This is one of those rare moments when my wife and baby girl are both asleep. It’s Friday night. Dallas Green is singing loudly through my earbuds. His voice is heaven. My heart sighs a little… feels better knowing that someone can sing my pain, my heartache, my sorrow. Someone gives my heart expression when I can’t. This is the time of the week I used to cherish most. It is the time furthest away from having to go to work. It feels somehow more free than the rest of the week. Here are a few lines from my favorite Dallas Green (City and Colour) song:

“So let’s face it. This was never what you wanted.But I know it’s fun to pretend.Now blank stares and empty threats, are all i have. So drown me, if you can. Or we could just have conversation.I fall, i fall, i fall down. But I find you before I drift away. Now you still speak of day old hate,Though your whole world has gone up into flamesAnd isn’t it great to find that you’re really worth nothing,And how safe it is to feel safe.”

Something about those words answer a deep something. I first heard those words, and deep inside I felt a sigh of relief, as though to say finally someone understands me. Really good lyrics do that. They express what we ache to express but haven’t figured out how. It’s how we feel safe. It’s how we know we’re not alone. Other people read.