THE ROAD
It’s a long, and narrow road
I’m on my way
With your blood, for my soul
I’ll be okay
Hold me close, and keep me sure
that I won’t fall
To do your will, and to be pure
I hear the call
Lead me on your path Lord
Lead me home
Guide me through the valley
The narrow road
Only you can save me
You broke the fall
Your spirit like a fire
To my soul
It’s a long, and broken road
That leads to life
The rain will come
The cold wind blow, I’ll be alright
So I rise, for there is hope
In the risen Son
To your light, and to your home
You lead me on
For your fire, for your soul
Jesus waits, Jesus calls
Written by Samuel Lane
© 2012 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire)
The Road was the last song we finished on the album, and along with The Father, just came in within the last couple of months before recording. We wanted to create some space on the album for people to rest in, rather than just rushing through lyric after lyric. So we created this long, moody, spacious build that just keeps on going and going. It was a lot of fun tracking the different layers, screaming down the mic and hearing Aaron Sterling (drums) and Jonathan Ahrens (bass) yet again pull it out the bag. We watched Bobby Hartry create these amazing soundscapes with an iphone, an ebow, some little wind up monkey toy, and a vintage acoustic guitar which had a humbucker pickup placed in the soundhole. All fed through spring reverb, some delay, and then into a beat up Fender amp. It was some truly inspiring stuff.
The song is about the narrow road, our journey through life and faith (Matthew 7v4). I think of all the songs on the album this is definitely a favourite. The Road ends with the lyrics ‘For your fire, for your soul, Jesus waits, Jesus calls’ turning the focus onto us, the listeners. And it felt so good to end it this way. My honest prayer for these songs has been that they would connect people with God. God is waiting for you, calling you, and He loves you. A bit like the father in the story of the prodigal son…
I enjoyed the chance to whistle a bit on this one.