Backstory
this 3-way co-write started in a conversation between Dave and Sandie. Dave was discussing how his church was thinking 'out of the box' to bring in new members. Sandie took the tale and wrote a lyric. She contacted Bob, who felt the spirit of the song, and wrote the music and melody. After obtaining two pro writer evaluations, Sandie and Bob tweaked the lyric, and had the song demoed as you hear it.
Lyrics
THE CHURCH OF “COME ON IN”
Thurston-Lindsey-Clay
It used to be I could be found each Sunday in a suit, with the same folks I meet with every week.
Then one Sabbath morning, I started quite a ruckus, when I raised my hand and asked if I could speak.
I said, "Hey we like to talk a lot in our four walls sitting here, and the lessons in the Good Book are the best,
But there's a church on every corner, and not everyone feels welcomed,
Why don't we take The Word and share it with the rest?
(CHORUS) Now we meet, yes we meet, on Sunday mornings,
In the diner down on Broadway Avenue,
And if you see us there and feel the call, pull up a stool, we welcome all,
At the Church of Come On In, there's room for you.
There's not a tall church steeple, just a blinking neon sign saying "World's Best Cup of Coffee, Come On In"
No altar, just a counter, not a church pew can be found, and hymnals where the menus’ always been.
We’ll pass around an offering plate, so be sure to leave a tip
‘cause the food is good and the waitresses work hard
There's a six string playing gospel songs, the ones that we all know, so anyone who sings is a member of the choir.
(CHORUS)
bridge:
We'll talk about the Carpenter, we'll talk about the Garden,
And we’ll talk about how bad your week has been,
We'll pray for you if you need us to, your first cup's on the house,
And next time when we meet, please bring a friend.
(CHORUS)
© Sandie Thurston - David Lindsey - Bob Clay