Following on from the nu-disco deep house of 'Forever' and the rich cinematic hip-hop of 'Belong' comes the 3rd and final single ahead of his album due in early 2020.
'For Me' is a deep and powerful song telling the story of people who have been forced to leave home for their own safety, and juxtaposes this narrative with the words of the prophet Amos and the Lord Jesus' stark challenge to anyone claiming to know him but remaining unmoved by the plight of the poor, widow, orphan and foreigner.
Based on a field recording taken back on Engstligenalp of a river cutting through the snow, 'For Me' wraps delicate strings, haunting synths and delicate prepared piano around an enormous bassline and 2-step rhythms to tell a story of stolen childhood, loss of life and Scripture's immortal challenge to all of us that can do something, but don't.
lyrics
Hunger and heartache they haunt me like so many footsteps
Approaching our door in the dead of the night
So much of my childhood lost to their unscrupulous greed now
As bullets shear past us, I wonder if I will be next?
Hopes and dreams of a life I’ve yet to taste
A future full of promise is my goal
(But) where I’m from that future’s been exchanged
For bitter nights as tears run down my face
Oh that you would let justice roll through this land like a river,
What will you say to me when all has been said and done?
That which you did not do for the least of these,
No, you didn’t, you didn’t do it for me
So I must go
And leave the only life I’ve ever known
I’m taking this chance and compelled by the sweet invitation
Yes I must go
I need some help just getting on the boat
Longing for life not besieged by the threat of extinction
The waters are swelling around me and it’s hard to see now,
Where are those who are known by love that they show to each other?
My only desire was to show what I have to give you
But too late my time’s up I guess I belong to the sea
Oh that you would let justice roll through this land like a river,
What will you say to me when all has been said and done?
That which you did not do for the least of these,
No, you didn’t, you didn’t do it for me
For me
For me
You didn’t do it for me
For me
You didn’t do it for me
For me
You didn’t do it for me
For me
You didn’t do it for me
For me
You didn’t do it for me
For me
You didn’t do it for me
For me
credits
from For Me,
released January 17, 2020
Written, arranged, recorded and produced by J. Piper
Amazing funk and soul, heartily played and will make any seasoned listener or keen newbie wanna get up and dance! Among my top albums of 2010, no mistake! Dr. J
