I one time saw in vision, the setup of a game,
a chess board that spread out before me, more than I could see. 
The chess pieces were many, yes more than I could name,
and when I looked above me, what I saw was startling. 
 
For I beheld that this vast game used more than just one board
yes, there were many levels, each one equal in its size. 
It left me musing at it all, so I turned to the Lord
and asked him to interpret all that lay before my eyes. 
 
He frankly spoke, “My son this represents the game of life.”
I instantly replied, “Oh Lord, this game is too complex!”
He then said, “Yes, indeed it is. I know it causes strife.”
“It’s meant to be a game that’s only won by those who let
 
me guide them in what moves they make.” “I’m looking for the few.”
“I’m looking for the humble who are wise enough to see
that it’s impossible for them to know what they should do,
and rather make their moves by faith while listening to me.”
 
And then the vision ended, I was left to contemplate -
about the way I’d lived my life, relying on myself.
Had to admit, thus far my life results were not that great
and so, I made resolve to put my own will on the shelf.
 
The years have passed on since the day I made that fateful choice,
and life has been much more a joy, in fact it’s like a game
where really all I worry about is listening to his voice,
and seeing how the moves he makes will ultimately play.

There are a lot of mysteries, anomalies and such,
things that seem to have no explanation why they are.
One of these (above the rest) that makes me wonder much -
is how the foolish crowd is made of people who are far
 
from being foolish on their own. Yes, people who are good.
Yet somehow when they’re in a group, mysteriously they change.
It’s something I suppose just really can’t be understood.
Yeah, something that is general and it’s nothing short of strange.
 
For every group of size (the more there are, the more it’s true)
is full of gossip, foolishness, and cold judgmental spite.
The group does things that what its members on their own would rue.
Collectively I guess they lose their sense of wrong and right.
 
And this anomaly has been the case throughout all time.
It’s something that will surely drag you down, if it’s allowed.
So maybe it is time to get yourself out of that line,
and make sure that you’re never part… of the foolish crowd.

Heard a song of broken halos,
folded wings that used to fly.
Wondered why I go where I go.
Yeah, broken halos as miles went by.

Angels used to come and teach me,
now they’ve gone another way.
Don’t blame them, I told them they should
find another soul to save.

Stared at the darkness and let my mind go,
it took me places I used to shine.
The song kept playing – broken halos.
Yeah, broken halos and this one’s mine.

Don’t go looking for the reasons.
Don’t go asking Jesus why.
Some folded wings don’t have a reason.
Somehow, they lost the will to fly.

I’ve seen my share of broken halos,
tried to mend some. I’ve tried to give.
I never thought someday I’d join them.
I guess it happens in the lives we live.

I drove in silence for long time,
thought of the angels in the grand sublime.
Wondered if they’d ever fallen…
Broken halos that used to shine.
Yeah, broken halos and this one’s mine.

Ref: Chris Stapleton – Broken Halos

Pretend not to notice. Pretend you don’t see.
Protect at all cost your illusions of me.
 
Don’t read what I write on the lines of my page,
you’ll only find flaws that you’ve long wished away.
 
Just keep smiling at me, I’ll keep smiling at you.
You be who you are, and I’ll do what I do.
 
I’ll try not to let all the things in my mind
stray far from my pages, or too out of line.
 
But I can’t promise much for my pen won’t allow
the truth to be hidden, so I don’t know how
 
I can be who I am, yet the one who you see.
So, protect at all cost your illusions of me.
 
And don’t read what I write it’s far easier then
to see me through my smile… instead of my pen.

Inside I cry
behind steel eyes.
Against the wind
I feel that I
am all alone,
am all alone,
am all alone…
Goodbye

Two birds left the nest after they had learned to fly,
setting off to find what the world has got to give.
Each had what it takes to ascend into the sky,
but each bird also had different reasons why they lived.
 
One lived a life to soar above, his days spent in the air.
The other lived to gather in and build a stable home.
One was carefree enjoying daily views beyond compare.
The other busy always finding better sticks and stones.
 
As time went on, the bird who soared had many tales to tell,
all his adventures often were the envy of the cast.
But time, it never stops so when his final moments fell
he was alone when he slipped silently into the past.
 
The bird who built a home found love and raised a family.
He spent his days so busy, with his daughters and his sons.
From time to time he thought of all the views he didn’t see.
But he thought it was worth it, for he knew when he was done
 
he’d leave a heritage behind. Those who would carry on,
a family and a legacy to stand the test of time.
Now time has passed, this tale has since become an old folk song,
something that we can sing as we consider and align
 
the choices that we make with what we want to get from life.
It is true our lives are nothing but the choices that me make.
They add up to what is to us - the sharp edge of the knife.
So, make your choices carefully, I plead for goodness' sake.

It doesn’t matter how the sun sets,
nor how the clear streams flow.
There is no joy in waves of grain
or brilliant fields of snow.
 
This world in all its glory
spins round eternally,
but glory melts to sand and grey
because there’s only me.
 
I once lived life upon a world
with billions by my side,
where I spent my time wishing
I could run away and hide.
 
I prayed that God would give me
a whole world to call my own.
He granted it and now I live…
eternally alone.