For times when my heart grows heavy lately, I've found comfort in the most unlikely of places - Arrested Development's Tennessee. Anyone remember that song? Haha. I think I was in Jr. High when it came out. I love it. Unlike so many other modern rap acts, it's so simple, so honest, so innocent. The song is sung in the form of a prayer, and although much of it doesn't apply to me (e.g. I'm not black and proud, I don't live in Tennessee, etc. ), I still am uplifted by the singer's honest yearning... Here are the lyrics, enjoy:
Verse One: Speech
Lord I've really been real stressed
Down and out, losin ground
Although I am black and proud
Problems got me pessimistic
Brothers and sisters keep messin up
Why does it have to be so d*** tuff?
I don't know where I can go
To let these ghosts out of my skull
My grandma's past, my brother's gone
I never at once felt so alone
I know you're supposed to be my steering wheel
Not just my spare tire (home)
But lord I ask you (home)
To be my guiding force and truth (home)
For some strange reason it had to be (home)
He guided me to Tennessee (home)
Chorus
Take me to another place
Take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me
Let me understand your plan
Verse Two
Lord it's obvious we got a relationship
Talkin to each other every night and day
Although you're superior over me
We talk to each other in a friendship way
Then outta nowhere you tell me to break
Outta the country and into more country
Past Dyesburg into Ripley
Where the ghost of childhood haunts me
Walk the roads my forefathers walked
Climbed the trees my forefathers hung from
Ask those trees for all their wisdom
They tell me my ears are so young (home)
Go back to from whence you came (home)
My family tree my family name (home)
For some strange reason it had to be (home)
He guided me to Tennessee (home)
Chorus
Verse Three
Now I see the importance of history
Why people be in the mess that they be
Many journeys to freedom made in vain
By brothers on the corner playin ghetto games
I ask you lord why you enlightened me
Without the enlightenment of all my folks
He said cuz I set myself on a quest for truth
And he was there to quench my thirst
But I am still thirsty...
The lord allowed me to drink some more
He said what I am searchin for are
The answers to all which are in front of me
The ultimate truth started to get blurry
For some strange reason it had to be
It was all a dream about Tennessee
3 comments:
We have already established that you are not black nor live in Tennessee. But are you still thirsty? Are you looking for that place to take away the pain? Purpose? Direction?
I have noticed how people try so hard to avoid pain, anguish, and despair. It is a place where no one desired to be in for long (including myself). However, I believe that it is also a time when you are set apart; your energy, writing, and outlook on life is so intense that it may become addicting. It is also a time when I am the most honest with my God--I come before him without pretentions (i.e., I don't feel entitled, saintly, or good) Of Course, over a period of time, it can penetrate so deep that it can numb our senses to what may be considered good.
One may consider your admittance to a heavy heart as a form of weakness, for why linger on a song to give you relief and even hope? However, it is admirable to find humans still capable of such honesty.
I have tried to live by what a wise woman once wrote:
" A strong individual is neither the person who withstands hardship, nor the one that uncontrollably breaks down without having an understanding of why such catharsis took place. A strong person is, rather, the one who has enough courage to face their free-will to choose whether he or she wants to withstand or break down...In the end, it is harder to tropple down the foundation of those who are sure of how they want to feel."
Command your heavy heart and take advantage of it.
(O.K. I really think I read too much into your message).
We have already established that you are not black nor live in Tennessee. But are you still thirsty? Are you looking for that place to take away the pain? Purpose? Direction?
I have noticed how people try so hard to avoid pain, anguish, and despair. It is a place where no one desired to be in for long (including myself). However, I believe that it is also a time when you are set apart; your energy, writing, and outlook on life is so intense that it may become addicting. It is also a time when I am the most honest with my God--I come before him without pretentions (i.e., I don't feel entitled, saintly, or good) Of Course, over a period of time, it can penetrate so deep that it can numb our senses to what may be considered good.
One may consider your admittance to a heavy heart as a form of weakness, for why linger on a song to give you relief and even hope? However, it is admirable to find humans still capable of such honesty.
I have tried to live by what a wise woman once wrote:
" A strong individual is neither the person who withstands hardship, nor the one that uncontrollably breaks down without having an understanding of why such catharsis took place. A strong person is, rather, the one who has enough courage to face their free-will to choose whether he or she wants to withstand or break down...In the end, it is harder to tropple down the foundation of those who are sure of how they want to feel."
Command your heavy heart and take advantage of it.
(O.K. I really think I read too much into your message).
hmmm ... Whether from a song or not, when the heart is spoken to- its spoken to.
Comforting lyrics though. And words that sound like many cries that appear in the book of Psalms.
All emotions and experiences have been suffered by many before us - the 'Word' has it all-
Enjoy'd
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