We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Discipline of Love

by Wilson Howard

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

1.
Phoenix 04:58
When you drive all night from ocean blue to the desert down the 10 / You'll see blinking lights taking energy from the SoCal mountain winds / And you'll see the stars spread out like they are holding up the sky / And from dusty hilltops you'll gaze down on cities passing by / And you'll feel like you're in flight In the Phoenix summer sun, I learned how to miss someone as the desert dried my eyes When the heat bleached through my skin, the world could see all of my sins, and there was nowhere left to hide When you drive all day on the road alone with the one who gives you life / You'll find yourself speaking out loud to the seat that's on your right / And you'll see your words spaced out like they are floating through the sky / And your dusty heart will be remade as new words are passing by / And you'll need them to survive ... As I'm searching through this land, I still fail to understand how one could let go of love so easily / I did everything I could; I thought that you did too, but look--you through it all away, and you call yourself free / So be honest--whom do you serve? Who has your heart? Is it his or yours?
2.
It's like you gazed into the Arno and, distracted by reflections, you lost your own / The lights and shadows all around you bathed your heart in endless color and became your home / As you walked to your apartment only half of you was present, and your fate was set / And although you claimed you loved me, you found the part of you that meant those words was laid to rest Now your hair smell like caution on the wind And your eyes are the safe-door for your sins Your body made it safely to your state-side home But you left your soul on the Ponte Vecchio
3.
Closer 04:36
How on Earth could a man feel so alone / Surrounded by such love that he could call his home / My head is spinning, my lips are quivering / They say you're there, but right now I don't feel a thing I hate how you know exactly what I need If you're gonna break my heart, then why won't you break my bones And if you're gonna save my soul, then why won't you hold me close If you're gonna break me down, then why can't I feel your arms Oh God, I want you closer, closer, closer How on Earth could a king feel so alone / Surrounded by the ones for which he left his throne / His head was spinning, his lips were quivering / As they shouted save yourself to the king they punished like a thief I hate how you know exactly what I need I love how you know exactly what we need ... God, my God, Don't you forsake me--carry me home, carry me home...
4.
Here am I, running away into the dark / I know you see me, but I'm gonna pretend like you're not here / And I'll lie to the quake in my knees and the ache in my heart / I'll whisper it's worth it / But in the back of my mind I'm gripped with fear I hear the voices that you told me to ignore But when I shut my ears and hum your hymns, they beckon even more And they're drawing me in, so I need you to break my legs I need you to carry me all the way home Here am I, caught in the thorns and hurting like hell / I need to call out to you, but I'm gonna pretend like you can't hear / And I'll lie so close to the ground and wait for your help / But then I'd surrender the illusion of freedom I hold so dear If I give that up you promised I'll have you And I'd be no fool to give what I can't keep to gain what I can't lose And yet they're drawing me in, so I need you to break my legs I need you to carry me all the way home And it scares me to death, but you're gonna have my heart You're gonna have all of me, you're gonna call me your own Would you comfort me in the discipline of love And let your promises remind my hungry heart that you're enough
5.
Thirst 03:18
Old bone dry and thirsty as the barren trees Dead I lie, here beneath the sun It's been so long since I've felt the soothing cool Of the promises I thought would never come Yet there I was, the very life you gave me Tossed beyond my reach, returning to the ground I tugged my roots so they could match my wandering heart Now I've fallen and your streams cannot be found Among the red rocks I will greet you with a smile Cracking lips and all but you will love me still For you are holy and I am nothing without you But a broken wineskin, never to be filled You make me new, you wait until I've heaved my last And then you breathe into my dusty lungs again And as I wake and wipe the mud off of my face You wrap me in your open arms and call me friend It's true I thirst beyond the border I have set here for myself Enslaved to craving more Oh that your streams would not just quench my flaming tongue But would ignite the one instead you have in store
6.
Your love is stronger than the ocean A steady tide that turns my heart--It's sweeping me away Inhale so I can try to cry to you for help But by the time I cry I find that I Have been changed into someone else, and I No longer need to seek for safety I journey out beyond the shore, at home in your embrace And at the mercy of the breakers and the swells I know that you are holding everything So this shipwrecked heart sings it is well You take my life, so that I might truly live And as I die you have me breathing in again So as I rise, I exhale a song of love for you, my God For you are good and glorious Your grace is grander than the mountains Surrounding everything I see--My eyes are overwhelmed As I look over every valley you have carved It's like I'm watching all of life play out And you're cradling our broken hearts, and I No longer need to seek the shadows My weary flesh has tasted sun--I know the golden rays The very light that burns me back into the dust Is wakening my sleeping spirit and Reminding me that I can trust again ... I sing of a love which I have seen In your marvelous light, oh Jesus, my King You look in my face when you open my eyes And you call me a child of the Father of lights ...
7.
Abide 03:57
Dry and weary, whoa I found you In the mountains by the sea Blades like honey against deep blue There's a fountain I can drink The melodies you've sung for centuries Are finally finding their way back to me Dead dog thirsty, looking for truth All worn out and wandering Dry and weary, whoa I found you When you're surrounding, I am free Bread unleavened, bittersweet wine We will feast here in the weeds Wisdom living, Son the grapevine Father, dresser, prunes the leaves Instruction on the tablet of my heart Abiding in the tidings you impart So let your heaven enter space-time Kill the hunger, love the thieves Bread unleavened, bittersweet wine Praise the Savior--we are free
8.
Whosoever 02:59
I wanna walk with you I wanna walk with you like Enoch did I wanna walk with you, O my Lord I wanna dance for you I wanna dance for you like David did I wanna dance for you, O my Lord I wanna die for you I wanna die for you like you did me I wanna die for you, O my Lord
9.

about

"The Discipline of Love" is a collection of songs written by Wilson Howard between May of 2014 and November of 2015, although they are not ordered chronologically.

Lead vocals and acoustic guitars for each song were tracked live, all in one evening, in Pepperdine University's Stauffer Chapel. Harmonies and violin were tracked separately in various spots. We're pretty proud of this one.

credits

released December 7, 2015

Mixing & Production: Jacob Williams, Chapel Sessions
Music, Lyrics, Guitar, & Vox: Wilson Howard
Violin: Braden Olsen
Cover Art: Naomi Purnell

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Wilson Howard Los Angeles, California

contact / help

Contact Wilson Howard

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Wilson Howard, you may also like: