You can always come home

Several years ago while randomly listening to Christian radio, I heard the "The Chasing Song" by Andrew Peterson. I was immediately drawn into the depth of the lyrics -- it wasn't the typical, predictable stuff you usually hear on Christian radio. The words were crafted together, yet they were honest and personal. I started following Andrew's music, and over the years we've seen him in concert several times (most notable is the annual "Behold the Lamb of God" Christmas show that Andrew and friends perform at the historic Ryman Auditorium once each December). Through Andrew's music, we've learned about other musicians who have a similar approach to songwriting. Most of these musicians are now part of the Square Peg Alliance. (I'll write more on the Square Pegs in a future post.)

About a year ago, Andrew and his friend Randy Goodgame (whose music we're also hooked on) got together and recorded 18 songs they'd written for their kids over the past few years. The end product was a CD called "Slugs & Bugs & Lullabies". It's one of those CD's you feel awkward buying when you don't have kids... so thankfully Sam came along and we had a good excuse to finally order a copy! OK, truth be told, I actually picked it up before Sam arrived -- you know, so he could become familiar with the songs while he was in the womb... (yeah, now I remember, that's why we bought it early...)

Fortunately, this is one kids' CD that you don't have to feel guilty buying as an adult. The first 13 tracks are the "Slugs & Bugs" section, filled with some hilarious songs. The last 5 tracks are lullabies that they wrote just for their kids. One of the standout lullabies is "You Can Always Come Home". I was hoping to work it up on guitar and play it at church on Fathers Day, but things were too busy with Sam just a few weeks old. Maybe another time. Anyway, thought I'd share the lyrics, as they make me think of our new life as parents and the way my parents must have felt when we were little, but also the way our heavenly Father must think of us. You can also hear the tune (and see someone's kid) on this YouTube video here.

"You Can Always Come Home"
by Andrew Peterson

I love you today and I love you tomorrow
I love you as deep as the sea
I love you in joy, and I love you in sorrow
You can always come home to me

There once was a man who found him a treasure
Buried out under a tree
He sold all he had just to own it forever
The treasure is you, you see

I love you today and I love you tomorrow
I love you as deep as the sea
I love you in joy, and I love you in sorrow
You can always come home to me

There once were some sheep safe on the farm
And one little lamb got loose
The shepherd went out and carried it home
That little lamb is you

I love you today and I love you tomorrow
I love you as deep as the sea
I love you in joy, and I love you in sorrow
You can always come home to me