New song to share…
I have been working on this song for the last couple of months and I finished it last night. I posted the lyrics below and I would love some feedback on it.
Update
People have weighed in and made some great suggestions!
- Try the song in a higher key, maybe a 1/2 or full step
- Find a better title that better fits
- Find some different/better chords for the pre-bridge in each verse
- I am thinking about reworking the last verse and specifically, the last line
- The reference to “morning/mourning” in the last line doesn’t really jive
With the whole “river” and “washing” idea in the rest of the song.
KEEP THE COMMENTS COMING!!
Download link 1: Click Here
Download link 2: Click Here
(Click “Open” when the download prompt comes up)
The River
© Chad Markley 2009
Take me to the river
To the waters edge
Help me get down closer
The rocks are digging in
On the shore are burdens
Of those that came before
Take me to the river
It’s what my hearts been aching for
Take me in the water
Out where I cannot touch
The sand is getting smoother
Am I asking for too much
The heavy weight is lifting
As the bottoms dropping out
Take me in the water
Why did I ever doubt
There’s grace in the current
There’s such hope in the flow
The washing of the water
The waves are crashing on my/your soul
Walk with Him to the water
Trust Him and venture deep
He took your shame and heartbreak
His scars were written with your grief
He made your soul for freedom
Why would you stop and wait
Walk with Him to the water, my friend
Your morning/mourning is about to break
Leave me some feed back!!
23 responses to "New song to share…"
like it as is…the only other title that comes to my mind is “On the shore” but like ” The River “…
Bro… hang the computer gig and start working for Jesus! I love the song!
Thank you guys for the feedback!
Give it a few more listens and shoot me any other suggestions you might have.
Excellent song Chad!
You are very talented. What a blessing.
The title you have seems most fitting.
“Waves of My Soul” came to mind…
you know, river, water, waves and the song speaks to me about the healing of the soul.
Anyway, thank you for sharing, very encouraging!
Love the lyrics of this song. Love the flow and feeling of it. There is one chord I would think of changing and it may make it smoother. In the verses, when you go to the F over “rocks are digging in” I would like to hear something different there, but that’s my opinion.
the song as it stand is awesome!
I love the vulnerability, the honesty, the fact this style of folk completely suits your voice and I love the feel of the guitar throughout.
The lyrics are great, and yeah – I’m not sure “The River” really gives it as much worth as it deserves; it’s a much-used title, but I can’t think of anything else right now Will let you know if anything comes to me as I listen a few more times
I actually love the heart/art thing in the first verse – making the word ‘art’ throws a completely different and no doubt unintended spin on it.
DUDE.
That was REALLY good! I mean it. I think I liked the last line the best. Even got some chill bumps
Nice Chad, great job with that. I love it. I’ll give it a few more listens and see if anything pops out for me but I like it as is so far.
- Vic
Chad – Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving the comment. I very much enjoy your blog and am following it now.
I just posted a new blog on my page about Noah’s Ark, can you read it?
I would love to hear what you think about it. Thank you so much and have a great day!!!
Chad,
THIS IS EXCELLENT.
It isn’t often that I hear a song that totally touches me (mostly because I hear so many) but this song…..this song got me deep. It reminds me of the “footprints” poem where Jesus carries you in your hardest times of life. This is amazing. Keep it up.
And here is my (mostly worthless) suggestion. The ending was pretty good, but the end of the last line seemed pretty awkward to me. I’d think to either sing that line with a louder crescendo or drag out the line and end a little softer. (I almost hate saying anything because it was so good though)
Okay Chad…you know I’m like Terry…no lip service.
Clearly this was a song annointed that God gave you. He has a purpose for it.
Kathleen
LOVE the texture of your voice in this. really…
I can hear some drum/brushes in there after the first chorus, into the second… nice. and some smooth bass tones as well.
love the climb and vamp of the bridge – nice.
It doesn’t need much at all – but there’s a sweet groove in your strums that can be highlighted with some percussion.
“Your morning/mourning is about to break”
that’s it right there.
I read Your Wife’s, Cindy’s, Mandy’s and few other blogs you would have heard of.
I love this song. I could totally see myself singing it in my car. Listening to it over and over. I love the feelings that it has!
I truly enjoyed it!!
Great job my brother! I love the whole concept of the song – using the water/river as a place of renewal. Your voice has its wonderful soul & vulnerability – & yep it shows your heart!
I agree with some peeps about having sweet percussion like a soft djembe & shaker esp in between the guitar breaks. The phrase "grace in the current" really gets me deep esp how you crescendoed @ that point. Not sure if you call this your bridge or chorus but if this is the song's chorus, I would personally love to have a double chorus @ the end – have you crescendo again & decrescendo @ the last chorus. Dang chillzz in da heezee!!
I can only only think of two words…
More cowbell!
…translated that means, I like it the way it is, it’s fresh and from the heart. The line, “Scars are written with your grief” cut deep into the heart of the listener (this one, anyway). A simple yet powerful song honoring God and what He has done, continues to do and will always do!
The only title suggestion… “Take Me To The River”.
…and maybe some more cow bell…
Love rabbi!
Frank
Dude, it does need more cowbell. LOL
Seriously though.
If you are looking for some help on the last line this is what I got.
My humble and non-songwriting suggestions:
Maybe end the last line with Grace. Tie in a verb related to the abandon you are calling the listener to….
“dive into”…”splash around in” His Grace.
As far as title. I got nothin much:
Maybe The Current/Ripple/Streams of Grace.
It really needs no changing in my opinion though…very heartfelt and real. I truly dig it!
love it bro!
walk with him to the water, my friend…and witness what this river will/can create
“His scars were written with grief”…that line realy gets me.
what a beautiful and inspiring song, there is so much passion and feeling behind it.
beautiful.
(friend of Abaddon911)
awesome song, if you have more let me know.
"Take Me" works. And I don't know about the music part. I know when something sounds good or when it doesn't butnot how to get it there. That is a gift. About the morning/mourning. I think it does fit. "Morning" brings a picture of hope. The song is about hope that comes from what God can do in a life. "Mourning" fits, too… the rocks are digging in, on the shore are burdens, my heart's been aching, the heavy weight is lifting as the bottoms dropping out, He took your shame and heartbreak… The whole song is about mourning and the hope that Christ gives in the midst of it.
Didn't I just read in a post of yours that there can be no good without bad? Don't doubt yourself here. This is a good song.