George Harrison and features Harrison’s son Dhani on guitar and vocals.
Prayer of a Child – This new studio song, which is truly a prayer, was written by Clapton. It includes these lyrics, partially based on Jesus’ words in Luke 23:34:

Dear God
May I please ask you
Let it stop
I beg of you
Dear God
Please forgive us
We know not what we do
You can watch the video for the song here.

The Band:
Eric Clapton – guitar and vocals
Doyle Bramhall II – guitar
Nathan East – bass
Sonny Emory – drums
Tim Carmon – organ and piano
Sharon White – backing vocals
Katie Kissoon – backing vocals

Favorite songs:
Key to the Highway
Hoochie Coochie Man
The Sky is Crying
Crossroads
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)

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• Hide Anymore. Here is “Hide Anymore” from Wilder Woods (NEEDTOBREATHE’s Bear Reinhart), from his forthcoming album Curioso.
• I Love Jesus. Enjoy this new video of Mac Powell performing “I Love Jesus”, the title song from his new album.
• Devil In My Eyes. Wilder Woods (NEEDTOBREATHE’s Bear Reinhart) is back with “Devil In My Eyes” from his forthcoming album Curioso.
• The Sing Hymnal. Crossway and Getty Music are partnering on the Sing!Hymnal to be published next Fall. Watch this short video introducing the Hymnal.
• Let Me See Jesus. Enjoy this acoustic version of “Let Me See Jesus” by Matt Redman.
• Nothing Sweeter. Enjoy the video for Nothing Sweeter (Extra Sweet Version) of “Nothing Sweeter” by TobyMac and Jon Reddick.
• Keep On Keepin’ On. Here is “Keep On Keepin’ On” from Mac Powell’s new album I Love Jesus.
  

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“Rise My Soul, The Lord is Risen” by CityAlight

This week’s song of the week is “Rise My Soul, The Lord is Risen” by CityAlight from their excellent new EP Rise My Soul. The song was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa. You can watch the video for the song here.

Verse 1
Rise my soul the Lord is risen
Come behold the empty grave
See the place where darkness laid Him
Sing for only hope remains
Hallelujah, Praise forever
Death defeated and life restored
By that great immortal power
Christ is risen, arise my soul!

Verse 2
Rest my soul the Lord is risen
Love’s redeeming work is done
Now the Father sees His children
As He sees His Sinless Son
O the wonder, O the glory
That same favour is now my own
Shame behind me, grace before me
Christ is risen, arise my soul!

Verse 3
Peace my soul, the Lord is risen
Come and have your hope renewed
For this trial is brief and fleeting
Tears will turn to glory soon
Shout with joy and sound the triumph
Let the music of heaven roar
Let the boast of death be silent
Christ is risen, arise my soul!

Verse 4
Rise my soul for I am risen
Seated now with Christ my Lord
As my life belongs to heaven
Fear shall hold its sway no more
Onward, upward, t’ward the treasure
Filled with courage and endless hope
For this truth Is mine forever
Christ is risen arise my soul!