Shovel
Digging Deeper: Battling Demons and Redemption in David Grace's 'Shovel'
Lyrics
24 years old with my past behind me
Reflecting on leaving the past behind at the age of 24.
I fought through the flames drenched in gasoline
Surviving intense challenges and struggles, likened to being in a fiery situation while feeling vulnerable.
I thanked God for guiding and directing my steps
Expressing gratitude to God for guidance in life.
Not knowing the hell he'd put me through next
Realizing the unpredictability of life, unsure of what difficult situations may lie ahead.
CHORUS:
Refrain/Repeated chorus structure.
I've been digging my grave with a shovel I stole
Metaphorically speaking, self-destructive behavior leading to personal downfall.
I blame everyone else for the dirt I throw
Blaming others for personal mistakes and troubles.
I keep thinking that way and the deeper I go
Continuing the negative mindset leads to deeper personal troubles.
I guess I'll never get out of this god dammed hole
Feeling trapped in a cycle of self-inflicted problems.
I guess I'll never get out of this god dammed hole
Reiteration of feeling stuck and unable to escape.
V2:
Transition to another phase of life at 34.
34 years old, 10 years unscathed
Having lived ten years without major harm.
Fell to ruined with one mistake
Experiencing ruin due to a single mistake.
Can't even see my daddy's disappointing eyes
Unable to face disappointment from a father figure due to incarceration.
Cause he's hard to see from cell 245
Referencing being in prison and the separation from family.
-CHORUS-
Refrain/Repeated chorus structure.
-SOLO-
Instrumental section of the song.
BRIDGE:
Change in the song structure, conveying a different message.
Put your faith in God my Momma would preach
Referencing advice from the speaker's mother about faith in God.
He'll save your soul with path he'll lead
Belief in God's ability to save one's soul and guide.
But I'll still be
Despite faith, the speaker feels a sense of disconnection.
-CHORUS-
Refrain/Repeated chorus structure.
OUTRO:
Ending section of the song.
So I pray and cry and try to believe
Struggling with belief, prayer, and feeling abandoned or forgotten by God.
But sometimes I think God forgot about me
Expressing doubt about God's presence or concern.
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