Volz showed great skills in singing from a very early age. Being a self-taught musician, when he was 13 years old, he started his own band called The Wombats. As he grew up, he went on to share the stage with the likes of Janis Joplin, Chicago and others. In 1970 he became a born-again Christian and started performing with several Christian bands. He formed a band called Gideon's Bible, and later toured with a group known simply as the e Band, which was a part of the Jesus Movement. They released an album titled Because I Am in 1973 but broke up shortly after. Volz then moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he worked with legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. He also performed the lead role in a rock stage musical called Ezekiel.
In 1976, Volz received two of the most important calls of his life. First, he was offered the lead singer position of REO Speedwagon. Volz, being a recently converted Christian, declined. Six weeks later, he got the call to participate in Petra's second album, Come and Join Us. Although at that time he participated as a guest singer in just three songs, founder/guitarist Bob Hartman (who, at that time, was sharing the lead-singing duties with co-founder/guitarist Greg Hough) offered Volz the full-time position.
His first full-time album with the band, Washes Whiter Than, came in 1979 and therein came one of the most prolific periods of the legendary band. Volz remained the lead singer until 1985 when he left to pursue a solo career. Volz released his first solo effort, titled The River is Rising in 1986 under Myrrh Records. He followed it with three other moderately successful albums. During this time, he also toured with Joe English in a band called Pieces of Eight. Volz' tours drew in the 1,000 to 1,500 range during this time - a very respectable number for a Contemporary Christian artist, but no where near the level he experienced at the end of his tenure with Petra.
In the mid-90's, Volz decided to retire for some time. Apparently, during this time he was dealing with the divorce from his long-time wife, Becky. He resurfaced in 1998 with a string of new albums released from that year on.
In October 4, 2005 he re-joined Petra for the live recording of their last DVD, Petra Farewell. He joined the stage with current singer John Schlitt for a medley of ballads, and he followed it with a solo rendition of "Grave Robber", which was one of his hits with the band.
During his career, Volz has also lent his voice to numerous projects in the Christian music scene.
Come to me
Greg X. Volz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see the bruises
When you fall on your face
I feel the achin'
When you suffer disgrace
I know the pressure
Of a world weary heart
Runnin' on empty
VS2
I saw you sittin'
Starin' out at the rain
Thinkin' that you
Didn't have the money again
I know you're hungry and
You're missing your friends
Don't know where to go...
CHORUS
Come to Me, come to Me
All you that hurt
And carry heavy loads
Come to Me, come to Me
And you can lay down
Your head for awhile
VS3
I heard you cryin'
When your daddy ran out
I felt you pullin' back
From Me in your doubt
I know sometimes you
Think of jerkin' the plug
Don't know where to go...
CHORUS
BRIDGE
I saw the things
That you did that you
Never got the credit for
I saw the effort
That you made when they
Had already shut the door
I burned with you inside
When the criminals walked away
I, too, see the justice castrated by the
law
But you can find justice in Me
CHORUS (x2)
The song "Come to Me" by Greg X. Volz is a heartfelt invitation to those who are hurting, carrying heavy loads, and suffering from the weariness of the world to come to Jesus. In the first two verses, the lyrics describe the struggles and pain that people experience in everyday life, such as bruises and disgrace, lack of money and hunger, and loss of friends and direction. The chorus then offers solace and comfort to these individuals, assuring them that they can come to Jesus and lay down their heads for a while. In the third verse, the lyrics address deeper emotional wounds, such as pain resulting from fathers who abandon their children and doubts about God's presence in one's life.
The bridge speaks to the injustices that people encounter in their lives and the sense of being unrecognized or ignored for their efforts. However, the lyrics suggest that despite these challenges, individuals can still find justice and hope in Jesus. Overall, the song's message is one of encouragement, hope, and comfort for those who are struggling and searching for a place of rest and healing.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the bruises
I notice the physical and emotional harm that you've been through
When you fall on your face
When you stumble and face failure
I feel the achin'
I understand the pain and hurt you experience
When you suffer disgrace
When you face shame and humiliation
I know the pressure
I understand the stress and strain you're under
Of a world weary heart
The heaviness and exhaustion that comes with living in this world
Runnin' on empty
When you feel drained and have nothing left to give
And refusin' to start
But struggling to find the energy to start again
I saw you sittin'
I saw you sitting alone
Starin' out at the rain
Lost in thought while the rain poured down
Thinkin' that you
Wondering and worrying that
Didn't have the money again
You didn't have enough money yet again
I know you're hungry and
I know you're starving and
You're missing your friends
You're feeling lonely and disconnected from those close to you
Don't know where to go...
Feeling lost and unsure of what to do next
I heard you cryin'
I heard you weeping
When your daddy ran out
When your father left and abandoned you
I felt you pullin' back
I sensed you withdrawing
From Me in your doubt
You began to doubt and question your faith
I know sometimes you
I know there are times when
Think of jerkin' the plug
You consider giving up and ending it all
I saw the things
I witnessed the acts
That you did that you
That you did but
Never got the credit for
Were never acknowledged or praised for
I saw the effort
I recognized the hard work
That you made when they
That you put in even when
Had already shut the door
Others had already given up or dismissed your efforts
I burned with you inside
I shared in your pain and anger
When the criminals walked away
When those who caused harm or injustice went unpunished
I, too, see the justice castrated by the law
I also understand the limitations and flaws of the legal system
But you can find justice in Me
But there is justice and comfort to be found in faith and the divine
Come to Me, come to Me
I am here, and I offer you comfort and care
All you that hurt
To all who are struggling and in pain
And carry heavy loads
And burdened by the weight of their troubles
And you can lay down
You can rest and find peace
Your head for awhile
With Me, if only for a little while
Contributed by Evelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.