After summer camp
In middle school
I listened to your record
Dozens of times
In my basement
“In Circles,” so to speak
Till it made sense to my ears
Until I finally liked it
Because the kids
Who dressed up weird at camp
Who matched the way
I felt inside
Told me it was good

And it changed
The way I listen to music
Forever

On the bus to a high school wrestling match
Where I would surely get pinned
I listened to another of your records
And it is one of the deepest feelings
I have ever had
Just me and your record
Bumping along in the back seat
It opened up to me
Like the sun bursting
Through the clouds
Like water pumped
From dry ground
For once I didn’t “Waffle”
But was transfixed

And it changed
The way I felt about myself
Forever

In a time in my life
When I was ‘sinning”
When my friends were
Talking about ‘the Lord’
And I couldn’t wrap my head
Around it all
Another of your albums
Put it in understandable terms
“How It Feels To Be Something On”
“Every Shining Time You Arrive”
And I opened my heart to God

And it changed
The way I viewed the mystery of life
Forever

On the way down to church after college
Where my friends would wail and flail
Though I was never moved
That way by the Spirit
I listened to another of your albums
And those songs are impressed
Upon my heart like a fingerprint
It was a little bit of “Heaven”
Songs of flying
Leaving the nest
And learning to rock
With my friends
And on my own

And it changed
The way I embraced adventure
Forever

As a songwriter
I listened to your songs again and again
There’s a mystery
To writing a good, heartfelt song
And another of your albums
Convinced me that the “World Waits”
For my creations
With bated breath
Like I waited for yours
If I listened to your music
With so much affection
Someone, some day
Might listen to mine
With the same affection

And it changed
The way I create songs and poetry
Forever

In a world of doubt and copies
Your music has always
Held hope and possibility
And originality for me
Singing about “steeples built upon the graves”
And how “by your grace we live in”
And the rest of that killer album
With the band from Spain
And “Vale Oso”
It helped me to realize
That I could “bear”
The weight that the world
Put on my shoulders

And it changed
My sense of possibility and responsibility
Forever

After years with my best friend and wife
The same year I was going through a divorce
Another one of your albums
Helped me to see the “Light and Shadow”
I was walking an “Ancient Road”
Many had been here before
But never me and you helped
My heart to process and to heal
We all need a soundtrack
To the highs and lows of life
And you were there for me

And it changed
The way I feel about grace and forgiveness
Forever

You’ve soundtracked my life
The most important
And the hardest moments I’ve had
Been yourself, so I can be myself
Taught me to love and create
And mourn and feel
And I will be grateful
Forever