Music & Lyrics

Good Grief

Abundance

I’m cresting the boundaries of my banks
Flooding over the rocks in my way
I know there’s still room to change
Been leaning into the pain
As I’ve gotten closer I’ve felt less shame
I know there’s still room to change

Like the seasons bring
Each an offering
One through countless broken seeds
Another through long, dormant sleep
I will sing to You
While You vinedress and prune
When I am bearing much fruit
And when I bear none, too

You have invited me to feast
Every bite I shed poverty
I know You’ll have more to eat
You will always have a seat
And a glass of wine
Waiting for me
I know You’ll have more to eat

I will never beg for bread

Tired

What can I do
When home is a place
That I can’t find
Or locate?

I’ll run to You
Cause within your smile
There is a curve
Where I can recline

Ooo, I belong
Held here in Your arms
Ooo, I can rest
My sore feet and my head
Oh I’m tired of running
So I’ll run to You

I did so well
In my own strength
Hammered the walls
Rolled on the paint

But in blew the wind
And it all came down
A Great Wolf You are
To flatten my clout

Even when it don’t stick
Even when my work don’t stand the rain
My pride can go to hell, it can get on its way
I need a Father, not a grade

Even when I’m reeling
In the wake of the plans I’ve made
I know that with You nothing is a waste
You can even use my mistakes
So I’ll run to You

Dogwood

Certain sounds remind me of you
I’ve been searching my mind
To remember if it was true

That time we spent together
It always meant something
Though I don’t really miss us
Sometimes it makes me think
About

That coffee shop on the corner
That little brick house
Those dogwood blooms in the springtime
Those whiskers ´round your mouth

Been dreaming lately
About what we could have been
And thinking that maybe
We’d have a couple kids

And listen to their footsteps
As they ran ‘cross the wood
Though I don’t even want you
I always thought we would
Show them

That coffee shop on the corner
That little brick house
Those dogwood blooms in the springtime
Those whiskers ‘round your mouth

Now I see
That it could never be
But how could I believe
That you weren’t part of me

Good Grief

It’s a skill to be able to bounce back
I’ll admit that it’s not one I have
Run mad like money when it slips out the black
Found sopping wet with water off a duck’s back

Some build bridges over rapids rushed white
I’ve been jealous of their ease, of the height
But It still flows below with violence and might
And I’m caught in it gulping and putting up a fight

Good grief—good grief!
Is there such a thing?
As
Good grief—good grief!
Oh God, let there be

My life’s work devoted to accepting lack
That sinking feeling when you can’t get something back
Til I bought into that prosperity tract
My hands freed just to test a finger trap

But maybe it’s a balance that I haven’t found
A God with treasure chests stored up above the ground
Who plunges into save when I begin to drown
And hosts a feast for me where enemies surround

Oh God, you promised if I made my bed in hell
You’d be there before I realized I’d fell
It seems you ain’t afraid of paradox or knell
I’ve heard the depths are a great place to dig a well
(flames don’t stop you from digging a well?)

(Chorus repeat)
I believe I will see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living
I believe I will see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of suffering
In the meantime I’ll drink from the well that was dug
By my bed of grief
And I’ll believe I I’ll see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living

Good grief—good grief!
There is such a thing
As good grief—good grief!
‘Cause God, You don’t leave

Memory

I lived somewhere that’s hard to forget
Like buttermilk in your mouth
A honey-land that’s sweet on the lips
Now it turns my stomach sour

My Goshen, my Eden,
Now a flaming sword between us
And I can’t get my hands on a time machine
I’ll preserve it in my memory

An evening stroll past honeysuckle
I swear that will never age
That scent will linger in my nose
Even when my sense fade

Locusts may come and cover the ground
But I won’t forget the way
That those woods held me safe and sound
Even in the midst of plague

(Chorus repeat)

I will slow down
And smell the roses off the parkway
I’m growing up now
And I can’t spare myself the heartbreak

Lullaby Child

12:00 in bed
I climbed out to find her again
It didn’t normally go as planned
When the night grew dark
I would make my way
Knew every floorboard in the place
How many yesterdays
Did I spend reaching

Now cradled cats make me cry
My childhood on its ninth life
Soon I will have my own child
And I’ll be the one who tells the rhymes

Oh memory, memory
Be kind to me
I can’t afford to forget
The whisper, the timbre,
The way that she speaks
I can’t afford to forget it

I’ll forget you, forget you, forget you not

I was welcomed in as if
It was an exception
Crawled right on in
To her warm hug
Cockle shells in rhyme
Silver bells that chime in my mind
I can hear them even all this time later
Her voice heavies my eyes

I am a lullaby child
Wondering why
I can’t return to my
Spring life
I wish that I
Hadn’t wasted time
Wishing I wasn’t
A child

Takebacks

I don’t
I don’t understand it
And I can’t
I can’t stand it even now
Losing you
The grave
It takes whatever
You name
Don’t you wish it wasn’t so
Personal?
Oh, but it is
And I can’t change it
And there’s no takebacks
For death

What good
What good would it do to
Bargain
As if pleas could bring you back
Back to my side
I just
I just wanna hold your hand
Again
To pretend you never left
To pretend it’s all alright

Oh, but it isn’t
And I can’t change it
And there’s no takebacks
For death

Come down to the water where the ships roll in
Come down to the water
Come down to the water where the river bends
Come down to the water
Come down to the water if you’re feeling thin
Come down to the water
Come down to the water so you don’t forget
Come down to the water
Come down to the water and I’ll wash your limbs
Come down to the water
Baby, you just need a little bit of water
To make it through this

I’m Not Okay

Hello, my friend
I’ve been waiting for You to find me
Hidden in
The corners of my chest

Drank deep into myself
Been wondering how well that I’m really doing
I could probably tell
Somebody how I’ve been

But I’ve got a lot of things to do
All so convenient to escape
I don’t know why I run away
When I’ve got You

Instead, I’ve let my thoughts run loose
Lending only to decay
If I just said I’m not okay
What would You do?

VERSE 2

I’ve decided
It is no way to live cooped up inside
Of my own head
In attempt to keep me safe

Perpetual defense
Is devoid of connection, I see that now but
Am I capable of risk
After all this time?

(CHORUS REPEAT)

BRIDGE

Is it true You’d fill my loneliness?
Is it true You’d ease my mind?
Is it true there is a Comforter
For all who don’t decline?

Is it true You roamed the wilderness
And Your heart broke in grief?
Is it true You paused ascension
To tend to Your friends’ belief?

Is it true you aren’t offended
When I question and I fail?
Is it true that when I’m sleeping
In hell that You are there?

If it’s true then would You come close?
I need a friend to help me through
Since You’ve risen up from this place
Will You resurrect me, too?

Proud of Me

It’s been harder than I thought it’d be
Lately
I’ve been hiding from it but now I see
It wasn’t easy
But you say you’re proud of me

CHORUS

I’ve questioned how you’ll stitch us up
Tasted wine that you’ve poured in my cup
Wondered if you’ve seen the work I’ve done
Melted as I’ve felt your tender touch

Oh, I’ve felt everything
Still you say you’re proud of me

I’ve blossomed with the early spring – opening
Every tear you’ve used for watering
While gardening me
I’ve learned you’re trustworthy

CHORUS

I’ve learned to kiss the wave that throws me into you
Even if I am afraid
I can not intimidate you with my big emotions
You’ll Father me all the same

When I’ve felt everything
Still you say you’re proud of me
Oh, I’ve felt everything
Still you are proud of me

Wasted Time

what if the world is younger than we thought?
and time alludes to more than what we’ve lost?
how generous imaginations are
every failure leads to a wished upon star

no, I won’t let life pass me by
I won’t waste my life working to buy my time

oh, to war for wonder, to die even by sword
not a wasted breath on boredom, I have sworn
I’ll consume the sunrise, devour every dusk
Til I ingest every ounce, til I am dust

Chorus

I’ve learned a noble life is full of risk
Like a seed in winter and a first shaky kiss
No sum is worth the exchange of our hopes
I would trade it all to simply hold you close

Oh, next to you
I’d waste time
I would memorize your face
Every line

Proud of Me

Proud of Me

It’s been harder than I thought it’d be
Lately
I’ve been hiding from it but now I see
It wasn’t easy
But You say You’re proud of me

I’ve questioned how You’ll stitch us up
Tasted wine that You’ve poured in my cup
Wondered if You’ve seen the work I’ve done
Melted as I’ve felt Your tender touch

Oh, I’ve felt everything
Still You say You’re proud of me

I’ve blossomed with the early spring–opening
Every tear You’ve used for watering
While gardening me
I’ve learned You’re trustworthy

I’ve learned to kiss the wave that throws me into You
Even if I am afraid
I cannot intimidate You with my big emotions
You’ll Father me all the same

When I’ve felt everything
Still You say You’re proud of me

Wasted Time

Wasted Time

What if the world is younger than we thought?
And time alludes to more than what we’ve lost?
How generous imaginations are
Every failure leads to a wished upon star

No, I won’t let life pass me by
I won’t waste my life working to buy my time

Oh, to war for wonder, to die even by sword
Not a wasted breath on boredom, I have sworn
I’ll consume the sunrise, devour every dusk
‘Til I ingest every ounce, ’til I am dust

I’ve learned a noble life is full of risk
Like a seed in winter and a first shaky kiss
No sum is worth the exchange of our hopes
I would trade it all to simply hold you close

Oh, next to you
I’d waste time
I would memorize your face
Every line

Tired

Tired

What can I do
When home is a place
That I can’t find
Or locate?

I’ll run to You
Cause within your smile
There is a curve
Where I can recline

Ooo, I belong
Held here in Your arms
Ooo, I can rest
My sore feet and my head
Oh I’m tired of running
So I’ll run to You

I did so well
In my own strength
Hammered the walls
Rolled on the paint

But in blew the wind
And it all came down
A Great Wolf You are
To flatten my clout

Even when it don’t stick
Even when my work don’t stand the rain
My pride can go to hell, it can get on its way
I need a Father, not a grade

Even when I’m reeling
In the wake of the plans I’ve made
I know that with You nothing is a waste
You can even use my mistakes
So I’ll run to You

Abundance

Abundance

You have invited me to feast
Every bite I shed poverty
I know You’ll have more to eat
You will always have a seat
And a glass of wine
Waiting for me
I know You’ll have more to eat

I will never beg for bread

Takebacks

Takebacks

What good
What good would it do to
Bargain
As if pleas could bring you back
Back to my side
I just
I just wanna hold your hand
Again
To pretend you never left
To pretend it’s all alright

Oh, but it isn’t
And I can’t change it
And there’s no takebacks
For death

Shepherd (live)

Shepherd (live)
This version of “Shepherd” is a re-imagined version of the original track on Liv’s “Doubter / Friend” EP.

You are the end to every path
I wander down
You’re my beginning
and my war’s winning round

Oh, faithful Shepherd
I can’t escape You
I’m carried ‘round Your neck
Wilderness to refuge

And I don’t have to do a thing
I don’t have to lift a finger
I will reap the victory
Upon Your shoulders

When I have reached the boundary
Of my energy
And all this trying’s
Got me tired and weary

Oh, faithful Shepherd
I can’t escape You
I will remember
You are my breakthrough

And I don’t have to do a thing
I don’t have to lift a finger
I will reap the victory
Upon Your shoulders
(repeat chorus)

It’s been told to me
That I would need
To work to be found
Worthy of loving
By love Himself

It never added up
But I believed it
Despite my doubt
But now I see that You choose me
To love without my help

And I don’t have to do a thing
I don’t have to lift a finger
I will reap the victory
Upon Your shoulders

Doubter / Friend

Doubter / Friend

Your kindness has lifted
My head out of my doubt
You showed me your scars and my
Cynical thoughts spun out

Come and take my hand, You said
You can believe me, my friend
Peace to your heart, peace to your head
I am risen from the dead

When you walked in
My narrow world was opened wide
I’d always wrestled with my faith
I don’t know why

The food I’d lived on
Was manna from yesterdays
But in death, You laid
my carnal efforts all to waste

Come and drink my blood, You said
My body is your bread
Peace to your heart, peace to your head
Blessed are those I don’t offend

Oh doubter, you are my friend
Oh doubter, let me in
Oh doubter, get out of your head
Oh doubter, you are my friend

Come and feel my love, you said
I have cancelled out your debt
Peace to your heart, peace to your head
My friend, I have cheated death

Shepherd