Graham Kendrick Music | 4 months ago

#paidonthenail #grahamkendrick
How Much do you Think You Are Worth from 1974 album Paid on the Nail by singer/songwriter Graham Kendrick.

Perhaps Graham's most well known singer/songwriter lyric, How Much Do You Think You Are Worth? challenges listeners to reflect on the value of human life through a series of thought-provoking questions. The song contrasts various scenarios - rich versus poor, young versus old, and powerful figures versus the forgotten - to explore the nature of worth and significance. It questions societal judgments and the often superficial measures of value.

The lyrics delve into the profound exchange at the heart of the Christian faith: Christ taking the place of Barabbas, an act that defies conventional views of worthiness. The song asks whether a person’s value is determined by their actions or by the price someone is willing to pay for them, pointing directly to the crucifixion of Jesus as the ultimate demonstration of human worth.

Through evocative lines, Kendrick confronts the listener with the notion that Christ valued each individual so highly that He was willing to pay the ultimate price - His own life. The song poignantly states that Jesus was held to the cross not by nails, but by love, underscoring the depth of His sacrifice and the worth He places on every person.

The song ultimately asks whether the listener accepts this valuation or dismisses it, prompting them to consider the cost of their own worth in the light of Christ’s sacrifice. It challenges us to ponder not only how much we are worth but also what we are willing to give in return for the price that was paid.

Originally released on the Key Records label, ‘Paid on the Nail’ was Graham’s third album and a landmark in his ministry.

It continued the acoustic/folky style which had been Graham’s hallmark in his earlier recordings but also introduced a wider variety and subtlety of arrangements and other instruments including Peter Roe on the Moog synthesiser. The songs were written while Graham was part of a team ministry called ‘In the name of Jesus’ who engaged in evangelism and church renewal around the UK.

Song lyrics and MP3 download:

https://grahamkendrick.co.uk/how-much-do-you-think-you-are-worth-is-a-rich-man-worth-more-than-a-poor-man/

Is a rich man worth more than a poor man?
A stranger worth less than a friend?
Is a baby worth more than an old man?
Your beginning worth more than your end?

Is a president worth more than his assassin?
Does your value decrease with your crime?
Like when Christ took the place of Barabbas
Would you say he was wasting his time?

Well, how much do you think you are worth, boy?
Will anyone stand up and say?
Would you say that a man is worth nothing
Until someone is willing to pay?

I suppose that you think you matter
Well, how much do you matter to whom?
It’s much easier at night when with friends and bright lights
Than much later alone in your room

Do you think they’ll miss one in a billion
When you finish this old human race?
Does it really make much of a difference
When your friends have forgotten your face?

If you heard that your life had been valued
That a price had been paid on the nail
Would you ask what was traded,
How much and who paid it
Who was He and what was His name?

If you heard that His name was called Jesus
Would you say that the price was too dear?
Held to the cross not by nails but by love
It was you broke His heart, not the spear!
Would you say you are worth what it cost Him?
You say ‘no’, but the price stays the same.
If it don’t make you cry, laugh it off, pass Him by,
But just remember the day when you throw it away
That He paid what He thought you were worth.

How much do you think He is worth, boy?
Will anyone stand up and say?
Tell me, what are you willing to give Him
In return for the price that He paid?

Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1974 Make Way Music,
www.grahamkendrick.co.uk

Released:
1974 (Key Records)

Producer:
John Pantry

Recorded at:
R G Jones Studios, London and Echo Studios, Eastbourne

Musicians:
Graham Kendrick - Acoustic Guitar
Peter Roe - Moog Synthesiser
Nick Ryan - Bass Guitar
Mike Wade - Drums
Ken Freeman - String Synthesiser