MUSICIAN
Mary Adamson is a musician who grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. Her album, Listening, reflects her signature sound: a blend of captivating melodies, instrumental harmonies and multi-generational voices.
Music is primarily a spiritual exercise for Mary. It slips under the defenses of the soul to touch the places we guard most carefully, but which cry out for restoration. As Mary has tended to her own soul through a living walk with her Savior, she has received this music as a gift of healing and wholeness.
“Music has brought me comfort during times of profound loss, and has been a place of shelter as I have met the Lord there. Listening is a project several years in the making, as praying through the Word frequently led to these melodies of reflection and praise.”
Mary’s formation as a songwriter was aided by her experiences with choirs spanning different generations, denominations and genres. The timeless quality of her work is influenced by her background as a pianist, violinist and soloist. She started out writing on a treasured Sears Special guitar in the 5th grade, teaching herself to play and share her heart in song.
Mary and her family live in Nebraska, where her investment in knitting together the simple melodies and complex harmonies of family life has also inspired her music and her soul.
Speak Lord, I am Your servant.
Speak, Lord, You are my life.
May Your words never fall unheeded to the ground,
for I am listening, listening.
Speak, Lord, I am Your servant.
Speak, Lord, You are my life.
May Your words ever fall onto my waiting heart,
for I am listening, listening.
Listening for every word
that will proceed from Your throne
to my heart, Your home.
Speak, Lord, I am Your servant.
Speak, Lord, You are my life.
May Your words ever fall onto my waiting heart,
for I am listening, listening, listening…[/accordion]
2. Beginnings (5:27)
Life is so beautiful, and yet,
in my striving I can forget,
letting lesser things the days can bring
distract my heart and send me spinning.
But God, in His mercy, gently waits
with forgiveness never late.
As I turn around and grace is found:
a second chance, a small beginning.
Why, in my folly, do I run with my heart?
Father, search me and impart desire to know You.
Grateful for evidence He has shown:
fingerprints of healing I have known.
For my Savior’s there, I know He cares.
He promises to never leave and
I know I am not alone on this road.
Jesus’ love has lightened my load.
And, with every step, I can’t forget
His sacrifice was my beginning.
Why, in my folly, do I run with my heart?
Tender mercies won’t depart…Your lovingkindness.
Years pass and circumstances may change,
But I know that You stay the same.
When surrounded by life’s shifting sands,
Your constancy is where I’ll stand
for I’ve learned when I’m weak, then in You, I’m strong.
In Your arms of grace I belong.
Father, take my heart, my everything.
Each day with You a new beginning.
Why, in my folly, do I run with my heart?
Lord, Your presence fills my days.
At Your glory I’m amazed.
Open my lips to sing Your praise!
Beginnings…forevermore!
3. Ever, Only, Always (4:38)
Wash me, oh Father, hold me
with arms that never let me go.
I’m falling in sweet surrender,
as streams of mercy overflow.
I’ve never known such love,
never felt the peace that Your forgiveness
ever, only, always brings.
Guide me, oh Savior, mold me,
til all the world can see is You.
Help me to really listen,
and to embrace Your words of truth.
I want to hear Your voice,
and to know that it is You I follow
ever, only, always.
Take me, oh Jesus, use me.
You know that all I am is Yours.
Allow me to bring You glory
with every breath I take and more.
My life is in Your hands.
I commit my days to You, Lord,
for ever, only, always…
My life is in Your hands.
I commit my days to You, Lord,
til You call me ever, always home!
4 Plans (3:06)
Plans, always, plans, making plans for what my life should be,
thinking where I will go depends upon just me…
blindly ignoring the toll as I fight to keep control
of my plans, foolish plans, while refusing to see.
Your grace, always grace, only grace can redeem me from myself
as I come to the place where surrender is such wealth…
nevermore to be deceived, for Your truth has set me free.
May my heart now rejoice to embrace Your sovereignty!
Father, You have said the plans You have for me
are to bless and give a future hope.
Plans, holy plans, perfect plans are the ones You have conceived
with my life in Your hands, as You weave a tapestry
colored by mercy from above, and Your artistry of love.
May my life always be what You want it to be.
Plans, always plans…make my plans, Lord, to follow You.
5. Psalm 119 (3:36)
Teach me know Your truth…help me to know Your ways.
Your Word is life, Your Word is light, wisdom from Ancient of Days.
Open my eyes now to see all You have done for me:
sin’s consequence, Your innocence, deliverance for all who believe.
I long to be as Your decrees.
Your Word is written in my heart that I not sin against You
and to light my path, Lord, as You…
Teach me to know Your truth…help me to know Your ways.
Your Word is life, Your Word is light, wisdom from Ancient of Days.
Open my eyes now to see all You have done for me:
sin’s consequence, Your innocence, deliverance for all who believe.
I praise Your name; for this I was made.
Your precepts are the theme of every song I choose to sing:
the only gift my heart can bring, Lord…
Teach me to know Your truth…help me to know Your ways.
Your Word is life, Your Word is light, wisdom from Ancient of Days.
6. Song of Songs (5:25)
Futile churning, resting yearning:
sin’s surpassing toll.
Searching for the music
that will fill my empty soul.
The song that I long for is Yours:
A voice I hear whispering, “Come away…”
My soul’s silent winter has come to an end.
Now, in You, I sing.
Though dark in my sin, still You come for me
and woo me from where I would hide.
Incomparable love that has opened my eyes…
all my longing satisfied.
To know You, my Sovereign One, treasure me
as if I’m Your own chosen bride.
Your love fills my heart with such joy in return.
I am Yours…You are mine.
Your love fills my heart with such joy in return.
I am Yours…You are mine.
Before my heart could see the love You have for me,
You chose to wear my crown of thorns
that, in exchange, Your glory I’d see!
The song that I long for is Yours:
A voice I hear whispering, “Come away…”
My soul’s silent winter has come to an end.
May I sing for You?
And, are those angels singing too?
Forevermore I’ll listen to Your song of songs!
7. Wilderness (5:10)
Sometimes in life we find we leave our Father’s ways behind,
making our own selfish plans, taking matters in our hands.
And though we know it’s wrong, we don’t go back to where we belong,
choosing instead a desert road, burdened by rebellion’s load.
And yet…
Our Father loves us so…too much to ever let us go.
So, for a time, we’ll know a place where mercy flows.
His grace will always show in the wilderness.
And when, by grace, we choose a life of faith: in Him made new,
He longs to meet with us each day…earthly distractions stripped away.
He wants for us to see how worldly wisdom can deceive.
But, as His Spirit works within, eternal truth draws us to Him.
Because…
Our Father loves us so…too much to ever let us go.
So, for a time we’ll know a place to learn and grow.
His grace will always show in the wilderness.
There is purpose in His plan: such perfect love for sinful man.
Sending His own Son to bring us life.
Jesus willingly paid the price.
When seasons here look dim, cling to the hope we have in Him.
We may have temporary pain, but there is joy with heaven’s gain.
Each trial that we endure will show His faithfulness is sure.
He knows our need and hears each prayer. Depend on Him, He’s always there.
Because…
Our Father loves us so…too much to ever let us go.
Forever we can know that trusting Him will show
His grace abundant flows from the wilderness.
8. He Changed My Name (5:03)
He changed my name, He made me whole.
Once I was blind, but now I can see.
My wayward life led me to His cross of love
where He changed my name.
I thought I knew just who I was,
pridefully measuring my own worth.
But, when I looked into my sinful heart
I could see my need.
And, overwhelmed by brokenness,
I could have fallen into despair.
But then, the Lord took me in His nail-scarred hands
calling me His own.
Once I was lost, but now I’m found…
a broken soul now restored to life,
brought from the dark into His glorious light
where it’s clear to see:
New creation, now call me reconciled.
Once sin’s orphan…oh, what joy,
my Father calls me child!
No longer grieving what might have been,
I now look forward to all that can be…
grateful to walk in His love and grace, and know
that He changed my name.
He changed my name, He made me whole.
Once I was blind, but now I can truly see.
My wayward life led me to His cross of love
where He changed my name.
9. Devotion (3:49)
Everything I am, everything You are,
all that I can be because of You.
Overwhelmed by grace, looking to Your face,
seeing perfect love and sacrifice.
Who am I to know favor such as this?
Called to be Your own…forgiven and free!
You alone my hope…You alone my joy.
You alone deserve complete devotion.
Help me now to stand, knowing who I am
in a broken world that’s needing You.
You alone my hope…You alone my joy.
You alone deserve complete devotion.
10. Promises (4:51)
Tears may linger in the night,
but joy comes in the morning…the morning.
Those who put their hope in God
Will find their strength renewing…renewing.
Soaring on wings like an eagle, they will run and not grow tired,
they’ll walk and not faint.
Trust in the Lord, do what is good,
and aspire to be faithful…faithful.
Take delight in Him alone,
you’ll find your heart’s desires fulfilling.
Give Him your days, all you are, and place your future in His care.
His purpose will shine!
None can hear, no eye can see,
no mind conceive what God has planned
for those who love Him.
I will sing a song of praise each morning when I rise.
Giving thanks, for You are good…Your glory fills the skies.
In the night, I remember You for You are my help.
I rest beneath Your wings.
When uncertainty takes hold,
He gives us understanding and wisdom.
Granting us the light of truth,
dispelling sin’s confusion and darkness.
For He promised His Spirit would indwell and guide the hearts
of all who believe.
None can hear, no eye can see,
no mind conceive what God has planned
for those who love Him.
I will sing a song of praise each morning when I rise.
Giving thanks, for You are good…Your glory fills the skies.
In the night, I remember You for You are my help.
I rest beneath Your wings.
Hope in His promises.
Cling to His promises.
Praise for His promises!
11. Enough (4:22)
May I ever sing only for You.
May each song I bring be heartfelt and true.
If no one else will ever hear the music You’ve sown,
may my joy remain to sing for You.
May it be enough, always be enough…
may it be enough to sing for You.
May it be enough, always be enough…
much more than enough to sing for You.
One day I will know heaven’s embrace:
surrounded by Your love, transformed by Your grace.
And, overwhelmed to look upon Your glorious face,
then I will sing my songs of praise to You.
It will be enough, always be enough…
it will be enough to sing for You.
It will be enough, always be enough…
much more than enough to sing for You.
…much more than enough to sing for You!
