The Meaning of Grace—Lyrics

The Meaning of Grace

Words & Music by Christopher Kent

They woke me up at 4:00 a.m.; it still was pitch black outside
We had an appointment in Boston, and it was a six-hour ride
Because I was only 12 years old they told me to sleep on the way
And we headed north along the coast through the darkness before break of day
Sleepless, I stared out the window at the stars in the eastern sky
And I watched the horizon slowly turn red as the hours went by
The stars faded, the colors grew bright and the sky turned to gold
And I felt full of wonder as I watched the dawn unfold

Chorus:
It was just another day, but it stood out from the rest
Because the beauty of those hours made me realize how much we’re blessed
And the gift that we’ve been given to be alive in this place
Learning first-hand the meaning of grace

We were sailing on New York harbor on a sunny, windy day
The breeze was strong and we flew along through the salty spray
The sails were full and the boat was tipped about 45 degrees
And we held on tight and grinned and laughed as we sailed those choppy seas
We could see the New York skyline up against a bright blue sky
Though it felt like we were miles away as the waves flew by
All our troubles were forgotten in the pleasures of that ride
Such a perfect day, I can still recall the joy I felt inside

It was just another day, but it stood out from the rest
Because the beauty of those hours made me realize how much we’re blessed
And the gift that we’ve been given to be alive in this place
Learning first-hand the meaning of grace

Now I’m lying on a hotel bed on an island late at night
In the middle of an endless sea lit by starlight
The walls on both sides of my room are open to the breeze
It warms me as I lie here, blowing gently from the sea
Out the other open wall I see lights spread across the side
Of a volcano, like a sprinkling of bright shells left by the tide
And a radio is playing music sweet as honey tea
And I know this place and time will always stay with me

This is just another day, but it will stand out from the rest
Because the beauty of this moment makes me realize how much I’m blessed
And the gift that we’ve been given to be alive in this place
Learning first-hand the meaning of grace