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Learning Faith

from Learning Faith by Jess Klein

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Learning Faith was the first song I wrote for the album. It struck me as a paradox, the idea of learning something that is impossible to define intellectually. But it led me to realize the whole album could be songs about the process of developing faith - in humanity, in a higher power, in the universe. As I continued writing, I realized this album is also my answer to extremist politicians who use language about God and faith to further policies which oppress people - women, people of color and the poor. It seems to me using God’s name to disempower people is the opposite of faith - it seems rather to be a product of the emptiness and fear people can experience when they lack any faith in themselves or others. So I felt the need to speak up for what having faith really feels like, at least to me.

lyrics

For two years I been walkin’
walkin’ on my feet
because I had a vision
a vision leading me
a vision of a bridge
braided out of rope
crossing a great canyon
a bridge made out of hope

I remember looking
off of that cliff
at how the bridge would swing
each time the wind would shift
and yet I felt the need to grip the guardrails in my palms
the need to move forward
the need to carry on

Chorus:
If I had known what it would take
I would have turned and run away
instead of standing here learning faith
learning to let it fly
instead of standing here learning faith
learning to not ask why
and walkin’ til the day I die

You would not believe
how few words there are to say
when you spend your days
moving this way
mostly all I’m thinking
is the next two foot stretch
and mostly all i’m feelin
my toes gripped round the edge

voices say I’m crazy
I know that it’s true
but on the day I close my eyes
and bid this world adieu
I will not pray for heaven or fear the fire below
I will simply be asleep
with nowhere left to go

Chorus

credits

from Learning Faith , released July 24, 2014
Jess - acoustic guitar
Professor Feathers - bass, slide guitar
Billy Masters - electric guitar
John Paul Keenon - drums

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all rights reserved

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Jess Klein Hillsborough, North Carolina

Rochester, NY native Jess Klein is known for staking out brave lyrical and musical territory with such albums as Wishes Well Disguised (1998), Draw Them Near (2000), Strawberry Lover (2005), City Garden (2006), Bound to Love (2009), Behind A Veil (2012) and Learning Faith (2014) which Folk Radio UK calls “unquestionably the finest album of [her] impressive career.” ... more

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