I decided to give you a little background on one of my new songs, "Nails and Wood." I think it's a pretty great story.
My parents live close to Johnny Cash's famed house in Hendersonville, TN, which is now owned by Barry Gibb . If you saw the movie "Walk the Line," then you've seen his house. I'm glad they chose to use the real house in the movie. Made it more authentic, I think.
One day, while listening to Scott Bomar's CD, my mom called and said "Liz, there's a lot of smoke in the sky here and news helicopters flying around. I think Johnny Cash's house is burning down." I felt such sadness for the family and the loss of such a historic home. Immediately after talking with my mom, Scott's song, "I Miss Johnny Cash" came on. I thought it was an interesting coincidence.
A couple days later, my mother called and told me the update on the house and mentioned a news interview done with Kathy Cash, Johnny's daughter. Kathy had told the reporters that she and the family were all sad for the loss, but that "daddy would have said, 'it's just wood and nails.'" My mom thought it was such an interesting phrase and wondered if I could write a song about it.
I thought about Anne Bradstreet's poem, "Upon the Burning of our house," in which she refrains "My hope and treasure lies above." I also immediately thought of Jesus Christ's Crucifixion and that the wood of the cross and the nails in his hands and feet were not the focal point of his death. It was the purpose in his death - to sacrifice his life so that all who believed in him could live - that mattered.
I met Scott Bomar for the first time and said, "I have a song we need to write together." I told him the story and how he seemed to be the right person for the co-write, since his song played after I heard the news. He agreed to write it with me. Soon after, he and I penned "Nails and Wood."
Scott is a great musician and lyricist. He had many thoughts to add to the story, including pointing out that not only did Jesus die for our sins, but also promised to build a home for us in heaven that would last for eternity. How powerful is that?
We made a great team and we are both proud of how the song came out. We hope that it touches you in some way and reminds you that the things of this earth will one day fade or wear out, but love will last for eternity.
Blessings,
Liz
