Keeping the Light On by Joy Oladokun
Reflection
I’m a fairly positive person though over the past few years, I’ve found it more difficult to have a hopeful outlook about the future. The drums of war seem to be beating louder with the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the brutal war in Ukrane. As a country, we seem to be incapable of finding competent political leaders who can get along with the other side. My Dad, who’s been in great health for most of his life, started chemo treatments a few weeks ago. I wonder if there really is light in the darkness and why God lets these things happen.
Oh and all I know
Is we can't, we won't, let go
Keeping the light on, the light on, ain't easy
Keeping the fight on, for so long, is hard to do
For all the times you feel the weight
There might just be a better way
Won't deny that it feels so hard
When the night gets so dark
Keep keeping the light on
The album this song is on has been on a regular rotation on my record player over the past few months. It has been a helpful reminder to me that there is hope in this dark world. Some tangible examples of this include a Brene Brown podcast I listened to featuring Israelis and Palestinians who are actively working toward peace and reconciliation. Having a conversation with a coworker who is on the opposite side of the political spectrum. We were able to find a lot of common ground especially relating to our frustration with the state of politics today. Receiving a text from my Mom saying my Dad is feeling a lot better a few days after his first chemo treatment. I’m also encouraged that cancer is much more treatable than it has ever been. At times, these little slivers of light are all that we have to cling to.
I’m also reminded in this song that I’m called to “try to give a little light in the dark”. This can be difficult to do when I’m not seeing much light in the darkness. I’ve heard from some of you that these posts have been encouraging to you. I’m glad that this one small way that I can impart a bit of hope during Lent.
If you enjoyed this song by Joy Oladokun, I would highly recommend checking out her entire library. Before we start writing these posts, we share a list of songs we are thinking about writing about. Joy showed up 5 or 6 times. She’s an extremely talented songwriter who is able to express life’s hardships while remaining hopeful. A few more of my favorites include Sunday, Look Up, and Black Car.
Links
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I grew up out in the desert
Where I learned to thrive alone
Lived in L.A. 'til it broke me
Oh, I rolled on like a stone
Found a girl and found a job
Just like they say good people do
But every now and then I turn to salt inside her wounds
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh and all I know
Is we can't, we won't let go
[Chorus]
Keeping the light on, the light on, ain't easy
Keeping the fight on, for so long, is hard to do
For all the times you feel the weight
There might just be a better way
Won't deny that it feels so hard
Whеn the night gets so dark
Keep keeping the light on
[Verse 2]
And I'm trying to gеt better
Every day I chase the sun
And I pray it's worth the heartache when I'm done
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh and all I know
Is we can't, we won't, let go
[Chorus]
Keeping the light on, the light on, ain't easy
Keeping the fight on, for so long, is hard to do
For all the times you feel the weight
There might just be a better way
Won't deny that it feels so hard
When the night gets so dark
Keep keeping the light on
Keep keeping the light on
[Bridge]
Try to give a little
Try to be a little
Try to see a light in the dark
Try to give a little
Try to be a little
Try to see a light in the dark
Try to give a little
Try to be a little
Try to see a light in the dark
Try to give a little
Try to be a little
Try to see a light in the dark
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, we can't, we won't, let go
[Chorus]
Keeping the light on, the light on, ain't easy
Keeping the fight on, for so long, is hard to do
For all the times you feel the weight
There might just be a better way
Won't deny that it feels so hard
When the night gets so dark
Keep keeping the light on
[Outro]
Try to give a little
Try to be a little
Try to see a light in the dark
Oh-oh, oh
Try to give a little
Try to be a little
Try to see a light in the dark