Inspired by a post over at the Rabbit Room several weeks ago about the power of good song lyrics, I’ve been mulling over my favorite song lyrics again and again. Some of them hit me in the heart and help me see truth. Some of them just make me smile. Some of them are witty; others are sad. But they all speak to me. So I thought I’d share a few here and invite you to leave a few in the comments.
There is more, more than we can stand, standing in the glory of a love that never ends. There is more, more than we can guess, more and more, forever more. And not a second less.
—Andrew Peterson “More” from the album The Far Country
I am the son who ran away, I am the bitter son who stayed. My God, my God, why hast Thou accepted me? —Andrew Peterson “Mystery of Mercy” from the album The Far Country
When they tell you all their troubles have been nailed up to that cross
Then what about the times when even followers get lost?
‘Cause we all get lost sometimes…
—Andrew Peterson “Silence of God” from the album Love and Thunder
Well, I’m weak and I’m weary of breaking His heart
With they cycle of my sin, of my sin
Still He turns His face to me and I kiss it
Just to betray Him once again
—Andrew Peterson “Come, Lord Jesus” from the album Carried Along
There’s a soft sweet space on the back of your neck
Smells like rain . . .
You are sensual salvation, You’re the holiest temptation
—Marc Broussard “The Beauty of Who You Are” from the album Carencro (Seriously, Marc can smell my neck anytime.)
I don’t know the perfect conversation; I don’t know the way to turn a head. I don’t know the perfect way to prove my love, but I know I’ll love you until I’m dead.
—Dave Barnes “Nothing Fancy”
(Want some cool promotional stuff and to pre-order Dave’s next CD? Go here for a CD/DVD combo and here for 2 CDs, a DVD, and a T-shirt. And visit Dave’s site.)
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom.
—Stuart Townend “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”
Baby, I’ve been here before. I’ve seen this room, and I’ve walked this floor. I used to live here alone before I knew you. And I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch, and love is not a victory march. It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah.
—Leonard Cohen “Hallelujah” (best recorded by Jeff Buckley, in my opinion, though I do have the Ryan Adams produced Willie Nelson version in iTunes.)
I am the temple of the Lord, I am Jerusalem.
—Randall Goodgame “Jerusalem” from the album The Hymnal
Gravity, stay the hell away from me.
—John Mayer “Gravity”
If I give in, give me bitter songs to play and some sweet heart to win. Friends I thought I lost in towns I’ve never been. Just don’t ever make me fall in love again.
—Chris Thile “Stay Away” from the album How to Grow a Woman from the Ground
And all the gold dust in her eyes won’t reform into a ring
You had and lost the one thing
You kept in a safe place
Remember the face
Of the girl who had made you her own
And how you left her alone
—Joshua Radin “Star Mile” from the album We Were Here
Well, I know I make you cry, and I know sometimes you want to die, but do you really feel alive without me?
—Damien Rice “Accidental Babies” from the album 9
She loves me for the Johnny, but she hates me for the Cash.
Griffin House “Burning Up the Night” from the album Homecoming
The guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind.
Griffin House from the song of the same name on Homecoming
This list is way too long, yet I’ve overlooked so many of my favorites! I hope that you’ve enjoyed the read. Add your favorites in the comments! Please!
March 4, 2008 at 11:31 am
Ok, I’m going to try to pick just a couple and this is going to sound like a plug. All of my favorite lyrics are from my brothers’ band. While they are incredible musicians, they are even greater lyricists and poets. You can check them out at http://www.myspace.com/sensethefall:
Cause I am one day closer to You now than I was yesterday
And I can say that I can’t be Your Will if I am always in Your way.
–Sense the Fall “Time” from their self-titled album (lyrics by Cody and Clinton Walker – my brothers)
Father, give me a heart so sincere that if I listen I’ll hear 1,000 cries and I’ll save them.
Let the anointing be so strong I may reach 1,000 people with my song. Father, use me.
–Sense the Fall “1,000 Lives” from their self-titled album (lyrics by Doug Johnson – lead guitar and my cousin)
I’m trying to reach You. I know You’ll never let me fall.
And I’m wanting to see You. Cause You’re in control of it all.
I know I will reach You. Cause You give me wings to fly.
And I know I can see You. All I have to do is try.
–Last Man Standing (now Sense the Fall) “Try” from the album Dead Alive (lyrics by Cody and Clinton Walker)
I close my eyes and remember what You did for me
The day You died and set my soul free.
And now with one gasping breath and with everything to gain,
I lift my hands to the sky and scream out Your name.
–Sense the Fall “Words of Another” from their self-titled album (lyrics were written by a friend of the band….I don’t have the CD case with me to give him credit)
March 4, 2008 at 2:07 pm
“I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die” — Johnny Cash, Folsom Prison Blues
March 4, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Nice! Bringing in the old school Johnny!
March 5, 2008 at 9:31 am
I can write many lyrics but I’ll stick to one for the moment.
“And even if the whole world has forgotten, the song remembers when.”
- Trisha Yearwood “The Song Remembers When” from the album of the same title
March 5, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Ah, pulling in some Trisha. I’ve never listened to much of her stuff.
March 10, 2008 at 7:37 am
[...] day my blog post resulted in free stuff Last week, I wrote a thoughtful post about the power of song lyrics. I love me some good lyrics. And most often, music speaks to me in a [...]
March 11, 2008 at 6:35 pm
[...] love words. And I haven’t stolen a blog idea in a while. So I will accomplish both right [...]