I have a play list on my ipod where I dump songs that help me regain my perspective. I usually head for this oasis of sound when I am feeling like the darkness of life is looking stronger than I know it really is. I need things in my life to remind me that The Light is what drives out the darkness—Light is not the exception to the rule—Light is what cannot be overcome, despite the way it looks sometimes.
A new song has made its way onto my play list of hope this week: ‘Rise Up Singing’ by Daisy May
Hitchhiking her way across America with a guitar on her back, Daisy May [May Erlewine] forged her folk music writing style that she was destined to share with the world. The product of a family of musicians, May lives in the great state of Michigan where she plays many of her gigs.
People who have met her say the sweet sound of her voice is merely an extension of the person she is. Her lyrics are the words her soul demands she sings, and she sings them well.
Her most recent album Mother Moon is filled with the same Midwestern folk sounds that fans of her's have come to expect. If Daisy May is new to you, you can of course check out a few of her songs on her myspace site.
‘Rise Up Singing’ takes its inspiration from an old folk song book by the same name that May grew up singing out of. Check the song out below. I welcome you into the simple truth that Daisy May captures in this song:
trouble ain’t built to last
Rise Up Sining (lyrics)
by Daisy May
If you are weary
And trying to find your way home
Don’t give up my friend
Cause you are not alone
In a world full of trouble
You know trouble may find you
But I got your medicine baby
And this is what you do
You’ve got to rise up
Rise up singing
In time this too shall pass
You’ve got to rise up
Rise up singing
You know trouble ain’t built to last
And When your left standing
With no hope in sight
Cause at the end of the tunnel
Someone’s been dimming out the light
You can lose your way
And end up far from home
‘Til the day you lose your voice
You cannot lose your song
You’ve got to rise up
Rise up singing
In time this too shall pass
You’ve got to rise up
Rise up singing
You know trouble ain’t built to last
You know life ain’t easy
And life will make you cry
But so long as you’re breathing
You know that you are still alive
Now when you’re standing at the station
Waiting for your train
Don’t you think you’ll be singing
That sweet old refrain
You’ve got to rise up
Rise up singing
In time this too shall pass
You’ve got to rise up
Rise up singing
You know trouble ain’t built to last
