Radio, Radio - Elvis Costello

I liked this song right away the first time I heard it because I share the same frustrations about the junk that gets played on the radio, and the radio/record execs who decide what we should hear. I haven't listened to music on the radio on a regular basis in about 15 years. But today there is more that this song warns about than just music. Celebrity worship and instant gratification have been so ingrained in our culture that we have been dumbed down as a society. It infuriated me right before the last presidential elections to hear interviews of voters for both parties not able to give intelligent reasons for their voting decision. I could not believe how gullible or even brainwashed some of them sounded, and how the media gravitated towards trivial pop culture type issues and ignored the real ones. So I guess this should have been posted several months ago, but here it is - and it's not like anything has changed since then. Sorry for the gloom and doom, at least I added the fun video clip at the end. If you don't know the history of this clip you can read it on wikipedia.com.

Radio, Radio - written by Elvis Costello for the album This Year's Model (U.S., 1978)

I was tuning in the shine on the light night dial
Doing anything my radio advised
With every one of those late night stations
Playing songs bringing tears to my eyes
I was seriously thinking about hiding the receiver
When the switch broke 'cause it's old
They're saying things that I can hardly believe
They really think we're getting out of control

(CHORUS) Radio is a sound salvation
Radio is cleaning up the nation
They say you better listen to the voice of reason
But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's treason
So you had better do as you are told
You better listen to the radio

I wanna bite the hand that feeds me
I wanna bite that hand so badly
I want to make them wish they'd never seen me

Some of my friends sit around every evening
And they worry about the times ahead
But everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference
And the promise of an early bed
You either shut up or get cut up, they don't wanna hear about it
It's only inches on the reel-to-reel
And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools
Tryin' to anaesthetise the way that you feel

(REPEAT CHORUS)

Wonderful radio
Marvelous radio
Wonderful radio
Radio, radio
(FADE)

When The Angels Sing - Social Distortion

You may remember my comparison to Johnny Cash in my last post on Social Distortion. Johnny left no doubt as to what he believed. He performed at Billy Graham's Crusades, made a movie called Gospel Road about Jesus's ministry, and wrote Man In White: A Novel About The Apostle Paul (referring to Jesus as the Man In White). It is a surprisingly well written book. You should definitely click on the title to read about it at amazon.com.
I don't know exactly what Mike Ness believes. He writes a lot about prayer, heaven, hell, angels, etc. but I think maybe that is more because these things are part of the lives of people who are down and out. Maybe he is a very spiritual person. There seems to be more evidence against it, but I guess the truth is known only to him and God. Either way, I appreciate songs like this one.

*Related Posts*
Social Distortion - Ball And Chain

When The Angels Sing - Mike Ness for the album White Light White Heat White Trash (1996)
Watch the video

At last we meet again, dear God
Hear the angels sing
The funerals are nicer when we know you're there
When the angels sing

Sometimes I try so hard
To understand the things you do
Who am I to question you
When it all comes down
Hear the angels sing

Stand up strong feel the pain
When the angels sing
Love and death don't mean a thing
Til the angels sing

The prisoners pray when they're on death row
Hear the angels sing
The junky cries for love but it's all run out
When the angels sing

The sins of the world and it's cold on the streets
When you're all alone and the tears they start to fall
When it all comes down
Hear the angels sing

Chorus

Little by little day by day
I watch the children play
Cause life and death don't mean a thing
Til the angels sing

When the angel of death comes to looking for me
Hear the angels sing
I hope I was everything I was supposed to be
When the angels sing

There's gotta be a heaven
Cause I've already done my time in hell
And a little baby's born when it all comes down
Hear the angels sing

Chorus

Little by little day by day
I watch the children play
Cause life and death don't mean a thing
Til the angels sing

Here I Am - Emmylou Harris

Emmylou Harris's first big break in the music industry occurred in 1971 when Chris Hillman (The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Desert Rose Band) saw her perform and recommended her to Gram Parsons (also of the Burrito Bros. and briefly The Byrds), who was looking for a female vocalist for his solo album. She ended up touring with him and his band The Fallen Angels until his death in 1973. Since then she has worked with musicians from all genres and has been responsible for launching the careers of others as well, including Rodney Crowell and Ricky Skaggs.

This song reminds me of a lesson in the Bible Study I am teaching called The Embraceable Mystery... God. The particular lesson states that while God is a mystery to us, He does want us to know Him, and I think that is what this song is all about. I believe this song is written from God's point of view. There is a great live performance on youtube from the Late Show featuring Paul Shaffer on piano. Click here to watch.

Here I Am - written by Emmylou Harris for the album Stumble Into Grace (2003)

I am standing by the river 
I will be standing here forever 
Though you're on the other side
My face you still can see 
Why won't you look at me
Here l am

I am searching through the canyon
It is your name that I am calling
Though you're so far away
I know you hear my plea 
Why won't you answer me 
Here I am

I am in the blood of your heart 
The breath of your lung 
Why do you run for cover 
You are from the dirt of the earth 
And the kiss of my mouth 
I have always been your Lover 
Here I am

I am the promise never broken 
And My arms are ever open
In this harbor calm and still 
I will wait until 
Until you come to Me 
Here I am

Secret Of The Easy Yoke - Pedro The Lion

David Bazan is the main songwriter of Pedro The Lion and for years he was the only permanent member of the band. He is the most honest and open artist both in his lyrics and interviews that I have ever heard. I have struggled with whether or not to write about him on this blog because most of his songs are dark and depressing without any moral point to them. They just are what they are. There are some, mainly from his earlier albums that are spiritual in nature and easily relatable. Because he is so open and honest in his writing it is easy to think of him on a more personal level, like a friend. That is why it saddens me that a couple of years ago he formed an agnostic view of faith. This concerns me not because I think now suddenly he is a bad person, and not even because I am worried about his future in eternity because that has already been settled. It concerns me because he has been an inspiration to seek God through hard times and now he is not sure that God is there. I just hope that he gets past whatever he is going through and finds peace and God again. 

This song was written several years ago when he still believed in God. It is about frustrations with organized religion as well as personal trials of faith. And it is pretty self explanatory. I heard this song while I was driving today and I decided to write about it after thinking about how it related to comments on my last post.

*Related Posts*

Doubting Thomas - Nickel Creek

Where Eye Meets Eye - Blindside

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2

Secret Of The Easy Yoke - written by David Bazan for the album It's Hard To Find A Friend (1998)

I could hear the church bells ringing 
they pealed aloud Your praise 
the member's faces were smiling 
with their hands outstretched to shake 
it's true they did not move me 
my heart was hard and tired 
their perfect fire annoyed me 
I could not find You anywhere 
could someone please tell me the story 
of sinners ransomed from the fall 
I still have never seen You, and somedays 
I don't love You at all 

the devoted were wearing bracelets 
to remind them why they came 
some concrete motivation 
when the abstract could not do the same 
but if all that's left is duty, I'm falling on my sword 
at least then, I would not serve an unseen distant Lord 

could someone please tell me the story 
of sinners ransomed from the fall 
I still have never seen You, and somedays 
I don't love You at all 
if this only a test 
I hope that I'm passing, 'cause I'm losing steam
but I still want to trust You 

Peace, be still (x3) 

Love And Mercy - Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson is a legend in rock and roll music. He wrote, arranged, and produced most of the Beach Boys albums as well as sang on a lot of them. The Beatles have cited him as an influence. Not many people can claim that. I consider my self fortunate to have seen him live on the Smile tour. That was one of the best concert experiences I have had.

Over the past few years in my efforts to develop my spiritual world view and determine exactly what my opinion should be about the people around me and events that shape our culture, I keep coming back to the idea that God is Love. I know that anyone who has attended church even for a short period of time has heard this over and over. We have also heard that one of the purposes of Jesus living on earth as one of us was to set an example of how we should live.(The main purpose of course was to die on the cross to pay for our sins) Look at what Jesus said in John 14:7-12 7If you really knew me, you would know^[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." 8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." 9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. I realize that the context here is referring specifically to miracles but I think it can be applied to all that Jesus did. The Church as a whole needs to embrace this. We as individuals need to embrace this. Jesus loved everyone without discrimination. It is not our responsibility to judge, only to love. The Christian faith has a bad impression with the world today that I think only love can overcome. 

Looks like I pulled the old bait and switch on you, huh? Lured you in with commentary on Brian Wilson the preached to you. I think Brian has it right on with this one. He doesn't question how the people he sings about got in the position they are in, he just offers love, and mercy (which is not receiving the judgment you deserve).

*Related Posts*

Derek Webb - T-Shirts (What We Should Be Known For)

To Write Love On Her Arms

Love And Mercy - written by Brian Wilson originally on the album Brian Wilson (1988)

I was sittin' in a crummy movie with my hands on my chin
Oh the violence that occurs seems like we never win

Love and mercy that's what you need tonight
So, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

I was lyin' in my room and the news came on T.V.
A lotta people out there hurtin' and it really scares me

Love and mercy that's what you need tonight
So, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

I was standin' in a bar and watchin' all the people there
Oh the lonliness in this world well it's just not fair

Hey love and mercy that's what you need tonight
So, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

Love and mercy that's what you need tonight
Love and mercy tonight

Love and mercy

Family Bible - Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson may be my favorite singer/song writer. He has written many songs that a lot of artists have made famous. His voice is very easily recognizable, and I think it sounds good. I have heard it said about Neil Diamond that you either love his music or you hate it. I think the same may be true for Willie. 

You may be wondering why I put a picture of my dog on this post. Trigger is named after Willie's guitar which is named after Roy Rogers' horse. Maybe Hannah and Tony should name their son Trigger to keep the tradition going. (I'm joking, I don't really want you to name your son after my dog. But if you still haven't come up with a name, maybe you could name him Luci after your dog, to toughen him up like Johnny Cash's song Boy Named Sue.)

The picture in the background of the title of this blog is Willie/Trigger. Trigger is a Martin N-20, a classical guitar not designed to play with a pick, so it doesn't have a pick guard. Over time Willie has worn a hole there because he plays with a pick. Trigger also has a sound that you know it when you here it (of course Willie's style of playing is a lot of that). He has said that when that hole gets so bad that it makes Trigger unplayable he will probably retire. 

The song Family Bible could have been written about my family. Don't confuse this song with Who Gets The Family Bible written by Rick Logan for the movie Step Brothers. That song is one of the little things that make Step Brothers and Talladega Nights so funny. When we were little the whole family used to sit on the living room floor and read the Bible (and Character  Sketches; if you haven't heard of these books look them up on amazon.com), sing hymns and worship songs, and pray before we went to bed. 

The version  of Family Bible that I have is on the album VH1 Storytellers: Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson (1998).

There's a family Bible on the table each page is torn and hard to read

But the family Bible on the table will ever be my key to memories

At the end of day when work was over and when the evening meal was done

Dad would read to us from the family Bible

And we'd count our many blessings one by one

I can see us sittin' round the table when from the family Bible dad would read

I can hear my mother softly singing rock of ages rock of ages cleft for me

Now this old world of ours is filled with trouble but this old world would oh so better be

If we'd find more Bibles on the tables and mothers singing rock of ages cleft for me

I can see us sittin' round the table...

Rock of ages rock of ages cleft for me

Parade Of Chaos - Zao

Zao is a metal band that has been very innovative and influential over the years. Some of the band members are Christians, but they
do not like to be labeled as a Christian band, understandably. It never made sense to me that there seems to be a need to make that distinction. If this were a logical thing to do we would also see bands calling themselves Jewish bands, Muslim bands, Atheist bands, and any other religion or social identifier you can think of. But that doesn't happen because when you use a label like that it puts limitations on both the band and its listeners. It sounds as if the band can only write Christian music, and you will only like it if you are a Christian. Neither are true. These bands with members who profess to be Christians write and perform their songs in exactly the same way as all the other bands. It's just as ridiculous as labeling the person who cuts your hair a Christian barber.

Zao tends to write songs with dark subjects like most metal bands. They write about sorrow death, tragedy, and the end times. This song reminds me of some of the things said by Old Testament prophets at various times when Israel strayed from God and conformed to the culture around them. I think it can apply to the Church today in the sense that  no one is taking a stand or showing a strong presence on the world stage in defense of God's will. "True leaders are gone". It is possible that the United States is heading down the same road Israel traveled in those days. That is a pretty drastic thing to say, I realize, but scary none the less. You can listen to Parade Of Chaos on youtube, but the person that uploaded it combined it with The Buzzing which is also a good song,  but if you want to skip to Parade Of Chaos it starts 3:20 into the clip.

We march like fools in a parade of chaos.
We march like fools in a parade of chaos.
Led by our enemies.
While we sing their praises.
Led by our enemies.
While we kiss their hands.
The morning rained fire. 
Let the heavens retire.
Over the eyes of the blind.
And the vioces of spoiled children.
True leaders are gone.
We turned our back too many times.
And bit the hand of the provider.
Chaos kills us.
Chaos. 

Hot Rod Horse - Rose Blossom Punch

Aaron Sprinkle has lent his talent to a lot of my favorite bands either as a musician or a producer, not to mention that he was (or is) in 3 of them. Some of the bands he has worked with in some capacity are Blenderhead, Damien Jurado, Deftones, Eisley, Emery, MxPx, Pedro The Lion, Project 86, Squad Five-O, Starflyer 59, Stavesacre, and Zao. Those are just my favorites on a long list. The 3 that he was a member of are Poor Old Lu (reference to The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe), Rose Blossom Punch, and Fair (who as far as I know are still active). He also recorded 3 solo albums.

This is a love song despite the misleading title. I don't really have much in particular to say about the song, I just wanted to put one of his up here. I will say that in listening to it today I rediscovered the steel guitar in the background. It sounds great and it is a pleasant surprise from a band with absolutely no country sound at all. I guess it doesn't make much sense to talk about the way it sounds then only post the lyrics when I didn't even discuss them, so if you want, you can listen here. It's only a 30 second sample, but it's all I could find.

Hot Rod Horse - written by Aaron Sprinkle from Rose Blossom Punch's album Ephemere.

"absence from those we love is self from self - a deadly banishment."
-William Shakespeare

Drivin' through Tennessee
Not a house in sight
I think about all the times
We've held each other tight

I hear your voice on the phone
Before i go to bed
I lay awake all night long
With your face inside my head

I'm too far away to see you
And all I want is to be with you
And look into your eyes
And I feel so alone without you

I've got a thought 
It keeps me sane
You've got to know it's true
No matter which 
Way I drive
I'll end up home with you

I'm too far away to see you
And all I want is to be with you
And look into your eyes
And I feel so alone without you

Say a prayer for me
And when you do 
You know I'll say one too
I'll be thinking of 
That special girl I love

I'm too far away to see you
And all I want is to be with you
And look into your eyes
And I feel so alone
I feel so alone
I feel so alone
Without you

Doubting Thomas - Nickel Creek

I was listening to the Allen Hunt Show on the radio tonight on the way home from the grocery store. The topic that listeners were to call in about was your worst mistake, or the one you regretted the most. He said many times that there is nothing so bad that you can never get over it. That got me thinking of God's love for us and how it is unconditional. I think a lot, living alone, because if I wasn't thinking about something I guess I would have to be asleep or in some kind of zombie state or something. Anyway, those thoughts reminded me of this song. It expresses doubt in the faith you have. It is a song that can be sung as a prayer. You have probably caught on by now to my fondness of these songs.

I can listen this song section by section and relate to each one. The first speaks of doubts of life after death, which I have felt. Next, doubts that God is concerned about our well being (does He really know or care what is going on in my life?). This part also reminds me of this quote from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe - ""Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly."Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the Great Emperor-beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion - the Lion, the great Lion."... "Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy. "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?  Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he is good. He is the King I tell you."" - this is a great illustration of Jesus.  The next section of the song is brilliant. Very well written and amazingly revealing and personal about the writer even though I think most followers of Christ have experienced the same thing. We ask for opportunities to share the Gospel (a slap in the face meaning that you are likely to be rejected by the ones you share with, and show the blind and tell the deaf I take to mean sharing when it is easy for us). The master of death line threw me off at first. That is not one you hear in reference to God very often. Then I looked at it as Jesus being the master of his own death, and it made sense. I love songs that are so well written that you want to dissect them to determine their meaning, or create your own meaning. Jeff Tweedy from Wilco wrote this line in his song What Light - "And if the whole world is singing your songs and all of your paintings have been hung just remember what was yours is everyone's from now on". The next section is powerful as well. It has applied to me both as a believer and a teacher. I had a good friend in the Army when I was in Iraq who was raised in a Christian home but was at the time an Atheist. We had nothing but time to talk there, and our conversations were often of religion (or philosophy I guess is more accurate). He had tremendous knowledge of the Bible and the Christian faith. Neither of us pushed our views on the other, in fact he saw that I was struggling and offered encouragement and advice that somehow worked even though he is an Atheist. Amazing how God works through those around you, huh? Those discussions were exactly I needed at the time to strengthen my faith that had been weak for a while. The last couple of years I can relate as a teacher. Worrying if I can teach effectively when I struggle as well, not so much with my faith, but with my personal relationship with God. Which leads to the prayer part of the song - "Please give me time to decipher the signs, please forgive me for time that I've wasted"

Doubting Thomas - written by Chris Thile from the album Why Should The Fire Die? (2005)

What will be left when I've drawn my last breath,
Besides the folks I've met and the folks who know me,
Will I discover a soul saving love,
Or just the dirt above and below me,

I'm a doubting thomas,
I took a promise,
But I do not feel safe,
Oh me of little faith,

Sometimes I pray for a slap in the face,
Then I beg to be spared 'cause I'm a coward,
If there's a master of death I'll bet he's holding his breath,
As I show the blind and tell the deaf about his power,
I'm a doubting thomas,
I can't keep my promises,
'Cause i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith

Can I be used to help others find truth,
When I'm scared I'll find proof that its a lie,
Can I be lead down a trail dropping bread crumbs,
That prove I'm not ready to die,

Please give me time to decipher the signs,
Please forgive me for time that I've wasted,

I'm a doubting thomas,
I'll take your promise,
Though I know nothin's safe,
Oh me of little faith

If Heaven Ain't A Lot Like Dixie - Hank Williams Jr

I thought about this song when we were teaching a series in Bible study on Heaven. Now, I wouldn't recommend  demanding to be sent to hell or New York City rather than a heaven that is not like Dixie, and I am sure that Bocephus wouldn't either. It's just a fun concept for a song. He has written a lot of entertaining songs that have made him very popular, but most of them are not deeply philosophical in nature, so don't expect much of that kind of commentary here today. He has written a song about inventing a machine that can fax a beer, one about how he was born to boogie, who could forget Buck Naked, defending his right to shed his clothes when he gets home from work. Then there's All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight which he modified into the extremely popular Monday Night Football theme. (I bet he never sings Buck Naked and Rowdy Friends back to back) I am just picking on the guy - I like all those songs. I felt a little sorry for him when he followed up with All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down. Seriously though, not all his songs are silly. I think he is a great songwriter. By the way, he has been a big supporter of the Republican Party for years, and I read that he announced that he will be running for U.S. Senate from Tennessee in 2012. I am looking forward to following that race when the times comes.

I think heaven will be a lot like Dixie, and the rest of God's creation. I think heaven will include the earth as God created it as well as the good things that we have done to modify it. I believe all the beauty of nature described in this song will be there, and the members of the Opry who are there will be able to use their talents to worship God. I have to say that I share Bocephus' sentiments about the South. I absolutely love it and I am proud to have grown up here. So, Hank, I think we are in luck. Although, there will probably be some, if only a few, hints of New York City as well.

If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie
I don't wanna go
If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie
I'd just as soon stay home 

I was one of the chosen few
To be born in Alabam
I'm just alike my daddy's son
I'm proud of who I am
I went through a lot of good women
And shook old Jim Beam's hand
If I never see the pearly gates
I've walked through the promised land 

If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie
I don't wanna go
If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie
I'd just as soon stay home
If they don't have a Grand Ole Opry
Like they do in Tennessee
Just send me to hell or New York City
It would be about the same to me 

I've got wild honey trees and crazy little weeds
Growin around my shack
These dusty roads ain't streets of gold
But I'm a happy right where I'm at
All these pretty little southern belles 
Are a country boy's dream
They ain't got wings or halos
But they sure look good to me 

If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie
I don't wanna go
If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie
I'd just as soon stay home
If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie
I don't wanna go
If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie
I'd just as soon stay home
If they don't have a Grand Ole Opry
Like they do in Tennessee
Just send me to hell or New York City
It would be about the same to me 

South Texas Girl - Lyle Lovett & His Large Band

I have never been a big Lyle Lovett fan, I like some of his songs and some of them I don't. This one would actually make my list of top however many songs you want to put a number to.

CMT used to have a music video show called Wide Open Country where they played videos of artists who are on the border of country music but not what you hear on top 40 country radio. Some were classics like Johnny, Willie, Waylon, and George Jones. Some were people who have been on the scene for years but never got mainstream attention like Billy Joe Shaver, Kelly Willis, Steve Earle, and The Mavericks. Others were newer artists sort of on the edge of country music like Nickel Creek, Old Crow Medicine Show, Norah Jones, and Ryan Adams(not Bryan Adams of Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves fame, thank God. Summer Of '69 was the only halfway decent song he had and that wouldn't work here). Then there were some who you might not expect to see on CMT like Bruce Springsteen, John Fogerty, Sting, and Bob Seger. They even played a song by Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly from the movie A Prairie Home Companion. So what I am getting at here, finally, is that I first heard this song (South Texas Girl, if you have forgotten where I am going with this) on Wide Open Country. The video is a collection of home movies. I am a sucker for the nostalgic songs of childhood or better days. Alison Krauss made a similar video for Simple Love that I am sure will eventually end up here as well. 

Every time I listen to South Texas Girl I think of my own childhood and it brings back my own memories even though there is very little in the song to remind me of personal experiences. The lyrics are good, but to get the full effect of the song you have to hear it, or even better, watch the video. If you search for Lyle Lovett South Texas Girl on youtube it will be the first video on the list.

South Texas Girl - written by Lyle Lovett from the album It's Not Big It's Large

*When he sings Refugio he pronounces it Refurio and the first time he sings Palacios it is pronounced pul-oss-ee-ose and the second time it's pul-ash-us. You will see why this note is important when you read that verse. It would be confusing if you can't hear how he is singing it. (if you are familiar with the sketch on funnyordie.com don't confuse these words for regalia and palatial. It's funny how two words in the same verse of the same song are so similar to the words that sketch is based on. This part of the note is not necessary, it's just funny)

Three in the front seat they sat on each side
That green-and-white '58 Fairlane it would glide
Down farm roads past open fields seeming like no big deal
As it was happening I never felt a thing

But now looking back it seems like it was everything
Singing with mom just so we could hear ourselves sing
Stealing a drink from the cold can in daddy's lap
Protected by only a small thin brown paper sack

And the wind blew the echoes of long-faded voices
And they'd sing me a song that the old cowboys sang
And I didn't know what the words meant or anything
I was just singing because I was supposed to

Sing Mother Maria watch over us please
As we wonder around in this dangerous world
Thank Mother Maria there's nothing so sweet
As the undying love of a South Texas girl

And with the windows wide open it felt hot to us anyway
Three bound together on a day just like any day
They told me and taught me and showed me and bought me
Whatever I wanted from the corner U-tote-M

They say the name Corpus Christi means the body of Jesus
Pronounce it Refugio city folks they don't know 
It looks like Palacios but sounds like Palacios
Just listen the next time you're watchin' Sid Lasher

And the wind blew the echoes of long-faded voices
And they would sing me a song that the old cowboys sang
And I didn't know what the words meant or anything
I was just singing

Saint Mother Maria watch over us please
As we wonder around in this dangerous world
Thank Mother Maria there's nothing so sweet
As the undying love of a South Texas girl

And I didn't know what the words meant or anything
I was just singing

And these days with car seats and open container laws
Social correctness leaves no room for Santa Claus
Sitting right next to me she looks like that used to be
Song that they sang for me

And with the windows wide open it feels hot to us anyway
Two bound together on a day just like any day
The wind blows the echoes of long-faded voices
And they sing us a song that the old cowboys sang
And now that I know what the words mean and everything
I am still singing

Saint Mother Maria watch over us please
As we wonder around in this dangerous world
Thank Mother Maria there's nothing so sweet
As the undying love of a South Texas girl

Saint Mother Maria watch over us please
As we stumble around in this dangerous world
Thank Mother Maria there's nothing so sweet
As the undying love of a South Texas girl
As the undying love of a South Texas girl

How Great Thou Art - Stuart Hine

This is the song that the title of this blog comes from. I actually took the name from a book by Robert J. Morgan called Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories. 

I always liked this song. We used to close out every service with it in the church I grew up in. I have sang it hundreds of times but it never got old.

How Great Thou Art started as a poem called O Store Gud (O Mighty God), by Carl Boberg, a Swedish minister,  written in 1885. The poem was published and some time later was heard sung with an old Swedish melody. Stuart Hine, who was an English missionary in Russia, translated it to English, added verses to it, and modified the melody to become what we know today. The song was made popular in North America by George Beverly Shea at the 1955 Billy Graham Crusade in Toronto.