She began her music career as the singer for an acoustic folk-pop band "The Art Institute", which released one album, "The Holding", on TAI Records. Her self-titled debut in 1996 won considerable attention and its breakout single "All Fall Down" was included in the soundtrack for the TV show "Party of Five." Subsequent albums have not received similar mass media attention but have continued to earn critical plaudits.
In 2007, she self-released three new EPs, containing a total of 15 songs.
Sarah's official website can be found at http://www.sarahmasen.com
Downtown
Sarah Masen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the clouds of fear and doubt
I reach out my hand
To the love that pulls me out
I hop in my car that takes me down the road
That leads me straight into my Father's arms
When I'm flying deep
I speak loud Your name
In the midst of my defeat
I run to my car and travel down the road
That leads me straight into my Father's arms
I go driving downtown
Sitting close to fate
I go driving downtown
Where I find Your grace
I go driving downtown
When I'm falling back
Through a past of fear and doubt
I reach hard for truth
Underneath this in between
I look for Your lead and follow down the road
That leads me closer to my Father's arms
I go driving downtown
Sitting close to fate
I go driving downtown
Where I find Your grace
I go driving downtown
I'm free
(repeat)
When I'm flying close
Into the clouds of fear and doubt
I reach hard far truth
In the midst of my defeat
I run to my car that takes me down the road
Of grace and freedom in my Father's arms
I go driving downtown
Sitting close to fate
I go driving downtown
Where I find Your grace
I go driving downtown
(repeat)
I'm free
In the middle of our human condition
Is the emerald city of our saving provision
And we wrestle and struggle
Till we can hardly stand
And we drive downtown into that praying land
But what we want most is home
What we want most is home
I go driving downtown
Sitting close to fate
I go driving downtown
Where I find Your grace
I go driving downtown
The song “Downtown” by Sarah Masen is about finding one’s way back to God’s love and grace amidst fear, doubts, and struggles in life. The lyrics reflect the personal journey of the singer as they go through different phases of life where they experience fear, doubt, and defeat. Whenever they are in doubt, fear, or defeat they seek refuge in God’s love which gives them strength and hope to carry on. The singer uses driving as a metaphor for this journey, symbolizing the way we navigate our lives, passing through different stages, and looking for something to hold on to.
The chorus “I go driving downtown, sitting close to faith, I go driving downtown, where I find your grace, I go driving downtown” represents the singer’s movement towards something higher, which is God’s love and grace. The verse “When I'm standing close, To the clouds of fear and doubt, I reach out my hand, To the love that pulls me out” illustrates the singer’s willingness to connect with God and overcome their fears and doubts. The verse “I run to my car and travel down the road, That leads me straight into my Father's arms” illustrates the idea of seeking refuge in God, which gives the singer a sense of security and belonging.
Overall, “Downtown” is a very hopeful and uplifting song that encourages its listeners to keep on going and turn to God when they are in doubt, fear, or defeat. The song provides a sense of comfort to those who may be feeling lost and reassures them that God’s grace is always available to them.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm standing close
When I'm near to giving in
To the clouds of fear and doubt
To uncertainty and anxiety
I reach out my hand
I plead for help from
To the love that pulls me out
To the force that rescues me
I hop in my car that takes me down the road
I take my direction to navigate my life
That leads me straight into my Father's arms
That takes me directly to the embrace of a spiritual power
I go driving downtown
I venture ahead
Sitting close to fate
In an intentional way that follows the course of destiny
Where I find Your grace
Where I encounter an unmerited gift of mercy
When I'm falling back
When I'm slipping backward
Through a past of fear and doubt
Into a history marked by uncertainty and anxiety
I reach hard for truth
I reach strongly for reality
Underneath this in between
Within a transitional space
I look for Your lead and follow down the road
I seek guidance and pursue my journey
That leads me closer to my Father's arms
That takes me nearer to the encompassing love of a higher power
I'm free
I'm liberated
When I'm flying close
When I'm soaring nearby
Into the clouds of fear and doubt
Through an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty
I reach hard far truth
I search intensely for reality
Of grace and freedom in my Father's arms
Of mercy and liberation in the encompassing love of a spiritual power
In the middle of our human condition
Amidst our shared vulnerability
Is the emerald city of our saving provision
Lies the place of our rescue and safety
And we wrestle and struggle
And we contend and strive
Till we can hardly stand
Until we can barely endure
And we drive downtown into that praying land
And we move intentionally ahead into a space of devotion
But what we want most is home
But what we desire above all is a sense of belonging
I'm free
I'm liberated
Contributed by Nolan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.