Today, sitting in my white wicker rocker on the back porch, drinking VERY strong coffee (albeit decaf so I’m not sure it counts), I’m reminded of another steamy, hot summer day when my family and I were on tour with our Wendy and the James Gang shows (visit the bio on this website to learn more).
As a child growing up in the United Brethren church, for 13 years, I spent a week of each summer attending our church camp – Camp Living Waters in Luther, MI, near the Cadillac area. Those weeks were a blast and I loved every minute of them. So, as an adult, I wanted to take my family to the camp to visit.
On this particular day, we were quite exhausted from a heavy schedule and REALLY ready for a day off from concerts and touring. Throughout the summer I had been composing the music for our second show and we were working on deadlines with our friend and producer, Russell Mauldin, of Nashville. David was off with our two boys exploring the camp and I was down on the dock on a day like today, resting and thinking and praying. And sleeping a bit! I remember looking out over the placid water of the reflecting lake and viewing the lily pads along the edge with humming dragon flies hovering over the blooms. Suddenly, a fish jumped near me and I was filled with this inexplicable joy. Then in my prayerfulness images of these colorful fish diving deep and barreling for the surface like dolphins in a water show and breaking the surface with a shower of rainbow sparkled spray and drops shimmering out in all directions came to me. I was delighted by the playful fish dancing before me and a song popped into my head which I quickly scribbled down.
The name of the song? Jumpin Joy – the opening song of our second project and tour: The Song of the King!
Jumpin’ Joy
Jumpin’ Jehosaphat!
Hey will you look at that!
Joy bubblin o’er my soul
Think I’m gonna lose control!
Joy, joy, joy – I’ve got the jumpin’ jumpin’
Joy, joy, joy – I’ve got the jumpin’ jumpin’
Joy, joy, joy – I’ve got the jumpin’ jumpin’
Joy, oh joy, oh joy – joy joy!
I’ve got the jumpin’ joy of Jesus
Livin’ down in my heart.
Down in my heart.
I’ve got the jumpin’ joy of Jesus
Livin’ down in my heart to stay.
It’s an awesome feelin’
Really sends me reelin’
Right into my Savior’s arms
I’ve gotta jump and shout it,
Tell the world about it
It’s a red hot, melting pot
Fire alarm!
I’ve got the jumpin’ joy of Jesus
Livin’ down in my heart.
Down in my heart.
I’ve got the jumpin’ joy of Jesus
Livin’ down in my heart to stay.
Can you feel it too?
Does he live in you?
Did he take your sins away?
Then get on up on your feet.
Can you feel the beat?
Of that joy jumpin’ down
In your soul today! Yea, Yea
I’ve got the jumpin’ joy of Jesus
Livin’ down in my heart.
Down in my heart.
I’ve got the jumpin’ joy of Jesus
Livin’ down in my heart to stay.
Oh-oh, it’s not gonna
Stay down in my heart
No, it’s not gonna
Stay down in my heart
Oh, it’s not gonna
Stay down in my heart
Cause it’s reachin’ out to you
And you and you!
I’ve got the jumpin’ joy of Jesus
Livin’ down in my heart.
Down in my heart.
I’ve got the jumpin’ joy of Jesus
Livin’ down in my heart to stay.
I’ve got the jumpin’ joy of Jesus
Livin’ down in my heart
Down in my heart
I’ve got the jumpin’ joy of Jesus
Livin’ down in my heart to stay.
Wendy James Music Ministry 