I don’t know what it is about Leeland, but when I first heard them, I wasn’t too sure what to think. At the time I first listened to them, I wasn’t too interested in listening to Christian music. But as I’ve listened to them, I’ve come to enjoy their music greatly. I started off with “Carried to the Table,” “Tears of the Saints,” and “Brighter Days.” And normally when I get tired of songs, I’ll rotate them out of my playlist and look for new music.
So needless to say, I looked up Leeland in the Amazon MP3 music store and gave some of their other music a try. I really like the melody of this song and the lyrics, so here it is… “Opposite Way” by Leeland. Enjoy!
Opposite Way
Leeland
Living in the same town
For all these years
Doing the same old things
Hanging with the same crowd
And it’s starting to get crippling
You’ve never felt in place
And you tell yourself it’s all okay
But something’s different today
You want to run the opposite way
And it seems like you’re locked in a cage
And you need to find a way of escape
When everyone is setting the pace
It’s okay to run the opposite way
The Father sent His Son down
The light of men
The cross He bore was crippling
Rejected in His own town
They couldn’t see the sun shining
He knelt in the garden and prayed
Father, let this cup pass from me
It’s not Your will for me to stay
Your will for me is the opposite way
And it seemed like He was locked in a cage
And He couldn’t find away of escape
But through the cross He conquered the grave
My Jesus ran the opposite way
Oh, and through the cross He conquered the grave
Oh, He ran the opposite way
Yeah, through the cross He conquered the grave
So you could run the opposite way
I haven’t listened to very much of Kate Voegele, but as I was looking for new music tonight, I came across this wonderful song. For me, this song shows that life is difficult, but that those difficulties result in something much greater. I love the song’s simple message, the piano as the main instrument, and Kate’s awesome voice. I don’t know if this song will win any awards and it’s certainly not my favorite song of all time, but still worth a listen. Enjoy!
Lift Me Up
Kate Voegele
This road is anything but simple
Twisted like a riddle I’ve seen high and I’ve seen low
So loud, the voices of all my doubts
Telling me to give up, to pack up and leave town
Even so, I had to believe
Impossible means nothing to me, yeah
So can you lift me up,
Turn the ashes into flames
‘Cause I have overcome
More than words will ever say
And I’ve been given hope
That there’s a light on up the hall
And that a day will come
When the fight is won
And I think that day has just begun
Somewhere, every body starts there
I’m counting on a small prayer,
Lost in a nightmare
But I’m here, and suddenly it’s so clear
The struggle through the long years
It taught me to outrun my fears
Everything worth having, oh
Comes with trials worth withstanding
So can you lift me up,
Turn the ashes into flames
‘Cause I have overcome
More than words will ever say
And I’ve been given hope
That there’s a light on up the hall
And that a day will come
When the fight is won
And I think that day has just begun
Oh, lift me up
Oh, lift me up
Oh, lift me up
Lift me up
Lift me up
Oh, Lift me up
Down and out is overrated
And I need to be elevated
Looking up is not enough
No, I would rather rise above
So can you lift me up,
Turn the ashes into flames
‘Cause I have overcome
More than words will ever say
And I’ve been given hope
That there’s a light on up the hall
And that a day will come
When the fight is won
And I think that day has just begun
Oh, oh, oh, just begun
Lift me up, yeah, oh, oh, oh, yeah, now
Oh, oh, lift me up
Lift me up
Lift me up
As always, I’m looking for new music and I came across this one by Norah Jones. Funny thing is, I had already had it in my iTunes library. As I listened to it, I loved it’s simplicity and I just really love Norah’s voice and the tone of her music… it is EXCELLENT chill music. Enjoy!
Thinking About You
Norah Jones
Yesterday I saw the sun shinin’,
And the leaves were fallin’ down softly,
My cold hands needed a warm, warm touch,
And I was thinkin’ about you.
Here I am lookin’ for signs of leaving,
You hold my hand, but do you really need me?
I guess it’s time for me to let you go,
And I’ve been thinkin’ about you,
I’ve been thinkin’ about you.
When you sail across the ocean waters,
And you reach the other side safely,
Could you smile a little smile for me?
’cause I’ll be thinkin’ about you,
I’ll be thinkin’ about you,
I’ll be thinkin’ about you,
I’ll be thinkin’ about you.
It’s been a while since I’ve really found a song that I’ve liked. On a recommendation, I started listening to the group Leeland. I began with “Tears of the Saints” and enjoyed it so much that I looked for more of their music. That is when I came across “Carried to the Table.” All the lyrics are amazing, but the part that stuck out to me was:
Fighting thoughts of fear
And wondering why He called my name
Am I good enough to share this cup
This world has left me lame
Even in my weakness
The Savior called my name
In His Holy presence
I’m healed and unashamed
As my pastor would say, “holy cow.” There are times when I feel so unworthy, yet “the Savior called my name, in His Holy presence, I’m healed and unashamed.” I hope you enjoy this song as much as I have.
Carried to the Table
Leeland
Wounded and forsaken
I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten
Feeling lost and all alone
Summoned by the King
Into the Master’s courts
Lifted by the Savior
And cradled in His arms
I was carried to the table
Seated where I don’t belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don’t see my brokenness anymore
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord
I’m carried to the table
The table of the Lord
Fighting thoughts of fear
And wondering why He called my name
Am I good enough to share this cup
This world has left me lame
Even in my weakness
The Savior called my name
In His Holy presence
I’m healed and unashamed
Hayley Westenra has a VERY beautiful voice and I absolutely love the message of this song. My favorite verse is when she sings: “Let your arms enfold us, Through the dark of night, Will your angels hold us, Till we see the light.” This woman has the voice of an angel.
Prayer Hayley Westenra
Let your arms enfold us
Through the dark of night
Will your angels hold us
Till we see the light
Hush, lay down your troubled mind
The day has vanished and left us behind
And the wind – whispering soft lullabies
Will soothe – so close your eyes
Let your arms enfold us
Through the dark of night
Will your angels hold us
Till we see the light
Sleep, angels will watch over you
And soon beautiful dreams will come true
Can you feel spirits embracing your soul
So dream while secrets of darkness unfold
Let your arms enfold us
Through the dark of night
Will your angels hold us
Till we see the light
