In a music scene overpopulated by breathy girls and melismatic vamps, Cleveland is that rare thing - a woman who sings like a woman. A woman with grit and passion. A woman who’s not afraid to follow her longings into places both light and dark. Yes, she can roar and wail with maximum soul wattage (her voice inspires regular comparisons to locomotives and hurricanes). But she can also be soft, tender, sly, wistful, open-hearted, melancholy, wise, seductive, wry - all those facets that make a vocalist deep and compelling. And whether she’s delivering a regretful ballad like "Streams Of Mercy" or a mighty rocker like "The Blessing," she connects emotionally with a strength and clarity that would make Cingular jealous.
It’s that emotional connection - a combo of Cleveland’s natural wonder of a voice and fierce songwriting talent - that has been thrilling listeners since her debut in 1991. Blending rock, blues, gospel and folk with her distinct open-tuned guitar playing, she has forged an unmistakable sound that has won her two Grammy Awards, three Dove Awards, a place on countless year-end Top Ten lists and a legion of devoted fans.
Beyond her own career, Cleveland is also one of Nashville’s most in-demand session singers, having performed on over three hundred albums, for artists including Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Jars Of Clay, Don Henley, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Delbert McLinton, Etta James, Rodney Crowell, Pam Tillis, Patty Smyth and Michael McDonald.
Her seventh album, Before The Daylight’s Shot, finds Cleveland at the height of her powers. Whether she’s singing about purpose ("Ready Or Not"), faith ("Deeper Walk"), fulfillment (a bluesy take on Stevie Wonder’s "Higher Ground") or enduring married love ("Twilight Hour"), there’s a clear-eyed maturity and depth of artistry that lifts her into an exclusive class.
She was the first ever artist to win the Best Gospel Rock Album award at the Grammys in 1996. She won the award again in 1999.
From:
Ashleycleveland.com
Lesson of Love
Ashley Cleveland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and i answered empty handed, i had no offering, you took me as i am, you take still
and for the price my soul demanded you gave up everything
the world keeps turning
bridges keep burning
love like this is a mystery to me, judas kiss is what i know
but with the passion of the father you pursue me to the end
faithfull like no other all my days
your wings privide me cover as your light invades my sin
the world keeps turning
bridges keep burning
i am learning the lesson of love
though every promise I've ever made has been broken, jesus remains reconciled
keeping every word he's spoken and marking every mile
the world keeps turning
bridges keep burning
i am learning the lesson of love
the lesson of love
the lesson of love
the lesson of love
The lyrics to Ashley Cleveland's "Lesson of Love" revolve around the idea of a sacrificial love - a love so profound that it is willing to lay down its life for those it loves. The opening lines speak of this love that "came by here and called my name", and despite the singer's lack of offering, it accepted them as they were. The sacrifice of this love is emphasized in the line, "for the price my soul demanded, you gave up everything". The singer acknowledges that this love is a mystery to them, as they only knew the betrayal of a "Judas kiss". However, this love pursues them with a passion akin to that of a father, remaining faithful and providing cover like wings.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the ongoing nature of the singer's journey to understand and embody this lesson of love. The world keeps turning, bridges keep burning, but they are learning the lesson of love regardless. The final verse speaks of the singer's past broken promises, but emphasizes that Jesus remains reconciled, keeping every word he has spoken and marking every mile. Through all of the upheaval and turmoil of life, the singer finds comfort in the lesson of love.
Line by Line Meaning
love so dear, born to lay its own life down, came by here and called my name
The song talks about love that is so deep and self-sacrificing that it willingly lays down its life for others. This love, personified, came into the singer's life and called to her.
and i answered empty handed, i had no offering, you took me as i am, you take still
When love called, the singer felt inadequate because she had nothing to offer back. But love took her anyway, without judgment, and continues to accept her just as she is.
and for the price my soul demanded you gave up everything
The love that came for the singer demanded a high price, but it was willing to give up everything to meet that demand.
the world keeps turning
bridges keep burning
i am learning the lesson of love
As life goes on, there are always changes and challenges that can feel like things are falling apart. But through it all, the singer is learning the lesson of love.
love like this is a mystery to me, judas kiss is what i know
The singer is honest in admitting that this kind of love is a mystery to her because all she's known is betrayal and hurt.
but with the passion of the father you pursue me to the end
Despite the singer's doubts and confusion, the love that came for her pursued her relentlessly and passionately, just like a father who won't give up on his child.
faithfull like no other all my days
your wings privide me cover as your light invades my sin
The love that came for the singer has been faithful and constant throughout her life, always there to protect and guide her. Its light has exposed and cleansed her sins.
though every promise I've ever made has been broken, jesus remains reconciled
keeping every word he's spoken and marking every mile
The singer has made many promises that she hasn't been able to keep, but Jesus remains faithful and forgiving. He keeps his promises and has been with her every step of the way.
the lesson of love
the lesson of love
the lesson of love
The song's main message is summarized in this repeated line: the lesson of love, a message of selflessness, forgiveness, and perseverance.
Writer(s): Rafe van Hoy, Kenny Greenberg, Tania Smith, Ashley Cleveland Greenberg
Contributed by Josiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.