Friday, August 28, 2009

Jennifer Knapp

Jennifer Knapp is the artist who got me into Christian music. I was in high school, probably a sophomore, and I discovered her CD, Kansas. I love every song. EVERY SONG.

When I was a kid, in junior high, I went through a poetry phase. Not reading, writing. Lots of rhyming... nothing very impressive =-) My mom had me read some to a friend of hers once and she commented that they were all sad. Well, yeah. I wrote when I was sad. It was an outlet for all of the confusing emotions that adolescence brings. I don't write poetry anymore, but I do write. (Obviously, I have a blog!)

Anyway, a lot of her songs are kind of like that. Kind of sad, but not really. Mostly just honest. Songs of confession that express a deep desire for and dependence on God's grace. I think they are lovely. If you are looking for some comforting and inspirational praise music, I highly recommend you pick up this CD.

iTunes just brought up the song Martyrs and Thieves. Check out the words: (I ESPECIALLY relate to the second verse! I'm sure a lot of people could...)

There's a place in the darkness that I used to cling to
It presses harsh hope against time
In the absence of martyrs there's a presence of thieves
Who only want to rob you blind
They steal away any sense of peace
Though I'm a king I'm a king on my knees
And I know they are wrong when they say I am strong
As the darkness covers me

Chorus-

So turn on the light and reveal all the glory
I am not afraid
To bare all my weakness knowing in meekness
I have a kingdom to gain
Where there is peace and love in the light, in the light
Oh I am not afraid
To let Your light shine bright in my life, in my life
Oh I... am, I...

There are ghosts from my past who've owned more of my soul
Than I thought I had given away
They linger in closets and under my bed
And in pictures less proudly displayed
A great fool in my life I have been
Have squandered till pallid and thin
Hung my head in shame and refused to take blame
For the darkness I know I've let win

(Chorus)

Can you hear me? (repeat 6x)

Well I've never been much for the baring of soul
In the presence of any man
I'd rather keep to myself all safe and secure
In the arms of a sinner I am
Could it be that my worth should depend
By the crimson stained grace on a hand
And like a lamp on a hill Lord I pray in Your will
To reveal all of You that I can

(Chorus)

There's a place in the darkness that I used to cling to
It presses harsh hope against time...

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I was doing a Google Blog Search for Jennifer Knapp, just to see if anyone else has mentioned her return to music. Found your blog, and wondered if you'd seen this:

http://www.patrolmag.com/scanner/1799/jennifer-knapp-starting-to-write-mgmt-confirms

Also, Martyrs & Thieves was always my favorite song by her.