Looking back at our Music Monday posts, I noticed something odd. There are no men represented. Why is that odd? Well, because roughly 99.975% of the music that I listen to are male singers. Weird, right? You would think I would be all about some girl power. But, as a former alto, I find that I am able to sing along more loudly in the car to those of the tenor persuasion.
To remedy this lack of male representation issue, allow me to introduce you to Andrew Peterson. If that name sounds familiar it’s because I mentioned his concert “Behold the Lamb of God” in the (Re)Thinking Christmas series.
Andrew is hands down my favorite singer/songwriter. Hands. Down. He is able to weave the most beautiful stories into magical melodies which touch my heart.
I had the opportunity to meet him in May of last year at a house show in Nashville, TN. I’m not easily intimidated and rarely am at a loss for words, but my mind was boggled by talking to someone who works phrases into his songs like “shake a man’s timbers” and “he rode the night all full and bright with his face at the far horizon.” Ummm…yea. Somehow, “Hi” just seemed inadequate.
I was uber-excited when his new album came out recently entitled, “Counting Stars.” It is phenomenal, and there is not a bad song on there. I’ll share a couple of songs from it down the road, but first, I want to introduce you to one of his former works. So, without further adieux, behold one of my all time favorite songs by Mr. Peterson from his “Love and Thunder” album.
The Silence of God
It’s enough to drive a man crazy; it’ll break a man’s faith
It’s enough to make him wonder if he’s ever been sane
When he’s bleating for comfort from Thy staff and Thy rod
And the heaven’s only answer is the silence of God
It’ll shake a man’s timbers when he loses his heart
When he has to remember what broke him apart
This yoke may be easy, but this burden is not
When the crying fields are frozen by the silence of God
And if a man has got to listen to the voices of the mob
Who are reeling in the throes of all the happiness they’ve got
When they tell you all their troubles have been nailed up to that cross
Then what about the times when even followers get lost?
‘Cause we all get lost sometimes…
There’s a statue of Jesus on a monastery knoll
In the hills of Kentucky, all quiet and cold
And He’s kneeling in the garden, as silent as a Stone
All His friends are sleeping and He’s weeping all alone
And the man of all sorrows, he never forgot
What sorrow is carried by the hearts that he bought
So when the questions dissolve into the silence of God
The aching may remain, but the breaking does not
The aching may remain, but the breaking does not
In the holy, lonesome echo of the silence of God
(C) 2003 New Spring Publishing, Inc. (a div. of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) / ASCAP. All Rights Reserved
Jamie
I was not familiar with this song. I am a fan of Andrew Peterson, but he has some lost years for me, so anyhow, this was a nice song. I identified with it.