Father, I’m on Fire!

Father, I’m on Fire, a burst of guileless musical joy, plays under the ending credits of my feature film Over-the-Rhine. Expressing the newborn faith of one of the film’s central characters, it’s exuberant lyrics and light country rock sound are not typical of my style. But then it isn’t exactly my song…

Years ago I met a winsome young woman named Kathy who’d just committed her life to Christ. Her joy was uncontainable! So she channeled that joy into lyrics. She had a melody in her head, too, but had never written a song, so she brought her little musical memoir to me. I tweaked the tune a bit and added a third verse, along with chords and a counter-melody, but made sure to preserve the song’s infectious, childlike spirit.

Back to the present:

As I was completing the screenplay for Over-the-Rhine, I began thinking about music for the credits. Nothing I’d written seemed appropriate. Then I thought of “Kathy’s song.” What could better capture the joy of a new believer than the words of a new believer? So I contacted Father, I’m on Fire’s co-writer and originator Kathy Schulz Kiran–who is still a joyful Jesus follower, by the way–and she said yes!

VERSE 1

Father, I’m on fire and I’m burnin’ up for You!

And it’s filled me with desire to know what’s really, truly

in Your will for me. I know that You will show me,

‘cause You answer every knock on Your door.

VERSE 2

Lord, I’m just a baby, but I’m learnin’ how to crawl!

And I hope that someday maybe I can grow up taller

than I’ve stood before. I know that you’ll use me more,

‘cause You answer every knock on Your door.

CHORUS

And I’d like to sing this song out loud so everyone can hear.

And if there’s someone in the crowd who’s longing to get nearer

to Thee, then Father work through me,

‘cause You’ve changed my life. It’s You I’m livin’ for.

VERSE 3

My heart’s overflowin’ with a love I can’t contain!

And I hope that love is showin’,

‘cause, Lord, you know, the world remains

such a broken place, in need of your sweet, sweet grace,

but You answer every knock on Your door.

Repeat CHORUS

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This recording was produced and performed by the composer of Over-the-Rhine’s score, Steve Goers.

Note: No part of this song or recording may be copied or reproduced without first obtaining written permission from its composer Mitch Teemley (Og Hollow Music, 2016 – ASCAP)