Both of her parents are private investigators, but father Rick is also a country guitarist and songwriter. Lambert became seriously interested in country music after attending a Garth Brooks concert as a young girl, and soon began singing in talent contests under the tutelage of her father.
At 16, Miranda began appearing on the Johnny High Country Music Review in Arlington, Texas, the same show that helped launch the career of LeAnn Rimes. Miranda quickly landed a recording session in Nashville, but left the studio in tears after she became frustrated with the "pop" sound of music that was not her own. Upon returning to Texas, Miranda began writing songs and taking guitar lessons from her father.
When Miranda's aptitude for music became apparent, her parents encouraged her to aggressively pursue singing and acting opportunities. While still a high school student, Miranda made her professional singing debut and fronted the house band at the Reo Palm Isle Ballroom in Longview, Texas, a long-running venue that has showcased Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson.
Foregoing college, Miranda performed throughout Texas in 2001 and 2002. She finished first in the Texas auditions for Nashville Star and eventually placed third on the national competition.
Discography
On September 15, 2003, she signed with Sony records. She has since released three studio albums, 2005's Kerosene, 2007's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, 2009's Revolution and 2011's Four The Record; all four of which debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Kerosene,Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Revolution have been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Miranda Lambert has release a total of fourteen singles, which includes five Top 20 hits; of these, Kerosene and Gunpowder & Lead have been certified Gold singles by the RIAA.
Awards and Critical Acclaim
In 2005, at the 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Miranda won the Cover Girl Fresh Face of Country Music Award. In 2005, she was also nominated for the Country Music Association's Horizon Award and performed "Kerosene". Nashville Scene named Kerosene one of the best albums of 2005
Miranda was nominated for and won the "Album of the Year" award at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards for her latest album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Keeper Of The Flame
Miranda Lambert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm singing their old songs
Somebody blazed this trail
I'm treadin' on
I'm bent, but I'm not broken
I'm stronger than I feel
I'm made of flesh and bone
Not made of steel
I'm the keeper of the flame
The teller of the story
Keeper of the flame
For the ones that came before me
For the little pilot lights waiting to ignite
Like fireflies in the rain
Keeper of the flame
I've been burned out to ashes
Waiting for a wind
To carry me and start a fire again
Sometimes I'm just a flicker
A candle in your eye
But I swear to God
I'll never let it die
I'm the keeper of the flame
The teller of the story
Keeper of the flame
For the ones that came before me
For the little pilot lights waiting to ignite
Like fireflies in the rain
Keeper of the flame
When I'm drowning
When I'm fighting
When I'm screaming
When I'm hiding
When I'm losing
When I'm winning
I go back to
The beginning
Keeper of the flame
The teller of the story
Keeper of the flame
I'm not doing it for the glory
But for those little pilot lights waiting to ignite
Like fireflies in the rain
Keeper of the flame
I'm the keeper of the flame
Ooh, ooh
I'm the keeper of the flame
Ooh, ooh
In Miranda Lambert's song "Keeper of the Flame," the singer is reflecting on her own struggles and her role in preserving the legacy of those who came before her. She acknowledges that she is following in the footsteps of others who have blazed a trail for her, and that she is responsible for keeping their stories and traditions alive. The metaphor of the flame is used throughout the song, representing both the legacies that are being passed down and the resilience and determination required to maintain them. Lambert recognizes that she has been burned out before, but she refuses to let her flame die, and vows to keep it burning brightly.
The chorus of the song emphasizes Lambert's role as the "keeper of the flame" and the "teller of the story" for the ones who have come before her, as well as for those who are waiting to be ignited themselves. This speaks to the idea that personal struggles and setbacks can be transformed into sources of strength and inspiration for others, prolonging the legacy of those who have faced similar challenges. The bridge of the song emphasizes the cyclical nature of this process, as Lambert returns to "the beginning" as a source of strength in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walking in their footsteps
I am following the paths and learning from those who came before me
I'm singing their old songs
I am carrying on the musical traditions and legacies of those who preceded me
Somebody blazed this trail
Someone before me created the path and I am now traveling on it
I'm bent, but I'm not broken
I have faced challenges, but they have not defeated me
I'm stronger than I feel
Even in times of weakness or vulnerability, I have the strength to persevere
I'm made of flesh and bone, Not made of steel
I am human, with all the frailty and imperfection that comes with it
I'm the keeper of the flame
I am the protector and preserver of the legacies and traditions that have been passed down to me
The teller of the story
I am the one who keeps the stories of the past alive, continuing to share them with future generations
For the ones that came before me
I am doing this to honor, respect, and continue the work of those who came before me
For the little pilot lights waiting to ignite, Like fireflies in the rain
I am nurturing the potential and hope in newer generations or those who have yet to fully realize their potential
I've been burned out to ashes, Waiting for a wind, To carry me and start a fire again
I have gone through hardships and challenges, but I am looking for inspiration in order to rekindle my passion and purpose
Sometimes I'm just a flicker, A candle in your eye
At times, I may seem small or insignificant, but I have the potential to inspire others and keep the flame of passion and tradition alive
But I swear to God, I'll never let it die
I am making a solemn promise to keep the legacies and traditions I am working to safeguard alive, even in times of difficulty or opposition
When I'm drowning, When I'm fighting, When I'm screaming, When I'm hiding, When I'm losing, When I'm winning
No matter the situation, I am constantly working to protect and preserve the stories and legacies passed down to me
I go back to, The beginning
I always try to remember the origins and foundations of the traditions I am guarding, in order to stay true to them
I'm not doing it for the glory
My work is not driven by personal fame or recognition, but by a deep sense of responsibility and respect for those who came before me and those who will come after
I'm the keeper of the flame
The work I am doing is of utmost importance in preserving and continuing the legacies that have been passed down to me
Lyrics © CTM Outlander Music LC, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NATALIE HEMBY, MIRANDA LAMBERT, LIZ ROSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vicki Fourie
I'm walking in their footsteps
I'm singing their old songs
Somebody blazed this trail
I'm treadin' on
I'm bent, but I'm not broken
I'm stronger than I feel
I'm made of flesh and bone
Not made of steel
I'm the keeper of the flame
The teller of the story
Keeper of the flame
For the ones that came before me
For the little pilot lights waiting to ignite
Like fireflies in the rain
Keeper of the flame
I've been burned out to ashes
Waiting for a wind
To carry me and start a fire again
Sometimes I'm just a flicker
A candle in your eye
But I swear to God
I'll never let it die
I'm the keeper of the flame
The teller of the story
Keeper of the flame
For the ones that came before me
For the little pilot lights waiting to ignite
Like fireflies in the rain
Keeper of the flame
When I'm drowning
When I'm fighting
When I'm screaming
When I'm hiding
When I'm losing
When I'm winning
I go back to
The beginning
Keeper of the flame
The teller of the story
Keeper of the flame
I'm not doing it for the glory
But for those little pilot lights waiting to ignite
Like fireflies in the rain
Keeper of the flame
I'm the keeper of the flame
Ooh, ooh
I'm the keeper of the flame
Ooh, ooh
RJ Sunflowers
Best female artist and she just keeps bringing great songs. She's my favorite.
Cheryl Chavis
What a special way for her to show the fan's just how much she loves them. Miranda is also showing respect for all of the awesome ladies that came before her to knock down the doors in country music that allows her to play her music the way that she wants to. Now she is doing the same thing for the next-generation. Miranda you rock .
Bo Johnson
I usually think live music videos are a cop out but this is the perfect song for a live video. 👌
Jenna Brewer
This song gives me chills every time. Keep singing on!
Jennifer Rodgers Dennis
Have to say she's still killing it off of a double album!!! Loved her performance at the awards show in Vegas!!! She doesn't do it for the glory we all know she has a case full of that! She does it because#musicismedicine👌👌💯
Bob Tomlin
Wonderful ..... wonderful ..... WONDERFUL !!!! Hard to find words to describe THESE words .... the sentiment in this song - the emotion - the sheer grasp of reality and respect for what's come before that Miranda show in this song !!! And what a worthy keeper she is. I hope those little pilot lights can hold the flame as high when their turn comes. One of Miranda's absolute best - song AND album .... "Weight if These Wings" surely a high water mark ❤🎶🎵😎
multiple chaos
if the industry don't support her, we should support her, these kind of people are amazingly important, powerful and beautiful
#KeeperOfTheFlame #MirandaLambert
Eagle Eye White Feather
What a talented young lady. I can never get tired of listening to her. Excellent video, i love it. She is just amzing to watch
Debbie Pearce
I love this song. In fact I love all of her songs. She is such a great singer and so down to earth. Looking forward to seeing her in concert. Keep the great music coming
Carolina R.
Love this song 💞