Peace All Over Me

Music Samples & Lyrics

 

 

 

Click on the song play buttons below to access the sample of each song:

 

 

Sample of  "Annabelle"

After I had my first child, Arden, my little seven-year-old niece, Gabrielle, would come over to see me and bring her little “Annabelle”, her dolly.  As we mothered our babies together, I noticed how thoroughly she mothered her doll and how energetically she went about her chores of changing diapers and burping her baby. There was a sparkle in her eyes and you could tell that she was dreaming of the day when she would really be a mother.

It tugged my heart with remembrance of my own childhood days and doll playing.  I remembered being lost in play, mothering my dollies like they were real, and loving every moment.

Even though I so enjoy being a mother and I love, love, love my children, this song was written as a prayer unto God to keep within me the childhood delight of mothering. I pray that God will keep me from being a jaded adult, losing sight of the joy and fun in even the simplest tasks.

SERENE ALLISON

ANNABELLE

Dedicated to our Niece, Gabrielle Campbell

I cuddled my baby and whispered a sweet lullaby,

I swaddled her in a blanket I’d made by hand,

I kissed little Annabelle’s cheek as I held her tight,

She was the prettiest little baby doll in all the land.

For a girl of seven wanted nothing more,

It was more than just pretend, it was what I was made for.

CHORUS:

Only a childhood dream

But make it real, let me be

Like the mother in my childhood dream.

All the dolls and the teddies I lined in a row,

The more I could gather the more fun it was to play,

I read them a story and told how I loved them so,

I was happy and wistfully dreaming of the day.

For a girl of seven wanted nothing more,

It was more than just pretend, it was what I was made for.

CHORUS:

Only a childhood dream

But make it real and let me be

Like the mother in my childhood dream.

BRIDGE:

Grant me this little girl’s wish,

With arms full of heavenly treasures,

May I be as contented and joyful

And give me the sparkle of childlike pleasure.

CHORUS AGAIN.

 

 

Sample of "Teach Me"

It may be the hardest thing to learn, yet the most precious lesson of all that we have to give ourselves away in order to find life. Motherhood teaches us this. I have found I can either resist it, or surrender to it. When I surrender, I find true happiness. Or I can hold tightly to my own time, I can fight for a so-called rewarding career, and I can make demands for my needs and my rights. I can do all of this if I want to stay miserable.

I’ll admit readily that I’m still very much learning how to give myself away. Serving does not seem to come easy for me. But God has given me a vision for it. I am inspired when I go to some of the Above Rubies Retreats and see how God has changed so many women’s lives and replaced self-serving hearts with gentle, giving attitudes.

When Serene and I wrote this song, we constantly thought about a dear friend of ours named Chase. She has been to at least seven or eight Above Rubies retreats now – can you believe it?  Before God changed her heart she was studying law and determined to make it in the career world. She now has five children and it has been amazing to see her change, little by little and precept upon precept. She is such an example of a woman with a heart for God. The thing I love to watch about Chace is that once she hears truth, she applies it. She makes the changes in her life, despite resistance from within her own flesh and from others.

Thanks for inspiring Serene and me, Chase.

I know some seasons we go through are harder than others. God will uphold you.

Pearl Barrett

TEACH ME

Dedicated to Chace Simmons

Never thought that I’d be living like this,

Never thought that I’d believe this way,

If somebody had said that this would be me,

I would have laughed at the impossibility!

But look, yeah, look what You’ve done,

Look what I’ve learned,

Look what You’ve made from this broken urn,

I want even more, I’ve set my sights,

I want to feed on Your words of life.

CHORUS:

Teach me, I will listen, I’ll be open

And Your truth will change me.

Teach me, I am willing, I am wanting

For you to finish this work

That You’ve already started in me.

I never knew that truth could feel so free,

I never knew I’d find joy in losing more of me.

Every day You reveal a little more

And I can only smile when I think of what’s in store.

Just look, yeah, look what You’ve done,

Look what I’ve learned,

Look what You’ve made from this broken urn,

I want even more, I’ve set my sights,

I want to feed on Your words of life.

CHORUS.

What a view from this mountain top,

I could never go back,

I can see there're more hills up ahead,

But I’m on the right track.

CHORUS.

 

Sample of "Wash Me"

It seems that I am constantly going to God, asking him to cleanse my heart, and wash me. It astounds me that He can read my thoughts, know the very essence of who I am, and yet still love me. He is so eager and ready to forgive me. His promise that He will “remember my sins no more” is something beyond my comprehension.

My hope for this song is that it will act as a nudge for us to continually go to our loving Father, and ask him to search our hearts and cleanse our sins. There is a sense of joy and freedom that is ours when we make it right between our Creator and ourselves. He has given us such a wealth of promises and forgiveness is an awesome one to me. He is waiting.  We have only to come to Him and humble ourselves.

Pearl Barrett

WASH ME

I pushed you away ‘cause I felt so ashamed

But I just fell deeper in my own hole,

You know I’ve disobeyed,

You know I’ve passed the blame,

And now I cry tears for my own soul.

How can you look at me and love me?

Yet you do.

How can you offer this promise that

I cling to?

CHORUS:

Wash me and take this mess

As far as the east is from the west,

Wash me and take this sin,

Only You can make me pure again,

I’m inviting you to come on in and

Wash me!

You’ve heard me say that I’ll do better today,

And you have lifted me each time I’ve let you down.

You’ve had to pay for my sinful ways

And your blood still cleanses me somehow.

How can you look at me and love me

Yet you do.

How can you offer this promise that

I cling to.

CHORUS:

Wash me and take this mess

As far as the east is from the west,

Wash me and take this sin,

Only You can make me pure again,

I’m inviting you to come on in and

Wash me!

 

 

Sample of  "My Heart Is Full"

Nothing seemed to be going right on the day this song was written. I was newly pregnant with my third child, and not feeling very lively. I looked around my tiny home. Not one thing was in its proper place. It was a disaster area, and my two children matched the mess. Grubby from head to foot, they seemed to make more mess with every passing second.

Feelings of self-pity welled within me. Surely I deserved better than this! I deserved a bigger house. I deserved to be able to afford to hire someone to come and clean up for me. I was certain of that. Where was the new baby going to fit? I had no clue. As I dwelt on my situation, I started to feel so sorry for myself that I actually started crying for poor me. That is, until my little ten-month-old boy, crawled over to me, gave me the biggest hug with his grubby arms, and smiled dotingly up at me.

At that moment, it occurred to me that I was the most blessed woman in the world. I had two beautiful children, a loving husband, and now God had rewarded me with another life growing within me. Thinking about all the blessings in my life, filled me with great joy.  The words to this song flowed out.

I’ll add that I’m now expecting my fourth child and we are still living in that same small house. God has taught me to be grateful for it. The three children have managed to fit in perfectly and I know I’ll be able to find a corner somewhere for the next one.

Pearl Barrett

MY HEART IS FULL

Little arms reaching for me,

Grubby fingers touch my face

And love is what I feel.

Little eyes looking at me,

Chubby cheeks burst with smiles

And joy is what I know,

Peeking in while they sleep at night,

I thank God for the gift of life,

I thank God for more than I deserve.

CHORUS:

My heart is full, my heart is full,

Why would I want for more

When my cup overflows?

My heart is full, my heart is full,

This much I know.

Strong arms reaching for me

Circle my waist for the millionth time

And love is what I feel.

Strong voice talking to me,

Whispering dreams and sharing hopes

And joy is what I know.

Sometimes I watch him sleep at night,

I thank God that I am his wife,

I thank God for more than I deserve.

CHORUS.

Sometimes when discontent creeps into my soul

A still small voice reminds me of the ones my

arms can hold.

 

Sample of  "Lullaby Of Love"

I lost a baby between my first and second children.  Although it was an early miscarriage, it was the hardest thing I have ever gone through.  I was so excited to be expecting another life, that when the pregnancy test showed positive, I went into my yard and literally did cartwheels of joy.

In the middle of the night I would wake up crying and tell my husband how much I missed my lost baby, our baby who I would never get to hold.

I wrote this song as a tribute to my baby in heaven and I didn’t plan on anyone hearing it besides my husband.

One week later I went to an Above Rubies retreat to sing and many ladies came up to me sympathetically and shared their story of losing a baby. I didn’t realize how prevalent miscarriages were, and ended up singing this song as a tribute to their babies as well.

When Pearl and I sing this song I can hardly get through it without crying, although God has healed this aching wound. Pearl has also had a miscarriage and sings this song for her baby.

When the pain was still fresh and deep, a lady came up to me with her arm around her teenage daughter and told me something that was very healing. She said, “This wonderful daughter of mine has been such a blessing to me and I can’t imagine not having her. I wouldn’t have had her had I not had a miscarriage previously, as she was conceived within the nine months I would have carried my other baby.

“Although I miss my baby and long to see him/her, I know my baby was made for heaven and is cradled in God’s love and will never know the pain or darkness of this world.  God gave me two babies instead of just one; one to love here on earth and one I am looking forward to meeting and we will worship our Lord together.”

Another word of encouragement I received was from my father-in-law who, when I sobbingly told him I lost a baby, said “No!  That is the one thing you haven’t done or never have to worry about.” When I thought about this for a while, the truth of that statement sunk in. Yes! My baby is found, and in our Creator’s presence. I will never have to wonder if he or she will be lost to the wiles of this world, but is in heaven where we are all going. We are just pilgrims here and our babies that have gone on are at our destination. What a hope.

If you have had a miscarriage too, maybe these words of encouragement will help you also. Above all, I pray our God of comfort will carry you and hold you in his arms until His peace washes all the pain away.

Serene Allison

 

LULLABY OF LOVE

Dedicated to our baby in Heaven

Baby. . .

I wish you could have stayed,

I miss you growing inside of me.

Baby. . .

I would have loved to have seen your face,

I want to hold you endlessly.

But even though I won’t feel you in my arms

I hold your memory in my heart.

CHORUS:

And I’ll sing with the angels

A lullaby of love,

And as you’re soothed by feathered wings

In your cradle high above,

Hear my voice. . . your mother’s lullaby of love.

Baby. . .

If I could only look in your eyes

And you could see mine shine with how much I adore you.

Baby. . .

Were they the color of your daddy’s or mine?

And I know they had a beautiful hue.

I wonder what would have been your name,

But I’m so glad you came. . . for awhile. . .

CHORUS:

And I’ll sing with the angels

A lullaby of love,

And as you’re soothed by feathered wings

In your cradle high above

Hear my voice. . . your mother’s lullaby of love.

BRIDGE:

One thing I know I haven’t lost you,

You’re with your Creator by a celestial stream,

You were made for heaven, darling,

One day I’ll hold you and it won’t be a dream.

CHORUS AGAIN.

 

 

Sample of  "Peace All Over Me"

You may identify with this song if you’ve ever had one of those days where chaos seems to be the order of the day. I have quite a few days like that, but I know the answer lies in pouring my cries out to the Lord and asking him for His peace.

In myself, I can be quite a worrisome and stressful person, but I know I can put on the mind of Christ and He is my Prince of Peace.

We wanted to call this album, Peace All Over Me because that is our fervent desire, that God will pervade our homes with His presence and that somehow His peace and assurance will be imparted through these songs.

Pearl Barrett

PEACE ALL OVER ME

He’s two and she’s five

And they’re so full of life

But I’ve taken it out on them.

There’s a pattern here

That I seem to wear

When the walls start pushing me in.

Seems No’s the only word they’ve heard all day

And I’d like to begin again.

But here I am, it’s 3 pm, and I’m calling for your strength.

CHORUS:

Pour your peace all over me,

Bathe me in serenity,

Fill me; quench me, be my all,

The One on whom my burdens fall.

Pour your peace all over me,

Take all my anxiety,

Hold me, heal me, be the wind

That breathes the life in me again.

I know that you wait

And you’re willing to take

All of my burdens on you.

Though I sense that you’re there,

I clutch my despair

And continue to rush on through.

Oh Prince of Peace, help me to see

You’re the first one I need to run to.

But here I am, it’s 3 pm, and I’m calling on your strength.

CHORUS.

These moments with you are refreshing, Lord,

Why did I wait to so long?

Now you’ve changed my perspective, Lord,

Your comfort is now my song.

CHORUS.

 

 

Sample of  "El Shaddai"

Pearl and I have been to many of our mother’s retreats and seminars and have heard our mother speaking about motherhood from the cradle onwards.  We are never bored with her message and always come home more refreshed each time. Each time she shares another beacon of truth it lights a foggy path in my mind.

The one thing that always leaves an impression on me is when she speaks on the words El Shaddai, which literally means the mother heart of God, or the breast of God.  Motherhood originated in God’s heart and He has placed his nurturing love in every woman. We are made to mother, to nurture, and to touch the world with the tenderness that originates in God’s heart.

Motherhood… what a beautiful design!

Serene Allison

EL SHADDAI

Slumber pulls the shades on sleepy eyes,

Lashes rest on ruby cheeks,

We rock in time.

I want to linger here

And bask in sweet reflections thankfully.

Joy sublime.

Feelings flood, thoughts seem to dance

With love and pure delight,

It comes so naturally to be the mother of this child.

CHORUS:

El Shaddai, in Your image am I,

El Shaddai, Creator of the Lullaby.

Deep within your heart You hold the source

For everything that’s tender,

Soft and kind.

To caress the world the world with warm affection

You thought of a mother -

Beautiful design.

And as I hold this baby in my arms

I’m like a picture of You

To nurture with your love is what you made me to do.

CHORUS.

 

Sample of  "The Moment You Came"

I suspect that every woman feels the same way I do when the weeks turn into days and the moment of birth is not far away. All I can think about is seeing this new little baby. What will it look like? My arms ache to hold it. Although I know there will be pain in the delivery, I still long for the moment to arrive. The anticipation pushes the fear away.

I don’t know how anyone can experience birth, or even witness a birth, and deny there is a God. It is the miracle of all miracles. The big bang theory just doesn’t cut it when you see that new life slip out and stare wide-eyed at his new world. It is so evident and so absolutely convincing that there is a Creator. How wonderful that we can have a relationship with Him.

I love to talk about birth and hear other woman’s birth stories. This song is the story of my third birth. How beautiful it was. I couldn’t stop thanking my Lord for this experience and for the new life he’d given to my husband and me.

Pearl Barrett

THE MOMENT YOU CAME

Longing to see you,

Every day felt like a week.

And I just wanted to see

Your face.

Yearning to hold you,

When it finally was time

These paths of yours and mine

Forever entwine.

Gentle at first,

Then it grew strong,

And I didn’t know if I could carry on,

I cried out for mercy and I know that God heard me

For oh…

CHORUS:

Divinely and wondrously, amazingly, you came through.

I touched you and I fell so

Tenderly, powerfully, utterly in love with you.

And the joy replaced all the pain

The moment you came.

Now looking at you, every smile you give to me

Is a treasure that I keep in my heart,

I’ve learned so much from you,

Never knew this kind of love,

One that costs so much, but never gives up.

Gentle at first,

Then it grew strong,

And I didn’t know if I could carry on,

I cried out for mercy and I know that God heard me

For oh…

CHORUS:

Divinely and wondrously, amazingly, you came through.

I touched you and I fell so

Tenderly, powerfully, utterly in love with you.

And the joy replaced all the pain

 

Sample of "Chosen"

This song was written about the miracle of conception and pregnancy.  How amazing to think we are chosen by God to be the mother of a child He has planed before the beginning of time! What awe! It is such an honor and a privilege for God to place life within our wombs.

There is a twist to this song as it is also about Mary the mother of Jesus and how it must have felt to be the chosen one, singled out to bare our Savior. The first part of the chorus is taken straight from the Bible in Luke 1-46. It is the song of Mary when she sings, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

Serene Allison

 

Sample of "Don't Need To Fear"

After my miscarriage, I conceived three months later. I was so happy, but completely overwhelmed with fear. I was paralyzed. I didn’t want to move in case I lost the baby. I was so afraid of losing another baby.  In a desperate prayer to God, I told Him I didn’t want to fear and have all my joy suffocated in its clutches.

He answered me with perfect peace and engraved this message in my heart.  “I don’t have to fear, and I don’t need to fear, for I am in the grip of His hand forever more” I knew from then on that my future was in God’s hands and He wants the best for me. Even when it doesn’t go as I have planned, God has a bigger vision in mind.

It was a wonderful fear-free pregnancy and I gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Chalice Hosanna, meaning “a beautiful vessel of praise unto God.”

SERENE ALLISON

DON’T NEED TO FEAR   

CHORUS:

I don’t want to fear any more,

I don’t have to fear any more,

I don’t need to fear any more,

For I am in the grip of your hand

forever more.

I’m so overwhelmed,

Desperation clinging to my bones

And You’re the only one

Who sees the pain I uncover when I’m alone.

I don’t need to let these shadows lurk,

Open my eyes, let your light flood in,

All the anguish of my soul is worth

Nothing when I remember you are King.

CHORUS:

I don’t want to fear any more,

I don’t have to fear any more,

I don’t need to fear any more,

For I am in the grip of your hand

forever more.

You were with them in a pillar of fire

And a cloud by night,

And you are with me, the Holy Ghost,

A still, small voice at night

Saying. . .

I’ll stay with you forever,

I’ll be there when you laugh or grieve,

I’ll trace your steps across the earth,

When you fall you can lean on Me.

CHORUS THREE TIMES.

 

Sample of  "Puddles of Grace"

I am so amazed at God’s grace!  He is so full of compassion and mercy, even when we aren’t the least bit deserving. There is one incident in particular that catapulted this song into being. The words flooded my mind. I didn’t sit down to write this song - it wrote itself as I bathed in the graciousness of God.

The Lord came through and graciously blessed us when we were in dire need. My husband and I ran outside to shout praises unto the Lord and I felt like I was being showered in His love and joy. I felt like His grace was pouring all over me and dripping down on me, making a pool at my feet. I wanted to splash in it and dance in puddles of grace.

Serene Allison

PUDDLES OF GRACE

I am awe struck at such a tangible expression

You show to me,

It is a mystery how you can keep on giving

When I am totally undeserving, so unworthy,

Could never earn it.

CHORUS:

Yet you shower me with your love,

Oh you shower me with your joy,

You pour it out, you don’t withhold,

And I’m splashing in your blessings

And dancing puddles of grace,

Oh I’m dancing in puddles of grace.

I want to thank you from the deepest part of me,

It’s surging in my soul.

I’ve got to lift my hands and feel you in the breeze

And we’ll rejoice together, I’ll celebrate you,

Jehovah Jireh.

CHORUS:

And you shower me with your love,

Oh you shower me with your joy,

You pour it out, you don’t withhold,

And I’m splashing in your blessings

And dancing puddles of grace,

Oh I’m dancing in puddles of grace.

BRIDGE:

And you give; you give with such abandon,

Like the blood, the blood you spilled for my sin,

Every drop, you let it fall,

You could have called ten thousand angels,

But you loved me more.