Since his first solo project in 1983, Smith has become one of the most popular artists in the contemporary Christian music world, while also finding considerable success in the mainstream. Smith has frequently topped both Christian radio and Billboard charts and is often listed as one of the top keyboardists in rock and roll in Keyboard Magazine. Smith has sold more than 13 million records and has had 29 #1 hit songs. By 2005, he had garnered 14 gold records and 5 platinum records, 40 Dove Awards, an American Music Award and 3 Grammy Awards. He was also named one of People magazine's most beautiful people.
The Glory Songfacts reports that recorded with a 65-piece London orchestra, Glory is Christian musician Michael W. Smith’s seventeenth studio album and his second instrumental record. It was released November 22, 2011. His first instrumental album was Freedom, which was released November 21, 2000.
Go West Young Man
Michael W. Smith Lyrics
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So easily enticed
By darker means
When out of the wilderness of choice
I hear that one still voice
Call to me
[Chorus]
Go west young man
When the evil go east
Go west young man
Go west young man
Find a heart that's golden
Why must I wander like a cloud
Following the crowd
Well I don't know
But I'm asking for the will to fight
To wear the crown of life
And you say go
[Chorus]
The mind is weak the heart is frail
When it goes beyond the pale
So unwise
[Chorus]
The song "Go West Young Man" by Michael W. Smith is a ballad with a driving melody and catchy lyrics. The song is about a man who is tempted by darker means, but ultimately chooses to follow his conscience and go west, figuratively towards a hope of something better. The song uses traditional western imagery of blazing a trail and finding a heart that is golden, to express the idea that there is a better life to be lived, and that it takes courage to find it.
The first verse talks about how the singer is easily tempted by vice, but is called by a still voice out of the wilderness of choice. This reflects the idea that we all have a voice within us that calls us towards goodness, even when we are tempted by darker things. The chorus repeats the phrase "Go West Young Man" several times, emphasizing that the way to find a heart that is golden is to keep moving towards it. The repeated phrase "when the evil go east" reinforces the idea that there is a choice to be made between good and evil, and the singer is choosing to go in the opposite direction of the evil.
The second verse talks about how the singer is wandering like a cloud, following the crowd, but is asking for the strength to fight for the crown of life. The metaphor of the crown of life is interesting because it suggests that life is a battle, and that we must fight to achieve our goals. The final chorus repeats the refrain of "Go West Young Man" and emphasizes that the mind is weak and the heart is frail, but we must keep moving towards goodness despite our weaknesses.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm blazing a trail that leads to vice
I am paving a path that leads to wrongdoing.
So easily enticed
I am very vulnerable to temptation.
By darker means
By immoral ways and methods.
When out of the wilderness of choice
When I am lost and confused among the many options.
I hear that one still voice
I hear a clear and distinct voice within me.
Call to me
Urging me to do what is right.
Go west young man
Head in the direction with hope and possibilities.
Go west young man
Believe in better things and seize opportunities.
When the evil go east
When things are going awfully wrong.
Go west young man
Keep going forward with a sense of purpose.
Go west young man
Do not be discouraged or lost on the journey of life.
Find a heart that's golden
Search for a heart that is sincere, trustworthy and pure-hearted.
Why must I wander like a cloud
Why must I feel directionless and aimless like a cloud.
Following the crowd
Just going with the flow and being influenced by others.
Well I don't know
I am uncertain and confused.
But I'm asking for the will to fight
I am asking for the strength and determination to overcome temptations.
To wear the crown of life
To achieve greatness and success in life.
And you say go
I am inspired and encouraged to go for my dreams.
The mind is weak the heart is frail
It is easy to succumb to negative thoughts and emotions.
When it goes beyond the pale
When it becomes unacceptable or goes too far.
So unwise
It is not a smart or sensible choice.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KIRKPATRICK, SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elsa Chapa Mendoza
on Above All
i love it thank you so much god is good !!