David and I wrote together yesterday and I was reminded of a truth about songwriting: It is harder to write a 4-line worship chorus that is meaningful and singable than it is to write a big power ballad. Chris Tomlin might disagree, bu at least, it is for me. 

To be brief and simple, but say something that cuts to the heart and exalts the holiness and faithfulness of God in a memorable way… that is so much harder than you would imagine. We wrote two verses, each a brief four lines of 5 syllables. What's a synonym for "light?" What's a great metaphor that paints a picture of the Christ chld of Bethlehem? How do you describe the wise men without saying "wise men" or "kings?"

Years ago in an English class, I heard a quote that has been attributed to lots of different writers. Apparently, it was Blaise Pascal who first penned it: 

"I have made this letter longer than usual, only because I have not had the time to make it shorter." 

Thinking of many of my favorite lyrics written by others, I realize that more often than not, they are seemingly so simple. They are the kind we most imagine were "God given" in the way that people so often say, "God gave me this song." Trust me, I don't discount that idea. Even when you work on something for days and over the course of more than co-write to get it just right, when it is just right, it's still God-given. He's just allowed you to have a part of getting it onto the paper.

I'm convinced that sometimes my lyrics that are long and complex, and carefully crafted, and packed so full of what I want to say can just muddy things up. And almost always, when I rewrite, it is to take things out and pare things down and simplify. 

Here's one of my favorite lyrics, written with David Moffitt. The evening we wrote it in a little room at the old Benson building, honestly the Spirit of God was so present in the room that it was palpable. For our short little lines in the verses, we gave ourselves four syllables to say what we needed to say.

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE

A crowded inn

A cattle stall

A newborn babe

A bed of straw

A tiny cry

As angels sing

The dark of night

The infant king

 

CHORUS

 

This must be the place

Where I bow down before you

This must be the place

Believers come

This must be the place

I worship and adore you

And confess you are my Lord my God

This must be the place

 

A crowded hill

A guiltless man

A twisted cross

A dying lamb

The cost of sin

The sacrifice

The dark of day

The final cry

 

 

The break of day

The empty tomb

The risen lord

The upper room

The open hands

The Savior’s scars

The words that change

The doubte'rs heart