Song Saturday #14 - New NTB

Ok y'all. I love this new needtobreathe single almost as much as I love Bear and Bo's forearm tattoos.

Immediately you hear this driving kick drum, driving the song forward like a heartbeat. Then the guitar comes in, bright and acoutic and punchy and perfect. And dare I even mention the xylophone? No one else could possibly make a xylophone sound so cool.

The lyrics are as good as the music. There's something so unique about the way they infuse their faith into their songs - take a gander at this little gem:

All these victims stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes

Their new album "The Reckoning" comes out September 20th. The countdown is on.

Now I know:
This song would make the perfect alarm to wake up to.



"Slumber" - NTB
Days they force you back under those covers
Lazy mornings they multiply
Glory's waiting outside your window
So wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes

Tongues are violent, personal and focused
Tough to beat with your steady mind
But hearts are stronger after broken
So wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes

All these victims stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes

Take from vandals all you want now
Please don't trade it in for life
Replace your feeble with the fable
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes

All these victims stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes

C'mon we'll sing like we used to
Dance when you want to
Chase for the breakthrough
Open wide

All these victims stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes

C'mon sing like we used to
And dance like you want to
C'mon darlin' open your eyes
C'mon sing like we used to
C'mon dance like we want to
C'mon darlin' open up your eyes

Song Saturday #13

I haven't just broken up with anybody but I still sing this at the top of my lungs every time I hear it.




Red Light - David Nail
So this is how it ends
This is where it all goes down
This is what I don't love you feels like

It ain't the middle of the night
And it ain't even raining outside
It ain't exactly what I had in mind
For goodbye

At a red light in the sunshine
On a Sunday
Nothing to say
Don't even try

Some are coming home
Some are leaving town
While my world's crashing down
On a Sunday
In the sunshine
At a red light

I thought she was gonna say
Something about that couple kissing
Crossing the street
Or something about this beautiful day

But she just looked me in the eye
Said it's over
Didn't try to lie
Or pick a fight
I might have seen it coming that way

But at a red light in the sunshine
On a Sunday
Nothing to say
Don't even try

Some are coming home
Some are leaving town
While my world's crashing down
On a Sunday
In the sunshine
At a red light

There's a momma calming down a little baby
In the backseat in front of me
There's an old man dressed in his Sunday best
Just waitin on green
But I can't see, gettin past

This red light
In the sunshine
On a Sunday
Nothing to say
Don't even try

Some are coming home
Some are leaving town
While my world's crashing down
On a Sunday in the sunshine
At a red light

Song Saturday #12 - My new favorite song

My friend Darsey always listens to cool new music. I used to love it when she was my roommate because she'd pass it on to me, and then I felt cool, too.

When she came this weekend on a visit from her new hometown of Portland, Darsey brought me a CD by up and comer Lucy Schwartz called Life in Letters. She said that every time she heard the title track, number 5, she thought of me, which I love, because this is exactly the song I want to be identified with!

The A,B,C part makes me think of being a teacher, how there's nothing better in the world than the sound of pencils scratching on paper and no greater sight than a sea of waving hands, just itching to be called on.

Living your life in letters totally makes me think of my new life as a writer, how I see and experience everything in the context of telling a story. This is the kind of identity I want to share with my students - to give them the power of having a voice, of having something to say.

The sensational clapping makes me think of happiness and car dancing and getting high fives. It makes me smile.

It's my new favorite song, natch.

Give 'er a listen.



I know you, with your heart of blue
You take your troubles and release the sound
Into the open, up from the ground
These words unspoken, you sing aloud

Words can be strong, like the beating drum
Like ten thousand voices that call together
A is the ailment, and B makes it better
C is creating your life in letters

Life in letters
Life in letters

So take me back, I have lost the path
I need to recover this life you lead
Sing when I’m broken and I’ll sing when I’m free
Sing for the world and then sing just for me

We are just stories, so here’s mine to tell
Give my heart freely, hope you keep it well
A is the ailment, and B makes it better
C is creating your life in letters

Life in letters
Life in letters

A B C, B C
Come on set me free

Life in letters
Life in letters

Song Saturday #11

The moment has come.

The moment teachers all over the good old US of A (or at least good old Greenville County Schools) have been waiting for.

Drum roll, please..............
It is officially the first day of summer vacation!!!!

(Yes, I'm doing that annoying thing where you whisper "aaaahhhh" in your hands to make it sound like the roar of a crowd).

Anyway, in light of this free, joyful, no papers-to-grade moment - my Saturday song choice was a total no-brainer!

My favorite lyric is: I'm so happy/like the first day of summer vacation/happy/wanna get some rest and relaxation/happy/like the choir on Sunday morning, sweet and true

But the kicker is, I'm not actually taking a vacation this summer. I'll be writing curriculum for Greenville County for two weeks, participating in the Upstate Writing Project for the month of June, presenting at the Upstate Technology Conference, and doing the SmartArts arts integration workshop the last week in July.

I know, I'm geeking out.

Whatever.

I'm still happy.



__________________

Happy, by Martin Sexton

You and I here all alone
Sunday morning here at home
The sky is blue as the coffee’s strong
It’s true
But then I open my eyes
To this dream realized
In front of me
Oh and I haven’t got a clue
What in the world is happening to me

I think I’m happy
Like the first day of summer vacation
Happy when I get some rest and relaxation
Happy like the choir on Sunday morning
Sweet and true

Oo sister when you cook that way
Sweet distraction rules the day
The kitchen table honey just might break
To the sound of you and I rockin our bodies

I don’t understand why I wasn’t your lover man
A hundred years ago
The fellas are gonna have to understand
And tip their hats to the man who scored

Hot damn I’m so happy
Like lovin you all night long
Happy and sleeping on our front lawn
Happy like hearing my favorite song on the radio

Take me to the bridge

Cuz I’ve been round this world a hundred times
And I never knew love could happen this way
I think of you so often and I know that you are
Thinking of me too
That makes me so happy

Happy like the first day of summer vacation
Happy apple pie and relaxation
Like peace all round the world we’re living on

Song Saturday #9

Pour me some lemonade and turn up the country music. It's 80 degrees and my sunroof is officially open for business.

Summer's here, y'all.

I love this song almost as much as I love Luke Bryan's smile. It makes me want to turn up the music and shake it!




Hey girl - go on now
You know you’ve got everybody looking

Got a little boom in my big truck
Gonna open up the doors and turn it up
Gonna stomp my boots in the Georgia mud
Gonna watch you make me fall in love
Get up on the hood of my daddy’s tractor
Up on the tool box, it don’t matter
Down on the tailgate, girl I can’t wait
To watch you do your thing

Shake it for the young bucks sittin' in the honky-tonks
For the rednecks rockin' till the break of dawn
For the DJ spinnin' that country song
Come on, come on, come on

Shake it for the birds, shake it for the bees
Shake it for the catfish swimming down deep in the creek
For the crickets and the critters and the squirrels
Shake it to the moon, shake it for me girl, aww

Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me

Somebody's sweet little farmer shy,
With a gatle in her Bud to get a little wild
Pony tail and a pretty smile,
Rope me in from a country mile
So come on over here and get in my arms
Spin me around this big ole barn
Tangle me up like grandma's yarn, yeah, yeah, yeah

Shake it for the young bucks sittin' in the honky-tonks
For the rednecks rockin' till the break of dawn
For the DJ spinnin' that country song
Come on, come on, come on
Shake it for the birds, shake it for the bees
Shake it for the catfish swimming down deep in the creek
For the crickets and the critters and the squirrels
Shake it for the moon, shake it for me girl, aww

Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me

Now dance like a dandelion
In the name of the hill underneath the pines, yea
Move like the river flows
Feel the kick drum down deep in your toes
All I wanna do is get to holdin' you and get to knowin' you
And get to showin' you and get to lovin' you 'fore the night is through
Baby you know what to do

Shake it for the young bucks sittin' in the honky-tonks
For the rednecks rockin' till the break of dawn
For the DJ spinnin' that country song
Come on, come on, come on
Shake it for the birds, shake it for the bees
Shake it for the catfish swimming down deep in the creek
For the crickets and the critters and the squirrels
Shake it for the moon, shake it for me girl, aww

Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me

Life is Like...

... a concert.

(Yes, that is Sara Bareilles. Yes, she sounded better live than she does on a recording. Yes, she inspired me to come straight home and write a blog post comparing life to a concert. She is just that talented).

Some people wait in line for a really long time to get tickets. When they hear the first song of the show, they know it was worth the wait.

Some people sing along because they know every word by heart. Some people are learning songs they've never heard. Either way they are all enjoying something together, which proves that people of all types can get along if they just shut up and listen.

Some people are way too concerned about how cute their footwear is and sacrifice comfort for fashion. They (hopefully) learn from their mistake and wear comfortable shoes to every concert after that. I personally learned a long time ago that unless you are a Dr. Scholls foot model, no one is really looking at your feet during a concert.

Some people wear earplugs. I'll never understand this. Maybe I'll be deaf someday, but I figure we all will be at some point. Why plug up the sound of something you paid good money to hear? In life, unplug your ears. Listen, truly listen to the people that are around you. God gave us two ears and one mouth. This is the perfect segue to my next point.

Some people talk over the performer, which makes me think they A) either didn't want to come to the concert in the first place or B) missed out on Concert Etiquette 101 - DON'T COME TO A CONCERT TO TALK. I think this shows that some people on this earth are loudmouths that think they are always the center of the show. Thank goodness there are high powered speakers big enough to drown them out.

Some people spring for way-too-expensive concert t-shirts and sweatshirts (guilty as charged) to show their allegiance to that particular band. In life, we all show our allegiance to something. We better choose something worthy of that allegiance.

Some people call friends and hold up their cell phones so they can share in the concert experience. Basking in the radiation-filled glow of all the cell phones tonight (including my own) makes me remember how music connects people. Doesn't a certain song make you remember a moment you shared with someone you haven't talked to in awhile? Don't wait for a concert. Call them today. Hold up your cell phone to your stereo, reminisce, reconnect.

Some people rush off before the encore songs are over to avoid traffic. I'll never understand this either. Don't you know you're going to be waiting in traffic anyway? Why don't you stay home and listen to your CD and avoid the traffic altogether???

Now I know:
As in life, the point of a good concert isn't to get to the end of the set list. The point is to enjoy the show.

Song Saturday #8

Needtobreathe needstocomeoutwith their newest record already, because I for one am chomping at the bit for more of their music.

I heard them play this new song at their last concert, and I was hooked. I've been listening to it on YouTube ever since. It's one of those tunes that hooked me in immediately - I didn't have to try to like it. I just instantly felt a connection to the banjo lead, the strong beat, and that one ine a million raspy voice of Bear Rinehart.

Just try to listen to this without letting your little toe start tapping.



Devil's Been Talking
Bag of bones and blood red sheets
Guilty from the words I speak
Say the truth will set you free
What do you want from me?

I'm uneasy in my step
Hanging by a thread
Life it hasn't left me yet
But I won't forget

The devil's been talking
The devil is talking

Ship is sailing out to sea
But it's sailing without me
I can't help but feel I'm home
I've been born to see

The devil's been talking
The devil is talking

Hiding out
So alone
It feels bad
To the bone
I can't move
The sun is cold
For it seems
This is home

Bag of bones and blood red sheets
Guilty from the words I speak
Say the truth will set you free
What do you want from me?

The devil's been talking

You Just Gotta Ignite the Light, and Let it Shine

Yesterday in my class we read about the kids of PS22 in Staton Island in our Time for Kids magazine. Just a few weeks ago, they sang at the end of the Oscars. My kids thought it was pretty cool that these fellow 5th graders got to go to Los Angeles to do that. I did too.

Then when I got home my roommate Maggie asked if I had seen this video of some kids from PS22 singing "Firework." She said it would cheer me up (I had a rough day yesterday). I thought it was fate since we had just read about them at school!

Well, as we watched, my smile got bigger, my heart got happier, and I knew I just had to share this video on my blog.



Now I know:
These 5th graders sing "Firework" better than Katy Perry. Hands down.

Song Saturday #7

The way I see it, getting good advice is like purchasing a bathroom plunger.

Most of the time it just sits around, unused. You're not particularly attached to it. You don't even notice it most of the time. But when you really need it, nothing else will do - especially during particularly crappy situations. (Pun totally intended).

When I heard this song for the first time, all I could think about were the countless times I received advice from friends and family members.

I thought about my mom saying to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. I thought about her telling me to never buy cheap shoes or a cheap mattress, because you'd regret it for a long time. "A star shines no matter where you put it," she told me confidently. Because of her constant encouragement and love, I always felt like a star.

I thought about my grandmother telling me to enjoy being young, because time goes by in the blink of an eye. I hear her voice telling me not to worry about eating another helping of hashbrown casserole or another homemade biscuit. When I put my feet under her table, I never count calories. And let me tell you something, I'm glad I don't.

I think about my pastor telling me that one sign of maturity is knowing the difference between "no" and "not yet." I remember another sermon I heard on leaving margins in your life, leaving time and space for God to do work instead of scheduling out every second of every day. I remember the feeling of relief when Phil told us that it was okay to have quiet time any time of day - that it didn't have to be in the morning for it to count.

I remember my guitar teacher responding to my complaint that I didn't have time to file my nails every day. (This was when I was thick in the middle of my classical guitar studies). "Do you have time to brush your teeth every day?" he asked. "Then you have time to file your nails." He taught me that you make time for what is important.

If you sat and thought about it for awhile, I'm sure you'd hear voices too. What are they telling you today?

Now I know:
I'm pretty dang lucky for all that good advice.




Voices
You could say I'm a little bit crazy
You could call me insane
Walkin' 'round with all these whispers
Runnin' 'round here in my brain
I just can't help but hear 'em
Man, I can't avoid it

I hear voices
I hear voices like
My dad sayin' work that job
But don't work your life away
Mama tellin' me to drop some cash
In the offering plate on Sunday
And granddad sayin' you can have a few
But don't ever cross that line
Yeah I hear voices all the time

Turns out I'm pretty dang lucky
For all that good advice
Those hard to find words of wisdom
Holed up here in my mind
And just when I've lost my way
Or I got to many choices

I hear voices
I hear voices like
My dad sayin' quit the team
And you'll be a quitter for the rest of your life
Mama tellin' me to say a prayer
Every time I lay down at night
And grandma sayin' if you find the one
You'd better treat her right
Yeah, I hear voices all the time

Sometimes I try to ignore 'em
But I thank God for 'em
'Cause they made me who I am

My dad sayin' work that job
But don't work your life away
Mama tellin' me to drop some cash
In the offering plate on Sunday
And granddad sayin' you can have a few
But don't ever cross that line
Yeah I hear voices all the time
Yeah I hear voices all the time
All the time

The Little Things

Tonight my mom is in town. She's only been here since dinnertime, but I already feel a million times better about life in general.

My mom always has that effect on me. :)

As I recounted the weeks' events, we had country music playing, natch. The song "Don't You Wanna Stay," by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson (AMAZING) came on, and it reminded me of a cool moment that happened this Wednesday morning.

I got up late for school. I felt tired and grumpy. We have four weeks left until Spring Break, and I've been feeling like I have to ride my broom to school every morning just to get many of my students to take school seriously.

While I was still lying in bed, I said a little prayer that God would help me to have a good day in spite of being tired, and that he would give me the energy to get through it all with an attitude of joy.

Then my mom called just to say good morning. I felt a little better.

I've been running a lot lately and have been surviving on Lean Cuisines for dinner every night, so I was super hungry. A bowl of cereal just wasn't going to cut it. Even though I didn't have time for it, I decided to stop by Chick-fil-A and treat myself to a big gulp diet coke and a chicken biscuit.

I hit every green light on the way to Chick-fil-A.

There was no line in the drive thru.

And then my jam, "Don't You Wanna Stay," came on the radio. I blasted it and arrived to school with a huge smile on my face - five minutes early. The rest of the day flew by.

I especially liked that I had a gigantic styrofoam cup to keep refilling with diet coke all day. "Isn't that dumb?" I said to my mom. "That a styrofoam cup would make me happy?"

My mom replied, "Nope. Sometimes it's just the little things, honey."

How true.

I think if I spent more time collecting these "little things" and storing them up in my heart, I could carry that joy with me all the time.

Some of the other little things this week that have brought me JOY are:

1. 70 and 80 degree weather. Hello Rainbows! How I've missed you!
2. Cashing in a hot stone pedicure gift certificate I got for Christmas from one of my little girls in my class. I love seeing my light purple toenail polish when I wear my Rainbows!
   
3. Reading the second book in "The Hunger Games" series in one sitting Thursday night. Yes, it is that riveting. Cannot wait to start the third one!
   
4. Eating at PF Changs tonight after a week of Lean Cuisines. Heavenly.
5. Walking around the Shops at Greenridge with my mom, with no agenda and no rush.
6. Having our "Holiday Book Club" today, when my kids that read a book over Christmas vacation get to talk about what they are reading. I love how they got so into the discussion, they didn't want to go outside to recess on this insanely gorgeous day!!! That's what I'm talking about!!!
7. Having our sweet school counselor bring in some clothes she didn't want anymore and finding an adorable pair of Big Star jeans in the stack that fit me perfectly.
8. Hearing from an old friend out of the blue.
   
9. Writing a song with my Thursday afternoon guitar class.
   
10. Getting this in my fortune cookie:

What are some of your little things?

Now I know:
There isn't one big key to joy. There are a million little ones.

Song Saturday #5

I love all kinds of music.

But today y'all will learn the truth. And I will make my mom so proud by finally declaring:

Country music is my absolute favorite.

I can just hear her saying, "What took you so long to write a blog about country music?"

I love you, Mom.

The story goes that that my favorite song when I was two was "Have Mercy" by the Judds. When it would come on the radio I'd go to town in my car seat bouncing around and squealing "HAVE MWWERCY!!" because I couldn't say my "Rs."

When I was four I clearly remember singing every word to Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places," to entertain some family friends.

When I was in high school, I wore cowboy boots and a big old belt buckle before Madonna made it popular. The first song I learned to play and sing on guitar was "You're Still the One," by Shania Twain. I still think she is amazing.

And even now, the #1 preset on my radio is 99.9 Kiss Country.

So naturally, the recent movie Country Strong made my life complete. There is one song from the movie that I haven't been able get out of my head for months.

Today it was raining, a cold, drizzly, curl up on the couch and take a nap kind of a rain. And all I could think of was the lyric from that song that goes, "I remember that day, when our eyes first met/you ran into the building to get out of the rain, cause you were soaking wet/and as I held the door, you wanted to know my name/timing is everything."

In my 26 years, I've found that timing is everything. The time to crack a joke or give someone a hug or tell someone the truth or tell someone you care about them...timing is everything.

Just watch this clip and you'll understand why I want to be Gwenyth and fell in love with Garrett Hedlund.




Then listen to the whole song. And just try to pretend that you don't love it, too.



Timing is Everything

When the stars line up
And you catch a good break
And people think you're lucky
But you know its grace
It can happen so fast
Or a little bit late
Timing is everything

You know I've had close calls
When it could've been me
I was young when I learned just how fragile life can be
I lost friends of mine
I guess it wasn't my time
Timing is everything

And I could've been a child that God took home,
And I would've been one more unfinished song
And when it seems a rhyme is hard to find
That's when one comes along
Just in time

I remember that day
When our eyes first met
You ran into the building to get out of the rain
Cause you were soaking wet
And as I held the door
You wanted to know my name
Timing is everything

And I could've been another minute late
And you'd never would've crossed my path that day
And when it seems true love is hard to find
That's when love comes along
Just in time

You can call it fate
Or destiny
Sometimes it really seems like its a mystery

Cause you can be hurt by love
Or healed by the same
Timing is everything

It can happen so fast
Or a little too late
Timing is everything

Now I know:
I want to live country strong.

Song Saturday #4

Phil Hargrove is the contemporary ministries pastor at First Pres and the fearless leader of our LIFE group. He is engaging, dedicated, and caring - everything a pastor should be! Just so you know, that picture isn't of Phil. That's David Wilcox. We'll get to him in a second...

Last year Phil surprised his wife for their 14th wedding anniversary with a specially planned dinner and live music. I had the honor of playing a few songs for them as they enjoyed their meal. One of Phil's requests was for me to learn David Wilcox's "Show the Way."

At first I thought it was a funny request for an anniversary meal. It's not about love in the conventional, mushy-gushy, eskimo kiss, box of chocolates, dinner-and-a-movie type way. This song is about seeing God's redemption in a world that is full of hurt and brokenness.

After a little bit of thought, I realized it's the perfect song for an anniversary, because a marriage is not just roses and riding off in the sunset. It's full of ups and downs, hurt feelings and inadequacies and struggles. But mostly, it's full of love that redeems all that stuff. How cool to remember that Love is writing the play.

I love singer-songwriters in general, I have a special spot in my heart for David Wilcox, and I have just come home from a weekend full of community service. I saw hurt and brokenness in our community this weekend, but I also saw the God's people coming together to help.

This song says everything I feel today. I hope you enjoy it.

Now I know:
There is evil cast around us, but it's Love that wrote the play.




You say you see no hope
You say you see no reason we should dream
That the world would ever change
You say the love is foolish to believe
'Cause they'll always be some crazy
With an army or a knife
To wake you from your daydream
Put the fear back in your life

Look
If someone wrote a play
To just to glorify what's stronger than hate
Would they not arrange the stage
To look as if the hero came too late?
He's almost in defeat
It's looking like the evil side will when
So on the edge of every seat
From the moment that the whole thing begins

It is love who mixed the mortar
And it's love who stacked these stones
And it's love who made the stage here
Although it looks like we're alone
In this scene, set in shadows,
Like the night is here to stay
There is evil cast around us
But it's love that wrote the play
For in this darkness love can show the way

Now the stage is set
You can feel your own heart beating in your chest
This life's not over yet
So we get up on our feet and do our best
We play against the fear
We play against the reasons not to try
We're playing for the tears
Burning in the happy angel's eyes

For it's love who mixed the mortar
And it's love who stacked these stones
And it's love who made the stage here
Though it looks like we're alone
In this scene, set in shadows,
Like the night is here to stay
There is evil cast around us
But it's love that wrote the play
For in this darkness love will show the way

Song Saturday #3

Several years ago, I had a great conversation with an old roommate over a big plate of fabulous pad thai about unique voices.

We tried to come up with a comprehensive list of singers that are true artists. We could think of a million singers that have been homogenized, processed, and sound-boarded into greatness. But we tried to name the singers that have created a sound that is all their own. Voices that pierce you with their honesty and their emotion. Singers that are true originals. The Picassos, Dalis, and Pollocks of the music world.

We could only come up with about 10 artists that fulfilled those requirements, and David Gray was pretty much at the top of our list.

The first time I heard him sing, I stopped talking, closed my eyes, and was moved. I had never heard anything like it. When I listened to him sing, I felt like hot tea was being poured all over my heart. The sound was as relaxing and comforting as a warm mug feels in cold hands. Even though I didn't know the words, I felt like my spirit was singing along.

I put on my Rainbows for the first time this season, and this song perfectly accompanies my momentary lightness. This is musical defrosting after a long, cold winter.

Will I enjoy this 70 degree weather, even though I know it won't last long?

Indeed I will!





Write it on the walls of your precious soul, yeah
Indeed I will
Indeed I will, yeah
Praise you to the skies every day I rise, yeah
Indeed I will
Indeed I will

Starting over, born anew
Finally the long lonely night has gone, now I'm walking through
Another world entirely with your hand in mine
When youre with me baby
Be happy to take it just as I find it
Indeed I will, yeah
Yeah, indeed I will

Got my
Love's decree
I'm clinging by my nails
Through the gales of my own sweet epiphany
Watching those long black shadows
Stretching out behind

When youre with me baby
Be happy to take it just as I find it
As I find

And every little moment feels like waiting an eternity too
Now my eyes are welling up in here
Just thinking 'bout the way that I feel, yeah
Every bone, every nerve, every fiber in my body screaming
Yes, indeed I will

Indeed I will
Indeed I will, yeah
Write it on the walls of your precious soul
Indeed I will
Indeed I will, yeah
Praise you to the skies every day I rise
Indeed I will
Indeed I will

Every little moment feels like waiting an eternity too
Now my eyes are welling up in here
Just thinking 'bout the way that I feel, yeah
Every bone, every nerve, every fiber in my body screaming
Yes, indeed I will
Indeed I will

Indeed I will
Indeed I will, yeah
Praise you to the skies every day I rise
Indeed I will
Indeed I will, yeah
Write it on the walls of your precious soul
Indeed I will
Indeed I will
Popping like a cork down in old New York, now
Indeed I will
Indeed I will, yeah

Song Saturday #2

Somehow I didn't discover Will Hoge until after I left Furman.

I had no idea just how much I was missing. Will Hoge is a scruffy-faced, scruffy-voiced singer songwriter with a whole lotta grit. He writes poignant lyrics, puts a rock-and-roll twist on the melody, and sings it with all the passion and soul possible.

I chose this song today because it is all about having big dreams and never giving up on them. If you're living in green, that's exactly the kind of motto you want to have.

I just love Will Hoge. I also love that he always chews gum live in concert and also on this recording.

Now that's talent.



Even if it Breaks Your Heart

Way back on a radio dial
Fire got lit inside a bright eyed child
Every note just wrapped around your soul
From steel guitar to Memphis all the way to rock and roll

Whoa, I can hear 'em playing
I can hear the ringing of a beat up old guitar
Whoa, I can hear 'em saying
Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart

Downtown, where I used to wander
Old enough to get there but too young to get inside
I would stand out on the sidewalk
Listen to the music playing every Friday night

Whoa, I can hear 'em playing
I can hear the ringing of a beat up old guitar
Whoa, I can hear 'em saying
Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart

Some dreams stay with you forever
Drag you around and lead you back to where you were
Some dreams keep on getting better
Got to keep believing if you want to know for sure

Whoa, I can hear 'em playing
I can hear the ringing of a beat up old guitar
Whoa, I can hear 'em saying
Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart

Whoa, I can hear 'em playing
I can hear the ringing of a beat up old guitar
Whoa, I can hear 'em saying
Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart
Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart

Keep on dreaming

Don't let it break your heart

Song Saturday #1

If my life was a play, I'd definitely want it to be a musical.

I go throughout my day constantly humming and singing to myself, have background music on whenever possible, and if a song comes on the radio that I am especially passionate about, I sometimes get frustrated that my radio can't go any louder.

It's always been amazing to me how a three minute song can instantly give me perspective, can make or break a moment, or change my mood in a millisecond.

In honor of that truth, today marks my baby blog's first "Song Saturday." I hope the songs I post here will have lyrics that make you think and melodies that make your ears smile.

Today's song teams up Joshua Radin (who I happen to be seeing live in concert tonight -WOO!) and the incredible Patty Griffin, whose brilliant harmonies bring tears to my eyes. In a good way, of course.

PS: This one goes out to all those boys that it didn't work out with - that still have growing up to do.

Cheers!



I’ve been down this road before
I walk out the door
Leave you on the floor
Sometimes you run and hide
Your foolish pride’s
What keeps me from giving you more

So the best thing
I can give to you
Is for me to go
Leave you alone
You got growin up to do

Some day I’ll return when it’s time
For payment in kind
The church bells will chime
You’ll stand before me surrounded by lights
Dressed in white
You’ll throw flowers in the air
this night

But the best thing
I can give to you
Is for me to go
Leave you alone
Cause you’ve got growin up to do

Looks like the rain’s pouring down on me
It’s drowning me now
All I want is to come back home
And this old corduroy coat it’s not keeping me dry
But I can’t think of what else to try

That’s why the best thing
I can give to you
Is for me to go
Leave you alone
You got growin up to do

The best thing
I can give to you
Is for me to go
Leave you alone
You got growin up to do