Here's a song that I wrote this month. It's got a kind of a Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, T-Bone Burnett kind of vibe.
Thorn In My Side
I can’t forget the night
When the light came
A voice spoke into my heart,
And it changed my name.
Years have passed since then,
But it feels like yesterday
And that voice still speaks into my heart
And I can hear it say,
“My son, why don’t you listen
When I’m talkin’ to you?
My son, why don’t you love me
Like you say that you do?
My arms are here to hold you
So please lay down your pride
But my embrace is gonna hurt you
‘Cause you got a thorn in your side”
Chorus
It’s gettin’ hard
To keep my hand on the plow
It’s gettin’ hard
To run in the race
It’s gettin' hard
To stand in the battle
With this thorn in my side
Yeah, this thorn in my side
Sometimes the thorn is subtle
And I forget it’s there
Sometimes it cuts into me,
Feels like more than I can bear.
Sometimes it feels familiar
Just like a good ol’ friend
Sometimes it seems to haunt me
Like a nightmare that won’t end
Will I choose to live or die now?
Sometimes I can’t decide
Times are hard this side of glory
With this thorn in my side
To Chorus
Bridge
Three times I asked my Jesus
To take the thorn from me
He said, “It’s there to show you
That my grace is all you need
When pain overwhelms you
Just remember what I’ve said
And remember that I once wore
A crown of thorns on my head
I know it gets hard
To keep your hand on the plow
I know it gets hard
To run in the race
I know it gets hard
To stand in the battle
With a thorn in your side
Yeah, a thorn in your side
The bridge is especially powerful:
“My arms are here to hold you
So please lay down your pride
But my embrace is gonna hurt you
‘Cause you got a thorn in your side.”
I like the image of God’s hug pressing the thorn. I tried to read it fast, hoping it would create a little distance from the message; I didn’t think I could function at work if I REALLY read it closely (learned this from the song Tanya just posted). Then I felt like I SHOULD read it closely, in case God intended me to. I got teary and stopped.
P.S. It’ll be interesting to hear the music. I curious what aspects of Tracy, Bruce, and T-bone you used.
I hope we get to hear the song in person when we are up there in a few weeks. The words have hit me hard. Thanks Kirk!! Love, Mom
I liked this song when I heard it. Let's lay it down with some playas.
I love this, Kirk Ward! It's got me all emotional. I want to hear the groove.
Kirk,
The words to this song are unbelieveable. What an encouragement to keep up the good fight!!! Sometimes it does seem like we'll never make it.I can't wait to hear the music.