The Confession Song (my first worship song)

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by anderson maples on January 10, 2010 at 6:50pm

Love the line "Jesus, break my legs so all I have is knees." I like the song, but don't see how it can be congregational. I can see it as a special song that preceeds congregational worship. There is some awkward places but over all it is a well crafted. You ever consider attending some of the worship conferences for songwriters? There are quite a few to pick from. My favorite is Carl Cartee "Inspire" in Nashville.

Permalink Reply by Rachel Stevenson on January 10, 2010 at 7:10pm

Thanks Anderson!
Yeah I wasn't intending for it to be congregational. It was really just a "me and God" moment that this song was written out of in the first place. I have attended one before, but am looking to attend more. I'm a full time youth leader, so that usually comes first, but am hoping to attend workshops and conferences in the future when I have more spare time. Might be a bit hard for me to get to Nashville being in the UK at the moment, but would love to go someday! :) Thanks for the feedback. Blessings

Permalink Reply by Jem on January 11, 2010 at 5:45am

Hi Rachel,
This is beautiful, very well done for your first song too!! I like the way you do the pre-chorus. I love the whole song, and you have a sweet voice.
Jem.

Permalink Reply by Rachel Stevenson on January 11, 2010 at 10:34am

Aw thank you so much Jem! Really appreciate your feedback! Have a great week, blessings to you.

Permalink Reply by David Gonzalez on January 11, 2010 at 7:34pm

This is a beautiful song and awesome for being your first song. Makes mine pal in comparison. I take issue mainly with the theology (lyrics) (pre-chorus & chorus) parts of the song though I love and appreciate your passion and the well crafted words you use to make your thoughts also your song. So, all in all I love the melody, your emo chords ;-) and passion. I really believe you and what you are saying. Keep writing! I can't wait to hear more from you!

Permalink Reply by Rachel Stevenson on January 11, 2010 at 10:11pm

Thanks so much David!
Really appreciate your honesty and encouragment-means a lot!
To be honest, I'm a student studying theology right now and I know this song isn't theologically accurate completely...like with the "break my legs" part etc. However, I wrote this song out of a state of complete confession and brokenness before God. I just wanted to be completely real with Him, in all that I was feeling. Theologically, I would not introduce this as a worship song to a congregation, because I do not feel that's right...however, for me and God when I'm just on my own, I feel they lyrics are quite appropriate as they were so true to how I was feeling when I wrote it :)
Hope that makes sense!
Thanks again for your comment! Really blessed me!!
Take care and looking forward to hearing more of your stuff! Keep it up!

Permalink Reply by Matt Allison on January 14, 2010 at 7:48pm

I really like the lyrics for this song. I found them really powerful and spoke to me in my own walk with God. Unless I'm missing something I can't see what is theologically wrong with these words. I can see how some people might be uncomfortable singing some of the lines, but as Rachel has already said it's a song more for performance and reflection than congregational. I think that gives us more artistic license as song writers and worshiping performers, especially when it's as personal as this.

I'd say some of the lyrics are strong in their expression. Rachel, I'm pretty sure in your heart you're not as evil as you make out in the words of this song, but I think that's one of the great things about words in song lyrics. You can really emphasize something by overstating it and can really catch people's hearts and speak to them through it, if you get what I mean!

I'm not sure if this is the right analogy, but some of these words remind me of when Jesus said "if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off." This is not a commandment (otherwise most Christians wouldn't have any limbs left), but an extreme illustration demonstrating the importance of cutting out whatever causes us to sin from our lives. I think some of the words of this song are similar in that vein, and work very well poetically in that sense (unless you really are expecting Christ to break your legs, Rachel!).

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Bluhm on January 14, 2010 at 4:04am

Rachel,
I tend to be a bit strict with my songs as far as theology goes, and I am not offended. I am curious about what I might be missing if it is theologically . . . sketchy. I guess I understand the song as you recognizing that you have set yourself up as "King", and you repent, knowing that Jesus is truly King. I think I follow the weaving in and out of what you feel and what is Truth with a capital "T", I see the lines drawn between them clearly enough. I also understand the desperate cry that God would overthrow you and keep you from being able to try to live in your own strength. I believe I once heard a teaching that spoke about real shepherds (you know, real "BAAAA" sheep herders) breaking the leg(s) of sheep that continuously wander. They then carry those sheep/lambs upon their shoulders while the break heals, and then the sheep and shepherd have bonded, correcting the sheep's tendency to wander. Hmmm, sounds like Jesus to me! Bless you, dear.
Jen

Permalink Reply by Rachel Stevenson on January 14, 2010 at 12:19pm

You are right on in your understanding of how I meant the song to come across. To be honest, I'm a student studying to get my bachelor in Theology at the moment and I recognise, theologically this isn't necessarily accurate. However, I didn't want it to be theological. So often I can have so much head knowledge, but lacking all heart behind it. This was just a song from the heart and you nailed it in your interpretation of what I was getting at. thanks for your reply! Blessings to you!