lyrics and faith.

well, it's Friday. i was greeted this morning at 5:00 a.m. with the stomach flu. what a way to start a weekend right? i am hoping it is only a 10-hour bug cause i have ridiculous plans tonight that may or may not consist of going to a Snoop Dogg concert...which is another blog in and of itself. so, i am sitting in my bed trying to get over this flu nast and thinking of one thing (well, maybe two...m'husband too): lyrics lyrics lyrics.

i am currently writing a new song and i can honestly say i am so excited about it...contrary to what you might be thinking, i do not have these thoughts often. i have written plenty of bad songs - some ok songs which creep their way into my set at shows - and a few good ones. a few that i can say, "i am proud i wrote that." every singer/songwriter should know their strengths and weaknesses as a writer. my strengths are melodies and chord structure/instrumentation. my weakness: lyrics lyrics lyrics. i have learned from talking to many singer/songwriters that i am not alone in this boat. good lyrics are hard to write. i think too much when i write - instead of just writing what comes out. this is one of the best pieces of advice anyone has ever given me: "stop trying to stuff yourself into a genre or lyrical box of expectations...write what comes out."

i tend to write "safe." often i write about people...friends, my husband, family, etc. i guess this should be your warning: if we are friends, i might write you a diddy - well, a song about you, that is. this morning it occurred to me: i rarely write about faith. there is good reason behind this. faith scares me. it is a topic i do not like to open my heart up to and write about. that might be confusing to you. let me clarify. the idea of faith is astounding...but i also have so many questions. questions i thought, by the old age of 28, would be answered. shouldn't i know where i stand on every single topic in regards to faith?

a few years ago, i sat down at a Steinway grand piano and wrote about faith. the title was going to be "Faith" but ended up being "Untitled." how oddly appropriate. i wanted to write a song that would bring hope to those who were struggling but that is not what came out - i got about 3 verses in and could not write anymore. here are the lyrics:

Oh what little faith I have to try and try, staying here
And the distant trumpet sounds within me cry
Please be near, so near

Courage is of willing heart and humble state, wanting more
And the distant pathway winds toward the gate
What's in store, in store

Running down into the sea to wash away, all the fear
Arms held open toward the sky, round they sway
Falling tears

this song lasts about 2 minutes and 30 seconds. i am proud of this song. my heart is bleeding out of it. i have decided to start opening my shows with this song. i hope i have it in me to write more of these. i am hoping the song i am currently working on will be a good song. we will see. i have started to co-write with this guy - he plays guitar (amazing) for me and is a dear friend. he has a better grasp on lyrics than i and i am hoping we can write some great tunes.

i need to stop writing. i will leave you with this song: Peace of Mind. lyrically, one of my favorites (as well as this guy i'm writing with)...an acoustic, a haunting melody, and Mindy Smith vocals. if this song does not move you to tears, i am not sure if you have a heart :). i hope one day to write songs that are lyrically this sound. i posted a link at the bottom, listen to it.

Peace Of Mind
Mindy Smith

I need peace of mind and a hopeful heart
to lose this rage and move out of the dark
I ain't looking for rainbows or shooting stars
just some peace of mind and a hopeful heart

I need a peace of mind and a lullaby
cause there's an angry voice in my head tonight
tellin' me to do things that can't be right
I need peace of mind and a lullaby

and a miracle for this broken soul
a little miracle for this broken soul

I need peace of mind and gentle hand
as I try to change the way I am
I hope God forgives me when I can't
I need peace of mind and a gentle hand

or a miracle for this broken soul
a little miracle for this broken soul

I need peace of mind and a hopeful heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTYmctd08n8