Bjcorbin's Blog

(A Folk Song *)

 

Lord my feet are tired

More walking than I planned

Much further than I thought

So tired of this sand

 

It started out so good

The promise to be free

Marched out like we’d won

But then we had to flee

 

Sure the waters parted

Yeah their chariots sank

Each morning there was food

And from the rock we drank

 

But now it’s all so strange

So hard to feel at home

Worried bout the giants

So endlessly we roam

 

(Chorus)

So I’m heading back to Egypt

Going back to what I know

It’s as easy as falling down

And not that far to go

I left town in a hurry

Now I’m going back real slow

I’m heading back to Egypt

The only place I know

 

We left town with the treasure

Didn’t sneak out in the night

Chasing milk and honey

Weren’t ready for a fight

 

We thought it would be easy

That we would walk right in

That He would lift us up

Not confront us with our sin

 

We saw the smoke and fire

He’s been our rod & staff

But He is kind of scary

Not shiny like our calf

 

Can’t seem to find the comfort

It’s more than I can take

Guess I’m trading in the promise

For venom from the snake

 

(Chorus)

So I’m heading back to Egypt

Going back to what I know

It’s as easy as falling down

And not that far to go

I left town in a hurry

Now I’m going back real slow

I’m heading back to Egypt

The only place I know

 

Didn’t count on all the strife

Guess freedom isn’t free

Tunneling back into prison

It feels like destiny

 

I’m putting on the chains

Cause they couldn’t get to me

But their voice is in my head

And it’s hard not to agree

 

Sure I hate the bondage

And working in the heat

Least I’ll know what’s coming

And they might have some meat

 

Maybe I’m meant to serve

This yoke seems to fit so well

One mans place of comfort

Is another’s place of hell

 

(Chorus)

So I’m heading back to Egypt

Going back to what I know

It’s as easy as falling down

And not that far to go

I left town in a hurry

Now I’m going back real slow

I’m heading back to Egypt

The only place I know

 

* I don’t fancy myself a song writer, but these words came to me in the form of a song.  Some might want to call it a poem, but I would submit that poems and songs are generally very different forms of writing.  Not many songs lyrics function well as a poem, nor could many poems be directly set to music.  If one considers this is a poem, it is probably a bad one; but set to the right music, it could be something to sing along with.  (Bryan Corbin)

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(A Country Song*) 

Doorbell rings – middle of the night

That’s never a good sign

Grandma’s cries pierce the dark

Her pain would soon be mine

 

Icy roads and mom and dad

My world comes crashing in

Left alone at five years old

To live with “next of kin”

 

Grandpa’s got a tender touch

But hardly ever speaks

Grandma’s sadness keeps her down

She stays in bed for weeks

 

And as the darkness closes in

I begin to lose my way

Grandpa’s watchful eyes can see

And he finds some words to say

 

(Refrain)

Don’t know why it’s come to this

I wish I could explain

God is good, but life is hard

It always involves pain

Its life or death most every day

It’s a choice we have to make

There’s always good and bad and worse

There’s always give and take

Who knows what tomorrow brings

I haven’t got a clue

But let’s go on and take a step

Cause that’s what faith would do

 

Life has a way of going on

Each day comes when it’s due

And eight short winters later

Grandma left us too

 

Papaw says she’d left long ago

But he keeps staring at the door

Our life seems filled with sadness

And I can’t take it anymore

 

I look for reasons to stay away

And sneak out in the night

Givin’ in to what boys want

Not thinkin’ bout what’s right

 

But as the darkness closes in

And I begin to lose my way

Grandpa’s watchful eyes can see

And he finds some words to say

 

Don’t know why it’s come to this

I wish I could explain

God is good, but life is hard

It always involves pain

Its life or death most every day

It’s a choice we have to make

There’s always good and bad and worse

There’s always give and take

Who knows what tomorrow brings

I haven’t got a clue

But let’s press on and go from here

Cause that’s what hope would do

 

At seventeen I’ve grown up some

And things are not so wild

But I’m with a boy that I don’t love

And pregnant with his child

 

Not ready to be a momma

And certainly no one’s wife

Not ready to forfeit the future

Or give away my life

 

I hate the choice I’m making

But what else can I do

I hear it’s quick & painless

But wonder if that’s true

 

And as the darkness closes in

I begin to lose my way

Grandpa’s watchful eyes can see

And he finds some words to say

 

You know how it came to this

There’s no need to explain

God is good, but life is hard

It always includes pain

Its life or death most every day

It’s a choice we have to make

There’s always good and bad and worse

There’s always give and take

Who knows what tomorrow brings

I haven’t got a clue

But you ought to give this life a chance

Cause that’s what love would do

 

Another ten years get behind me

Again I’m saying bye

And as I hold my little girl

We both begin to cry

 

The one who’s always been there

And never let me down

His spirit’s flying with angels

body buried in the ground

 

How are we supposed to live

How will we make do

Who’ll be there to guide us

How I wish I knew  

 

And as the darkness closes in

I look my daughter’s way

And hearing Papaw’s steady voice

I find some words to say

 

Don’t know why it’s come to this

I wish I could explain

God is good, but life is hard

It always involves pain

Its life or death most every day

It’s a choice we have to make

There’s always good and bad and worse

There’s always give and take

Who knows what tomorrow brings

I haven’t got a clue

But let’s go on and take a step

Cause that’s what faith would do

 

* I don’t fancy myself a song writer, but these words came to me in the form of a song.  Some might want to call it a poem, but I would submit that poems and songs are generally very different forms of writing.  Not many songs lyrics function well as a poem, nor could many poems be directly set to music.  If one considers this is a poem, it is probably a bad one; but set to the right music, it could be something to sing along with.  (Bryan Corbin)

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