equally skilled
Jon Foreman, the lead singer, guitarist and song-writer of Switchfoot, has released a solo EP called Fall. It’s only 6 songs long, but he plans to bring out 3 more in the next 12 months (one for each season).
During my years in Switchfoot I have been fortunate enough to stumble across all sorts of songs as a songwriter - some are perfect for a rock band to play and others are far too intimate. Some need to be played in arenas with electric guitars, some deserve to be played with simply a cello and a bass clarinet.
Jon Foreman - myspace
It has an extremely folky feel to it, and it definitely highlights both his voice and guitar skills. The songs also have an incredibly personal feeling, and he shares much more of his relationship with God than on any other Switchfoot track.
This one song, Equally Skilled stood out to me this morning as I listened to it though - it has some amazing lyrics and it sharply contrasts our impurities and imperfections and horridness with the amazing perfection, love and glory of God…
How miserable I am; I feel like a fruitpicker who arrives after the harvest.
There’s nothing here at all, nothing at all here that could placate my hunger.
The godly people are all gone; there’s not one honest soul left here on the planet.
We’re all murderers and thieves, setting traps here for even our brothers.And both of our hands are equally skilled at doing evil;
Equally skilled at bribing the judges;
Equally skilled at perverting justice;
Both of our hands.The day of justice comes, and is even now swiftly arriving.
Don’t trust anyone at all, not your best friend or even your wife;
For the son hates the father; the daughter despises even her mother.
Look! Your enemies are right in the room of your very household.And both of their hands are equally skilled at doing evil;
Equally skilled at bribing the judges;
Equally skilled at perverting justice;
Both of their hands.No, don’t gload over me;
For though I fall, though I fall, I will rise again.
Though I sit here in darkness,
The Lord, the Lord alone, He will be my light.I will be patient as the Lord punishes me for the wrongs I’ve done against Him.
After that He’ll take my case, bringing me to light and to justice for all I have suffered.And both of His hands are equally skilled at ruining evil;
Equally skilled at judging the judges;
Equally skilled at ministering justice.Both of His hands are equally skilled at showing me mercy;
Equally skilled at loving the loveless;
Equally skilled at ministering justice;
Both of His hands.
