RISE “Secular” Songs
Lyric Archive
“AWAKE MY SOUL”
~Mumford & Sons
How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know
My weakness I feel I must finally show
Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all
But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall
Lend me your eyes I can change what you see
But your soul you must keep, totally free
Har har, har har, har har, har har
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know
My weakness I feel I must finally show
Har har, har har, har har, har har
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
And where you invest your love, you invest your life
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
And where you invest your love, you invest your life
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
For you were made to meet your maker
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
For you were made to meet your maker
You were made to meet your maker
“Beautiful Things”
~Gungor
All this pain
I wonder if I′ll ever find my way?
I wonder if my life could really change at all?
All this Earth
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come up from this ground at all?
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos, life is being found in You
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
You make me new, You are making me new
(Repeat)
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
(Repeat)
“Brother”
~The Brilliance
When I look into the face of my enemy
I see my brother
I see my brother
(Repeat 3x)
Forgiveness is the garment of our courage
The power to make the peace we long to know
Open up our eyes to see the wounds that bind
All of humankind may our shutter greet the dawn of life
With charity and love
When I look into the face of my enemy
I see my brother
I see my brother
(Repeat 3x)
I see my brother
I see my sister
I see my father
I see my mother
When I look into the face of my enemy
I see my brother
I see my brother
(Repeat 3x)
“The Cave”
~Mumford and Sons
It’s empty in the valley of your heart
The sun it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears and faults you’ve left behind
The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat eater, you see
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat
But I will hold on hope
I won’t let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I’ll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I’ll know my name as it’s called again
Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I’ll take mine
Now let me at the truth which will refresh my broken mind
So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears
But I will hold on hope
I won’t let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I’ll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I’ll know my name as it’s called again
So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker’s land
So make your siren’s call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say
Cause I want freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it’s meant to be
But I will hold on hope
I won’t let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I’ll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I’ll know my name as it’s called again
“Closer to Fine”
~Indigo Girls
I'm trying to tell you something 'bout my life
Maybe give me insight between black and white
And the best thing you ever done for me
Is to help me take my life less seriously
It's only life after all, yeah
Well, darkness has a hunger that's insatiable
And lightness has a call that's hard to hear
And I wrap my fear around me like a blanket
I sailed my ship of safety till I sank it
I'm crawling on your shores
And I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
There's more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
(The less I seek my source)
Closer I am to fine, yeah
Closer I am to fine, yeah
And I went to see the doctor of philosophy
With a poster of Rasputin and a beard down to his knee
He never did marry or see a B-grade movie
He graded my performance, he said he could see through me
I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind
Got my paper and I was free
And I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
There's more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
(The less I seek my source)
Closer I am to fine, yeah
Closer I am to fine, yeah
I stopped by the bar at 3 A.M.
To seek solace in a bottle or possibly a friend
And I woke up with a headache like my head against a board
Twice as cloudy as I'd been the night before
And I went in seeking clarity
I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
We go to the doctor, we go to the mountains
We look to the children, we drink from the fountain
Yeah, we go to the Bible, we go through the workout
We read up on revival, we stand up for the lookout
There's more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
(The less I seek my source)
Closer I am to fine
Closer I am to fine
Closer I am to fine, yeah
“Crazy World”
~Jeff Daniels
I’ve seen a young girl smiling,
It’s something he just said,
I watched him fall into her pretty green eyes,
His cheeks turned valentine red.
I’ve seen an old man walking,
With his wife by his side,
I watched him reach down, take her hand,
Damned if I didn’t cry.
This crazy world’s gone crazy
Who am I to judge?
Nice to know in a world full of hate
There’s someone out there still making love.
I’ve seen a dog’s tail wagging,
I’ve seen a grandchild run,
I’ve sung along to a day-breaking dawn,
In a hundred thousand setting suns.
I’ve seen a door held open,
I’ve seen strangers shaking hands,
I’ve seen a kiss from that old flame she missed,
Last a little longer than planned.
This crazy world’s gone crazy
Who am I to judge?
Nice to know in a world full of hate
There’s someone out there still making love.
I’ve seen a prayer get answered,
I’ve seen a bride in June,
I’m proud to say I’ve seen the Milky Way
Winking at the man in the Moon.
I’ve seen a dozen roses,
I’ve seen a heart on her sleeve,
I’ve seen enough to know what I know
And know what I still believe.
This crazy world’s gone crazy
Who am I to judge?
Nice to know in a world full of hate
There’s someone out there
There’s someone out there
There’s someone out there…
“Crowded Table”
~The Highwomen - Brandi Carlile & Natalie Hemby with Lori McKenna
You can hold my hand, when you need to let go
I can be your mountain, when you’re feeling valley low
I can be your streetlight, showing you the way home
If you can hold my hand, when you need to let go
I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seeds
Plant a little happiness, let the roots run deep
If it’s love that we give, then it’s love that we reap
If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seed
Yeah, I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
The door is always open
Your picture’s on my wall
Everyone’s a little broken
And everyone belongs
Yeah, Everyone belongs
I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
“Get Together”
~The Youngbloods / Jesse Colin Young
Love is but a song we sing
Fear's the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Though the bird is on the wing
And you may not know why
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now
Some may come and some may go
We will surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moment's sunlight
Fading in the grass
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now
If you hear the song I sing
You will understand (listen!)
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It's there at your command
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now
“Give Yourself To Love”
~Kate Wolf
Kind friends all gathered 'round,
there's something I would say:
That what brings us together here
has blessed us all today.
Love has made a circle
that holds us all inside.
Where strangers are as family,
loneliness can't hide.
You must give yourself to love
if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to
the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love,
give yourself to love.
I've walked these mountains in the rain
and learned to love the wind;
I've been up before the sunrise
to watch the day begin.
I've always knew I'd find you,
though I never did know how;
Like sunshine on a cloudy day
stand before me now.
So give yourself to love
if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to
the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love,
give yourself to love.
Love is born in fire;
it's planted like a seed.
Love can't give you everything,
but it gives you what you need.
And love comes when you're ready,
love comes when you're afraid;
It'll be your greatest teacher,
the best friend you have made.
So give yourself to love
if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to
the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love,
give yourself to love.
REPEAT
“Home”
~Phillip Phillips
Hold on to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
Although this weight is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cuz I’m gonna make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble, it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
'Cause I'm gonna make this place your home
Ohhh Ohhhh Ohhhh x3
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble, it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
'Cause I'm gonna make this place your home
Ohhh Ohhhh Ohhhh x3
“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
~U2
I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you, only to be with you
I have run, I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls, these city walls
Only to be with you
But I still haven’t found what I am looking for
(2x)
I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in my fingertips
It burned like a fire, this burning desire
I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of the devil
It was warm in the night, I was cold as a stone
But I still haven’t found what I am looking for
(2x)
I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors they will bleed into one
Bleed into one
But yes, I’m still running
You broke the bonds and you loosened the chains
Carried the cross of, of my shame, of my shame
You know I believe it
But I still haven’t found what I am looking for
(4x)
“The Joke”
~Brandi Carlile
You're feeling nervous, aren't you, boy?
With your quiet voice and impeccable style
Don't ever let them steal your joy
And your gentle ways
To keep 'em from running wild
They can kick dirt in your face
Dress you down, and tell you that your place
Is in the middle, when they hate the way you shine
I see you tugging on your shirt
Trying to hide inside of it
And hide how much it hurts
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
You get discouraged, don't you, girl?
It's your brother's world for a while longer
We gotta dance with the devil on a river
To beat the stream
Call it living the dream, call it kicking the ladder
They come to kick dirt in your face
To call you weak and then displace you
After carrying your baby on your back across the desert
I saw your eyes behind your hair
And you're looking tired, but you don't look scared
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
(Repeat)
“A Message”
~Coldplay
My song is love
Love to the loveless shown
And it goes on
You don't have to be alone
Your heavy heart
Is made of stone
And it's so hard to see clearly
You don't have to be on your own
You don't have to be on your own
And I'm not gonna take it back
And I'm not gonna say I don't mean that
You're the target that I'm aiming at
And I'll get that message home
My song is love
My song is love unknown
And I'm on fire for you, clearly
You don't have to be alone
You don't have to be on your own
And I'm not gonna take it back
And I'm not gonna say I don't mean that
You're the target that I'm aiming at
But I'm nothing on my own
Got to get that message home
And I'm not gonna stand and wait
Not gonna leave it until it's much too late
On a platform, I'm gonna stand and say
That I'm nothing on my own
And I love you, please come home
And I’m not gonna take it back
And I’m not gonna say I don’t mean that
You’re the target that I’m aiming at
And I’ll get that message home
My song is love, is love unknown
And I've got to get that message home
“Never Gonna Give You Up”
~Rick Astley
We’re no strangers to love
You know the rules and so do I
A full commitment‘s what I’m thinking of
You wouldn’t get this from any other guy
I just wanna tell you how I’m feeling
Gotta make you understand
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
We’ve known each other for so long
Your heart’s been aching
but you’re too shy to say it
Inside we both know what’s been going on
We know the game and we’re gonna play it
And if you ask me how I’m feeling
Don’t tell me you’re too blind to see
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
Never gonna give, never gonna give
(give you up)
Never gonna give, never gonna give
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
“Nowhere Man”
~John Lennon & Paul McCartney
He's a real Nowhere Man
Sitting in his Nowhere Land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Doesn't have a point of view
Knows not where he's going to
Isn't he a bit like you and me
Nowhere Man, please listen
You don't know what you're missing
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command
He's as blind as he can be
Just sees what he wants to see
Nowhere Man can you see me at all
Nowhere Man, don't worry
Take your time, don't hurry
Leave it all till somebody else lends you a hand.
Doesn't have a point of view
Knows not where he's going to
Isn't he a bit like you and me
Nowhere Man, please listen
You don't know what you're missing
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command
He's a real Nowhere Man
Sitting in his Nowhere Land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
“On Track”
~Tame Impala
I close my front door
And turn on the light
I let out a breath
And hold in a sigh
Ain't nothing new
Ain't that much in sight
And if I'm counting days
Dream fruition ain't
What it's lookin' like.
But strictly speaking I'm still on track
Strictly speaking I'm holding on
More than a minor setback
But strictly speaking I'm still on track
And all of my dreams are still in sight
Cos strictly speaking I've got my whole life
I lost a wheel a while back
But strictly speaking I'm still on track
Challenges falling in my lap
Strung out again but still on track
I know it's unrealistic
Over-optimistic
I know I tried before this
I know it's nearly August
I know I can't ignore this
I'm looking forward to all this
Saying "babe I just adore this"
And "babe can we afford this?"
I know it's been a slow year
Nothing much to show here
I didn't really go for it
So not a lot to show for it
The hardest part is over
Adjusting makes it slower
So glad you're coming over
A wall to bring us closer
The world ain't rooting for ya
Nothing to lose it over
We're just a little older
The rest comes easy
“RIPPLE”
~Lyrics by Robert Hunter / Music by Jerry Garcia
If my words did glow, with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played, on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice, come through the music?
Would you hold it near, as if it were your own?
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps, they’re better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs, to fill the air
Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again.
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of man
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn, and the dark of night
And if you go, no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
You, who choose to lead, must follow
But if you fall, you fall alone
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home
La dee da da da…
___________________________________
The lyrics to “Ripple” were written by Robert Hunter, with music composed by Jerry Garcia. This was the songwriting duo that produced many of the Grateful Dead’s best songs, including most of the material on their two most beloved albums, American Beauty and Workingman’s Dead, and other favorites like “Sugaree”.
“Ripple” is about making peace with life, and finding a path that suits you by learning from the other lost people around you, and of course embracing the power of joy through music. It’s about remembering that we’re all in this together, but also that your life is your own to lead.
“Ripple”, however, certainly does dip its toes in the waters of religion. Especially with the line, “Let it be known there is a fountain / That was not made by the hands of men,” which Hunter told Rolling Stone in 2015 was his favorite lyric that he had ever written. It suggests rather directly that there is some greater being that created this mystical fountain, which one might assume is the Fountain of Youth.
As noted in the old school annotated Grateful Dead lyrics site at the University of Santa Cruz, Hunter’s lyrics also contain what could be interpreted as references to several other works of mythology and literature. Noted references include the ancient Indian mystic Kabir, the Hebrew Psalm 23, Walt Whitman and Yeat’s poetry, and more. In this way Hunter places “Ripple” in context with all of these things that weigh and interpret the meaning of life, and gives his own interpretation, but moreso invites listeners to ponder it for themselves:
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go, no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
(Liner Notes extracted from https://extrachill.com/grateful-dead-ripple-meaning)
“Stupid Deep”
~Jon Bellion
What if who I hoped to be
was always me?
And the love I fought to
feel was always free?
What if all the things I’ve done
Are just attempts at earning love
Cause the hole inside my heart’s stupid deep
Stupid deep
What if where I’ve tried to go
is always here?
And the path I tried to cut |
was always clear?
Why has life become a plan
To put some money in my hand?
When the love I really need is stupid cheap
Stupid cheap
What if who I hoped to be
was always me?
And the love I fought to
feel was always free?
What if all the things I’ve done
Are just attempts at earning love
Cause the hole inside my heart’s stupid deep
Stupid deep
“THIS IS NOT THE END”
~Gungor
This is not the end
This is not the end of this
We will open our eyes wide, wider
This is not our last
This is not our last breath
We will open our mouths wide, wider
And you know you'll be alright
Oh and you know you'll be alright
This is not the end
This is not the end of us
We will shine like
The stars bright, brighter
“Time After Time”
~Rob Hyman / Cyndi Lauper
Lying in my bed
I hear the clock tick and think of you
Caught up in circles
Confusion is nothing new
Flashback, warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcase of memories
Time after
Sometimes, you picture me
I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me
I can't hear what you've said
Then you say, "Go slow"
I fall behind
The second hand unwinds
If you're lost, you can look, and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting
Time after time
After my picture fades
And darkness has turned to gray
Watching through windows
You're wondering if I'm okay
Secrets stolen from deep inside
And the drum beats out of time
If you're lost, you can look, and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting
Time after time
(Repeat)
“We Shall Be Known”
~MaMuse
We shall be known by the company we keep
by the ones who circle round to tend these fires
We shall be known by the ones who sow and reap
the seeds of change alive from deep within the earth
It is time now
It is time now that we thrive
It is time we lead ourselves into the well
It is time now, and what a time to be alive
In this great turning we shall learn to lead in love
In this great turning we shall learn to lead in love
REPEAT
“What a Wonderful World”
~Bob Thiele, George Douglas, George Weiss
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom, for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They’re really saying I love you
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself, what a wonderful world
“Wind Beneath My Wings”
~Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley
It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You were content to let me shine
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strength
A beautiful face without a name
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
And everything I'd like to be?
I could fly higher than an eagle,
Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
But I have it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth
I would be nothing without you.
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
And everything I'd like to be?
I could fly higher than an eagle,
Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
“Window in the Skies”
~U2
The shackles are undone
The bullets quit the gun
The heat that's in the sun
Will keep us when there's none
The rule has been disproved
The stone it has been moved
The grave is now a groove
All debts are removed
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's doing to me?
Love makes strange enemies
Makes love where love may please
Soul and its striptease
Hate brought to its knees
The sky over our head
We can reach it from our bed
You let me in your heart
And out of my head, head
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's doing to me?
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Please don't ever let me out of you
I've got no shame
Oh no, oh no
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's doing to me?
I know I hurt you and I made you cry
Did everything but murder you and I
But love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize
Oh can't you see what love has done?
To every broken heart
Oh can't you see what love has done?
For every heart that cries
Love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize