For These Times

I have always been a big fan of Martina McBride. I have had the opportunity to see her perform live twice - once when she was just breaking out as a solo artist and once after she had made it big. The difference in the venues alone was amazing. The first time I saw her she was playing McElroy Auditorium at Cattle Congress, capacity 7000. The second time I went to her concert she was playing the UNI Dome, capacity 24,196. Both concerts were amazing.

I like her as an artist for several reasons. First and foremost, I love that her music actually says something. Sure, she has a few of the typical country songs (especially in her earlier albums), but as she became an established artist her songs became more meaningful. She was one of the first to take on the issues of domestic violence and emotional abuse with her music ("Independence Day" and then again with "Broken Wing"). She does not sugarcoat life as we know it ("Love's the Only House"). Most importantly, many of her songs speak to finding the best that is within yourself and rising above whatever it is that stands in your way or holds you back ("From the Ashes", "Anyway", and "Beautiful Again"). I am in awe of her voice and of the musicality of her music. She truly has some of the most talent musicians playing behind her in every song.

I have lately become enamored with a particular song on Martina's 2007 CD, Waking Up Laughing.

To watch the music video of this song (in which you don't see Martina at all!) click here.

The lyrics are as follows:

In these times in which we live
Where the worst of what we live
Is laid out for all the world on the front page
And the sound of someone's heartbreak
Is a soundbite at the news break
With a close shot of the tears rollin' down their face
Blessed be the child who turns a loving eye
And stops to pray
For these times in which we live

In these most uncertain hours
Where the balance of power
Is a fight that is fought every day
And freedom is a word
Some cry out and some whisper
And some are just too quick to give away
Blessed be the one who stands by the one
On the battle line
For these times in which we live

Well give me a heart full of tender mercy
And arms I will open wide

For these times in which we live
Seems like the only answer is
Givin' up on findin' one at all
And we hide behind unsure
Pull the blinds and lock the doors
And hang a pleasant picture on the wall
Blessed is the believer who knows love is our redeemer
And the only breath of life
For these times in which we live

Well give me a heart full of tender mercy
And arms I will open wide
Yeah give me words full of loving kindness
And hands ready to hold up a light
For these times in which we live
For these times in which we live

Love!

~g