Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Lyrical Laziness

If you've ever talked songwriting with me, one of the artists who is most likely to come up is Nichole Nordeman. In fact, I just quoted her song, Sunrise, in my last post. People, she is fantastic. Her latest album is called Brave, and it came after a multi-year hiatus. One of the reviews I read on iTunes before I bought the album (Yay $10 albums!) said that this album has brought a greater maturity in her writing (which was already awesome), and I would have to say that I agree. I would highly recommend it!
This song is called, What If, and reflects quite well what I've said to non-Christian friends who've asked me: what if He's nobody? What if you've "given up so much" (their words) and you're wrong? But much like according to Pascal's wager, there's this: what I gain is so much more, infinitely more, than that which I've supposedly lost. I've been told I lack freedom; I have never been so free. This incredible freedom and feeling and soul-deep knowledge of truth that comes with following Christ - even on my very worst days - is more than I could have ever hoped for. What if this is all falsehood, a machination of my own imagination - and faith is nothing more than the opiate of the masses - what have I lost? But if some of those around me gamble on the other side, some of those I love - what then?

What If
(c) Nichole Nordeman

What if you're right? He was just another nice guy.
What if You're right?

What if it's true? They say the cross will only make a fool of you.
What if it's true?

What if He takes His place in history with all the prophets and the kings
who taught us love and came in peace, but then the story ends?

What then?

But what if you're wrong? What if there's more?
What if there's hope you've never dreamed of hoping for?
What if You jump? Just close your eyes.
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

What if you dig way down deeper than your simple-minded friends?
What if you dig?

What if you find a thousand more unanswered questions down inside?

That's all you find?

What if you pick apart the logic and begin to poke the holes?
What if the crown of thorns is no more than folklore that must be told
and re-told, and re-told?

But what if you're wrong? What if there's more?
What if there's hope you've never dreamed of hoping for?
What if You jump? Just close your eyes.
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

'Cuz you've been running as fast as you can.
You've been looking for a place you land for so long.

But what if you're wrong?

What if You jump? Just close your eyes.
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

5 comments:

BritneyMarie said...

I'll definitely check her out.

Jen Wilson said...

I'm going to check her out too!!

Anonymous said...

I haven't heard of her, I guess our music talk never got that far! lol

Anonymous said...

Yeah, what if it's love.


It's funny how quickly we'll err on the side of caution for a friend or lover, though, even when they've left us nothing to believe in. Not a second thought, but always a second chance. Wonder why this is so different.


(Side note: Miiiiiss you, chica.)

Keeper said...

Hi Heather-

Have you ever considered online musical collaboration?

I have an online studio if you'd like to browse. Many good people to hookup with musically.

http://fjam.zapto.org/