Music stretches my soul.
That’s why I love finding new music. Of all types. Push the buttons on my car radio: Country. Reggae. Alternative. Classical. Rock. K-Love. Singer/Songwriter. Jazz.
So, to wit: No, I don’t know his history. I haven’t screened his worst song’s language, mom.
His faith, education, or any criminal background are a mystery to me. He has lots of rough tats, and the kind of funky beard you imagine finding behind an auto parts counter. Even his stage name speaks of rawness: Rag-n-Bone Man, aka U.K. alternative soulster Rory Graham.
No matter. I am moved by his lyrics. They trouble my spirit in a good way. Graham is one of the poets of today’s angst in a world which has frayed our social bonds to breaking.
He makes me think. And pray. I think we could be friends.
His music often comes with a driving beat, but it never seeks to cover his lilting range or push the meaning out of the way. The Guardian (Guardian.com) writes of Graham, “A gentle giant … with a plea to consider other people’s troubles. Rag-n-Bone Man may appeal to a higher authority in his songs, but he carries his own gravitas, too, in a tattooed 6-foot frame and bruised holler.”
For example, I love the song, “Human”, which won awards as the 2017 top Brit choice. Haunting, accusing, but so true. I keep replaying it.
“I’m no prophet or Messiah
Should go looking somewhere higher
I’m only human
Don’t put your blame on me.”
Worth a Google and a listen (official video).
And look at the honest, seeking passion in his song “Grace”:
Said I loved you without hesitation
So easy for you to break my foolish heart
Now I wonder if you ever speak my name
Will I always be defined by my mistakes?In the eyes of a saint I’m a stranger
We’re all trying to find a way
At the death of every darkness there’s a morning
Though we all try
We all try
We’re all one step from grace …I wonder why we give up on love
When it’s always within reach
You and I, we suffered this enough
We all try
We all try
We’re all one step from graceIn the eyes of a saint I’m a stranger
We’re all trying to find a way
At the death of every darkness there’s a morning
Though we all try
We all try
We’re all one step from grace(listen: official audio c/o Kobalt Music, Sony Music International)
celtic straits 
Simply, this is a blessed example of the Grace found in your ability to be still, and “Listen to the Voice that Runs and Whispers”
Thanks Brad
Thanks for the suggestion to give a listen. I do that for folks as well with various singers and musicians.
your man is worth listening to. I hope to take the time to delve a little more into the meat of the words so see if they have some profundity that rasies them above the norm. I look for substance OVER style, since there is just so much “Style” out there already , and that’s not what this world needs. it needs more substance.
Keep and open ear and heart, and keep encouraging your followers to do so, and we will help each other to do our best…………………we’re only human, after all.