Saturday, August 29, 2009

The One With the Prodigal


And now for something completely different.

A new song. And yes... I know, I know... this song is actually kind of country! I am more an alternative rock girl, but listen. This song has all of my blood, sweat and tears in it. When I wrote it, the order went: first music, then words, then title. That is pretty much the opposite of how I usually do it. But I wrote the music months ago. It is so difficult to just come up with words to fit music. One night I finally decided, either I come up with lyrics for this tonight, or I am just going to have to throw the music away. Well, I got the words that night... one verse at a time. I finished it, and then thought to myself, “What is the title?”

And then I read back over the words as though they were a poem. And I saw it. I had written my own version of the Prodigal Son. It was a revelation. I love the story of the prodigal son. It is funny though... when I was younger, I identified with the brother. The one who never went astray. I thought that was who I was in the story. I guess I identified with him, and with the unfairness of a wayward sibling that sweeps in after all of the bad things he has done, and everyone makes a big deal of him, even though I have been here all along, trying to do the right thing. Do you ever think that? But as I got older, it hit me. We are all the prodigal! Every one of us. The story of the prodigal is the about the Atonement.

I tried to find some art to go with this post, and everything was too sad looking to go with my upbeat song, so I borrowed Brian Kershisnik’s beautiful Father and Son Dancing once again. I just think it is beautiful, and it has its own story.


Prodigal Son

I’ve been walking this path for far too long
I feel weak
It’s harder and harder to breathe
I know
It’s just a case of choosing right or wrong
But in this dark place
Sometimes I can barely see.

Show me
The way I can finally be free
There’s a fire that’s burning inside of my soul
I am ready now
To give all my sins and hurt to thee
Take my troubles
I’m giving them all away.

You have had the perfect answers all along
You tried to tell me
But I didn’t have ears to hear
Now there’s music where before I heard no song
And when you sing
The message becomes so clear

Will you show me
The way I can finally be free?
There’s a fire that is burning inside of my soul
I am ready now
To give all my sins to thee
Lay my troubles down
At my Savior’s feet
I’m giving them all away.

Please forgive me for the times I turned away
How’d I forget that
I was my father’s son?
I let temptation lead me so far astray
That it left me
No other choice but to run.

I think I see
The way I can finally be free
There’s a fire that is burning inside of my soul
I am ready now
To give all my sins to thee
Lay my troubles down
I’m giving them all away.

Lay my troubles down
I’m giving them all away.

Still, it’s not enough to say that I’ve come home
I’m your servant
Yearning to do my part
Father, as long as I live I’ll never roam
Just look inside me
You’ll find a disciple’s heart

Now I finally see
How to live and be free
There’s a fire that’s burning inside of my soul
I am ready now
To give all my sins to thee
Lay my troubles down
At my Savior’s feet
I’m giving them all away.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is really different from your other stuff. I love the lyrics.

RSM Text Factor Gurus said...

I want to sign the backup singer. If only I had a recording company and knew WHO IS THAT WOMAN?

Nancy Loo said...

This song is beautiful. Great job!

RSM Text Factor Gurus said...

Questions for "Ask Vicky."

1. Your husband calls. He is on his way home with unexpected company. What do you make for dinner?

2. You are stuck on a deserted island with everything you need but internet and reading material. What books do you wish you had taken along?

3. You have to add a new color to your wardrobe. What are you thinking of trying this fall?

4. It will be your husband's birthday this Saturday. What would you like to get him for under $100?

5. Tell me about your favorite teacher and why he/she is your favorite.

6. Soft or crispy pb cookies?

7. If you could eat dinner with five famous people, who are dead, who would you pick and why?

8. You are on a plane with the Brady Bunch when it crashes in a remote part of the Andes. Who do you eat first?

9. Jack Purcells or Chucks?

10. What is your favorite scripture?

Kassi Jean said...

Sister McDaniel This is Kassi I love your blog! It is nice to hear you and Garry singing. You have a lot of talent! I appreciate your kindness to Garry.

CB said...

I really love the lyrics there is a depth of feeling to them.
I am amazed at the process you go through. I would have thought it easier to write lyrics and then music, but what do I know I am not musical. YOu truly have a gift.

Cranberryfries said...

So when I was younger I did the whole EFY thing. I remember being a teenager, with all those teenager anxieties, trying to figure out who I am and what my life is all about. EFY was amazing. Energy filled, spiritually packed, week of amazingness. I remember the impact of the songs they'd give us. It was like they were speaking to my soul. I listen to them now and they're fun, but I know that the reason I loved them before is because of the intense emotions connected to them.

Yet your music, each and every piece I hear, has this same impact on me. It's a thing of beauty. It pulls out these emotions, the desire to do better, to realize I am good.

I dont know how this is coming across but I mean it as a million times more than a normal compliment could. Thanks for sharing your music, your process and your talent!