Jones began performing in 1997, debuting at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, GA, but he soon relocated to Nashville. In 2000 he released Nowhere Else But Here followed by an EP, For the Road, in 2003. Released in 2006, Throwing Punches in the Dark was produced by Neilson Hubbard (Glen Phillips, Garrison Star) and met with high critical praise. Jones re-teamed with Hubbard for Swallow the Sea, which was released in 2008. His music has found a home on Film and TV with over 30 placements on shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Bones, One Tree Hill, Pretty Liars & Private Practice.
MPJ has shared the stage with Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Paula Cole, as well as being a staple feature in the nationally acclaimed "Ten Out of Tenn. Collective" with fellow artists, Katie Herzig, Erin McCarley, Butterfly Boucher, Andrew Belle and others.
Jones released his third full-length record, Land of the Living, on May 29, 2012.
Jones released The Waking Hours in September 2018.
Website https://www.mpjmusic.com/
Refuge
Matthew Perryman Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pressing down inside my soul
I can see the pillars fallin'
There ain't nothin' left to hold
The reigns are broken too
I can't steer this
There's nothing I can do
Except to throw my arms out
Take me to
A place where love can mend these wounds
Where mystery can dance with truth
And the broken soul finds refuge
I get so tired of fighting
Throwing punches in the dark
When mystery's seduction
Keeps a blindfold on my heart
Oh, it seems too much
God I fear this
I'm longing for your touch
And for your kisses
Take me to
A place where love can mend these wounds
Where mystery can dance with truth
And the broken soul finds refuge
Can you calm this angry tide
The fears and rage inside
Won't you lead to the place where beauty dwells
You go dancing on the hills
And I won't rest until
You take me to the place where beauty dwells
Take me to
A place where love can mend these wounds
Where mystery can dance with truth
And the broken soul finds refuge
The lyrics for Matthew Perryman Jones's song "Refuge" express a desperate cry for help from someone who is feeling utterly helpless and unable to cope with the weight of the world on their shoulders. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, with the singer feeling as though they are being crushed under the weight of a mountain. They describe how they can see the pillars falling and there's nothing left to hold onto. They feel broken and lost, like there is no way out of the darkness.
As the song continues, the singer cries out for someone to take them to a place where love can heal their wounds and where the broken soul can find refuge. They are tired of fighting and throwing punches in the dark, and long for the touch and kiss of someone they love. They ask for guidance to a place where beauty dwells, where they can find peace and tranquility.
Throughout "Refuge," the lyrics highlight the power of love and the need for human connection, and how it can act as a refuge for the soul. The song is a reminder that, even in our darkest moments, there is always hope for healing and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, I feel the weight of a mountain
I am overwhelmed with a heavy burden that is weighing me down.
Pressing down inside my soul
This burden is emotionally impacting me and causing pain in my heart and mind.
I can see the pillars fallin'
The foundations of my life are crumbling and I feel like I'm losing everything.
There ain't nothin' left to hold
I have lost all sense of stability and security in my life.
The reigns are broken too
I have lost control of my life and there is no way for me to steer things in the right direction.
I can't steer this
I feel powerless and unable to guide my life in the way that I want.
There's nothing I can do
I'm at a loss for how to fix the problems in my life.
Except to throw my arms out
All I can do is surrender and hope that something or someone will come to my rescue.
Take me to
I am pleading for help and asking to be taken to a place that can heal me.
A place where love can mend these wounds
I need to be surrounded by love and compassion that can help to heal the emotional wounds that I'm carrying.
Where mystery can dance with truth
I need to find balance between the unknown and the known elements of my life.
And the broken soul finds refuge
I am seeking a place or state of being where my broken soul can be comforted and protected.
I get so tired of fighting
I'm exhausted from trying to fix my problems and fighting for my life.
Throwing punches in the dark
My efforts to improve my life feel like I'm blindly throwing punches and hoping to hit something.
When mystery's seduction
I am drawn to the unknown and mysterious parts of life with a strong desire to uncover their secrets.
Keeps a blindfold on my heart
My desire to understand the unknown is blinding me to the realities of my situation and the emotions felt therein.
Oh, it seems too much
My problems feel like they are too much for me to handle and I'm overwhelmed.
God I fear this
I'm praying to God for help and asking that my fears be alleviated.
I'm longing for your touch
I'm seeking comfort and guidance from a higher power or divine force.
And for your kisses
I'm seeking love and connection from this same divine source.
Can you calm this angry tide
I'm asking for help in calming the tumultuous emotions that are stirring within me.
The fears and rage inside
I'm experiencing strong emotions of fear and anger that are overwhelming me.
Won't you lead to the place where beauty dwells
I am asking for guidance towards a place of peace and beauty.
You go dancing on the hills
I am seeing the divine or higher power as joyful, connected and liberated.
And I won't rest until
I am determined to find this place and will not give up until I do.
Take me to the place where beauty dwells
I am still pleading for help and guidance to find a place of peace and healing.
Contributed by Carson S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.