Written by: Derek Webb
Appears on: Guild 2
Lyrics:
Lately I’ve been thinking about some pretty strange things
More than I’ll admit
Like the exact moment that milk goes bad
and even then isn’t it good for something
But not as much about why bad things happen to good folks
and age old questions
But more about why good things happen at all
and why I don’t notice them
I should spend more time laughing at myself
I should spend more time laughing
You sing to me of dragons
You sing to me of businessmen
and glorious potentiality
and what it all has to do with me
I’ll be the first to tell you that I never was too smart
Or I had no patience
‘Cause I never cared for science
Or studying commerce of distant nations
But now you’re teaching me of the people behind me
And how I become them
And of all the joys of history
And all night fasting and contemplation
I know my prayers are common
and my words are simple
and I’m absent-minded
But if there’s one thing you’ve taught me
It’s of my freedom and how to find it
You sing to me of silence
You sing to me of bride and groom
and beauty of a new perspective
I see the truth reflected
See also: MusicBrainz.
This song was written about Kemper Crabb, a close friend of Derek’s and the band, and the realizations Derek came to about himself through Kemper’s teachings and songs. “Kemper Crabb is a songwriter, musician, producer, teacher, columnist, published music and book critic, and theologian. Through his teaching on the role of the Arts in the Church and the Church in our culture, Kemper has raised the bar for artists everywhere.” (From http://www.kempercrabb.com).
“You sing to me of dragons”…A reference to Kemper’s song, “Tannin”, from the album “The Vigil”.
“And glorious potentiality”…A reference to Kemper’s song, “The Danse”, which Caedmon’s covered on “In the Company of Angels.”
“You sing to me of silence”…A reference to the song, “The Vigil,” from the album, “The Vigil”, or to “Let all Mortal Flesh” from the album “A Medieval Christmas”.