Lord I’m Steppin’ High

Composer/author: M. Soriano/C. Young, Jr.
Date: Idea came January 5, 2012. Song completed August 24, 2012
Original title: High Steppin’ or Lord I’m Steppin’ High
Original key: Dm
Theme: Exuberantly praising God for His amazing ways

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Scripture References:

Psalm 95:1-2 (msg)
Come, let’s shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
Let’s march into His presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns!

Psalm 149:6
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand

John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full

Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, not let it be fearful.

Psalm 139:5-6
You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon. Me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it

John 15:4, 9
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

HISTORY

Most of our early worship meetings, music collaborations, and rehearsals have taken place in the Young’s lovely home. Every time I’ve walked in, there was one painting that always captured my attention.

One morning in January 2012, while Cliff was taking an incoming phone call in another room, I was alone in the living room, gazing at the painting of a group of ladies in long flowing, colorful dresses. Three of the ladies were simultaneously tilted back with their chins facing upward and their right foot stepping forward. It was as if they were taking a high step forward in dance. Intrigued by the painting, I began imagining what the music must have sounded like to strike such a pose. The concept of high-steppin’ to praise music occupied my mind, and as a melody came, a few phrases began floating around. “Lord I’m steppin’ high, I’m here to get my praise on.” Cliff and I began working on this song, and more lyrics came: “No more compromise, I’m here to get my praise on. No more holding back, I give it all to You.” At this time, the intro chords toggled between a Dm7 G7/D Dm9 G7/D.

On August 24th, 2012, 7 months later, we decided to do a video while working on this song. Cliff/I were serving at the Gathering service at Rolling Hills Covenant Church, and the purpose of the video was to give the Gathering congregation the ability to access to newly written worship songs and preview them through a Facebook post on the Living Sacrifice page and the Gathering page to bring familiarity.

In this writing session, we finished the rest of the verse “Take my heart to seize Your praise, I’m amazed at the work You do”. Cliff suggested weaving in a version of Stevie Wonder’s opening chords to Overjoyed to the “Lord I’m Steppin” song. The new interlude, which started on a Dm/F before going to the half-step sequence E7, EbM7, E7, Dm/F was similar to Stevie’s pattern, but in a different key, and ended differently ( Em D). It was here where we decided the overjoyed sequence would carry these lyrics: “Overjoyed, I’m overjoyed, overjoyed by You.” Through Christ, “our joy would be full, because He gives us fullness of joy.”

It was also at this session where we created a bridge, introduced a different key (“go to a major key” – cy) and a “hymn-like” vibe. The bridge comprised of what Jesus would say to us: “I give you life that your joy would be full.” While Cliff looked up bible verses that spoke of peace, I wrote down chords.

“I give you life that your peace may be sure. Lord, You amaze me, Your love cannot lie. Now I abide in You”

We later realized that if Jesus were speaking these lyrics to us, it would be in first person. We decided that the bridge would be as if we’re testifying what the Lord gives and does for us – “He gives you life that your joy may be full. He gives you love that your peace may be sure. He will amaze you, His love cannot lie. Come close to Him, abide”

When asked “what do you want to call this? Steppin’ High?” When Cliff said “steppin’ high is a jazz term that doesn’t mean good things”, I countered with “we can change that.” Cliff chuckled and said, “that’s what we do in Living Sacrifice, right?” I suggested “Steppin’ high for the Lord”, and Cliff solidified it, “Lord, I’m Steppin’ High”