With Trembling... (Deluxe)
This limited edition is a double-disc set complete with the original 7 tracks from With Trembling... as well as the instrumental versions of each. The liner notes include a story about the Lion & the Leaf which I have never released to the public until now.
I had lots of really talented friends help me with this recording. When it was being mixed, I kept trying to make the lyrics less audible, because my my voice was getting in the way of recognizing all the beautiful nuances of their work.
So, nine years after its release, I found myself still enjoying the instrumental version more so than the original. And I remembered, I still had a story to tell, about where these songs came from and what questions they are trying to ask.
I decided then that I would compile the vocals together with the instrumentals and the written story, in the hopes that it might encourage or give you some enjoyment. And the deluxe version of With Trembling... was created.
I hope these songs encourage you.
– Zachary Alden Smith, October 2018
Lyrics
I Am the Only One
If you wanted to fly, I can take you. If you wanted the sky, I can make two. If you wanted to lose yourself in me; if you wanted to dream... If you wanted to lose all of the things that bring you down, the things that bring you down...
When the weight is too heavy to lift on your own, close your eyes and let me show my strength. Don't you ever forget that I'm bringing you home; you won't ever make it without me. When you walk through the fire, you can never be burned. Hold my hand and let me show you how. More faithful than the sunrise and seasons that turn, I'm the only one you'll ever need.
I am the only one. I am the only one for you.
— Zack Smith, 2003
Disaster
Standing by the roaring sea, I notice figures next to me. I'm not what I used to be, they say. Places I thought held the truth, I'm seeing now a pointless feud. I knew, somehow, I would find you here.
Among the ghosts that surround this place, between the walls in this house of disgrace, I find myself flat on my face again.
Outside a sunny afternoon, but I'm stuck inside this darkened room, and I won't see the silver moon tonight. This misery will not be brief... I'll close my eyes, stop and breathe; I need to find a way to leave you here!
Among the ghosts that surround this place, between the wall in this house of disgrace, I find myself flat on my face again. I built my home on hopeful land, just to find today it's shifting sand, and I can't ignore disaster anymore.
And I can't go on silent any longer! When I can't even breathe for the fear! I wish I could just put out this fire, but I can't fight the flames with my tears.
I can't ignore disaster anymore.
— Zack Smith, 2001
The Spoils of Warring Hearts
Goodnight, she said; a nod, and then she turned and hurried home. Without the smile he saved, he waved a hand and stood alone. He thought the sun had come undone. His face began to freeze. The stinging weakened only by his wounded underneath.
We fall in love sometimes and hold on too tight, while everything we hold on to is taking our lives. You were the only one who loves me this way: you were the only one strong enough to take what I thought I needed.
A thing I owned was found misplaced, ruined from the start: misdirected awe among the spoils of warring hearts, inside a bag of artifacts I've pulled from towers tall, built to serve a selfish name until God crushed them all. He said...
Hold on; hold on to me. I am all. I am everything you will everything you could ever need. Hold on; hold on to me. Soon enough, oh, you will see. I swear you'll see me. Hold on; hold on to me. I am here now, and you will be set free.
We fall in love sometimes and hold on too tight, while everything we hold on to is taking our lives. You were the only one who loves me this way: you were the only one strong enough to take what I needed, what I thought I needed.
You were the only one strong enough to take what I thought I needed.
— Zack Smith, 2002
Spread Your Wings
I'm all alone, you said to me. I'm waiting for you. Seems there's a lie in everything. I'm holding the truth. I'm holding you...
You let them get inside your head. You're crawling through the dust believing lies. But when I look at you, my love, I'm looking at an eagle, born to fly.
You turn away, your eyes cast down. Look up at me instead. You lose the sun behind the clouds. I'll cover your head. I'll cover you. I am the one who sees how beautiful you are! I am the one who sees you wishing on that star. Wishing you're an eagle, born to fly.
Somehow they broke into your heart. They made you take the long way home tonight. But if I had my way again, I'd whisper in your ears and make it right. You let them get inside your head. You're crawling through the dust, believing lies. But when I look at you, my love, I'm looking at an eagle, born to fly.
...an eagle, born to fly.
— Zack Smith, 2004
She Said
She said, I cannot get my faults to wash away. The rain is keeping me from going out today. I thought that it would rinse me clean, forgetting all the dirt that used to be, but it commands the sun to hide from me; bids the shadows fall around my feet. My feet...
She said, I've been waiting here, you know, for quite sometime. Dying, and waiting here for what I know is mine. I hoped that I would not go cold, forgetting all the things I used to know. Pity now my darkened hole, but you can bring me out again, I'm told. I'm told...
You should have known by now the things you thought would lift you up again, they only serve to bring you down. And all the ones who call your name from far away are nothing, but when you know this Jesus, there's nothing better for you.
Can you bring the sun to dry the gathered rain? Can you breathe a healing wind on me again? I hoped that you could lift my head, forgetting all my sin as if its dead. Stars would shine; to sleep I'm led. Messengers, they danced around my bed. They said...
You should have known by now the things you thought would lift you up again, they only serve to bring you down. And all the ones who call your name from far away are nothing, but when you know this Jesus, there's nothing better for you.
I cannot get my faults to wash away... Away!
I should have known by now the ground I thought would hold me up this time, it turns to sand between my toes. And all the ones who call my name from far away mean nothing, but now I know you Jesus... Now I know you Jesus; there's no one better for me.
— Zack Smith, 2002
My Sacrifice
There was a time not long ago, I was afraid that I would always be alone. I didn't know you were my own. But you were always there, fighting every lie, chasing after me, waiting for the perfect opportunity to say you were the one: my sacrifice.
You are all I need. Come to me and take me home. Your arms so wide, and love so deep, it covers me and makes me whole.
You marked me with your fire, covered every stain; conquered everything that offered me a false security. And then, and then you gave me joy, and peace unbreakable.
You are all I need. Come to me and take me home. Your arms so wide, and love so deep, it covers me and makes me whole.
Now glory is my sun. Freedom is my song. And you are my delight. I'm finding all I have is all I'll ever need. I'm finding I am right where I belong.
— Zack Smith, 2005
Break Me
Prove me to me. Break me more. Kill me 'cause they killed my lord. You love me wide, so scar me deep. Wake me from my bed of leaves.
Won't you show me? Open up your mouth and speak, cause I go crazy when all the complications repeat. Won't you bring me everything when you bring me face to face? Show me how to need your grace.
I feel hollow from fullness fake. My real lungs gasp each breath I take. Rip me from all I want. Break me 'til I love more than dust.
Won't you show me? Open up your mouth and speak, cause I go crazy when all the complications repeat. Won't you bring me everything when you bring me face to face? Show me how...
I'm ready for you to break me. I'm willing; I'm waiting. I'm lost on this planet; I see where it ends. I'm lying in your arms, dying to live.
Won't you show me? Open up your mouth and speak, cause I go crazy when all the complications repeat. Won't you bring me everything when you bring me face to face? Show me how to need your grace.
— Zack Smith, 2004
Be Free (Acoustic)
I'm on my way to find out what this is all about. You've set your sights on anything they say you want, but there is nothing in this whole world to hold me down. I'm on my way to you.
Take my freedom, take my joy. Take my faith and just be sure to leave your worries at the door for me. Take my smile and make it yours. Take forgiveness, I implore you. Throw your caution to the floor. Be free. Be free.
You think I don't know; you think no one can see you now. You carry burdens you were never meant to hold up. Call me crazy, but I'd love to take the worst from you. Lay your burden down.
And think about it: what it does to me, when my beloved believes anything our enemy would say to make you feel like you're alone.
So leave these things that make you fall. Take my grace, and that's not all: drop your crutches. Stand up tall for me. Take your back from off that wall; sword and shield, enemies fall. Take my beauty, be enthralled. Be free. Be free. Be free.
— Zack Smith, 2007