Ben thinks that next week I'm going to enter a kind of postpartum depression.
I will have finished a book and an album within a week of each other, and this ridiculously busy, stressful year--the ridiculously stressful part, anyway--will be over, just in time for a trip to the pumpkin patch with Jamie and the kids.
I'll have a week or two to soak up as much time with my four favorite people before we head to Florida to visit family for Thanksgiving. Bloated with turkey and dressing, I'll head back to Nashville to rehearse for the Christmas tour. We have 19 shows in 20 days, and believe it or not that sounds relaxing. The Christmas tours are work, sure, but I feel renewed every night on the stage telling the old story, and I'm surrounded with such good friends that the days are spent in rare fellowship.
I can't tell you how excited I am about this album. Tonight I downloaded the newest mixes of the 12 songs, put them in order, burned them to a disc and hopped in my car. It was midnight, and the roads that wound through the Tennessee hills were deserted. I prayed while I drove that these songs would make it to the ears that need to hear them, and it hit me today that I need to hear these songs as much as anyone.
Somebody said that you have to preach the gospel to yourself daily. I hope this album will help people to do just that: to remind themselves of the gravity of their sin and the glory of God's mercy, of the promise that Death is nothing to fear, that resurrection is a worthy hope.
Hosanna
I am tangled up in contradiction
I am strangled by my own two hands
I am hunted by the hounds of addiction
Hosanna
I have lied to everyone who trusts me
I have tried to fall when I could stand
I have only loved the ones who love me
Hosanna
Oh, Hosanna
See the long awaited king
Come to set his people free
Oh, Hosanna
Come and tear the temple down
Raise it up on holy ground
Hosanna
I have struggled to remove this raiment
Tried to hide every shimmering strand
I contend with these ghosts and these hosts of bright angels
Hosanna
I have cursed the man that you have made me
I have nursed the beast that bays for my blood
I have run from the one who would save me
Hosanna
Oh, Hosanna
See the long awaited king
Come to set his people free
Oh, Hosanna
Come and tear the temple down
Raise it up on holy ground
Hosanna
We cry for blood
We take your life
Hosanna
We cry for blood
We take your life
It is blood and it is life that you have given
You have crushed beneath your heel the vile serpent
You have carried to the grave the black stain
You have torn apart the temple's holy curtain
You have beaten death at death's own game
Hosanna
Hail the long awaited king
Come to set his people free
(We cry) Oh, Hosanna
Come and tear this temple down
Raise it up on holy ground
Oh, Hosanna
I will lift my voice and sing
You have come and washed me clean
Hosanna
12 comments:
There can definitely be a crash for me after finishing big things, though I have never written a book or recorded a CD. I woke up this morning and thought "hmm, what do I want to listen to while I do my last minute homework?" and I answered "Andrew Peterson!" and so it was nice to see a blog entry from you as well. I went to/worked at a camp in NE Alabama and on my nights out I loved to drive around the mountain just smelling the woods and singing, it's a beautiful thing. I am really excited about the new CD too, it looks like it's going to be terrific. And lastly, I think the preaching the gospel to yourself is a great quote, I think I do that when I'm brushing my teeth in the morning, tired, and looking in the mirror reminding myself that I live to glorify Christ, so no, I shouldn't get back in bed and skip out on life for the day. Anyway, I'm a regular reader, but I don't think I've commented before, but I'm definitely psyched about the new album.
I think I've got my praise team's anthem for Palm Sunday next year.
tim
Andy,
I knew when I heard the opening lines of this song on the video about two months ago that it would be one of my favorites. The words are convicting and yet full of hope, truly reflecting the way the Spirit works in us. I can't wait to hear it in the context of the finished product.
And speaking of the finished product, any estimate on the release date?
wow... I am excited for this... wow
I love those journeys on twisting roads. I can't wait to get this album and take it along with me. Andy, I'm loving everything about this album. Keep it up!
great song andy, but more importantly, thank you for reminding us to put the truth in our mind on daily basis.
Just reading those lyrics, I can tell that song may rank up there with High Noon, which is easily one of your best songs.
Andy-
Any guess of a release date? I guess that depends on how the distrib meeting went. I'm curious what you expect turnaround to be from mixing to "in your hands from the printers."
Then again, I am curious about in my hands, I suppose...
atmgdyzk - the onset of shock experienced by college students and musicians when presented with the phrase "insufficient funds" at an automatic teller machine. Usually occurs on a Friday night or when a bill is due.
Horay for the new album being one step closer to completion! I can only imagine the relief you feel to be done with all that work as well as the anticipation of releasing it to America (and beyond). As a freelance filmmaker I spend a lot of time on the road and, in fact, was first introduced to your music by a friend who played "Love and Thunder" every morning on the way to a set. After a while I realized that the words and music gave my heart new warmth each day. If only you knew how much God has used that music in my life and many others on the road. I wonder if there are any songs on this new record inspired or written behind the wheel...
That song is beautiful. I can't wait to hear it! Truth be told, I'm impatiently waiting to hear all of Ressurection Letters, Vol. 2.
I'm getting so excited for the Behold tour, and for this new album.
You started writing this song last year during Resurrection Week, didn't you? I remember that line about blood and life from one of the meditations... amazing how the truth can be damning and freeing at the same time.
I guess I'm a late bloomer to this post, but I wanted to make sure I told you something. I've been feeling like my life is a constant contradiction. I just happened to stumble upon your blog for your new album, and it was giving away a free track called "Hosanna." The first verse. WOW. Thank you for allowing the Lord to speak through you to us. You are an inspiration to me.
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