lyrics - intro

Today I'm going to start something that I've been putting off for a long time. I am going to start posting lyrics that I enjoy.

The thing I enjoy most about lyrics is the way in which one's personal experience contextualizes the author's words. While this is a terrible way to interpret something absolute like Scripture, lyrics are not absolute. They aren't. I appreciate authors who embrace the ambiguity of their art form by not giving away the exact meaning of their words. That way, each reader's own experience gives meaning to the art in a way that may not happen otherwise. If one is able to gain greater appreciation for art, even by misunderstanding it, I don't have a problem with it.

I'm not sure if I will agree with these sentiments down the road. Maybe that's a slippery slope towards embracing ambiguity over clarity. Maybe it's being inconsistent. Maybe it's a legitimate (but by no means eloquent) thought. In any case, this is where I am at this point in time.

That said, from time to time I will post lyrics I like for one reason or another.

I do feel compelled to give a disclaimer. You as the reader may not feel comfortable reading everything I will be posting in the "Lyrics" category. While I don't plan on including anything terribly scandalous, proceed at your own risk. I also will not include any of my own thoughts about any given lyric for the reasons stated above: it's much more rewarding if you interpret them for yourself. Sometimes I sit and think "if [the author] intended this song to say what it means to me, they are a genius. If not, these words would have been a perfect way to say [what I took them to mean].

For the record, I will not put anything about the original author or band because most of you wouldn't recognize them anyway.

Finally, this topic will probably be a little front heavy because I've been postponing it for a while. After I cycle through the queue of lyrics I like, I may not have any more for a while.

Enjoy!

"oh, may I bless my God"

This hymn was written by Anne Steele (also the author of "Enslaved in Sin and Bound in Chains"). On the day before her wedding, her would-be husband drowned in a river. Then a mere 21 years of age, Ms. Steele penned these words in response to that tragedy.

When I survey life's varied scene amid the darkest hours,
sweet rays of comfort shine between and thorns are mixed with flowers.
Lord, teach me to adore Thy hand from whence my comforts flow,
and let me in this desert land a glimpse of Canaan know.
Is health and ease my happy share? Oh may I bless my God;
Thy kindness let my songs declare, and spread Thy praise abroad.
While such delightful gifts as these are kindly dealt to me,
be all my hours of health and ease devoted, Lord, to Thee.
In griefs and pains, Thy sacred Word (dear solace of my soul)
celestial comforts can afford, and all their power control.
When present sufferings pain my heart or future terrors rise,
and light and hope almost depart from these dejected eyes,
Thy powerful Word supports my hope, sweet cordial of the mind,
and bears my fainting spirit up and bids me wait resigned,
and oh, whate'er or earthly bliss Thy sovereign hand denies,
accepted at Thy throne of grace let this petition rise -
"Give me a calm, a thankful heart, from every murmur free.
The blessings of Thy grace impart, and let me live to Thee.
Let the sweet hope that Thou art mine, my path of life attend,
Thy presence through my journey shine and bless its happy end."