Below are links to all my original worship songs! Kindly report congregational reprint usage of lyrics to CCLI or ONE LICENSE. Please email glofanmusic@gmail.com for sound recording and/or video usage permissions, additional music resources, etc. Any purchases (links below) or donations are greatly appreciated to support my music making!
“God Who Sees Us” is a lament against anti-Asian hate and was written in 2021 in response to the Bay Area attacks against Asian elders as well as the massacre of 6 Asian women in the Atlanta spa shootings. Featuring the Chinese erhu instrument, the song expresses the pain of marginalized communities, especially Asian Americans, but also points to the hope of redemption.
Buy Sheet Music | Music Video | Live Acoustic Version | Mandarin Chinese Version | Credits
Lyrics
Verse 1:
We have been forgotten and abandoned
Cast aside, erased, and counted out
Centuries of hatred and exclusion
Stories lost and rarely talked about
Pre-chorus 1:
Yet the poorest are Your chosen
Your favored are the least
You are nearest to the outcast
They are the ones You seek
Chorus 1:
You are the God who sees us
You are the God who hears
You know we long for justice
You witness all our tears
Though the world ignores our pain
Our cries to You are not in vain
You see us, God
You see us and You hear
Verse 2:
God, You know the pain of losing family
Jesus, You are weeping with us now
As we face oppression, blame and violence
You’re drawing near to comfort, hear us out
Pre-chorus 2:
You revealed Yourself to Hagar
A foreign girl enslaved
In her time of desperation
You met her on the way
Chorus 1
Bridge:
You see Yourself within us
You see us with delight
Your precious, holy children
Heirs of the Most High
You see Your own reflection
The very face of God
In Your beautiful creation
A work inspiring awe
Chorus 2:
You are the God who sees us
You are the God who hears
You promise us a new day
When there are no more tears
Though we struggle now in pain
You will redeem all hurt and shame
You see us and You strengthen us
You see us and You empower us
You see us God, El Roi
And You hear
“I’ve Got a New Song” is an uplifting gospel duet based on Psalm 40 that is a testimony of God’s deliverance.
Music Video | Chord Sheet | Credits
Lyrics
Chorus
I’ve got a new song
A new song of praise in me (x2)
For my God is a God of deliverance
Seen me through trouble and trial
I’ve got a new song
A new song of praise in me
Verse 1
I patiently waited
Your mercy my plea
You showed Yourself faithful
And loyal to me
Prechorus 1
Though evil has surrounded me
My sins have taken hold
You are my help and advocate
My enemies will fold
Verse 2
You have preserved me
With kindness and love
Many and wondrous
Are Your thoughts of us
Prechorus 2
You pulled me from the deadly pit
You silenced mouths that mock
You turned toward me and heard my cry
Then set my feet on rock
“Lift Our Heads” is a grungy rock anthem and modern-day lament/imprecatory psalm, loosely based on Psalm 110. This song was written and performed by Gloria and fellow Asian American songwriter Douglas Chu. The song expresses rage at injustice and pleads for God’s intervention and victory. Appropriate for the Advent season.
Lyric Video | Buy Sheet Music | Chord Sheet | Credits
Lyrics
Verse 1
The depths of our losses lie deeper than the floor of the sea
Our tears have no meaning to the profit-making machine
The ones placed above us look away in apathy
God will you free us? Misery is now our routine
Chorus 1
Will You come and overthrow our enemies
How long will this suffering repeat and repeat
Will You come and lift our heads in victory
Bring down our oppressors
Making them a footstool under our feet
Verse 2
We’re sickened and tired that lives are treated with no regard
The weak at the hands of the powerful to use and discard
Shatter the idols of affluence and selfish gain
Pour out your justice, and put an end to all of this pain
Bridge
At your right hand we will reign with you
All the earth will be restored, renewed
Chorus 2
You will come and overthrow our enemies
No more will this suffering repeat and repeat
You will come and lift our heads in victory
Tag
Bring down our oppressors (x3)
Making them a footstool under our feet
“Psalm 139” is an empowering piano rock praise anthem that celebrates that we are God’s “fearfully made” masterpieces. This updated version of the song was recorded in 2022.
Lyric Video | Buy Sheet Music | Chord Sheet | Credits
Lyrics
Verse 1
O God, you’ve searched me and known me
You know when I sit and rise
You know my thoughts and all my ways
You know the words that I’ll say
Verse 2
Where shall I go from Your Spirit
Where shall I flee from you
You’re there if I ascend to heav’n
You’re there if I’m in the depths
Pre-Chorus
If darkness should cover me
And light becomes my night
Darkness isn’t dark to You
Darkness is as light
Chorus
You knit me in my mother’s womb
My frame was not hidden from you
All of my days you have ordained
Hallelujah I am fearfully made
You knit me in my mother’s womb
My frame was not hidden from you
All of my days you have ordained
Hallelujah I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Bridge
Your works are wonderful
My soul knows my soul knows
Verse 3
Search me O God and know me
Test me, know my anxious thoughts
See if there be any wicked way in me
And lead me forevermore
“Trust and Endure” is a lament song for difficult seasons of waiting. Can be used during the Advent season.
Lyric Video | Buy Sheet Music | Chord Sheet | Credits
Lyrics
Trust and endure
Trust and endure
All you heavy-laden
Wondering how long?
Wondering how long?
And there is no end in sight
Worry and fear
Anguish and tears
Don’t know how to go on
God-with-us sees you
Sees you and hears your cry
Trust and endure
Trust and endure
In the aching, longing
Wait and take heart
Wait and take heart
When you’ve done all you can do
Daylight will come
Daylight will come
O trust that God will act
Bringing forth justice
Justice and righteousness
Be still, be still
Patiently wait
Be still, be still
Patiently wait
Those who wait will see God’s hand
Trust and endure (x4)
“You Are My Shepherd” is a setting of the beloved and comforting Psalm 23 text. This song can be used for peaceful meditation during the Lenten season and all year round.
Lyric Video | Buy Sheet Music | Chord Sheet | Credits
Lyrics
Verse 1
You are my Shepherd
You are my Shepherd
I shall not want, shall not want
You lead me forward
Providing for me
I have no reason to fear
Chorus
Though I journey through the valley
Of the shadow of death
You are with me
Offering comfort
In the presence of my enemies
Your blessing unfolds
You anoint me
You restore me
Verse 2
Your lovingkindness
Your lovingkindness
Shall follow me all my days
My cup runs over
My cup runs over
And I shall dwell in your house
Forever, amen.
“Instrument of Peace” is an unreleased song by Gloria, based on the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. The song was written in response to US Capitol attack in January 2021.
Lyrics
God make me an instrument of peace
Not a peacekeeper but a bold maker of peace
in the midst of the strife
God give me the courage to speak
With my words and with my life
To uplift the least of these
God make me an instrument of peace
Let me sow love where there is hatred
And faith where there is doubt
Let me sow hope among the hopeless
And where there’s sadness, joy
“Remain in Your Love” is my debut album released in 2016. While my theology has evolved since writing the album (for example I no longer exclusively use male pronouns for God), the album’s main theme of being rooted in God’s unconditional love, which does not depend on our performance, still rings true for me today, especially as an Asian American woman.
“Well Pleased” Lyric Video | Credits
Lyrics
Well Pleased
You Are Not Your Own *
Psalm 139
What Does the Lord Require
May We Rest
Remain in Your Love
*Listeners should note that the 2nd track “You Are Not Your Own” references 1 Cor 6:19 and was written before the rise of the #MeToo movement. Of course it was not intentional, but in today’s culture, the lyrics could be triggering for victims of abuse.
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