Two songs were the basis for controversy. The first was Wedding Dress in which Webb compares Christians who seek fulfillment in things outside of Christ to a person committing adultery. An introspective tune, Webb writes that "I am a whore I do confess / I put you on just like a wedding dress". The second song that generated controversy was Saint and Sinner where Webb wrote" "I used to be a damned mess but now I look just fine, 'Cause you dressed me up and we drank the finest wine". The word damned was removed from the final version of the album, at the request of two major Christian retailers.
His second solo studio record, I See Things Upside Down, generated mixed reviews. All marketing to the typical Christian music stations used by his first solo album and his albums with Caedmon's Call was stopped, though the album still has explicitly Christian lyrics. In comparison to Webb's previous work, this album has what's been referred to as an "experimental" style to it, and has been compared to the music of Wilco in that respect. His third studio album, titled Mockingbird, was released on December 26, 2005. On September 1, 2006 he decided to offer the Mockingbird album, for free to download, at http://www.freederekwebb.com/. "|He| want|s| people to have a chance to listen to mockingbird and engage in the conversation (many sensitive issues including poverty, war, and the basic ethics by which we live and deal with others). So this is why, on september 1st, |he| launch|ed| freederekwebb.com, a place where anyone can go online and not just hear but actually download, keep, and share 'mockingbird' completely free. In addition, freederekwebb.com will give you an opportunity to invite your friends to download 'mockingbird' in order to get them in on the conversation as well." This website is no longer running, but Derek Webb has expanded on this idea at www.noisetrade.com, where you can download both his and other artists albums for free or a donation.
Webb's fourth proper studio album The Ringing Bell was released May 1st, 2007. In what many have noted to be Webb's penchant for shifting radically in terms of style from album to album, The Ringing Bell recalls very clearly Beatles-esque pop in a concise, 30 minute, package. It was received with wide praise, with Paste Magazine's Deputy Editor Jason Killingsworth giving the album five out of five stars (The Ringing Bell would prove to be the only album of 2007 to officially receive a perfect score), and receiving placement on their best of list.
In April 2008, Webb released The Ampersand EP. Webb recorded the six-song EP with Sandra McCracken, his wife. The songs focus on the couple's relationship, and Webb and McCracken duet on many of the songs, including a cover of Bob Dylan's "If Not For You." It marks the first time the couple has produced an album together, because even though their styles are similar, "[W]e approach songwriting from completely opposite directions. I'm very conceptual and abstract," McCracken said. "And Derek is very meticulous and intentional. Down to each and every conjunction."
Free album dowmloads: www.noisetrade.com
Website: http://derekwebb.musiccitynetworks.com/
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/derekwebb
Beloved
Derek Webb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
because you are weightless like a leaf from the vine
and the wind has blown you all over town
because there is nothing holding you to the ground
so now you would rather be
a slave again than free from the law
beloved listen to me
don't believe all that you see
and don't you ever let anyone tell you
that there's anything that you need
but me
beloved these are perilous days
when your culture is so set in it's ways
that you will listen to salesmen and thieves
preaching other than the truth you've received
because they are telling lies
for they cannot circumcise your hearts
(chorus)
beloved there is nothing more
no more blessings and no more rewards
than the treasure of my body and blood
given freely to all daughters and sons
The song "Beloved" by Derek Webb is a powerful reminder of the dangers of independence and the importance of listening to the truth. The first verse describes the danger of being weightless, like a leaf blowing in the wind. It's a metaphor for being unanchored and rootless, with nothing to keep you from being swept away by the currents of life. The singer warns that there is nothing holding you to the ground, which can lead to a sense of aimlessness and confusion.
The second verse speaks to the perils of being set in your ways and not open to listening to the truth. The singer cautions against listening to salesmen and thieves who preach something other than the truth you've received. They are described as telling lies, unable to circumcise your hearts, which is a biblical reference to letting go of the things that hold us back from being truly free.
The chorus is a plea from the singer to the beloved, asking them to listen and not believe everything they see or hear. They are encouraged to rely on the singer as the only thing they need, and to resist the allure of false promises.
Overall, the song is a call to listen to the truth, to let go of the things that hold us back, and to be anchored in something greater than ourselves. It's a powerful reminder of the dangers of independence and the importance of relying on others for guidance and support.
Line by Line Meaning
beloved these are dangerous times
This is a precarious period, dearest
because you are weightless like a leaf from the vine
As you have lost your sense of grounding, you are weightless like a leaf from a vine
and the wind has blown you all over town
Consequently, adverse influences have taken you in various directions
because there is nothing holding you to the ground
There is nothing constraining or anchoring you, which is problematic
so now you would rather be
Therefore, you would prefer to become
a slave again than free from the law
A slave once more, rather than being without disciplinary guidelines
beloved listen to me
My dear, pay attention
don't believe all that you see
Be cautious of all that you see
and don't you ever let anyone tell you
Furthermore, never allow anyone to induce you
that there's anything that you need
To believe that you lack anything essential
but me
But me, your saviour
beloved these are perilous days
These days are treacherous and full of danger, my dearest
when your culture is so set in its ways
You exist in a culture so fixed in its convention
that you will listen to salesmen and thieves
That you will listen to salespeople and predators who are deceitful
preaching other than the truth you’ve received
Preaching falsehoods other than the truth that you've been given
because they are telling lies
The reason is that they are communicating untruths
for they cannot circumcise your hearts
Despite this, they are not competent enough to remove your sins
beloved there is nothing more
Dearest, nothing is more critical than
no more blessings and no more rewards
The knowledge of the absence of further blessings or rewards
than the treasure of my body and blood
Than the invaluable treasure of my body and blood
given freely to all daughters and sons
Bestowed on all, freely, no matter who you are
Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.