DELIBERATE? …OR DEFAULT?
I started crying because of the sheer power of
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its poetry. The artistry evident in how everything
Never become too enamored with your
first draft.
No musician buys a piece of gear and leaves was being communicated overwhelmed me, it set on the default settings. You adjust, and I realized that this was far too seldom an because someone else in the room offered
you tweak, you dial in and fine-tune… you occurrence. up a line or phrase. Ask questions about
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work with it until it represents your sound.
Never say “okay” to something just
what you’re trying to say and how each
And the question I find myself returning to in I think we can be starved for this sort of lyric, if editing my lyrics is simple: Is this a deliberate I’m honest. I wish it was less of a rarity. and meaningful expression? Or am I just Some additional examples of worship lyrics collaboration is amplifying rather than
regurgitating the default lingo I’ve heard so which, I think, really transcend the norm for their stifling creativity.
many times? poetic value and untamed expression include:
lyric is serving that purpose.
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If you collaborate, make sure your
It’s okay to try a song (or a part of a song)
"You Will Make A Way" (Ian Morgan Cron, Leslie out in a congregational setting, and then
Because it’s the deliberate lyrics that really Jordan, and Stuart Garrard), "Pieces" (Amanda change it significantly.
stand out. Those are the ones you remember. Cook and Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger), "Into
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Dust" (Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves and Mack
A couple years ago I had the experience of Brock), and "You Don't Miss A Thing" (Amanda
hearing Joel Houston’s “So Will I (100 Billion X)” Cook and Bobby Strand).
It’s okay to change a song’s lyrics years
after you first wrote them. (I’ve done that!)
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It’s okay to communicate the process
of songwriting to a congregation and let
for the first time. As the final chorus began, I
them know how and why a song has
encountered the lyric, INTERROGATING INSPIRATION I can see Your heart Most songs begin with a spark. Something We can all do better in the process of capturing
Eight billion different ways inspires you as a writer, and you go with it. what our songs are about in lyrically fresh and
Every precious one And then, that kernel of an idea yields its fruit. invigorating ways. So be willing to interrogate
A child You died to save “Inspiration” we say… But I would encourage your inspiration. Form it into something greater
If You gave Your life to love them, so will I more writers to interrogate that inspiration. and more memorable. Challenge yourself to
evolved. (I’ve done that, too.)
see that inspiration through to a destination
It was the “eight billion different ways” line that
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Remember that even with a congregational
rather than being satisfied with its origin alone.
hit me. I was moved to the point that I started aim, you’re crafting art, and art should bear to cry. But what was strange was that I wasn’t the signs of artistry: creativity, passion, The church still needs new and great songs.
crying at the idea being expressed so much as perspective, and other unique elements to And great songs need great lyrics.
the manner of expression itself. The song had your process.
an exceptionally poetic way of saying that God
Kevin MacDougall
Kevin is a worship leader, published and recorded
songwriter, musician, and podcast producer. You
can reach him at:
[email protected]
loves everyone. “So Will I” is a song brimming
with colorful and evocative lyrical ideas. Beyond
any message those lyrics were meant to convey,
Pieces
You Will Make a Way
You Don’t Miss a Thing
Into Dust
October 2019
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