Faith

The Story behind the Songs Newsletter Series
December 1, 2004 Issue #26

Faith – written by JR Still 1993

This little song has been the object of many rumours and stories of misinformation. It’s also been the recipient of numerous song writing awards and countless requests at live performances. ‘Faith’ is a song about a father’s love for his cherished little girl whose name is Faith.

The opening lines of the song come from a childhood prayer my dad taught me when I was about four years old. “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray to the lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake…” then I took creative liberties to turn the rest of that prayer into the intro of the song with the line “…I pray to the lord and I pray for Faith.”

The song opens into the chorus: “I don’t need fortune or luck all I need is my Faith to love. When I’m down and the times are tough my angel is Faith and she lifts me up my angel is Faith and she lifts me up.” Though I don’t have any children, I do have nephews and nieces and that’s certainly how they made me feel. Because of this song many folks have believed that I have a daughter and that this song is about her. I’ve even overheard people telling their friends at some of my shows that this song is about my daughter. I’m sorry but it just isn’t so. Others were certain that it was a religious or gospel song. Good hearted folks believe what they want and that’s okay too.

The song has had a couple re-writes since it was first written and demo’d to what it is on the album. The first verse used to be the second but too many listeners were initially confused about the song thinking that it was about a girlfriend or something. So when someone made a suggestion about switching the verses I thought that’s a great idea and did. So now the first verse: “From out of the blue it’s ‘Daddy I love you my prayers are answered ‘cause I know it’s true.” When a child says they love you it’s pure heaven, so innocent and true beyond a doubt. “Like her fairy tale book she’s my princess and she’ll fill my life ‘til I’m laid to rest.” I believe that daddy’s little girls are always daddy’s little girl. No matter how old or grown up they become they’re always daddy’s little girl. It’s been said that every woman was or still is somebody’s little girl. Now that’s a tender thought that deserves careful consideration.

Second verse: “I wake in the morning with Faith in my heart. It’s a wonderful day right from the start. Bright morning sun or dark and stormy skies there’s a rainbow of love in her eyes.” That must be how it is to have a child. At least that’s what my imagination suggests. Are there any parents reading this that can confirm or add to this sentiment?

The bridge states that final parental proclamation: “I’ll love her beyond my dieing days. Heaven on earth is my angel Faith, Heaven on earth is my angel Faith.”

God bless the children; young and old. Happy Holidays!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the story behind the song. If you’d like other information you can check out the CD credits at www.jamesray.info/cdcredits.html