How do I sum up a life second chances when I've lost count of how many chances I've actually been given?
Though a fan, but still a stranger to Alfred Howard (Al Howard & the K-23 Orchestra, The Heavy Guilt, The Black Sands, Midnight Pine) we became Facebook friends, and upon instant messaging one night, I took him up on his generous invitation to collaborate on some lyrics. I sent him the pieces of lyrics I had, which all had a theme of "how far I'VE come" and "the vantage point I'M looking from" and the "strength I'VE mustered" to get through life.
He kicked them back with a perspective shift: honoring the help I have received from OTHERS to arrive where I have. And he was totally right. Not a single situation in my life have I gotten through by myself. And in the lowest of times, it was the faith and love of others that carried me through. This entire album is for you who helped me along the way. Thank you, Al. You are one of them.
lyrics
Sleep is deep but full of haunted dreams
I thank God not all of them came true
Dreams that thin my will
Ones that break the bridge that leads to you
I forgot the sky was bright and blue
Bursting through the swollen clouds, I see it now, I see it now
I trudge through trails and twists
Deciding to relax my blistered fists
So I drop my bags and look upon the road I came here on
And rest my calloused feet and fevered limbs
And in the sun I recognize, the road ahead is really not so long
But I might need some help to find my second wind
Hope is the fierce fire in your eyes
Fury of belief, well, it inspires me.
Blow into the suffocated embers of my heart
Ignite my heart
So how do I explain the way these blessings overflow
My rags are in the laundry and my cup is getting full
You brought me through the crossroads
When I thought I had no friends
And propped me up to find my second wind
A song is on my lips and now it’s time to sing again
And breath in deep, I found my second wind
My second wind
credits
from Second Wind,
released December 20, 2012
Bass, drums & electric guitar: Lauren Scheff
Produced by sven-Erik Seaholm & Lauren Scheff
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