23 (What it Feels Like), a song

This is another song from my inversions album.  It was inspired one afternoon when I mentioned to my Dad that I need to get some new shoes (literal shoes...) and he, always quick with the wit said, "Well, if you walk a mile in them then you'll know what it feels like to be you."

I was still mulling over the possibilities of that line when I was talking to another friend later on, about leadership and authenticity and stuff, and she said this off hand comment about the strength that comes from reaching a place in life where we have "nothing to lose, nothing to prove, and nothing to hide."  The two lines came together in my mind, and a few weeks later I'd written this song.

Special thanks to my daughter Rachael who lent her flute on this recording, along with the rest of the FreeWay musicians (Tyler, Chris, Andy, et al.).  The "23" in the title is a reference to the 23rd Psalm, which also makes an appearance on the track.




We were singing your
Song about resting by
Quiet waters and
Pastures green

Hoping you’d restore
My weary soul I sat
Down to feast with
My enemy

Cause there’s nothing left to lose
And there’s nothing here to hide
When I got nothing more to prove
I’ll know what it feels like
To be me

I was wandering
Valleys of shadow your
Rod and your staff they were
Hard to see

I was wondering
Over my shoulder if
That was your mercy
Shadowing me

Cause there’s nothing left to lose
And there’s nothing here to hide
When I got nothing more to prove
I’ll know what it feels like
To be me