about
Originally the words to this were Boston's "More Than a Feeling," and it was the first "original cover" I'd ever written. The first girl I played it for said she loved the bluesy tune but hated the words. Well, sorry, Tom Scholz!
In replacing those lyrics, I wrote "Still Small Voice" on the spot in 2005. All I had was a post-it note seed that said, "That still small voice/is still a still small voice..."
and I built it from there. I guess I'd become very impatient over a lifetime of protestant exposure to the idea that God has a still, small voice and it's up to us to develop the ability to hear it over the noise of living. But being a parent also teaches a lot about what God's job is like, and maybe God the Father would differ, but as vonHummer the Father, if it was important, I sure didn't still, small voice NOTHIN'! I mean, a still, small "Put down the drill and back away from the above ground pool," wouldn't get results.
And certainly, there's biblical precedent for divine audible (and even legible) communication. So why not with me?
Maybe there's a point where every loner says to themselves, "Wow! I'm alone! If it weren't for you, God, I'd REALLY be on my own...God?...Uh...God...? Oh boy."
On the other hand, it's worth noting that scientists studying a rat in a maze likely don't waste their time and breath yelling at the rat, "We're up here and we're watching intently!!" or "No! Go THAT wayyyy!!" Why should they yell? The rat will figure it out, or he won't. And there's always more rats to run. No shortage there. Which probably isn't comforting, I guess. Sorry to mention it.
Bottom line conclusion at the end of the day? It's clearly not a concern of God to micromanage us, as indicated by His lack of direct, unambiguous communication to me. If He has communicated directly and unambiguously to you, however, I'll stand corrected. But then could you call Pa Bell there for me and have him send a repair person around, as clearly my lines are down. Thanks!
Beyond all that, I love tone of this one. To me, the best a recording can do is capture a moment and this recording really does that. It's not often a song of mine puts me right back to the moment I put it down in the studio, but this one does. I can see it was a grey, drippy Portland Saturday afternoon. Just me and the cat.
The "Still Small Addendum" were the random noodlings of previous endings for takes that didn't get erased. Cool!!
lyrics
"Still Small Voice"
(vonHummer)
Speak up, God, damn it,
What, to you I'm deaf?
I'm listening now, Folding hands,
Holding my breath,
Your still, small voice has the answer I bet,
so pipe up already, I'm listening,
Aint heard nothing yet,
That still, small voice is still a still, small voice,
too small to be heard can't you shout out
a choice word or two?
You're the director, Wrote the play, too,
Say something, anything, Stage whisper, Cue me, would you?
God, you've blindfolded us all here below,
Got a piñata there somewhere?
Why not let us know?
Scrap all the scriptures, they read like charades,
Take us aside if you care so much, Tell us straight,
That still, small voice is still a still, small voice,
too small to be heard can't you shout out
a choice word or two?
You're the director, Wrote the play, too,
Say something, anything, Stage whisper, Cue me, would you?
You've burned your bushes,
Burn, Daddy, burn one for me,
You hold the cards we're dealt,
Must you hold them close so we can't see?
Speak up, God, damn it,
What, to you I'm deaf?
I'm listening now, Folding hands,
Holding my breath,
Your still, small voice has the answer I bet,
so pipe up already, I'm listening,
Aint heard nothing yet...
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