Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
Purchasable with gift card
name your price
about
Sunday, Dec 23 was the last service that our music director at church, Byron, would be spending with us, because he was flying out to his new duty post in San Diego at 6 pm that night. A month earlier he had asked folks at church to shared their talents- sing, play and instrument, read a poem, etc for his last day. I had originally started thinking of what song I might want to sing for the occasion, and had almost settled on "Thank you for giving to the Lord" when I got the idea for the following song. Good thing I did, too, because another singer wound up doing that one!
I wanted a song which celebrated and stressed ALL of Gods greatness, instead of just focusing on a baby in a manger. A baby is such a small thing- cute and cuddly, you can pick it up- and put it down again when you get tired of playing with it. I wanted to show that although God cam to u as a baby, he was here well before then, and is here now and in the future. I thought about it for a week, and the first weekend of December I sat down to write it. I think it only took 20 minutes to get the most of it out, then I started polishing and refining it.
My original lyrics had some of the more obscure stories from the Bible, such as "Before Hagar in the desert". so Byron rewrote them and tightened things up a little. He also worked out the chords based on my original rough tune, and Ted added the wonderful piano accompaniment. The other singers and musicians pretty much went at this cold, only hearing it on Saturday at rehearsal, or in the case of four of them, in the early Sunday practice. I am so grateful for everyone coming together to do this with me!
lyrics
I AM
By JoAnn Abbott, Byron Brooks and Ted Kiper
Dec 21, 2012
Key: G
G
Before the shepherds heard the good news
C
Before the angel song began
Am7
Before the baby in the manger
D Dsus D
Was our Lord the great I AM!
G
Before the wise men came with presents
C
Before the prophets and the kings
Am7
Jesus Christ, Emmanuel,
D Dsus D
God With Us through everything
C D
I AM! He's the beginning and the end!
C D
I AM! He is our Savior, God, and Friend!
Em
He is the Word from the beginning
Am7
He is the first fruits of the grave
Bm7
He is the Alpha and Omega
C
And through Him the world was made
D
Through Him we are saved!
G C G C
I AM! I AM!
G
Before the dawn of the beginning,
C
Before the first breath drawn from man
Am7
Before Abraham proclaimed his faith
D Dsus D
Was our Lord the Great I AM
G
Before Moses parted the Red Sea
C
Before Daniel in the Lion's Den
Am7
Before David was anointed king
D Dsus D
God rescued each of them!
C D
I AM! He's the beginning and the end!
C D
I AM! He is our Savior, God, and Friend!
Em
He is the Word from the beginning
Am7
He is the first fruits of the grave
Bm7
He is the alpha and omega
C
And through Him the world was made
D
Through Him we are saved!
Bridge
Am7 Bm7 Em
He's Wonderful, Counselor, Name Above All Names,
Am7 Bm7
He's the only one, Father, Spirit, Son
C
He's the only Great I AM (Repeat Bridge)
D
He's the only Great I AM
C D
I AM! He's the beginning and the end!
C D
I AM! He is our Savior, God, and Friend!
Em
He is the Word from the beginning
Am7
He is the first fruits of the grave
Bm7
He is the alpha and omega
C
And through Him the world was made
D
Through Him we are saved! (extra measure, Ted slows to sus chord)
G
Before eternal life in heaven
C
Before the final trumpet sounds
Am
Before He comes to bring his people home
D Dsus D
He lives within us now!
C Dsus D
Before the Lord returns in Glory... I AM
C Dsus D
Before the joy of Easter morning... I AM
C G
Before the baby in the manger.... I AM
credits
released October 25, 2012
JoAnn Abbott- lyrics, basic tune, vocals
Byron Brooks- lyrics, chords, arrangement, acoustic guitar & vocals
Ted Kiper-arrangement, Piano, vocals
The Praise team of the Woodbridge Nazarene Church
Nora Brown continues to bring nuance and resonance to her modern interpretation of Appalachian folk and bluegrass on her latest LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 30, 2022
The Alabama duo's fifth album exults in dusty Americana, showcasing rich vocal harmonies alongside blissful folk instrumentation. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 31, 2024
More contemplative folk from the Minnesota singer-songwriter, sustained by raw full-band arrangements and philosophical lyrics. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 28, 2024
Irish singer-songwriter Oisin Leech's acoustic folk music is characterized by its muted beauty and intimate, solitary quality. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 16, 2024
