Garrels has been a lot of things: son of a hippie commune, skater boy,
suburban drug dealer, music/design student, coffee roaster, urban shepherd, and now nation- and globe-trotting minstrel of hope and healing.
He is also a beacon of light in a marketplace rife with artists who, whether wanting to acquire fame or just their next meals, have sold their souls to the not-so-almighty dollar and forsaken their first loves – the song – in the process. Garrels’ rogue ethic first led him to self-record, -produce, and -distribute a trio of early recordings, Stone Tree (2002), Underquiet (2003), and Over Oceans (2006), each a holy merging of sampled beats; plaintive, soulful vocals; and earnest acoustic strumming over unabashedly lo-fi production.
Despite fielding offers from major labels, Garrels retained a marked distrust for the recording industry (and it is just that) and, with the release of Over Oceans, formed his own little label that could: Small Voice Records. He also formed a humble but subtly mighty union with one Michelle Ramsdale, whose art has accompanied his aural musings on both Over Oceans and the subsequent Jacaranda album (2008).
It was the recording and producing of Jacaranda that proved a turning point for team Garrels. Housed in an old, rural mansion – a friend’s donated respite on an Indiana river in the woods – Josh and Michelle set to fashioning a home for themselves; crafting his best, tightest collection of songs to date; and creating a baby girl (née Heron Selah Garrels) all at once. The album itself became his most critically lauded so far, and the single “Don’t Wait For Me” was used in a scene on CBS drama “The Ghost Whisperer.”
Josh Garrels’ music is always equal parts confidence and vulnerability. That may seem a dichotomy – and then you hear him. Those trademark vibrant trills, lyricism chock-full of an earthy gusto and the search for God both, and the tapping and slapping against his trusty homemade acoustic axe – the sum of it is an amalgam of sound like precious few before or beside him.
“Fight or flight” is simplistic phrasing for the choice we often have in life’s trying situations. In his gritty formative years the former there was Josh Garrels’ strategy, but since his coming of age (and of belief) and his entrance into bona fide adulthood, within and without, his modus operandi has become flight. Flight as in lift-off, ascension. Rising above. Yea, the name of his young daughter is shared with a bird. Flight is a fixture, and wings a metaphor, in both the love story that Josh and Michelle grew and in the visual and musical arts that both have cultivated.
“My hope is to record at least an album a year for many years to come,” Garrels says, “probably continuing to record myself with my own home studio.” To borrow another well-worn axiom: If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. A minimalist website and album sales at live shows eventually thrust Josh Garrels into the arena where he now resides.
Garrels has always sought to inject his ears and his mind with a wide swath of influences. Early on it was Cat Stevens and De La Soul, and then those gave way to honchos of east-coast hip-hop the likes of the Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest. The mellowing – and yet, ironically, the lionizing – of his head, heart, and soul are evident in his budding young-adult affinities for the sounds of Bob Dylan and Digable Planets, Ben Harper and Gustavo Santaolalla.
Despite being his cherished mentors of music, none of these established artists would make Garrels blink were he to meet them. “In a media-saturated pop culture society where ‘stars’ are the royalty to be worshipped or fawned over, I believe the true role of artists is to serve others with their creations, “ Garrels says. “That means to draw people to fullness of life through revelation, longing, breakthroughs, simple beauty, and unpretentious truths. Artists help people see the obvious, the heart of the matter, and from this regained perspective people become more fully human. So much art these days has people focusing on an unattainable fantasy, lusting over what they'll never have unless they take it by force or by way of money or libido. This is all candy, and candy can't make a man healthy.”
Indeed, and “candy” is the last word for describing Josh Garrels, his life and his tunesmithing. He harmonizes and he freestyles, apt to lift a glitch beat or an accordion to the song at hand, whatever it demands. His latest, Lost Animals (2009), features a sonic quilt of singles, Jacaranda B-sides, soundtrack work, and collaborations. Originally intended as an EP, it outgrew those trappings and emerged a full-length weighing in at 10 songs.
As outgrowing goes, native Michigander Garrels and his family shed their initial digs in Indianapolis, that urban epicenter of gorgeous, golden cornfields, and took to North Carolina for a year to grieve with dear ones a death in the clan. Heartfelt time spent in Carolina bowed out gracefully to their nascent residence in Portland, Oregon, specifically the diverse and progressive artists’ haven that is the Mississippi/Alberta district.
For all the beats and world instruments and innovative guitar work, it will always be about the words with Josh Garrels. His stuff is drenched in musings that encompass time-worn theology and pastoral wonderment, that delight in the fauna of this world and a faith in another still to come. “Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” So said the writer C. S. Lewis, and so echo the visceral yearnings, sometimes verbose yet often as unintelligible as the melodies on some of his best tracks, that make up this well-traveled troubadour’s trunk full of songs.
Born Again
Josh Garrels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No place for a child
Used my voice to howl
With the ghouls of night
In the dying light
Had to learn to get what I need
In the dark, empty
Like a beast to some blood
And I can't get enough
I'm losing control; my body, my soul
Are slowly fading away
But I'm ready now
To feel the power of change
I'm my mother's child
I'm my father's son
It took me awhile
But my time has come
To be born again
Running scared in between what I hate
And what I need
Savior and enemy are both trying
To take my soul
And I can't hide no more
Stumble out to the light
Raise my fist up to fight
Then I catch your eye
So full of love
Lord, what have I done?
I cry at your feet, wounded for me
And all of the monsters and men
But here in your light
We can begin again
I'm my mother's child
I'm my father's son
It took me a while
But my time has come
To be born again
The song "Born Again" by Josh Garrels has a strong theme around personal transformation and spiritual rebirth. The initial lines speak about his journey so far, where he feels like he had to scream and howl just like the ghouls of the night. He also mentions that nature has an instinctive way of guiding him, just like a beast to some blood, to fulfill his needs. The overall sentiment is of being trapped in a wild and uncontrollable world, losing control over his body and soul. But the song takes a positive turn where Josh accepts his identity as his mother's child and father's son. He realizes that he needs to go through a transformation to be born again, to start over with renewed strength and determination.
In the following lines, Josh describes the conflict in his mind where he is running scared between his fears and desires. He feels like his savior and enemy are both trying to take his soul, making him feel lost and helpless. But as he stumbles out to the light and raises his fists up to fight, he catches someone's eye which is "so full of love." It is only then that he realizes that he has done wrong, and cries at the feet of the Lord. The last lines of the song give a hopeful message that even if someone has had a dark past, one can start anew and transform just like the song's title.
Overall, the song beautifully weaves together themes of vulnerability, fear, and ultimately hope and transformation. Josh has a unique voice and lyrical style that helps to create an emotional connection with his listeners. The song's message is that even if someone has lived a difficult and wild life, they can still find a new beginning through personal transformation and faith.
Line by Line Meaning
I came into the world, into the wild
I was born into a chaotic, unpredictable world
No place for a child
It was not safe or welcoming for me as a child
Used my voice to howl
I expressed my fear and frustration loudly
With the ghouls of night
In the company of creatures of the dark
In the dying light
As the day comes to an end
Had to learn to get what I need
I had to adapt to survive
In the dark, empty
In a place of loneliness and despair
Instincts are guiding me
My primal urges are directing my actions
Like a beast to some blood
Drawn to my basic needs like an animal drawn to prey
And I can't get enough
I have insatiable cravings and desires
I'm losing control; my body, my soul
I am succumbing to my vices and addictions
Are slowly fading away
I am deteriorating and decaying
But I'm ready now to feel the power of change
I'm ready to experience a transformative influence over myself
I'm my mother's child
I am a product of my mother
I'm my father's son
I have inherited traits from my father
It took me awhile
It took me a long time
But my time has come
My time to change has finally arrived
To be born again
To experience a profound rebirth and renewal
Running scared in between what I hate
Fleeing from what I loathe
And what I need
And what I require to survive
Savior and enemy are both trying
Both a salvation and a destroyer are vying for me
To take my soul
To claim dominion over my essence
And I can't hide no more
I can no longer conceal myself from the struggle
Stumble out to the light
Move blindly towards the illumination
Raise my fist up to fight
Prepare to confront the challenge with force
Then I catch your eye
Then I see you
So full of love
Overflowing with affection
Lord, what have I done?
I am humbled by my past transgressions
I cry at your feet, wounded for me
I weep at your feet, recognising the pain you endured for me
And all of the monsters and men
All the intimidating and malevolent beings in this world
But here in your light
In this illuminating presence you offer
We can begin again
A new start is available to us
Contributed by Dylan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thatone736
Lyrics:
I came to the world, to the wild
No place for a child
Used my voice to howl
With the ghouls of night
In the dying light
I had to learn to get what I need
In the dark, empty
Instincts are guiding me
Like a beast to some blood
And I can’t get enough
I’m losing control; my body, my soul
Are slowly fading away
But I’m ready now
To feel the power of change
I’m my mother’s child
I’m my father’s son
It took me awhile
But my time has come
To be born again
To be born again
Running scared in between what I hate
And what I need
Savior and enemy are both trying
To take my soul
And I can’t hide no more
Stumble out into the light
And raise my fist up to fight
Then I catch your eyes
So full of love
Lord, what have I done?
I cry at your feet, wounded for me
And all of the monsters and men
But here in your light
We can begin again
I’m my mother’s child
I’m my father’s son
It took me awhile
But my time has come
I’m my mother’s child
I’m my father’s son
Lord took me awhile
But my time has come
To be born again
To be born again
@dolphins9764
When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart,
I was brutish and ignorant;
I was like a beast toward you.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:21-26
@GraceAboundsAll
Resolute Protector “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24 KJV
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalms 103:12 KJV
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”
Romans 5:20 KJV
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
1 John 5:13 KJV
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
John 6:47 KJV
These are some verses to help you reassure yourself that once you have put your faith in the death , burrial , and resurrection of JesusChrist you have been placed from death unto life ! . No there is NOTHING that can separate the love that Jesus has for you for believing in him . Please please please read each verse Slowly. I pray to God that this may help you .
@Olivia-nd6mu
Love this!! I was baptized a couple weeks ago after deciding to become sober with the help of the Holy Spirit! I am 32 days sober and going strong! Praise the Lord
@inthebellyofthebeast6910
Praise the Lord that is awesome!! Welcome to the fam!!
@MadelineDuff-tn5lv
That’s so wonderful, Olivia!!
@skyemorgan2714
blessed be His Name. be safe.
@samblackstone3400
Praise God!
@jacquevanlopeznoroff8827
Sober since Dec 8, 2021. You got this.
@daughterofzion1083
I am an ex atheist until I experienced the power and fruits of the Holy Spirit. being born again is one of the most beautiful things that could happen to someone. thank you Father, thank you Lord Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit for everything 🙏♥️
@MatthewCo77ins
You will remember US WHEN WE WERE MOST REMEMBERED 🌄👁️♥️👊👍🧬✴️💪
@beezybeez5971
This is so good but you have to hear “Whispering Wolf” or “Live Not Survive” by SLT 🤘
@Mr1002brady
Amen