If You Only Knew

A drawing of a man playing the guitar and the notes streaming out of it are hearts symbolizing creating new soundtrack of love to play in your mind.
The finest song. The Art of Seth

If you only knew. In you, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, the universe displayed. Don’t put your eyes down, you’re not to blame. I know there are stories you can’t explain. Say it now, I’m listening.

 

Don’t be afraid when the pain falls on you. Sing hallelujah anyway. 

 

Let go of all your haunted dreams tonight. If you think you’re alone, hold on. Remember you’re divinity. We are never broken.

 

There’s a voice that calls through the storm. There’s a guarantee with every setting sun: nothing lasts, and God isn’t done.

 

Your time has come to shine.  All your dreams are on their way. Try anything you dare. Follow the signs, slow but steady, don’t rush. Take it day by day, keep moving forward no matter what they say.

 

Have no envy, no fear. Reach out, touch faith. The day will come when you’re ready, just trust.

 

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine. It’s hard to imagine, bigger than I could fathom. I don’t know who I’d be if I didn’t know You. The weight’s been lifted off my heart. I know there’s more and I will still hope for it.

 

There’s no man who can change the shape my soul is in. You’re with me in the light, with me in the dark. You showed me how to fill my heart with love. Without you there’s holes in my soles. Rain down till we’re all free.

 

At this point in my life, I’d like to live as if only love mattered, as if redemption was in sight.  Come on my soul don’t get shy on me, lift up your song. I’m not asking you to move on or forget it, but these are better days.

 

I know that it’s only love that gets you through. I’m going be grateful every day. Moving at godspeed. One day I’ll feel home again. I can hear the angel band.

 

Help me be a little more like mercy, a little more like grace, a little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith, a little more like patience, a little more like peace, a little more like Jesus, a little less like me.

 

Love, thy will be done.

 

PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY

PLAYLIST ON APPLE

 

 
 
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Redeeming Rhymes: An Essay of Hope Made of Lyrics

 
Endnotes are in the same order as the sentences they refer to.
 

[i] Gabriels, “If You Only Knew,” Angels & Queens, Atlas Artists/Parlophone Records, 2022.

[ii] Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill, “How Great Thou Art,” How Great Thou Art – Single, Capitol Nashville, 2011.

[iii] Francis, “Grow,” Marathon, Strangers Candy, 2016.

[iv] Francis, “Grow,” Marathon, Strangers Candy, 2016.

[v] Kristine Jackson, “By Your Side,” By Your Side, MusicByKJ, 2016. 

[vi] Kesha, “Stronger,” Gag Order, Kemosabe Records and RCA Records, 2023.

[vii] Luke Sital‑Singh, “Hallelujah Anyway,” Strange Weather EP, Nettwerk Music Group, 2023. 

[viii] Birdy, “Keeping Your Head Up,” Beautiful Lies, Atlantic Records, 2016.

[ix] Allison Russell, “The Returner,” The Returner, Fantasy Records, 2023.

[x] Alanis Morissette, “Thank U,” Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, Maverick Records, 1998.

[xi] Jewel, “Hands,” Spirit, Atlantic Records, 1998.

[xii] Cimorelli, “Hope for It,” Sad Girls Club, Cimorelli Music, 2017.

[xiii] Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, “Ain’t Done Yet,” Sticks and Stones, 6ACE Records, 2023.

[xiv] Simon & Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Bridge Over Troubled Water, Columbia Records, 1970.

[xv] Simon & Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Bridge Over Troubled Water, Columbia Records, 1970.

[xvi] Misty Boyce, “Limits,” Genesis, Boyce Bird Records, 2021.

[xvii] Valerie June, “Astral Plane,” The Order of Time, Concord Records, 2017.

[xviii] Kesha, “Stronger,” Gag Order, Kemosabe Records and RCA Records, 2023.

[xix] Joshua Radin, “No Envy No Fear,” Simple Times, Mom + Pop Music, 2008.

[xx] Depeche Mode, “Personal Jesus,” Violator, Mute Records, 1990.

[xxi] Valerie June, “Astral Plane,” The Order of Time, Concord Records, 2017.

[xxii] Iris DeMent, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” Lifeline, Flariella Records, 2004.

[xxiii] Matt Stell, “Prayed for You (Acoustic),” Prayed for You (Acoustic) – Single, RECORDS/Arista Nashville, 2019.

[xxiv] Lauren Daigle, “Thank God I Do,” Lauren Daigle, Atlantic Records, 2023.

[xxv] Joshua Hyslop, “Let It Go,” In Deepest Blue, Nettwerk Music Group, 2015.

[xxvi] Cimorelli, “Hope for It,” Sad Girls Club, Cimorelli Music, 2017.

[xxvii] The Avett Brothers, “Ain’t No Man,” True Sadness, American Recordings, 2016.

[xxviii] Cimorelli, “Hope for It,” Sad Girls Club, Cimorelli Music, 2017.

[xxix] Carly Simon, “Haven’t Got Time for the Pain,” Hotcakes, Elektra Records, 1974.

[xxx] Cloves, “Don’t Forget About Me,” XIII, Universal Music Australia / Interscope Records, 2015. 

[xxxi] John Legend, “Free,” Free – Single, Columbia Records, 2022.

[xxxii] Tracy Chapman, “At This Point in My Life,” New Beginning, Elektra Records, 1995.

[xxxiii] Brandon Lake, “Gratitude,” House of Miracles, Bethel Music, 2020.

[xxxiv] Brandi Carlile, “That Wasn’t Me,” Bear Creek, Columbia Records, 2012.

[xxxv] BoDeans, “Everyday,” Still, He & He LP, 2008.

[xxxvi] Better Than Ezra, “Grateful,” Closer, Beyond Records, 2001.

[xxxvii] Zach Bryan, “God Speed,” DeAnn, Belting Bronco Records, 2019.

[xxxviii] Michael Kiwanuka, “Home Again,” Home Again, Polydor Records, 2012.

[xxxix] Tyler Childers, “Angel Band,” Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?, Hickman Holler Records and RCA Records, 2022.

[xl] Zach Williams, “Less Like Me,” Rescue Story, Provident Label Group, 2019.

[xli] Martika, “Love… Thy Will Be Done,” Martika’s Kitchen, Columbia Records, 1991.

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