Christian Songwriting Spotlight: How I Wrote the Song "Ready"
Gospel Songwriting
I began writing and singing original Gospel songs at the age of 14.
Back then I travelled and sang with a little Southern/Bluegrass Gospel group called Still Voice. The group's lead singer was an older gentleman who is a very talented and prolific songwriter, and I was very much influenced and inspired by his example.
"Ready"
I wrote several songs over the next few years. Some were inspired by sermons I heard, others were inspired by Bible stories, and more were simply inspired by personal reflection and prayer. "Ready" was a song that came from a simple heartfelt, prayerful desire to live faithfully for the One Who had always been faithful to me.
I wrote the song "Ready" at the age of 16, and over the years since, I have had the opportunity to record it on a couple different projects. I've sung this song on live radio and TV, in churches, in gymnasiums, on the back of hay wagons, and even at a loved one's funeral.
More than I ever could have imagined when I first penned this song's lyrics as a young person, the message of this song has really become my own personal testimony.
Down through the years, I have truly found the Lord to be so faithful, time after time. He has brought me through many tough situations, He has blessed and given me many causes for joy, and He has allowed me to serve Him in many unique and interesting ways since the time I wrote "Ready."
I've written only a few songs since, and perhaps soon I will write more, but I believe "Ready" will always be the most special to me.
Check out this video featuring my song "Ready" as I sang it on air at WDFB Christian Radio several years ago.
How I Wrote It
As I mentioned, the inspiration for this particular song came to me after spending some time in quiet prayer and reflection. Some of the thoughts and feelings I wanted to express in these lyrics included:
- God's faithfulness
- His plan for my life
- My desire to serve Him faithfully
- My desire to be a shining light for Christ and bring others to Him
- The reality and beauty of Heaven
- How thankful I was to be saved
I composed most of my earlier songs at the piano, but this time I actually grabbed my guitar as I began to put the song together. Although I do have the knowledge and the ability to read standard musical notation when I need to, I play and compose entirely by ear.
As I began writing and putting my thoughts together into a song, I realized there were two separate, and yet related, basic themes emerging:
- I wanted to be ready to answer God's call to serve Him anytime, and
- I wanted to be ready to go home to Heaven whenever He decides my work here is done.
So I split the song into two sections, each with it's own verse and chorus dedicated to expressing each of those major themes. Both choruses end with the same phrase that ties both themes together into one cohesive thought:
Lord, I want to be ready whenever You're ready for me.
I kept the melody and chord progression very simple so it would be well-suited for my own personal alto vocal range and my simple, let-'er-fly, Bluegrasss/Appalachian Mountain singing style.
The song ends with a tagline I hope you too can sing with truth and conviction:
I'm so glad that I'm ready whenever You're ready for me.
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