This song is an analogy for the fragile but resilient nature of hope. The flame of a campfire in a storm becomes a metaphor for the human spirit: while external factors can make things difficult, you have to be the one to tend to your own fire. This song is a quiet promise to yourself to keep that flame burning, no matter how much the world tries to extinguish it.

[Verse 1]
Some are given kindling, a stack of bone-dry wood,
While I began with nothing, just the dirt where I stood.
But then I found a piece of pine, a handful of grace,
To give this fragile burning, a solid, hopeful place.
So I crouch here in the black night, with my hands against the stone,
Feeding the flickering flame, I refuse to be alone.

[Chorus]
Oh, the flame of hope, it dances in the dark,
A light that keeps on shining, igniting every spark.
No matter how the storm rages, or the shadows try to creep,
This fire keeps on burning, my heart, it will not sleep.

[Verse 2]
The storm has its own language, a voice that wants to cease,
This tender, fragile burning, would love to find release.
The wind comes in a shiver, a breath that tries to kill,
But it won't be the master of my own stubborn will.
I wrap my dreams around it, like a blanket made of love,
This flicker is my compass, guiding me from above.

[Chorus]
Oh, the flame of hope, it dances in the dark,
A light that keeps on shining, igniting every spark.
No matter how the storm rages, or the shadows try to creep,
This fire keeps on burning, my heart, it will not sleep.

[Bridge]
The winds may take the ashes, the rain may try to drown,
But this is my own burning, the hope I've carried down.
With every match I strike, I'm lighting pathways back,
To the joy and the laughter, that fills this empty track.

[Verse 3]
In the quiet of the evening, when the world begins to fade,
I'll gather 'round my fire, and let my soul cascade.
For it needs no other witness, no one else to see,
This small, quiet fire is all that's left of me.
I’ll sing my song of courage, in every whispered tone,
With the flame of love beside me, I'll never be alone.

[Chorus]
Oh, the flame of hope, it dances in the dark,
A light that keeps on shining, igniting every spark.
No matter how the storm rages, or the shadows try to creep,
This fire keeps on burning, my heart, it will not sleep.

[Outro]
So let it flicker brightly, let it light the way ahead,
With the flame of hope beside me, I have a life to lead.
Through the hard times and the struggles, my spirit refuses to bend,
For within this burning ember, I know my heart will mend.

Flame of Hope

This song is an honest look at a struggle many people can identify with. It begins with the simple desire to take the edge off and finds a friend in a glass. But it's also a sobering reflection on the moment you realise that "friend" has become a master, a puppet-master pulling your strings. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of losing control and waking up to the consequences. Ultimately, the song explores a painful but universal question: "Are you holding the glass, or is the glass holding you?"

[Verse 1]
Pour another glass, just to take the edge off,
The world's a little sharp, a little too defined.
This amber liquid, it's a gentle lullaby,
A way to press the pause button in my mind.
It's a comfort in the quiet, a friend on lonely nights,
It helps me talk a little louder, helps me find the lights.

[Chorus]
'Cause it's a good servant, a hand I can hold,
A way to unwind when the story gets old.
It's a whisper in the glass, a truth I can face,
A temporary refuge, a change of pace.
But it's a poor master, a shadow that grows,
A debt that you owe, with every ounce that you pour.
It starts taking over, until you can't be free,
Just a puppet on a string, for all the world to see.

[Verse 2]
Woke up in the morning with a fog in my head,
Can't quite remember all the things that were said.
Another broken promise, another blurry line,
Lost the thread of thought, just passing through time.
Heated conversations that turn into a blur,
Chasing shadows in the dim light, no longer sure.
But the taste still lingers, like a bittersweet kiss,
In a dance with my demons, it's hard to miss.

[Chorus]
'Cause it's a good servant, a hand I can hold,
A way to unwind when the story gets old.
It's a whisper in the glass, a truth I can face,
A temporary refuge, a change of pace.
But it's a poor master, a shadow that grows,
A debt that you owe, with every ounce that you pour.
It starts taking over, until you can't be free,
Just a puppet on a string, for all the world to see.

[Bridge]
I’ve danced in its rhythm, swayed to its tune,
In the glow of the bar lights, howling at the moon.
But when the dawn breaks, and the light floods in,
I’m left with the echoes of where I’ve been.
So I take a deep breath, and I count to ten,
Knowing I have to find my way back again.

[Chorus]
'Cause it's a good servant, a hand I can hold,
A way to unwind when the story gets old.
It's a whisper in the glass, a truth I can face,
A temporary refuge, a change of pace.
But it's a poor master, a shadow that grows,
A debt that you owe, with every ounce that you pour.
It starts taking over, until you can't be free,
Just a puppet on a string, for all the world to see.

[Outro]
So I'll tread carefully on this winding road,
With each sip, remember the weight of the load.
It serves me well, yet pulls me down too fast,
In the end, it’s a dance that I hope won’t last.

Good Servant, Poor Master

Switching from journaling to poetry and now lyrics for songs. A natural evolution for my experiences and reflections.

Good Servant, Poor Master

Seamus Connolly

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