Getting lyrical

Building on what my boy Russ did, I decided to follow, somewhat, the meme trail. But rather than sift through all of the categories - I, for instance, can't think of five instrumentals I like - I decided to focus on the lyrics that move my heart, inspire me or simply give me goose bumps when I hear 'em:

Amazing Grace

When we've been here ten thousand years ...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise ...
then when we've first begun.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: I picked this one because, while being my favorite Christian hymn, it also holds a special place in my heart ... particularly this passage. The night my father was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkins, this song played at church and this verse really put me over the edge ... now, considering Dad has kicked cancer's ass twice, it's a much more joyful tune for me.)

Glory Days - Bruce Springsteen

Now I think I'm going down to the well tonight
and I'm going to drink till I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
but I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days

Something In The Way She Moves - James Taylor

Something in the way she moves, or looks my way, or calls my name
that seems to leave this troubled world behind.
And if I'm feeling down and blue or troubled by some foolish game,
she always seems to make me change my mind..

And I feel fine anytime she's around me now, she's around me now almost about all the time.
And if I'm well you can tell she's been with me now.
She's been with me now quite a long, long time and I feel fine.

I Can - Nas

If the truth is told, the youth can grow
Then learn to survive until they gain control
Nobody says you have to be gangstas, hoes
Read more learn more, change the globe

Say Anything - Edwin McCain

It's not that the words aren't there but they'd only fail my emotions
Just want to feel this way without chaining you down to some old cliche
You want water in my hands and we stand waist deep in the ocean
It's bigger than the sea, it won't let me

Say just anything, because I feel everything
I'd rather say nothing than the same old lines
I think I give you more, something there's no words for
You don't have to hear me to feel me trying
To say anything

Through The Floor - Edwin McCain

And the first thing that I think of
are her sympathetic eyes
That see with only positive emotion
And she talks of being grumpy,
but I know that grumpy's not her style
And I soak up all her beauty
'cause I'm only here awhile
And I muddle through my docket,
nestle in the pocket
Just sit back and think about the world
And the only thing I see
when she's looking back at me
Is the promise of how life could be
And as I wrote my chest got tight for her
I know that I'm not right for her
and I couldn't live
if I ever caused her pain

Peaceful World - John Mellencamp

The money’s good and the work’s ok
Looks like everything is rolling our way
Til you gotta look the devil in the eye
You know that bastard’s one big lie
So be careful with your heart and what you love
Make sure that it was sent from above
It’s what you do and not what you say
If you’re not part of the future then get out of the way

Anna Begins - Counting Crows

"If it's love" she said, "then we're gonna have to think about the consequences"
She can't stop shaking and I can't stop touching her and ...
This time when kindness falls like rain
It washes her away and Anna begins to change her mind
"these seconds when I'm shaking leave me shuddering for days" she says.
And I'm not ready for this sort of thing

Crazy Love - Van Morrison

I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles
And the heavens open up every time she smiles
And when I come home to her that's where I belong
Yet I'm running to her like a river's song

she gives me love love love love crazy love
she gives me love love love love crazy love ...

Encore - Jay-Z

Now can I get an encore, do you want more
Cookin raw with the Brooklyn boy
So for one last time I need y'all to roar

Now what the hell are you waitin for
After me, there shall be no more
So for one last time, n**** make some noise

Damaged - Plumb

I didn't say all the things that I wanted to say
And you can't take back what you've taken away
'Cause I feel you, I feel you near me

Healing comes so painfully
And it chills to the bone
Will anyone get close to me?
I'm damaged, as I'm sure you know

Elsewhere - Sarah McLachlan

I know this love is passing time
passing through like liquid
I am drunk in my desire ...
but I love the way you smile at me
I love the way your hands reach out and hold me near...
I believe ...

I believe this is heaven to no one else but me
and I'll defend it as long as
I can be left here to linger in silence
if I choose to
would you try to understand