Unless The Lord Builds The House

This is one of those songs that is based on a very simple idea. It just so happened that my truck was in the shop and I was taking the bus to work. With 45 minutes to use or squander, I sat on the bus reading the Bible and humming this melody to myself. I finished the first part on the bus. The bus got me about a mile from my office so I started walking. As I approached the busy freeway in front of my office, standing above the noise and pollution the second verse hit me. I hope you don't mind my little social commentary. Many thanks to Bob "Notes" Norton for most of the chords and the wonderful style. - Elton, September 18, 1997

(Oboe Introduction)

Unless the Lord builds the house
It's builders labor in vain
Unless the Lord watches over the city
It's watchmen guard it in vain

Unless the Lord builds the house
It's builders labor in vain
Unless the Lord watches over the city
It's watchmen guard it in vain

(Oboe solo)

Oh dear Lord build our homes
That we won't labor in vain
Give us strength and commitment
to teach our children your ways

Oh dear Lord watch our cities
We feel the weight and the shame
Greed and lust at our door steps
Please make us holy again, holy again

(Final oboe solo)

Copyright © 1997 Elton Smith

Comments  ( Leave a comment) View all comments for this song
Powerful song Ben (benmichele6_AT_GMAIL_DOT_COM) 2023-02-24
I love this song it has such a meaningful verse unless the Lord build the house we labour in vain unless the watch over the city we guard in vain may we try to do God word nice Renae Forbes (renaeforbes660_AT_gmail_DOT_com) 2019-05-25
Beautiful song I really love this unless the lord build the house we labor in vain the watchman guard in vain Renae Forbes (Renforbes70_AT_gmail_DOT_ Com) 2017-06-17
well it really tells the story that your trying to make pepole notice and telll just to remind them that they are a membe of gods family and love him forever really lovely bethan 2009-05-08
A nice song, I love it. May i request for a choral music score for this piece. Kindly email it if there's a possibility. Thanks a lot and more power!!! Jill (jllbastian_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2009-02-08
Absolutly love this one 2009-02-04

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