New From Mike & Marty: “By The Mark” (Featuring Ben)

“By the Mark” is a gospel song which has the feel of an old hymn, but it actually dates to the 1990s. It was written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and first released in 1996 on Welch’s debut album.

Now Mike and Marty have released their own version. Brother-in-law Ben of Ben & Rose joins them on mandolin and harmony vocals. Ben last sang with the brother and sister duo on “Palms of Victory” back in May, which had Rose singing along as well.

I enjoy Ben’s mandolin playing on this one, and the three sound great together. Mike plays guitar here, and producer Conrad Fisher is on bass.

The title comes from the idea of recognizing Jesus by the nail scars in His hands. That calls to mind Thomas in the Gospel of John, who said he would not believe in Jesus’ resurrection until he saw and touched the nail marks in Jesus’ body.

Here are the lyrics:

By the Mark – Lyrics

When I cross over
I will shout and sing
I will know my savior
By the mark where the nails have been

By the mark where the nails have been
By the sign upon his precious skin
I will know my savior when I come to him
By the mark where the nails have been

A man of riches
May claim a crown of jewels
But the king of heaven
Can be told from the prince of fools

By the mark where the nails have been
By the sign upon his precious skin
I will know my savior when I come to him
By the mark where the nails have been

On Calvary Mountain
Where they made him suffer so
All my sin was paid for
A long, long time ago

By the mark where the nails have been
By the sign upon his precious skin
I will know my savior when I come to him
By the mark where the nails have been
I will know my savior when I come to him
By the mark where the nails have been

Yet another really nice one. Have a listen to their take on “By the Mark” here:

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