Song Lyric Sunday – “Lead Me”

Well, having missed last week due to vacation, I am all ready for another go at Song Lyric Sunday. Dear Helen of This Thing Called Life One Day At A Time picked an awesome topic this week – picture/photograph. Be sure to click the link above and check out other offerings as well.

My choice once again is from a contemporary Christian group, Sanctus Real. “Lead Me” was their first hit and got me through a tough summer with one to two half-hour trips a day to and from the hospital where my Dad was for three months. I was having to make decisions for him (with my sister) and we wished we had some guidance because we didn’t want to do something he wouldn’t be happy with.

While the song only mentions “picture frames” once in the third line of the first verse, it is a very telling and powerful statement. “In picture frames, I see my beautiful wife”. The video shows the band on the road and he keeps looking at a picture of him and his daughters.

I think too often we rely on pictures (whether printed or in our head) of those we love to stand in for reality. The line “I know we call this our home but I still feel alone.” I remember feeling that way often with my parents. My Dad was working all the time. When I was working in the family store it was a boss/staff relationship and when he was home he was too tired to hear about what was happening in my life. I remember that he didn’t have any idea what parts I played in the school musical until he saw it on the closing night.

The song was written about lead singer Matt Hammitt’s challenge from his wife to step up spiritually as head of the family. Since they don’t believe in divorce he had no choice but to find a way to get into the picture with his family.

Lydia!

Lead Me

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone.”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They’re just children from the outside
I’m working hard, I tell myself they’ll be fine
They’re independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone.”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I am called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won’t you lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can’t
Don’t want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing dreams that I could give up

I’ll show them I’m willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone

Father, lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone

Songwriters: Chris Rohman / Jason Ingram / Matt Hammitt
Lead Me lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol Christian Music Group