(SMS) Galactic Cowboys - Ranch on Mars pt. 2 (Set Me Free)

Originally posted on October 13, 2017.

Set me free
Cut the strings
Break the ties and leave it all behind.

Set me free
I got the news
The strings are loose, I've taken back my life.

We built a ranch on Mars
Tried to live among the stars
But the fire came and burnt
The whole place down.

Set me free
It's haunting me
The memories I constantly relive.

Set me free
Begin again
Heal the wounds, I'm learning to forgive.

We built a ranch on mars
There were way too many scars
And the floods came and they washed
It all away...

Set me free...

Sorry in advance for returning with all parts of the lyrics instead of an excerpt hahaha but there isn't another way. It is complete as a whole!

Galactic Cowboys are the band of my life!! Who lives close to me knows this. And these people know how excited I got with their return after 17 years (Internal Masquerade is beautiful ❤️️). Influenced by heavy instrumentation like Metallica and Anthrax, and Beatles-esque vocals, it is something very unique.

This song I've chosen is part of a series named "Machine Fish Suite", from their album "At the End of the Day", which is 7 songs as total, which tell the band's history to the point of recording. The lyrics on this song, which is one of my favorite from them, you can take lots of interpretations. 

The reflection I take from it is: life can bring many disappointments. We can make ton sof plans and everything goes wrong. Our past may hurt, but we have to go on. We've got to learn to forgive those who hurt us. We have to learn to forgive ourselves. And learn to live a new life. Don't get afraid of new, without forgetting the past, for it is the past that teaches us to live the future.

Free yourself from what holds you.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUz99tnYh4g

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7hUlwh0WDKeQvZeD2p3F49

Deezer: http://www.deezer.com/track/70892754

Picture: http://www.theranchatrockcreek.com/blog/glamping-under-the-five-stars/ 

(SMS) Casting Crowns - Waiting On The Night To Fall

There’s an old man living in the back of your woods tonight
You forgot he was even there, but you’ve never slipped his mind
He’s living off of scraps of you you never knew you left behind
And as the sun goes down, he rises with a smile

   He’s waiting on the night to fall
   The old mans coming to call
   You don’t see the writing on the wall
   He’ll never step out in the light
   No, he’s just biding time
   And while you slumber, he’s gonna come and take it all
   He’s waiting on the night to fall
   He’s waiting on the night to fall

He knows you have the answers, but Truth lies dusty on your shelf
And the sword that you could slay him with has become an ornament and nothing else
You could put him back down in his hole in the ground, but he knows you never will
He’s been around so long you got used to the smell

   He’s waiting on the night to fall...

He knows he'll never have your soul
But he will gladly rob you blind
While you’re feasting at his table, he'll tie your hands and numb your mind
He'll take you farther than you wanna go
He'll keep you longer than you wanna stay
And it will cost you more than you ever thought you’d pay

   He’s waiting on the night to fall...

==========

Today's song is another requests that were done. This time by my friend Nathalia.

Casting Crowns is a band that I know some random songs. Some Portuguese versions we sing at church, and others because someone commented to me. I like the singer's voice, but it is a genre that I don't usually listen to. One day, maybe?

There's an analogy of an old man living in the woods, and he's waiting on the night to fall. You and I aren't the same people of yesterday. Who's going to say about 10 years ago! Now there's this trend "10 years challenge", where you take a picture of yours from 10 years ago and compare to one from nowadays. Some changes may be small. Others are huge! But one thing is certain: there were changes.

Change has to be for better, not for worse. I want to be better than I was yesterday. I want to be a better teacher than I was last year. Though, among lots of changes, there are those old habits that we put them on the shelf, but, from time to time, we visit them. Bad habits, that decay who we are. Decay our character. Vices? It can be. And it is right on the fall of the night, where the sun doesn't shine or heat, that it likes to show up. It is for this reason camps let a campfire on, to protect from raids. Also at night it is when we are liable to let our guards down, for we are tired/drowsy.

The great enemy, Satan, is like a lion that walks roaring around us. This comparison is on 1 Peter 5.8. The Bible recommends to stay alert and sober, and to not let our guards down. The roar are temptations provoking us. Those vices we shelf to use later. A lion only attacks when it's a sure strike.

And how to stay alert and sober, and not be attacked? On the song's second stanza we see an excerpt of knowing the answer, but the Truth is dusty, and the sword that could slay it, it is just an ornament. On the book of John 8.32, and also 14.6, Jesus is shown as the truth. In the letter to Hebrews 4.12 says that the Word of God (Bible) is sharper than any two-edged sword. We aren't strong enough to fight against evil. Our own strength is flaw, but God is kind and helps us to get, if we seek Him. He's gentle. Righteous, but gentle.

Living with evil around us make us feel conformed with what it does, with its smell. It turns us indifferent. There's a chance to change this. Look at the signs, the writings, the boards on the wall!!! Seek God. Make your life have a meaning. Don't let your old personality come back. Seek new. Seek being better. Seek God!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5hccKE6gp9QxpSDodOUlwN
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/track/73940483
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/waiting-on-the-night-to-fall/742906502?i=742907978
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=F2nr_rOs
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQiydcNZhvw

Imagem: https://www.maxpixel.net/Hot-Night-Fire-Bonfire-Firewood-Dark-Flame-Light-2600383

(SMS) Linkin Park - One More Light

Should've stayed, were there signs I ignored?
Can I help you, not to hurt, anymore?
We saw brilliance, when the world, was asleep
There are things that we can have, but can't keep

   If they say
   Who cares if one more light goes out?
   In the sky of a million stars
   It flickers, flickers
   Who cares when someone's time runs out?
   If a moment is all we are
   Or quicker, quicker
   Who cares if one more light goes out?
   Well I do

The reminders, pull the floor from your feet
In the kitchen, one more chair than you need, oh
And you're angry, and you should be, it's not fair
Just 'cause you can't see it, doesn't mean it, isn't there

   If they say

(I do)

   Who cares if one more light goes out?

==========

   Back in July 2017, when I only sent these song's thoughts via WhatsApp and didn't post here on the blog, I wrote about this song. I remember people asking if it was about Chester Bennington, because I wrote about 6 days after his death. I can say yes and no, because the lyrics were tickling my head again and again. And they did again when playing my songs in random.

   It is difficult to talk about death. Dealing with it, even more! Everyday during news there is at least one call about death. We are getting numb. Our feelings are getting numb. We don't care anymore about others. We only want to check our belly buttons, our ego. Our self. But how about the person next to me? And when I say that, I don't mean only the ones I know, but those strange faces we see passing by on streets. Have you ever thought about their feelings? Have you ever noticed their facial expressions? Have you ever stopped someone who was crying on a bench and asked if you could help?

   We only care about life when someone dear to us dies. We only see the real value when it isn't here anymore. We are 7 billion people in the world. If just one dies, who will care? We all should and must care. It's a life! Someone isn't here anymore! A family is crying. A family is missing someone at their dinner table. Their thoughts and feelings will never be the same.

   Finally, coming back to the first paragraph, where I said about Chester. He committed suicide because of a hard depression he was suffering. Recently, I've seen lots of headlines in articles saying someone has died because of depression, and even in church with many pastors, a place you probably know I am into. Depression is not a devil's thing. Depression is real and it is a disease! Open your eyes. See the people. Care about them. Talk to them. And if you're the one suffering, someone cares about you. Be strong and seek help. If it's urgent, talk to me. I'm here for you!

   Who cares if one more light goes out? I do.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3xXBsjrbG1xQIm1xv1cKOt
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/track/362297911
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/one-more-light/1204427627?i=1204427660
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=H1LdQntDnFY
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kaUvGSLMew

(SMS) Death - Flesh and the Power it Holds

I told you once but I will say it again
When you live the flesh
It is the beginning of the end

   It will take you in
   It will spit you out
   Behold the flesh
   And the power it holds

Passion is a poison
Laced with pleasure bitter-sweet
One of many faces
That hide deep beneath

   It will take you in
   It will spit you out
   Behold the flesh
   And the power it holds

Touch, taste, breathe, consume

Déjà-vu, already knew from the first encounter
But now I know to let go of words to speak no more

Like a wind upon your face, you can't see it
But you know it's there
When beauty shows its ugly face
Just be prepared

Passion burns like fire carried by the wind
The end of a time, a time to begin

   It will take you in
   It will spit you out
   Behold the flesh
   And the power it holds

It builds you up one way and tears you right back down
A time to begin, the end of a time

   It will take you in
   It will spit you out
   Behold the flesh
   And the power it holds

Touch, taste, breathe, consumed

Déjà-vu, already knew from the first encounter
But now I know to let go of words to speak no more

Like a wind upon your face, you can't see it
But you know it's there
When beauty shows its ugly face
Just be prepared

Laurie Lipton: Tete a Tete (2008)

==========

Death is a band that always made me feel something. At first I wanted to stay as far as possible (LOOK AT THE BAND'S NAME! "DEATH"!). After a while, curiosity for its musical influence in one of the genres I like the most: they're considered the fathers of Death Metal. And lastly, because of I said for second, a non-stopping wish of listening them. Their lyrics are smart, intriguing and provoking. Mostly the last two albums (which are my favorites). And their last album, in which this song is in, is the most provocative. I like its name: THE SOUND OF PERSEVERANCE. I can't deny this song got stuck in my mind even more after a pastor reacting to it along with his son (links and references at the end of this post).

According one of the definitions in Michaelis On-line Portugues Brazilian dictionary, the word desire is shown as "yearning or conscious need; wish, will". We all have our wishes, our yearnings. Some healthy, others not. A good and practical example is food: I may be hungry and eat just what I need, or I get sick of eating a lot.

A Greek work that can define our humanity is sarx [from this word we also have sarcophagus ('sarx' + 'phagos')]. Translated as flesh, it can be the literal soft skin we have, and also our human nature. This last one as basis, it is what we see in this song's lyrics.

Our sarx, though all kindness we may do, we still are evil. Our nature is harmful (if you don't do it now, which I surely doubt, you certainly did in the past, with that little secret of yours that only you know). But there is danger in letting you be carried by this nature: it destroys you little by little. It makes you indifferent. It makes you lose all tenderness. Evil is taken by routine in your life. We can't live like that. We must seek being better every day.

In old times we had a great writer and preacher named Paul. He wrote the biggest part of the books found in the New Testament on the Bible. In the letter he wrote the the church in Rome, we have this excerpt:

'But I see another law working in my body. That law makes war against the law that my mind accepts. That other law working in my body is the law of sin, and that law makes me its prisoner. In my mind I am happy with God’s law. So I have learned this rule: When I want to do good, evil is there with me. ' Romans 7:21-23 (ERV)

Even though I want to do good things, there will be a time I'll be doing bad things. And this, in a certain way, points to our freedom: what are we doing with it? Paul, in a letter to another church, in the region of Galatia (which today is a region in the modern Turkey), also commented this:

'My friends, God has chosen you to come to him so that you can be free. But you must be free in the right way. You are not free to do everything that, as a human person, you may sometimes want to do. Instead, you must be like servants to each other because you love each other. ' Galatians 5:13 (EASY)

It's been 4 days since we started 2019. You probably have seem in some social medias comments like "NEW YEAR, NEW LIFE, NEW ME", or something like that. Make this new year, for real, a year of changes, but don't let trivial pleasures, which may destroy who you are, take you away. Pursue being better! Seek God!

'And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. ' 1 John 2:16-17 (NLT)

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0GILd3eTcEsjzSTyDX2XXi

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/track/78747012

Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/flesh-and-the-power-it-holds/413554238?i=413554344

YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=dgx3sp_hTJw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK4VPM-0ssU

References and picture: 

Tete a tete (2008) http://www.laurielipton.com/2006-2010/

Pastor Robert Houghton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSWEl3_Vw7M

Desire (PT-BR) https://michaelis.uol.com.br/moderno-portugues/busca/portugues-brasileiro/desejo/

Sarx https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/sarx.html

https://genius.com/Death-metal-band-the-flesh-and-the-power-it-holds-lyrics

https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/119797/

(SMS) Iron Maiden - Wasted Years

From the coast of gold, across the seven seas
I'm travelling on, far and wide
But now it seems, I'm just a stranger to myself
And all the things I sometimes do,
It isn't me but someone else

I close my eyes, and think of home
Another city goes by, in the night
Ain't it funny how it is, you never miss it til it's gone away
And my heart is lying there
And will be til my dying day

   So understand
   Don't waste your time
   Always searching for those wasted years
   Face up...make your stand
   And realize you're living in the golden years!
 
Too much time on my hands,
I got you on my mind
Can't ease this pain, so easily
When you can't find the words to say,
It's hard to make it through another day
And it makes me wanna cry,
And throw my hands up to the sky 

   So understand...

=====

Another year's over. I've seen some people complaining it was a complicated and wasted year. I can't deny there were tons of problems (political, emotional, social), but there were some hope (science, medicine, humanity). 

Now, forget the rest and focus on you. How was your year? What happened for good? What happened for bad? What have you learnt from it? What experiences have you got? Have you been in love? Have you been disillusioned? 

I've got my experiences. I've finally finished my undergrad course in Languages and Literature, got a car, took my driver's license, seen my brother get married and my dad been restored as a pastor, also started my graduation in Cultural and Language Aspects of the English Language. But, some friends died, lost reliance on anothers, was forgotten by some, and probably hated by a part. In all of this, it was an awesome year. Probably the one I've learnt the most. Though some issues I've been through, I'm still here, eager to learn and live more. 

I don't see 2018 as a Wasted Year, as the title song. I'm living the golden years of my life. I'm learning to live and love again. I'm learning how to be more caress, comprehensive, listener. Appreciator from the small things of life. And all of this I'm learning is what I want for 2019. It may be not easy. I can even cry a lot, but I won't give up. I'll raise my hands to sky and ask for God's guidance, and do my best for now. 

And I want you to stop and meditate what has happened in 2018. The good and bad things. Settle your thoughts down and prepare for 2019. May God shine upon your life and actions. Live the best. Live the golden years, which are now.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1HM7Vp84E4SMzdrZONg6bH

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/track/585864292

Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/wasted-years/979949262?i=979949269

YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ULsr-fFVjVs
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij99dud8-0A

(SMS) OutroEu - Coisa de Casa

Cold night
Always better than hot
Tidy bed
Always stick us together

Brazilian Rain Donuts
Along with a blanket
Oh my goodness* does anybody called grandpa?

Sultry home
A light that doesn't even touch us
Warped table
Put a paper and then we go

Brazilian Rain Donuts
I think it made me wet
What an outrageous thing
Has anybody called grandpa yet?

   Leave home whenever it's possible
   But leave without forgetting that your home is always here

     Leaving home is only for whoever wants
     Because courage walks on foot
     And will take you far

An abandoned sock
In the room never absent
Tilted picture
Inside the photo, us

Rain Brazilian Donuts
Bring just one more to grandpa
Watch out the frying oil
But in it there's lots of love

   Leave home whenever it's possible
   But leave without forgetting that your home is always here

     Leaving home is only for whoever wants
     Because courage walks on foot
     And will take you far

*In Portuguese is sung "Ave Maria", and the nearest expression I could find was this.

==========

This song was my sister's, Mariana, request. She, by the way, has a funny blog of incidents that happen to her (in a different, almost unique, like the oregano, which I had an appearance), where she tells in a peculiar way. Just check her Instagram, @mariserelepe and laugh together (but it's in Portuguese).

Well... as I said, Mariana is my sister. Sister is in a concept we call family. Family is a term that is losing its context and real meaning. When I remember about family, it comes to mind people sitting around the table during breakfast, lunch, snack time, and dinner, talking about everything and nothing. Laughing or crying. Telling what was the last world news or what was the last news of relatives that we don't usually see. What happened at work/school or what happened with our friends. Doing whatever the possible to be together around the table (or being forced while wishing to play video games instead).

I remember being along with my cousins in our grandparents homes, playing here and there. Tag, soccer, Power Rangers, swimming pool, toy car, bicycle... everything! And in the end, grandma always had a snack to make all children happy (when we were lucky to win some kind of Popsicle/ice cream bonus). I'm not even mentioning the clothes and socks scattered and lost in different places around the house.

Family makes us feel... at home! A comforting place. A comforting that brings peace. Peace that brings memories. Memories that make us travel in time and not see time flying.

We may take different paths in our lives. Moving from home. City. State. Why not country as well? It takes boldness to create physical distance of whom we love. Though this distance cannot makes us emotionally far. Our roots. Who we are!

Are we valuing those who are closer to us physically and emotionally? Are valuing enough those who shaped part of who we are (although many, unfortunately, had a negative experience with this, there's influence in being different or following the same way)? Christmas is coming. Maybe this is the opportunity to forgive, because we all fight. Maybe this is your last chance to see that smile once again. Hold this festive moment.

"But leave without forgetting that your home is always here"

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4iXWiLPPOcno1jupXRvEhx

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/track/144811966

Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/coisa-de-casa/1218062233?i=1218062239

YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=hZmHIeT4J6A

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri9g1CI8sqY

 

(SMS) Demon Hunter - Summer of Darkness

This is not my life
This is not our life
Every day I die
This is not my life

I'll be the one last breath before this death
I’ll be the final glimpse of hope when there’s none left
And if I shame your face, degrade your faith
I’ll be the first to hide behind disgrace
Blood-loss- on account of my failing aim
Treason- at the root of my shameful name

I found my way to fall
I never meant to break your heart

   Breathing in this pain (rejecting all I am)
   I hear you cry again (is this my final stand?)
   Before I go (before I lose it all)
   You should know (I hate myself for hurting you)

I see the burn of the light from within my grave
I feel the pain of contradiction despite decay
And if the shadow of doubt will betray this gain
Then put an end to me now while the hope remains
Blood-loss- on account of my failing aim
Treason- at the root of my shameful name

==========

    Demon Hunter, my adorable from heart! I still feel a little bit sad because at the beginning of the year, when it would be their concert (which I've bought the tickets 6 months earlier), they had to cancel/postpone. But still it doesn't take my happiness from their sound and lyrics, and yet to come two new albums in March 2019!

    This are some lyrics that may sound a little bit weird in a first moment. With a second reading, it can still seem confusing, but we notice it's talking about the human being that knows it's flaw and lives committing mistakes. The same mistakes! Each day we're remembered that we're not perfect . Nobody is. Even the "good" people have something to hide which, in some moment of their lives, did something wrong. 

   It isn't bad to mess up and admit. It is bad to mess up and never admit that you did it. We even hear the jargon (at least in Brazil) "making a mistake is human, but continuing on it is stupidity". It isn't easy, even more when it gives you a momentary pleasure. Though, even momentary, after a while brings bitterness to heart makes us feel conscience-stricken.

'everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free.'

Romans 3:23-24

Life isn't ours (as we can see explained on the first verses of the song). Life is God's, and through Him we were justified and forgiven of our sins. Although this doesn't make us freedom to repeat the mistakes (as we can see in the parts "before I go, you should know", "I hate myself for hurting you"). End this Summer of Darkness in your life. Fight against your mistakes. Deliver your life to God, He who truly has life control, even though it isn't comprehensible to us, wandering mortals.

Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/summer-of-darkness/647469782?i=647470989&l=en
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0ud2eAgk9VrcWcqhI7i6rc?si=QAsshsfEQ2SP1tkHQxa1uw
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/track/67491191
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-mC9ZrBDcE
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q-mC9ZrBDcE

Reference and picutre:

http://www.summermurdock.com/submerged/#itemId=55c8b9e6e4b05a3c920585f0

https://genius.com/Demon-hunter-summer-of-darkness-lyrics