Smalltown Poets achieved recognition with their eponymous first album, released on Ardent Records in 1997. This release earned the band the first of its two Grammy nominations (Best Gospel Rock Album) and numerous Dove Award nominations. Despite line-up changes, the band stayed active for more than ten years, releasing three albums on Ardent Records and one on BEC Recordings.
Smalltown Poets went on hiatus several months after their fourth studio album called It's Later Than It's Ever Been," but regrouped in the fall of 2010 to begin production on a Christmas album due out in 2011 (co-produced and mixed by former Smalltown Poets drummer Matt Goldman). In anticipation of that full-length release, the band released a Christmas single in December 2010 titled "In the Bleak Midwinter."
The full-length project, Smalltown Poets Christmas, was released on Nov. 1st, 2011, on the band's own Friendly City Records label and is available on iTunes, Amazon.com, CDBaby.com, and other online media outlets.
Firefly
Smalltown Poets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fight the crowding dark away
I can't help but feel that You are searching me
At the dusk of summer's first day
Fragile wings bring little messages of light
Firefly burning inside, I'll fly
With the light inside of me
Circling free from a gently opened jar
With a halo You show me
A symbol of the fact that I am carrying
The image of Your glory
Fragile wings bring little messages of light
Firefly burning inside, I'll fly
With the light inside of me
Firefly burning inside, I'll fly
With the light inside of me
I burn to know Your will, Your ways
Your heart and mind and learn to love the way You love
A luminescent speck shining at the perfect time
Tests the temporary night and signals other tiny fires
Time to light up and fly, light up, light up and fly
Firefly burning inside, I'll fly
With the light inside of me
The Smalltown Poets’ song “Firefly” talks about the beauty of a simple yet inspiring creature. The lyrics describe the firefly as a small, fragile creature carrying a great message of light. It’s seen as a symbol of hope and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there’s always light waiting to be discovered. The song implies an invitation to risk everything, to face the challenges of life, and to keep pursuing the search for meaning.
The firefly becomes a source of encouragement and inspiration for the song's subject. The glowing eyes of the firefly are personified as asking if he is willing to risk everything and fight the darkness to find his own light. The metaphorical meaning of the firefly is extended towards a reflection on the divine presence, which, although sometimes feels fleeting, it’s always shining within us. The song suggests that, like a firefly, we too can shed light to others. It encourages us to take our own light and share it with the world, to fly free, and, in doing so, to inspire others to fly as well.
Overall, “Firefly” is a song about the importance of light, hope, and persistence in our lives. It reminds us that, despite our fears and insecurities, we all carry a light within us that can shine as bright as the sun if we are willing to let it out.
Line by Line Meaning
Glowing eyes that ask if I would risk it all
I feel challenged to take a leap of faith and face the unknown
Fight the crowding dark away
I must resist the negativity and stay positive
I can't help but feel that You are searching me
I sense that God is trying to communicate with me
At the dusk of summer's first day
As the season transitions, I feel a new sense of possibility
Fragile wings bring little messages of light
Even small actions can have a big impact in spreading love and hope
Firefly burning inside, I'll fly
I am determined to let my own light shine and make a difference
Circling free from a gently opened jar
I am released from my own limitations and set free to achieve my purpose
With a halo You show me
God guides and protects me on my journey
A symbol of the fact that I am carrying
I represent God's love and grace in the world
The image of Your glory
I reflect God's character and goodness to others
I burn to know Your will, Your ways
I have a strong desire to understand and follow God's plan for my life
Your heart and mind and learn to love the way You love
I strive to have God's love and compassion for others
A luminescent speck shining at the perfect time
I am called to be a light in the darkness when the world needs it most
Tests the temporary night and signals other tiny fires
My actions of love and hope inspire others to do the same
Time to light up and fly, light up, light up and fly
It's time to take action and make a positive impact in the world
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rukus Fan
small town poets for over a decade now ... I believe the most under rated band in Christian rock
David Kovacevich
This song still sounds fresh. They didn't ever get caught up in going full alternative, its more like the sort of indie music that never gets old. Just honest music without pretense and thats beside the fact the lyrics are very inspired. BTW There new album Under The Sun just dropped and they havent missed a beat, the songs are just as good as they have always been some even better
Peter Kruse
Awesome band. Check out their new song here on Youtube "Jesus I Come". Beautiful. I don't understand the 3 dislikes of this video. I'm glad these guys are still together and putting out quality music! Definitely one of the most underrated bands in Christian rock. They consistently release great music and they're practically unheard of!
Bri Witmer
i really love this song. its our mission team theme song for our mission trip to south dakota 2010 (: <3
Nathan Mealy
Long Live Great 90s Christiain Rock
Buckminster Fuller
I miss it.
CelticVictory
Miss this song.
Buckminster Fuller
A pay phone? Wow, that really dates this. But the music is timeless.
B. Barrett
@kirbyrocks6 (I don't know if this is an inside joke...) but sometimes churches go and help with cleanup efforts after natural disasters :P
B. Barrett
@barrettb05 (comment #2) and if i overstepped i'm sorry...