"New York Reflected"
Melody & Lyrics by Matthew Beckham
Music & arrangement by Matthew Beckham & Edward Jerlin
© 2008 Matthew Beckham/Everlasting Arms Records & Publishing - All Rights Reserved
We previously featured the music of Matt Beckham last June.
This month, we're featuring another poignant song of his, purposefully timed to coincide with the 7th anniversary of 9/11/01. Recorded live in the studio, Matt is singing, accompanied by EJ on the piano. Matt is currently working on a video that goes with the song. When it becomes available, we'll provide a link to it.
In Matt's words:
This song speaks to the unique qualities of New York City. It can be a hard town. Many New Yorkers weren't born here, they come for opportunity; actually realizing that opportunity is a whole other thing. There is something carnivorous about NYC. I think it boils down to this: Many people in varying degrees of desperation are seeking the very same thing.
In the bridge our singer pleads for God to "shape this storm". I guess I've found that to be my prayer; that God will shape the storm that is New York, the storm that is life. That he will make them into instruments that will shape me to the good. By kissing concrete and bending our knees we find the humility to let New York and Life pour through us like water. Shaping the hard rock that is our heart; shaping it but not destroying it.
The song reminds me not to fight life every step of the way and to remember that God put me here to be shaped. He didn't put me here to die and stay dead. He put me here to die little deaths to my self every single day and each day to be born again.
New York drowned my heart beat
In a syncopated pace
Taught me how to bend my knee
Like a drunk man sayin' grace
Oh she kept those lights of Broadway
just a shinin' in my eye,
Till the Saints of 42nd street
They lost their will to try
But I wasn't born in New York City
In New York I won't die
Fell down on a ferry
goin' Staten Island way
Must have frightened Lady Liberty
'Cause she almost flew away
But the ghosts on Ellis Island
They all begged that she would stay.
So I guess she changed her mind
Baby keep your torch held high
But I wasn't born in New York City
In New York I won't die
Oh can you give me shelter
Oh can you shape this storm
Oh can you Hold me close and
Give me hope to carry on, carry on
I came here as a pauper
But no rag could I find
To build myself a fortress
so I built one in my mind
But when my lips kissed concrete
A certain benediction did I find
When you find your feet of clay
Learned to drink red wine and grace
But I wasn't born in New York City
In New York I won't die
Oh can you give me shelter
Oh can you shape this storm
Oh can you Hold me close and
Give me hope to carry on, carry on
Matt:
Click on the picture to hear more of Matt's music
and view clips from some movies he has been in.
Thank you & God bless!
To download the music, RIGHT CLICK and choose "Save Target As":
"New York Reflected" MUSIC 4:59
To download the lyrics, RIGHT CLICK: and choose "Save Target As":
"New York Reflected" LYRICS
