FAWM: "Come At Me Strange"

Come At Me Strange

Liner Notes

FAWM 2025 / Song 4

Sometimes I write lyrics around an inclusive Christian theology and the faith community I’m in. I know a lot of smart, progressive ministers. This lyrical draft started coming together in late September, after a sermon and service themed around queer theology, adaptability and Octavia Butler’s Earthseed.

I’m partway there. Lots of ”close but not quite” moments for me in this one, and I’m trying to refine it into something I like more. Figured a demo was a good place to start.

Instrument: abs composite plastic Waterman soprano ukulele tuned high GCEA

#ukulele #singersongwriter #personwithukulele #girlwithukulele #acousticonetake #fuc #uke #acoustic #finished #queer #religiouschallenge

Lyrics

Come, let us meet where rain pours from the eaves
Let us speak of the red and gold leaves
I'm looking for you in the gathering gloom
A campfire of windfall will be our perfume

(I’ve already rewritten the first verse)

Every touch might mutate me
Each feather makes the wing more free
I won’t be a link in another chain
I hope that you come at me strange

Come at me strange, help me
Turn toward the change
You aren't required to tell me your name
Only come at me strange

Some days the neighborhood settles and groans
But soup may be made from a stone
Whole worlds rush by in the flow of the brook
And stories on stories are held in one look

The new you beckons to the me whose heart adores you
What else am I waiting for If not the time to hold you?

Every touch might mutate me
Each feather makes the wing more free
I won’t be a link in another chain
I hope that you come at me strange

Come at me strange, help me
Turn toward the change
You aren't required to tell me your name
Only come at me strange

REPEAT CHORUS

Comments

@dhiatt 1w

Great hook, "come at me strange." Intriguing lyrics with lovely imagery.
Love how your voice transitions between verse chorus, two intriguing timbres in different ways.

@overflow 2w

A wonderfully uplifting song! I especially love the “Come at me strange” lines. Before reading the lyrics I thought you were singing “Come and be strange”, which I also really love.

@dillonrichards 2w

excellent excellent. when the first chorus hit i was like :0 really love the positivity of this song. really nice to hear in the morning with some coffee. again, when the chorus comes in, the whole song goes to 11. great lyrical work as well. very nice song!

@thwingbill 2w

Thanks for your thoughts in response to my song "Don't Look Back". I like the way you smile strumming your little Uke. And understand "Come at me strange". Me too. Authenticity works. Being yourself is the road to happiness

@sheamiejay 2w

I was interested in the title at first -great title/phrase. Some great ideas here like meeting where the rain pours from the eaves.

@itoarazi 2w

Your lyrics are vivid and inspiring. Your voice and uke playing, as usual, are wonderful. As an atheist who also knows a lot of progressive ministers, I approve!

@rubberbandage 2w

So many gorgeous lines all throughout, and I love the richness of your voice against this adorable soprano uke!! I finally just started reading Parable of the Sower and my goodness what a powerful work of art.

@alyxanderjames 2w

Here for anything inspired by Octavia Butler! "Come at me strange" is a great turn of phrase.

@billwhite51 2w

love the idea that "each feather makes the wing more free." the music sails along briskly as the singer delights in the possibilities of the strange.

@kiml 2w

I love the phrase “come at me strange.” It’s new to me and it’s piqued my interest. Your lyrics create a wonderful safe space - made even more inviting with ukulele ❤️