This song was written by my brother, Mark Stephens, and is one on my favorites of his. It inspires me because it's lyrics are so poignant and I hope i have done the arrangement some justice.
For me, the song is about a person who has risen above the normal ignorance of daily life and found an honesty and candidness that reflects other people's suffering back at them so that they can see it for themselves.
lyrics
LYRICS
In this place you can sink or swim,
There's a man who just wades on in,
And he spits on the ice of the dawn,
While you're turning your back to keep warm.
He says "I'm the luckiest man alive",
"Cause i'm here while you just hide",
"And dream",
"Dream of coming in."
You can take what you want and run.
He'll be there when the bailiffs come.
He'll be there for a lifetime or two.
You and I are just passing through.
He says, "There's a place up there you know",
"Where no one lives and nothing grows but",
"It's the busiest place I know."
CHORUS
Throw away your shoes strings,
You won't need them where you're going,
Your boots are wearing thin.
These cracks that are in your heads,
It's just the altitude and the air,
And these maps that made your walls,
Are just a place for spiders to crawl.
They said, "You're the luckiest man alive",
"Cause you;re here while I just hide",
"And dream",
"Dream of coming in."
CHORUS
Throw away your shoes strings,
You won't need them where you're going,
Your boots are wearing thin.
There's a school on every hill,
Looking down on every land fill,
When the dragons breathe their fire,
They just clim a little higher.
I'm the luckiest man alive,
Cause I found what they tried to hide,
And now i'm coming in.
CHORUS
Throw away your shoes strings,
You won't need them where you're going,
Your boots are wearing thin.
Throw away your shoes strings,
You won't need them where you're going,
Your boots are wearing thin.
You souls are wearing thin.
Your hearts are wearing thin.
credits
from Equanimous,
released June 1, 2011
Words and Music by Mark Stephens
Recoded and Produced by Michael Paul Stephens
Michael Paul Stephens is a British author, singer-songwriter, spiritual guide and corporate
coach.
Over the last 10 years his music, books, workshops, retreats and corporate consultations have guided thousands of people towards practices that free their minds and spirits to cope with the rigors of daily life.
His life's work has been to inspire personal development through creative innovation....more
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