A pastor prays that the church he is building is more than bricks, but that it be a light for lost souls.
Songs that are testimonies, spawned by life experiences. Each musical creation is meant to plant the seed of truth and salvation.
Ernest De Waters Jr. Music (ASCAP)
Ernie’s songs are mini sermons and testimonies spawned by life's experiences. His prayer is that each song will be a seed, planting the truth of salvation through Christ.
May God bless you and keep you in His grace.
Sincerely - Ernest DeWaters Jr.
Story behind the song
I have always been moved by testimonies, but none have inspired to make it into song like the one that motivated me to write For Every Brick I Lay.
There was a congregation that had outgrown the small church structure. Men, women and children all did their share of labor in building a larger church. Michael, a 10 year old boy, was especially eager to help. He spent much time hauling cement blocks and stacking them neatly where the men could easily reach them. On a warm sunny day, only the Pastor of the church was building. Michael was there stacking the blocks. Suddenly, he felt a little drop of moisture fall on his arm. He looked up to see only the beautiful clear blue sky. Michael then saw that the drop had been a tear falling from the Pastors eyes. He asked the Pastor why he was crying. Michael, he responded tearfully, I pray that for every one of these blocks we lay, that a soul will be saved in this church.
Many souls were saved in that church and they went on to build an even bigger structure. I had the pleasure of attending the new church where I heard Michael tell this story 35 years after he experienced it.
Lyrics
For Every Brick I Lay
© 1996 Ernest DeWaters Jr. Music (ASCAP)
Author: Ernest DeWaters, Jr. (ASCAP)
Telephone: (425) 328-8535
Email: edewaters@songwriter.net
(Verse 1)
There was a preacher man, who built a church by hand.
With sweat, brick and mortar he did toil.
He rolled up his sleeves and took a brick in his hand.
He pointed his trowel toward heaven and he did say.
(Chorus)
“Oh, Lord, for every brick I lay, may a soul find its way.
And, in the night, may this church be a light.
And, for every brick I pray there will come a day,
That a soul is saved for every brick I lay.”
(Verse 2)
The years have come and gone and that old preacher’s with the Lord.
The church has grown and moved to higher ground.
But one day we’ll pass that way and we will surely say,
“Thank you, preacher, for the bricks you laid.”
(Chorus x 2)
(Tag)
…that a soul is saved for every brick I lay.
Performance:
Ernest DeWaters Lead Vocal
Background vocals - Jay Holland, Kaye Kelly, Jackie McPherson, Chris Thompson, and David Wissler
Randy Miller - Guitar, & Keyboard
Steve Mathews - Keyboard, Guitar
Alan Laws - Keyboard
Production:
Project Manager: Irma C. DeWaters
Producer: Randy Miller
Recording/Mixing Engineer: Steve Mathews
Recording Studio: Logos Productions - Clayton, Ohio
