Keith Gordon Green (October 21, 1953 - July 28, 1982) was an American gospe… Read Full Bio ↴Keith Gordon Green (October 21, 1953 - July 28, 1982) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist originally from Sheepshead Bay, New York. Green is best known for his strong devotion to Christianity and his unwavering efforts to stir others to the same. Notable songs include "I Don't Wanna Fall Away From You", "You Put This Love In My Heart", "Your Love Broke Through", and "Asleep In The Light", as well as his modern hymns "O Lord, You're Beautiful", "There Is A Redeemer", and "Create In Me A Clean Heart".
Green took to music at a young age, and his talents were noted by major newspapers by the time he was only eight years old. Following a performance of Arthur Laurents' The Time of the Cuckoo, the Los Angeles Times wrote that "roguish-looking, eight-year-old Keith Green gave a winning performance," one that "stole the show". Green went on to play "Kurt Von Trapp" in a major production of The Sound of Music.
At the age of eleven, Green became the youngest person ever to sign with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) when he published, recorded and released the song "The Way I Used to Be".
In his early teens, with more than 50 original songs under his belt, Green was signed to Decca Records. Decca had plans to make Green a teen-idol, regularly getting the young man featured in fanzines like Teen Scene and on popular television shows like The Jack Benny Show and Steve Allen's show. Time Magazine called Green "a prepubescent dreamboat". His dreams of stardom were shattered, however, when Donny Osmond stole his short-lived spotlight and Green was quickly forgotten.
By his mid-teens, Green became heavily involved in drug use, eastern religion, astrology, and mysticism. After experiencing a really horrifying "bad trip", he abandoned drug use and also became bitter towards philosophy and theology in general. In the midst of his skepticism, as Green described it, God's love 'broke through' his 'calloused heart'. He began on a new path 'with Christ as his guru', but had many 'spiritual struggles' and hardships along the way. He married his wife Melody in 1973, and the two became involved in the Vineyard fellowship in Southern California, where they were introduced to Bob Dylan.
The Greens began an outreach program to their community by purchasing two homes (and renting five) to provide housing and care for prostitutes, drug addicts, and homeless people. Eventually, the couple and the rest of their group relocated to Lindale, Texas, where the Greens founded Last Days Ministries.
Green began to release a series of albums in the new Contemporary Christian music market in 1977, after being signed to Sparrow Records and working on their Christian musical album Firewind (1976) with 2nd Chapter of Acts, Terry Talbot, John Talbot, and Barry McGuire. Two years later, Keith would shock many in the industry by refusing to charge money for concerts or albums. He insisted that his new label, Sparrow Records, let him out of his contract. The Greens then mortgaged their home to privately finance the album So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt? (with a guest appearance by Bob Dylan), which was then offered through mail-order and at concerts for "whatever you could afford". As of May of 1982, Green had shipped out more than 200,000 units of his album - 61,000 for free.
Last Days Ministries also began publishing a self-described "small, colorful magazine" called the Last Days Newsletter. The magazine featured articles by Keith and Melody as well as contemporary authors such as David Wilkerson, Leonard Ravenhill, and Winkie Pratney, all of whom lived in the area, as well as reprinting work by earlier Christian workers such as Charles Finney, John Wesley, and William Booth and his wife Catherine. The newsletter had such an impact on the Christian community at the time that many of the articles were reprinted as tracts.
Green was killed on July 28, 1982, when a small airplane owned by Last Days Ministries crashed on takeoff. Green had planned to give visiting friends an aerial view of the Last Days Ministries compound. Two of Green's children, three year old Josiah, and two year old Bethany, were also on board the plane, as was pilot Don Burmeister, and friends John and Dede Smalley and all six of their children. All passengers were killed in the crash. Crash investigators determined that the aircraft was nearly 500 lb (230 kg) overweight with 12 passengers and only 6 seats. Keith, Josiah, and Bethany Green are interred at Lindale Cemetery.
In 1992, several artists joined together to re-record many of Green's most well known songs for a tribute album called No Compromise: Remembering the Music of Keith Green, on Sparrow Records. Artists contributing to that record included Charlie Peacock, PFR, Susan Ashton, Margaret Becker, Michael Card, Rich Mullins, and Russ Taff. BEC Records released a second, more modern, tribute record Start Right Here: Remembering the Life of Keith Green, in 2001. That tribute was produced by Derri Daugherty and included performances by MxPx, Joy Electric and others. In 2002, upon the twentieth anniversary of Keith's death, Sparrow Records released another tribute album. Your Love Broke Through: The Worship Songs of Keith Green contains re-recordings by Rebecca St. James, Michelle Tumes, Chris Tomlin, Twila Paris, Darlene Zschech, Jason Upton, Martin Smith, Charlie Hall, Joanne Hogg, Matt Redman, Paul Oakley, and Sarah Sadler. This album also includes "There Is One" performed by Michael W. Smith, which was an unfinished work completed by Michael W. Smith and Martin Smith.
Since the time of his death, the only known unreleased Christian song recorded by Keith was "Born Again". This song was finally released 17 years later in 1999 on the First Love compilation video and CD, which also features a two-song tribute to Keith by other artists. Keith was working on other songs at the time of his death, but these are in the sole-possession of his widowed-wife, Melody Green, and not available to the public. Melody inherited Keith's writings as well, and she has released many excerpts of these as books: Cry In The Wilderness (Sparrow, 1993), If You Love the Lord (Harvest House, 2000), and Make My Life a Prayer (Harvest House, 2001).
On November 27, 2001, Green was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Keith's mother, Char Green was present with a heavy heart but very proud of her son.
Since 1982, Melody Green has continued to operate Last Days Ministries from Oceanside, California, and has "become an internationally known speaker and author". She now ministers as a Christian prophet and a touring evangelist.
The land in Lindale, Texas (more specifically, Garden Valley, Texas) where Last Days Ministries was once located is now occupied by Teen Mania Ministries. Teen Mania has dedicated one of its dormitories, Green Hall, in memory of Keith.
There is a biography of Keith Green's life written by Melody Green with David Hazard called No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green (Harvest House Publishers, 1989; revised and expanded in 2000) and a documentary film called Your Love Broke Through: The Keith Green Story (available from www.keithgreen.com and serialized on youtube.com).
Green took to music at a young age, and his talents were noted by major newspapers by the time he was only eight years old. Following a performance of Arthur Laurents' The Time of the Cuckoo, the Los Angeles Times wrote that "roguish-looking, eight-year-old Keith Green gave a winning performance," one that "stole the show". Green went on to play "Kurt Von Trapp" in a major production of The Sound of Music.
At the age of eleven, Green became the youngest person ever to sign with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) when he published, recorded and released the song "The Way I Used to Be".
In his early teens, with more than 50 original songs under his belt, Green was signed to Decca Records. Decca had plans to make Green a teen-idol, regularly getting the young man featured in fanzines like Teen Scene and on popular television shows like The Jack Benny Show and Steve Allen's show. Time Magazine called Green "a prepubescent dreamboat". His dreams of stardom were shattered, however, when Donny Osmond stole his short-lived spotlight and Green was quickly forgotten.
By his mid-teens, Green became heavily involved in drug use, eastern religion, astrology, and mysticism. After experiencing a really horrifying "bad trip", he abandoned drug use and also became bitter towards philosophy and theology in general. In the midst of his skepticism, as Green described it, God's love 'broke through' his 'calloused heart'. He began on a new path 'with Christ as his guru', but had many 'spiritual struggles' and hardships along the way. He married his wife Melody in 1973, and the two became involved in the Vineyard fellowship in Southern California, where they were introduced to Bob Dylan.
The Greens began an outreach program to their community by purchasing two homes (and renting five) to provide housing and care for prostitutes, drug addicts, and homeless people. Eventually, the couple and the rest of their group relocated to Lindale, Texas, where the Greens founded Last Days Ministries.
Green began to release a series of albums in the new Contemporary Christian music market in 1977, after being signed to Sparrow Records and working on their Christian musical album Firewind (1976) with 2nd Chapter of Acts, Terry Talbot, John Talbot, and Barry McGuire. Two years later, Keith would shock many in the industry by refusing to charge money for concerts or albums. He insisted that his new label, Sparrow Records, let him out of his contract. The Greens then mortgaged their home to privately finance the album So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt? (with a guest appearance by Bob Dylan), which was then offered through mail-order and at concerts for "whatever you could afford". As of May of 1982, Green had shipped out more than 200,000 units of his album - 61,000 for free.
Last Days Ministries also began publishing a self-described "small, colorful magazine" called the Last Days Newsletter. The magazine featured articles by Keith and Melody as well as contemporary authors such as David Wilkerson, Leonard Ravenhill, and Winkie Pratney, all of whom lived in the area, as well as reprinting work by earlier Christian workers such as Charles Finney, John Wesley, and William Booth and his wife Catherine. The newsletter had such an impact on the Christian community at the time that many of the articles were reprinted as tracts.
Green was killed on July 28, 1982, when a small airplane owned by Last Days Ministries crashed on takeoff. Green had planned to give visiting friends an aerial view of the Last Days Ministries compound. Two of Green's children, three year old Josiah, and two year old Bethany, were also on board the plane, as was pilot Don Burmeister, and friends John and Dede Smalley and all six of their children. All passengers were killed in the crash. Crash investigators determined that the aircraft was nearly 500 lb (230 kg) overweight with 12 passengers and only 6 seats. Keith, Josiah, and Bethany Green are interred at Lindale Cemetery.
In 1992, several artists joined together to re-record many of Green's most well known songs for a tribute album called No Compromise: Remembering the Music of Keith Green, on Sparrow Records. Artists contributing to that record included Charlie Peacock, PFR, Susan Ashton, Margaret Becker, Michael Card, Rich Mullins, and Russ Taff. BEC Records released a second, more modern, tribute record Start Right Here: Remembering the Life of Keith Green, in 2001. That tribute was produced by Derri Daugherty and included performances by MxPx, Joy Electric and others. In 2002, upon the twentieth anniversary of Keith's death, Sparrow Records released another tribute album. Your Love Broke Through: The Worship Songs of Keith Green contains re-recordings by Rebecca St. James, Michelle Tumes, Chris Tomlin, Twila Paris, Darlene Zschech, Jason Upton, Martin Smith, Charlie Hall, Joanne Hogg, Matt Redman, Paul Oakley, and Sarah Sadler. This album also includes "There Is One" performed by Michael W. Smith, which was an unfinished work completed by Michael W. Smith and Martin Smith.
Since the time of his death, the only known unreleased Christian song recorded by Keith was "Born Again". This song was finally released 17 years later in 1999 on the First Love compilation video and CD, which also features a two-song tribute to Keith by other artists. Keith was working on other songs at the time of his death, but these are in the sole-possession of his widowed-wife, Melody Green, and not available to the public. Melody inherited Keith's writings as well, and she has released many excerpts of these as books: Cry In The Wilderness (Sparrow, 1993), If You Love the Lord (Harvest House, 2000), and Make My Life a Prayer (Harvest House, 2001).
On November 27, 2001, Green was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Keith's mother, Char Green was present with a heavy heart but very proud of her son.
Since 1982, Melody Green has continued to operate Last Days Ministries from Oceanside, California, and has "become an internationally known speaker and author". She now ministers as a Christian prophet and a touring evangelist.
The land in Lindale, Texas (more specifically, Garden Valley, Texas) where Last Days Ministries was once located is now occupied by Teen Mania Ministries. Teen Mania has dedicated one of its dormitories, Green Hall, in memory of Keith.
There is a biography of Keith Green's life written by Melody Green with David Hazard called No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green (Harvest House Publishers, 1989; revised and expanded in 2000) and a documentary film called Your Love Broke Through: The Keith Green Story (available from www.keithgreen.com and serialized on youtube.com).
Keith's Piano Prelude
Keith Green Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Keith Green:
01-So You Want To Go Back to Egypt So you wanna go back to Egypt Where it's warm and…
A Billion Starving People I find it hard to turn away, a billion starving…
Altar Call You know I can't explain to you Really how He does…
Asleep in the Light Do you see? Do you see? All the people sinking down? Don't…
Battle Is Already Won The Well, the battle is already won, And the race has already…
Because Of You People smile at me and ask me what it is That…
Billion Starving People A I find it hard to turn away, a billion starving…
Create In Me A Clean Heart Create in me a clean heart, oh God And renew…
Cut The Devil Down Cut the devil down, lord, cut the devil down, Drive him…
Don't Wanna Fall Away From You After all the things that you have shown me I'd be…
Don't You Wish You Had The Answers Look out your window, see the earth. Where did it come…
Draw Me Draw me, oh, draw me, please draw me, my Jesus. Into…
Dust To Dust Sometimes it's hard to see, Sometimes it's hard to get throu…
Easter Song Hear the bells ringing They're singing that you can be born…
Glory Lord Jesus Glory Lord Jesus, glory to your Holy Name. Glory Lord Jesus,…
Go To The Hungry Ones Go to the hungry ones and fill them with his…
Grace By Which I Stand Lord, the feelings are not the same, I guess I'm older,…
He You know, it ain't no use Banging your head Up against a…
Here Am I Send Me Oh Lord, there's just so much to be done. Oh Lord,…
Holy Holy Holy Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning ou…
How Can They Live Without Jesus How can they live without jesus How can live without god's…
How Majestic Is Thy Name Oh Lord, our Lord, How majestic is thy name in all…
I Can't Believe It There is nothing new I could give to you Just a life…
I Can't Wait to Get to Heaven You know, I look around at the world and I…
I Don't Wanna Fall Away From You After all the things that you have shown me I'd be…
I Want To Be More Like Jesus As each day passes by, I feel my love run dry. I…
I Will Give Thanks To The Lord I will give thanks to the lord With all my heart I…
If You Love The Lord If you love the lord, you will love his will…
Jesus Commands Us To Go! Jesus commands us to go, But we go the other way. So…
Jesus Is Lord Of All! Jesus is lord of all, Jesus is lord of all, No…
Keep All That Junk To Yourself Feeling good bout the way i am, How come you can't…
Letters to Mother I'm looking for places to run and hide I'll never forget…
Lies When I was young I used to believe everything that…
Lord I'm Gonna Love You Lord I'm gonna love you, Yes, I'm gonna love you. Oh, …
Lord Is My Shepherd The The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want He makes…
Love With Me You want to love with me, love with me then I…
Make My Life A Prayer To You Make my life a prayer to you I wanna do what…
My Eyes Are Dry My eyes are dry My faith is old My heart is hard My…
No One Believes In Me Anymore Oh, my job keeps getting easier As time keeps slipping away…
O God Our Lord Who you gonna throw in the lake of fire, O God…
Oh Lord You Oh Lord, you're beautiful, Your face is all I see, For when…
On The Road To Jericho I left jerusalem, last week for jericho, In the afternoon, …
Only By Following Jesus Hallelujah, god's been talking to ya, You can be what you'r…
Open Your Eyes This generation of believers that you and me are a…
Pledge My Head To Heaven Well, I pledge my head to heaven for the Gospel, And…
Promise Song The Oh if you keep my word, I'll make you as a…
Romans Vii There are things I hate I end up doin' Things I…
Run To The End Of The Highway Well you can run to the end of the highway…
Rushing Wind Rushing wind blow through this temple, Blowing out the dust …
Scripture Song Medley This is the day, this is the day that the…
Sheep And The Goats The And when the son man comes, and all the holy…
So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt So you wanna go back to Egypt Where it's warm and…
Soften Your Heart So many times I've tried to tell you But I don't…
Song For Josiah Oh my son, you were born in a world that…
Song To My Parents I need to say these things 'cause I love you so And…
Song To My Parents I Only Want To See You I need to say these things 'cause I love you…
Stained Glass We are like windows Stained with colors of the rainbow Set i…
Stay on the Path When you first find your self you want to run…
Summer Snow Unexpectedly, you came back to see, If Id was waiting, like…
Thank You Jesus Thank you jesus, for what you're doing for me, Thank you…
The Lord Is My Shepherd The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want He makes…
The Prodigal Son Suite I was done hoeing, out in the fields for the…
The Promise Song Oh if you keep my word, I'll make you as a…
The Sheep and the Goats And when the Son of Man comes And all the Holy…
The Victor Swallowed into earth's dark womb And death has triumphed Tha…
There Is A Redeemer There is a redeemer Jesus, God's own Son Precious Lamb of Go…
To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice To obey is better than sacrifice I don't need your money I…
Trials Turned To Gold He's brought me here, where things are clear And trials turn…
Unless The Lord Builds The House Unless the lord builds the house, They labor in vain to…
Until That Final Day My flesh is tired of seeking god, But on my knees…
Victor The Swallowed into earth's dark womb And death has triumphed Tha…
Walk And Talk Go to the hungry ones and fill them with his…
War Games I′ve been out fighting the war today The war inside of…
When I First Trusted You Well I though I depended upon you. At least that used…
When I Hear The Praises Start My son, My son, why are you striving You can't add…
When There's Love Take some time, make a friend of a stranger, Touch a…
You You Who made the whole world with your hand Walked along t…
You Are The One How I love you, You are the one, You are the one. How…
You Are the One! How I love you, You are the one, You are the one. How…
You Love The World I want you here with me. But you've been keeping other…
You Put This Love In My Heart I found it hard to believe Someone like you cared for…
You! You Who made the whole world with your hand Walked along t…
Your Love Broke Through Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Brian Swinford
on War Games
I've been out fighting the war today
The war inside of my head
I thought that I'd killed my enemies
Yes, I thought that my ego was dead
But it's still stubbornly living, in the kingdom of my thoughts
In the state of mind
I'm been out struggling with everyone
In the arena all day
Views I defend, they don't matter much
'Cuz they could debate either way
Where's the root of my problem?
Why does everyone oppose every side that I take?
(There's gotta be a reason...)
Hey God, where were You today?
You didn't answer my prayer
Seems like I pray and I pray
And lately, You are not there
Maybe my beliefs are all illusion
Created by my mind, just for a crutch
Doubt creeps in to make its reintrusion
And sweep away the faith I need so much
I've been out fighting the war today
The struggle is endless, it seems
And when I lie down to sleep at night
It even goes on in my dreams
It's like an inward Armageddon
And you know I'm stuck right in between
And both sides, both sides are so mean