February 7th, 2009
Life is full of goodbyes as people come and go in our lives. This amazing song from Amanda Marshall captures the bittersweet sting of these exits. Sometimes we don’t realize it’s a farewell. Looking back, I’m grateful for each and every beautiful goodbye I’ve experienced because it made me who I am today. Even when they seemed ugly at the time, they are beautiful when you look back at it with perspective.
Here’s the music video which is just as beautiful as the song itself.
Beautiful Goodbye
Fed up with my destiny
And this place of no return
Think Ill take another day
And slowly watch it burn
It doesnt really matter how the time goes by
Cause I still remember you and i
And that beautiful goodbye
We staggered through these empty streets
Laughing arm in arm
The night had made a mess of me
Your confession kept me warm
And I dont really miss you, I just need to know
Do you ever think of you and i
And that beautiful goodbye
When I see you now
I wonder how
I couldve watched you walk away
If I let you down
Please forgive me now
For that beautiful goodbye
In these days of no regrets
I keep mine to myself
And all the things we never said
I can say for someone else
Cause nothing lasts forever, but we always try
And I just cant help but wonder why
We let it pass us by
When I see you now
I wonder how
I couldve watched you walk away
If I let you down
Please forgive me now
For that beautiful goodbye
October 30th, 2008
Amanda Marshall’s “Birmingham” is a powerful and important song. First, the song is a beautiful showcase of Amanda’s incredible voice and immense talents. The music is also a tremendous pleasure to experience. Then all of a sudden, the lyrics and the message of the song starts to get to you as the story unfolds like a great movie and sucks you in. By the end, you’re pulling for the woman in the song to make it out of her horrific situation.
I know this isn’t a happy topic but it’s something that continues to happen each and every day and every night. What breaks the heart is that this abuse is happening to sweet and innocent people that we know. It’s happening right now to your next door neighbor and God forbid their child too. It’s happening to that family you sit next to at church every Sunday! Why don’t these people say something? No one really knows why. Unfortunately, too many of these people never cry for help, instead they just cry in silence. Sometimes the only way it ends is in tragedy. It just isn’t fair.
Anyway, my hope in sharing this song and message is a long shot I know but I’m praying that it might actually help someone, perhaps even you! If this helps one person get out of their destructive and dangerous situation then I’ll be happy. If it helps them save a child as well then I’ll be very happy and relieved. Maybe you can feel inspired to help someone you know that’s caught in this abusive relationship. You’ll regret it if you don’t at least try to help them get out or get help.
Life’s too short to live in fear and pain. Here are the words to this glorious song of hope and love.
Virgil Spencer’s got a ninteen-inch Hitachi
And many demons lingering
Friday night he pulled a gun to change the channel
Something that he picked up from the King
His wife remembers well the man she knew
Seems the dreams she had have all turned black and blue
She’s wasted years
No time for tears
‘Cause there’s another chance and a someday soon
Shining like the Alabama moon
She’s looking for her promised land
Out beyond the lights of Birmingham
It’s three a.m. and Virgil’s passed out on the sofa
A fifth of Jim Beam on the floor
She’s packed a bag she slips the keys out of his pocket
She’s careful not to slam the door
And as she drives she rubs her rosary
She’s never been so all alone she’s never felt so free
She’s got miles to go
Blind faith and hope
‘Cause there’s another chance and a someday soon
Shining like the Alabama moon
She’s looking for her promised land
Out beyond the lights of Birmingham
As the rain falls down upon the interstate
Any doubts she had are all but washed away
One long look back
At Birmingham
‘Cause there’s another chance and a someday soon
Shining like the Alabama moon
She’s looking for her promised land
Out beyond the lights of Birmingham
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