"Annie Bethancourt puts on a show that explains the… Read Full Bio ↴WHAT THE "THEY" SAY:
"Annie Bethancourt puts on a show that explains the difference between raw talent and deft technique. Or, rather, she inhabits both."
-- Troy Johnson, Music Editor San Diego CityBeat
"...bluesy and raw. Her voice is angelic, and resonates the deep emotions in her songs. (she) has got a lot of talent on her lips and at her fingertips."
--discoveringartists.com
"a lucid mixture of Joni Mitchell and Fiona Apple that goes from hushed whispers, operatic heights, and then coal-walking wails, all within the same song."
--Seth Combs
WHAT ANNIE SAYS:
i am a san francisco baby raised in the southern california sun, now with one foot in the costa rican pacific and one foot underneath the portland pines. i love everything about the ocean--more so when it's warm. i love writing short stories, even though i rarely finish any of them. i could eat fruit for every meal. i have a personal disdain for the term "let's hang out" used in place of asking someone for a date. i'm a pastor's daughter who loves god and still swears like a sailor sometimes. i read a lot, often several books at a time. i'm strong, i'm independent, but i'm consistently embarrassed by my uncontrollable crying in sad movies (i think i can't separate fictional characters from real people, just like when i read "the island of the blue dolphins" in the third grade and was inconsolable for weeks). i miss spain, and sometimes i imagine i'm back there. i love laughing, probably more than anything, although close seconds would be riding perfect glassy waves or being warm in pajamas. i lied--i love performing my music for people more than anything. i get along with my parents really well. i like things clean but i'm not necessarily always clean. i'm always making lists and plans, but i'm not necessarily organized. i love dancing but i have to be in the right mood. i will never, ever grow too old for bike riding. my cell phone is not my leash. i'm an independent artist who supports music file sharing but also supports supporting artists. i once had my eyebrow pierced. i don't wear lipstick. oftentimes i just like to be silent. if i could, i would always be barefoot. my brother is one of the coolest people i know. i'm stubborn, but i like to think i'm still open minded. sometimes i'm ashamed when i remember how i once was. i often find myself overwhelmed by the beauty in the world. i can't believe i get this life. i'm glad i'm here.
WHAT YOU SAY:
"Where can I buy one of Annie's CD'S??"
shucks, thanks for asking! You can get them:
http://anniebeth.com
http://anniebeth.wordpress.com/
http://www.myspace.com/anniebethancourt
This Time
Annie Bethancourt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that I stood so unmoving in my position
of unceasing joy and abounding faith
at the touch of your hand and the sight of your face
But I was the one who stood in your grace
and walked away
And I only wanted to be free,
and they keep me from thee
So I will ask again to be at your side
And I pray that this time I abide,
for the only thing that keeps me from you is my pride
I fear that I cannot stand in this thrashing ocean
of my own will, piercing worry, and stubborn devotion
to my own life in my own way
my own words and not what you would say
But even though I turn you away, you stay
And I only wanted to be free
but now chains of solitude bind me
and they keep me from thee
So I will ask again to be at your side
And I pray that this time I abide,
for the only thing that keeps me from you is my pride
How can I be a vessel
when I am so shot full with holes?
And why would you even want me
when I won't let your mercy flow?
Holy Father, hold me in your hand
so the water that seeps through my soul
is somehow saved from escaping
and poured from your hands once more
For I only want to be free
so take this broken life from me
and bind it to thee
And I will ask again to be at your side
and I pray this time I abide
for the only thing that keeps me from you is my pride
The song "This Time" by Annie Bethancourt speaks to the feeling of wavering faith and the conflict between pride and the desire to be in intimately connected with something greater. The lyrics express a longing to stay in the grace of a higher power, but also acknowledge the fear of stepping into unknown waters and the guilt associated with not following the path that has been laid out. The first verse reveals the singer's admission that they were undeserving of the grace that was bestowed upon them and subsequently walked away from it. The repetition of the phrase "And I only wanted to be free" emphasizes the internal battle between wanting to forge their own path and the desire to surrender control to something greater. The second verse pleads for guidance and protection, recognizing the danger of being consumed by one's own ego and the obstacles that come with trying to maintain faith.
The bridge of the song poses a question about worthiness and the fear of not being up to the task of fulfilling one's purpose. The repeated question "How can I be a vessel, when I am so shot full with holes?" speaks to the common human fear of inadequacy and the feeling of not being worthy of the grace and mercy that is offered. The final verse offers up a plea to be held and guided by that something greater, recognizing that without this guidance, the singer is incomplete and longs to be free of their internal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish that I could say, with strong conviction
I wish that I could confidently say
that I stood so unmoving in my position
that I stood firm and resolute in my beliefs
of unceasing joy and abounding faith
full of constant happiness and overflowing faith
at the touch of your hand and the sight of your face
when I felt the warmth of your touch and saw your beautiful face
But I was the one who stood in your grace
But despite the grace you bestowed upon me, I chose to turn away
and walked away
and left you behind
And I only wanted to be free,
And all I ever wanted was to be liberated,
but now chains of solitude bind me
but now I am trapped in my own loneliness
and they keep me from thee
and they keep me from being with you
So I will ask again to be at your side
So I plead once again to be by your side,
And I pray that this time I abide,
and I hope that this time I stay committed,
for the only thing that keeps me from you is my pride
because my arrogance is the only thing stopping me from being with you
I fear that I cannot stand in this thrashing ocean
I am afraid that I can't survive in this tumultuous sea
of my own will, piercing worry, and stubborn devotion
of my own self-centered desires, unrelenting anxiety, and stubborn loyalty
to my own life in my own way
to live life on my own terms
my own words and not what you would say
to follow my own beliefs instead of yours
But even though I turn you away, you stay
But even though I reject you, you still love me
How can I be a vessel
How can I be a useful instrument
when I am so shot full with holes?
when I am so damaged and flawed?
And why would you even want me
And why would you even desire to have me
when I won't let your mercy flow?
when I won't accept the forgiveness you offer?
Holy Father, hold me in your hand
God, please hold me in your embrace
so the water that seeps through my soul
so that the emptiness that fills my being
is somehow saved from escaping
can be saved from slipping away
and poured from your hands once more
and restored by your love again
For I only want to be free
Because all I ever wanted was to be liberated,
so take this broken life from me
so please take this shattered life from me,
and bind it to thee
and attach it to you,
And I will ask again to be at your side
And I will plead once again to be by your side,
and I pray this time I abide
and I hope this time I remain devoted,
for the only thing that keeps me from you is my pride
because my arrogance is the only hindrance to my relationship with you
Contributed by Blake J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@loveblossoms
shes my teacher wow
@newnetworker123
She goes to my school