There was a terrible storm that hit Nashville one winter while I lived there. Much of the city lost power for days. Some for weeks. A family that we knew very well were among those without power. Holly and I were roommates, and we had power. So we invited them to come stay with us for a night or two until power was restored. It was cold outside. No power meant no heat. Our place would save them the expense of getting a hotel room.
It was interesting to see how uncomfortable it was for them. I think that they felt themselves to be a terrible intrusion. They weren't at all! But the small children were definitely corrected maybe a little more often then if they were in the comfort of their own home. I could see that it was awkward for them. Awkward for us to seem them so uncomfortable.
Not long after, I came home one evening, and Holly had started this song, and invited me to help her finish it. I think it's one of a very few songs that we "co-wrote" together. We usually brought finished songs to play for each other.
I think that the storm, and the Hansons had inspired a glimpse of those times when circumstances bring tension to a relationship. The kind of tension that brings a desperation for restoration between us and someone we love. Like the fall slowly strips away the beauty of summertime and brings the somber scape of winter, so circumstances can strip away our feelings of comfort or security in a relationship and leave us with dead leaves, bare trees, cold air, and harsh elements.
Lord willing, the relationship survives to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It goes on, probably even stronger than before. Scary thing is, sometimes, it doesn't work that way.
Thank God for those times, when the sunlight dances and breaks through barren branches, and we remember the warm inside. And it's once again, so good to see you.
lyrics
The leaves are all gone, the wind's set in
I'm wrapped up tightly in this old coat again
And there's a chill in my bones
I was wrong, and you were wrong
And everythings was wrong there for a while
It was cold outside, but it was cold inside too
But for a moment today before I closed my eyes
As the sunlight danced I remembered the warm inside
It's so good to see you... so good
It's so good to see you... so good
So good to see you... so good
So I turned to the shadow on the ground
As the wind blew my hair I saw you and I there
And you took me by the hand
It was warm outside, it was warm inside too
Don't need this coat anymore cause I have you
credits
from Welcome To My Living Room,
released June 15, 1998
Words & Music by Holly Bishop. Guitar, piano, bass performed by Holly. Lead & BGvocals: Holly & Kate, Percussion: John Rockey. Recorded, Mixed & Mastered at MTSU by Garrett Rockey.
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