Nichole Nordeman was raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she played the piano in church. She got her start when she entered a Gospel Music Association (GMA) contest in Los Angeles, California and was noticed by a music producer. She has won multiple GMA Dove Awards, including two awards for Female Vocalist of the Year. Her best-known songs include "Why," "This Mystery," "Holy", "Legacy," "Brave," and "What If." She also sang a song on the soundtrack Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia, called "I Will Believe"
Burnin'
Nichole Nordeman Lyrics
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I thought a spark would take forever
I never dreamt this fire would appear
When Moses saw the Bush in flames
And heard the branches speak his name
I wonder if he felt this kind of fear
Yeah, I'm burnin'
And I know I'm gonna blister in these flames
So I'll stay here
'Till this smoke clears
And I'll find you in the ashes that remain
Used to be that I could say
My faith was one arm's length away
From any flame that ever felt too warm
Asked for matches, but I received
A gallon full of gasoline
Now my cozy campfire days are gone
'Cause I'm burnin'
Yeah I'm burnin'
And I know I'm gonna blister in these flames
So I'll stay here
'Till this smoke clears
And I'll find you in the ashes that remain
'Knock with caution at the door'
They said, 'Beware of what you're praying for'
So I'll stand here with my whole desire
In the middle of this forest fire
'Till I've nothing left to show
And new life begins to grow...
The song “Burnin” by Nichole Nordeman is about a protagonist who is struggling with faith and has somehow found herself in a situation where she is burning. The first stanza refers to the creation of fire through rubbing sticks and how sometimes we are not aware of the consequences of our actions. Similarly, in the second stanza, when Moses saw the burning bush and heard the branches speak his name, he must have had a sense of fear that the singer also experiences as she is burning. The chorus talks about the singer burning and blistering in the flames, but she decides to stay and find peace amidst the destruction– just like a phoenix rising from ashes.
In the third and fourth stanzas, the singer talks about how her faith used to be one arm's length away from doubt, but now she feels like she has been handed a gallon full of gasoline, which has caused her to burn more rapidly. The chorus repeats and emphasizes that she is burning but finding peace in the ashes that remain. The last stanza talks about how people warned her to be cautious of her wishes because some things you wish for bring pain, but she still stands in the middle of the forest fire with nothing left to show as new life begins to grow.
One of the compelling pieces of this song is that Nichole Nordeman uses the metaphor of “burning” to refer to the pain and struggles of a protagonist's life. The song discusses when things go wrong, and when we are pushed to our limits, alluding to the idea that some spiritual transformation can take place even in difficult and challenging moments. The lyrics of the song “Burnin” remind listeners to look for hope in even the darkest places.
Line by Line Meaning
Started rubbing sticks together
I began doing something difficult and time-consuming with the expectation that it would create something much bigger.
I thought a spark would take forever
I believed that success would take a long time to achieve.
I never dreamt this fire would appear
The magnitude of the success I achieved surpassed my wildest dreams.
When Moses saw the Bush in flames
When Moses witnessed something awe-inspiring and unexpected.
And heard the branches speak his name
And was called to action by the voice of authority.
I wonder if he felt this kind of fear
I ponder if he experienced the same unsettled, apprehensive emotions I am experiencing.
'Cause I'm burnin'
Because I am undergoing a transformative and testing journey.
Yeah, I'm burnin'
Yes, I am experiencing intense and difficult circumstances.
And I know I'm gonna blister in these flames
And I know that these trials will take their toll on me.
So I'll stay here
So I will not give in or surrender.
'Till this smoke clears
Until the darkness lifts and the situation clears, revealing a path forward.
And I'll find you in the ashes that remain
And in the aftermath of these trials, I will find a path forward, with you guiding me.
Used to be that I could say
I used to be confident that I could handle any challenge thrown my way.
My faith was one arm's length away
My faith was always just within reach and helped me through anything.
From any flame that ever felt too warm
From anything that seemed like a difficult challenge for me to face.
Asked for matches, but I received
I requested a small tool to help me, but was instead given something much more dangerous.
A gallon full of gasoline
I received something with far-reaching implications and implications for the future.
Now my cozy campfire days are gone
Now things have changed and transformed, and my comfortable life is no more.
'Knock with caution at the door'
Be careful when seeking new opportunities or change.
They said, 'Beware of what you're praying for'
Be aware of the potential consequences of your desires or intentions.
So I'll stand here with my whole desire
So I will meet this challenge head-on and with my full commitment and effort.
In the middle of this forest fire
In the midst of a difficult and trying time.
'Till I've nothing left to show
Until I have expended all my effort and come out the other side of this trial.
And new life begins to grow...
And from the challenges I have faced, new opportunities and growth will arise.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: NICHOLE NORDEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind