Sometimes a song comes at you in a completely new way. It’s not a new song – you’ve heard it, enjoyed it, sung along with it, even shared it with others before. But then one day, you hear it again, as if for the first time.
It’s as if someone sent it to you, for you to hear it differently, to FEEL it differently, to get a different and important message from it.
I’ve had that experience twice in my life, the most recent was a few days before Easter. Just driving along listening to Sister Hazel, as I do. Here comes Sword and Shield, from their album Chasing Daylight
This is God, talking to me, telling me where He is, how he fits in to the scheme of things, where to find Him. The joy and comfort I got from just hearing that song. Truly wondrous.
I can’t even remember what I used to think about this song, what I used to think it means. My new understanding has obliterated any prior thoughts. Perhaps it was the nearness of Easter and the line “I would give my life before I break this promise to you” that got my attention. Perhaps it was my depression over icky current affairs that caused me to seek a reminder of the Source of Strength. I don’t know.
I just know that I am grateful to Sister Hazel for discovering their talents and sharing them with the world, so that I could have that discovery.
Songs have immense power – the rhythm, melody, and harmony of the tune change you physically and, I think, open up your mind and your heart. Then the lyric, enters and has a far greater effect than if you just read the words aloud. As Poe said “..poetry has indefinite sensations, to which end music is an essential. Since the comprehension of sweet sound is our most indefinite conception, music, when combined with a pleasurable idea, is poetry.”
Give this song a listen, give the lyrics a read. I think you’ll find it reassuring, even in these dark times. I hope so, at least.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMHag0QnPDU
Just when the sky runs out of rain
Just when the sun runs out of light
Just when the earth is ill with pain
Just when your body is out of fight
I will be there
I will be the smallest piece in everything
And I would give my life before I break this promise to youMelt in to me
Don’t you want to be the ones that last forever
I’ll be your everlasting
And enemies they take your will but they won’t last forever
I’ll be your sword and shield and
I’ll be your sword
I’ll be your shieldJust when the ocean starts to dry
Just when the air is sick with smoke
Just when the statues start to cry
And fallen angels they lay broken
I will be there
I will be the smallest piece in everything
And I would lose my life before I break this promise to youMelt in to me
Don’t you want to be the ones that last forever
I’ll be your everlasting
And enemies they take your peace but they won’t last forever
I’ll be your sword and shield and
I’ll be your sword
I’ll be your shieldI’ll be your gracious angel
I’ll be your favorite stranger
I’ll be the mortar holding your walls
I’ll be your army
Just when the sky runs out of rain
Just when the sun runs out of light
Just when the earth is ill with pain
Just when your body is out of fight
I will be there
I will be the smallest piece in everything
And I would give my life before I break this promise to youMelt in to me
Don’t you want to be the ones that last forever
I’ll be your everlasting
And enemies they take your peace but they wont last forever
I’ll be your sword and shield and
I’ll be your sword
I’ll be your shield
I’ll be your sword
I’ll be your shield
I’ll be your army
Lyrics from Lyrics007