Cockrell attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., hardly a musical hotbed, but it was there he got the bug to write his own tunes. By the time he moved to Wake Forest, N.C., to attend the Southeast Baptist Theological Seminary, he was spending his nights playing for tips at a small coffeehouse near campus. Breaking into the Raleigh music scene, he enlisted a cast of local luminaries he dubbed the Starlite Country Band and country fans stood up and took notice. Originally intended as a demo, his first release, Stack of Dreams, released through Miles of Music Recordings, was recorded at breakneck pace with veteran musician/producer Chris Stamey. He and the band spent just a day cutting tracks and laying down vocals. The session featured the tearjerker "Pretending," which snagged Cockrell second place in the Chris Austen Songwriting Contest at Merlefest 2000.
Nowadays he lives in Nashville, TN. His latest release was the album "To Be Loved" and worked 2 tracks for the latest Jars of Clay's album "The Shelter" (2010). Still writting songs and doing shows with friends.
PRIDE
Thad Cockrell Lyrics
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Praying over storms
It’s hard to let go of the things I think I need
When I lose my vision
May I use your eyes
To see just where it is I need to be
Oh, pride wont get us where we’re going
Of all the beauty this world has worth knowing
Oh, pride wont get us where we’re going
No, pride wont get us where we’re going
Truth will keep on shining
Like a morning sun
Brighter than troubled wins can blow
And if you lose your vision
You can use my eyes
To see just where it is you need to go
Oh, pride wont get us where we’re going
It’s made a life of standing in the way
Of all the beauty this world has worth knowing
Oh, pride wont get us where we’re going
No, pride wont get us where we’re going
And oh, we’re finally free
To know the gravity
That we can overcome
We can overcome
We can overcome
We can overcome
Oh, pride wont get us where we’re going
It’s made a life of standing in the way
Of all the beauty this world has worth knowing
Oh, pride wont get us where we’re going
No, pride wont get us where we’re going
Thad Cockrell's "Pride" is a contemplative song about the importance of humility and the dangers of pride. In the verses, the singer is seeking guidance and help from a higher power to let go of the things he thinks he needs and see where he needs to be. He acknowledges the power of pride to stand in the way of growth and beauty in the world. The chorus repeats the idea that pride won't get us where we're going and that we need to overcome it to realize our potential.
The second verse shifts the focus to the power of truth to shine through even the toughest times. The singer offers his own eyes to someone who has lost their vision, demonstrating the kind of generous, selfless spirit that pride often blocks. The final section of the song celebrates the freedom and possibility that comes with humility and a commitment to growth.
Overall, "Pride" is a moving and insightful song about the importance of letting go of our egos and embracing the beauty and possibility of the world around us. It's a reminder that our own perspective is often limited and that we need to be open to the guidance and help of others.
Line by Line Meaning
See me by the river
I am in a contemplative state by the river
Praying over storms
I am seeking peace and calm amidst life's difficulties
It’s hard to let go of the things I think I need
I struggle to release my attachments to things that I believe are necessary
When I lose my vision
When I am unable to see clearly
May I use your eyes
May I borrow your perspective or insight
To see just where it is I need to be
To understand the direction I need to take
Oh, pride wont get us where we’re going
Arrogance or self-importance will not help us achieve our goals
It’s made a life of standing in the way
It has hindered our progress as individuals and as a society
Of all the beauty this world has worth knowing
It has prevented us from experiencing the meaningful aspects of life
Truth will keep on shining
Honesty and integrity will always prevail
Like a morning sun
Like the brightness that comes with the dawn of a new day
Brighter than troubled winds can blow
More powerful than any challenges we may face
And if you lose your vision
If you ever become uncertain of your path
You can use my eyes
I offer you my perspective or insight
To see just where it is you need to go
To understand the direction you need to take
Oh, pride wont get us where we’re going
Arrogance or self-importance will not help us achieve our goals
It’s made a life of standing in the way
It has hindered our progress as individuals and as a society
Of all the beauty this world has worth knowing
It has prevented us from experiencing the meaningful aspects of life
And oh, we’re finally free
We have finally liberated ourselves
To know the gravity
To understand the seriousness or importance of something
That we can overcome
That we have the ability to triumph over obstacles
We can overcome
We have the power to overcome our challenges
We can overcome
We can succeed and achieve our goals
We can overcome
We can rise above adversity and emerge victorious
Oh, pride wont get us where we’re going
Arrogance or self-importance will not help us achieve our goals
It’s made a life of standing in the way
It has hindered our progress as individuals and as a society
Of all the beauty this world has worth knowing
It has prevented us from experiencing the meaningful aspects of life
No, pride wont get us where we’re going
The negative effects of arrogance or self-importance cannot be ignored
Contributed by Stella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.