Chris Smithers song "Love you like a man" from Smithers first album has been famously covered by Bonnie Raitt who has made it a signature song of hers under the title "Love me like a man" (published on her second Album "Give it up")- she has openly expressed admiration for Chris Smithers songwriting and guitarplaying. Later Raitt's version of the song has been covered by The Dixie Chicks and Diana Krall.
The protagonist of Linda Barnes's series of "Carlotta Carlyle" mysteries is a fan of Smither's music and several of her books mention it.
Small Revelations
Chris Smither Lyrics
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Harder is where we are
That's the core of the treason
The promise is never the answer
Well, why do you need to know?
There ain't a rhyme or a reason
Try to stay in the season
Compassion is standing still
This isn't just a vocation
Hearing is letting it happen
But to listen's a work of will
Beware of cheap imitations
Thankful for small revelations
Just as heavy the hammer
Hard is the harder stone
Harder still is the notion
Come here and tell me you love me
Or just leave my heart alone
Most of the will is the motion
Most of the rest is devotion
In the song "Small Revelations" sung by Chris Smither, the lyrics portray a complex emotional journey of a person who is seeking answers to the core issues of their life. The song starts with a simple observation that it's easy to figure out where we come from, but where we are bound to is much harder to understand. The artist highlights the fact that life is not always straightforward and that we often find ourselves in situations where we don't know what to do or which path to take.
As the lyrics progress, Smither emphasizes that there is no single answer to life's big questions, and anyone seeking the truth must not rely on promises made by others. He suggests that understanding life requires us to live within ourselves and not be swayed by external factors. To navigate life's ambiguities, Smither argues that we must tune into the changing seasons, which he sees as a metaphor for understanding the different stages and cycles of life.
In the second stanza, the song shifts to contrast two emotions, passion and compassion. Smither suggests that passion is about acting, while compassion is about listening and understanding. The singer also warns the listener to be careful of cheap imitations of love or care that they might encounter. Instead, he urges them to be thankful for small revelations, which often hold the key to greater understanding and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Simple to see where we come from
It's easy to look back on our past and understand where we've been.
Harder is where we are
But it's much more difficult to assess the present moment and know where we stand.
That's the core of the treason
The challenge of accepting and understanding our present situation is what often leads us to betray ourselves and our values.
The promise is never the answer
Simply relying on promises is never enough to solve our problems.
Well, why do you need to know?
Sometimes it's better not to ask too many questions when the answers are elusive.
There ain't a rhyme or a reason
There's often no clear explanation or justification for the things that happen in life.
Try to stay in the season
It's important to stay present and focused on the current moment rather than worrying about the past or future.
Passion is feeling in motion
Passion is about actively engaging with our emotions and channeling them into positive action.
Compassion is standing still
Compassion, on the other hand, involves stepping back and allowing others to express their emotions without judgment or interference.
This isn't just a vocation
These skills aren't just professional skills, but valuable personal qualities.
Hearing is letting it happen
Simply hearing what others have to say is an important first step in fostering meaningful communication.
But to listen's a work of will
However, truly listening to others requires a conscious effort to set aside biases and actively engage with their perspective.
Beware of cheap imitations
Be wary of people or ideas that seem too easy or simplistic; true wisdom takes time and effort to develop.
Thankful for small revelations
Be grateful for small moments of insight or understanding that can help us moving forward, even if they come in unexpected or seemingly insignificant forms.
Just as heavy the hammer
Just as a hammer is heavy and difficult to wield, accomplishing meaningful change can be challenging and require significant effort.
Hard is the harder stone
Similarly, the greatest obstacles we face are often the ones that are the most difficult to overcome.
Harder still is the notion
Even harder, however, is coming to terms with these obstacles and accepting them as part of our journey.
Come here and tell me you love me
Expressing our emotions, especially love, can be difficult and vulnerable.
Or just leave my heart alone
On the other hand, it's often better to remain silent than to hurt others or ourselves with careless words.
Most of the will is the motion
Taking the first step is often the hardest part of making meaningful change.
Most of the rest is devotion
But true progress and success requires ongoing dedication and commitment to the end goal.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHRIS SMITHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind