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Notes
If nothing I've written so far requires an explanation, this song certainly does.
The intent here is to illustrate, and thereby expose, the concept of temptation, personified in the Wraith character - the main voice of the song. She's beautiful at first. Everything you could ever desire. Offering you understanding, peace, and a freedom from the burden you carry. Those all sound like wonderful things, and they are. In fact, the first few verses are written such that you might think the message is Biblical - I did that intentionally. I wanted the audience to feel the deception first-hand. By the second verse, the mask begins to slip a little. The Wraith encourages you to abandon the cross, calls it a burden, and bids you to go with her instead. Even still, hearing it for the first time, it may take some discernment to see her for what she really is.
Then in the first chorus, the mask slips, and her true purpose is briefly revealed. This beautiful, seductive, caring, loving thing is really Satan's best disguise - appearing, as scripture warns, not as a hideous red monster with a pitchfork and horns, but as an angel of light - beautiful beyond words, telling you everything you want to hear, giving you everything you've ever desired, holding you gently in her arms... All while subtly poisoning your mind and gently stripping away your faith.
Then, in verse 3 comes the gaslighting. You saw behind the mask for a second and are having second thoughts. The Wraith re-assures you and re-asserts her position, subtly framing faith and obedience to God as a burden to be shed. You've already followed her this far - there's no going back without significant loss and loneliness.
Verse 4 is gloating. She has you now, and it's your fault. You listened to her lies, you indulged in her fantasies .. you traded in your hope for her soft, comforting chains. The Wraith knows she's won - sin has permeated every part of your life and you feel cut off from God. Now she's not so beautiful anymore - but it doesn't matter. You belong to her now, and she shows her true colors. "Stay with me!" isn't so much an invitation now as it is a threat.
The bridge finally gives voice to the Wraith's victim, who now realizes how far he's fallen and asks the important question: can there be hope? I left the answer out of the song intentionally because I really want people to ponder this. I believe the answer is mostly yes - you can come back. You can be restored to faith. But it will have a price that most are unwilling to pay. You have to realize and admit you've been deceived, you've sinned, and you were wrong - possibly for a very long time. That requires a level of humility before God that very few can achieve. And of course, the Wraith is still there, whispering in your ear, distracting you, drawing you away from that decision.
The song is designed to make you think. It's very different from my other stuff where the Christian message was up front and obvious. This is designed to make you uncomfortable, to make you wonder, maybe even about me. It's meant to show you that you're not as immune to temptation as you like to think, and by portraying it as it actually is, maybe help you recognize it in the future - before it's too late.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Come to me, you seem so tired
Burdened by your secret shame
Bruised by hands that spoke of grace
I have heard your silent cries
I have called you by your name
They were swift to cast their stones
(I will not condemn you)
To leave you broken and alone
(I am always beside you)
Now lay your wounded spirit down
(Come rest here within me)
You were never meant to walk alone
(Let me be your guiding light)
Come with me!
[Verse 2]
They have taught your heart to fear
Every weakness, every stain
Along the road to living grace:
A pilgrimage of pain
You've borne this cross far too long
(You were never made for this)
Crushed beneath its pressing yoke
(Let me take it all from you)
Leave the thorns to yesterday
(I will set your spirit free)
Come and rest your soul with me
(I will lead you into peace)
Come with me!
[Chorus]
I am the wraith (I am the wraith)
And I know just what to say
I'll hold you in my arms
And kiss your faith away
I am the wraith (I am the wraith)
I am your angel of light
I sweeten every lie (poisoning your mind)
Until your soul is mine
(Your soul is mine)
[Interlude]
[Instrumental]
[verse 3]
Hush now, why that troubled stare?
Why retreat from tender hands
Every chain must leave its mark
Every wound mistrusts the cure
None but me can still your mind
(They will only break you more)
None but me can bear this weight
(I am all that's left for you)
Turn from me and face your fate!
(There is nowhere else to go)
Come with me and make your peace!
(You belong to me alone)
Stay with me!
[Verse 4]
You drank so deeply from my lips
Every poisoned word I gave
You traded hope for velvet chains
And walked unknowing to your grave
Now my whisper fills your prayers
(You no longer hear His voice)
Now my shadow wears your skin
(I am breathing in your thoughts)
Call the light - it will not come
(Every door has closed behind you)
Without me, you'll walk alone
(I was with you all along)
Stay with me!
[Instrumental]
[Bridge]
What have I done? how can this be?
All this time, I've been deceived?
Can there be hope for one like me?
[Outro 1]
I am the wraith (I am the wraith)
And I know just what to say
I held you in my arms
And kissed your faith away
I am the wraith (I am the wraith)
I am your angel of light
I sweetened every lie (poisoning your mind)
And now your soul is mine (your soul is mine)
[Outro 2]
Come to me, you seem so tired
(I am the wraith)
I have heard your silent cries
(I am your angel of light)
I have called you by your name
And now your soul is mine!
Your soul is mine ...
[End]