Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Andrew did this song in just one take. In our commentary, we focused only on the lyrics, but I also like the song's melody. When I first heard it at the Martins Creek Community Center, I told Andrew that my favorite aspect of the music is the diminished D chord that he plays in the song by sliding a C chord shape up two frets (technically E, since there's a capo on the second fret). He leaves some of the strings open when he plays that chord shape, creating a certain sound/mood that goes very well with the E minor position that follows (G flat minor, since there's a capo on the second fret).
In case any of our Acorns were wondering, Andrew is a grandson of my Uncle Ray (who sang with Pap as part of the Wilson Brothers). Maria Campbell, who we featured this past Tuesday and in several other videos on the channel, is Andrew's aunt. Andrew's mother is Maria's older sister, Gail Chastain.
I think Andrew's decision to write this song in first person was highly effective. In the opening verses, this point of view triggers or activates the listener's attention, because we feel that the speaker is about to share a personal story. The use of first person point of view also allows the listener to quickly begin placing him/herself in the shoes of the speaker. The song could still work if it were written in third person (about the thief, rather than as the thief), but I think it would definitely lose some of its power. It just wouldn't pull the listener in as much. First person point of view simultaneously allows for: Andrew's personal testimony, the listener's identification with the song, and the specific account of the thief who believed.
I think Andrew's decision to use "fly" as the central verb of the chorus is likewise artfully rendered. We don't know how long the thief was in custody prior to his execution, but from the Biblical account of his words to the other thief during the crucifixion, it seems clear that he had been dwelling upon his guilt and his ensuing, deserved consequences. Andrew's lyrics highlight an introspective heart from the very beginning of the song. The thief experienced a dramatic change of fate in a few hours. Flight is the perfect vehicle to portray his soaring triumph through Christ, salvation that was undeserved and unexpected.
In analyzing the song's lyrics, I mistakenly said that the thief referred to the "cross" he carries, saying that the regret that he carries is even heavier. The actual lyrics (see below) are far more subtle. In that particular verse, the speaker (thief) never uses the term "cross." He refers only to the "weight" that he carries (which could be anything). Later in the song, the burden on his back is revealed to be his crossbeam.
When I quoted Christ's request for the Father to forgive those who crucified Him, I accidentally left out the word "not." I believe those who crucified Jesus knew their actions were cruel and wrong. I think Jesus' meaning was that they didn't understand the full extent of the wrong because they did not know they were committing those acts against the perfectly righteous Son of God. The false messiahs who were crucified before Christ most likely recanted their claims in an effort to lessen their suffering. They most likely cursed those who carried out their punishment. Those events are recorded in Roman history, not the Bible. The temple officers who came to arrest Jesus (John 7:46) observed in awe, "Never man spake like this man." I think the same type of recognition registered on the thief who believed, causing him to request for the Lord to remember him when He entered His kingdom (Luke 23:42).
Lyrics:
So deep in a hole that I can't see the light,
I've been digging so long that wrong feels right,
And the world told me who I should be.
Now the devil's laughing while I bleed.
My selfish heart is full of shame,
As I climb this hill on my judgement day.
When the sun goes down, it'll be too late.
This blood on my hands won't wash away.
I want to fly...so far away.
I can't outrun all my mistakes.
Time's running out for my escape.
Though I've tried, I just can't seem to change
This heart of a thief.
I've spent my life, living on the run
From the ones who care and the things I've done,
And the weight I carry on my back
Ain't nothing compared to my regret.
I want to fly...so far away.
I can't outrun all my mistakes.
Time's running out for my escape.
As my cross begins to raise...
There's a man hanging up here next to me.
Never seen Him before, but He knows my name.
He said, "If you will but believe in me,
I'll break these bonds and set you free.
We're going to fly...so far away.
Paradise is where we'll be today."
As I cried, "Lord, remember me,"
All the sins were washed away
From a heart of a thief.
Andrew's original song "Cowboy:" youtube.com/watch?v=PcyT6oLsLmU
Listen to original singles on YouTube:
youtube.com/channel/UC2WQqe6yfRH2zahVpfZ_teg
Andrew did this song in just one take. In our commentary, we focused only on the lyrics, but I also like the song's melody. When I first heard it at the Martins Creek Community Center, I told Andrew that my favorite aspect of the music is the diminished D chord that he plays in the song by sliding a C chord shape up two frets (technically E, since there's a capo on the second fret). He leaves some of the strings open when he plays that chord shape, creating a certain sound/mood that goes very well with the E minor position that follows (G flat minor, since there's a capo on the second fret).
In case any of our Acorns were wondering, Andrew is a grandson of my Uncle Ray (who sang with Pap as part of the Wilson Brothers). Maria Campbell, who we featured this past Tuesday and in several other videos on the channel, is Andrew's aunt. Andrew's mother is Maria's older sister, Gail Chastain.
I think Andrew's decision to write this song in first person was highly effective. In the opening verses, this point of view triggers or activates the listener's attention, because we feel that the speaker is about to share a personal story. The use of first person point of view also allows the listener to quickly begin placing him/herself in the shoes of the speaker. The song could still work if it were written in third person (about the thief, rather than as the thief), but I think it would definitely lose some of its power. It just wouldn't pull the listener in as much. First person point of view simultaneously allows for: Andrew's personal testimony, the listener's identification with the song, and the specific account of the thief who believed.
I think Andrew's decision to use "fly" as the central verb of the chorus is likewise artfully rendered. We don't know how long the thief was in custody prior to his execution, but from the Biblical account of his words to the other thief during the crucifixion, it seems clear that he had been dwelling upon his guilt and his ensuing, deserved consequences. Andrew's lyrics highlight an introspective heart from the very beginning of the song. The thief experienced a dramatic change of fate in a few hours. Flight is the perfect vehicle to portray his soaring triumph through Christ, salvation that was undeserved and unexpected.
In analyzing the song's lyrics, I mistakenly said that the thief referred to the "cross" he carries, saying that the regret that he carries is even heavier. The actual lyrics (see below) are far more subtle. In that particular verse, the speaker (thief) never uses the term "cross." He refers only to the "weight" that he carries (which could be anything). Later in the song, the burden on his back is revealed to be his crossbeam.
When I quoted Christ's request for the Father to forgive those who crucified Him, I accidentally left out the word "not." I believe those who crucified Jesus knew their actions were cruel and wrong. I think Jesus' meaning was that they didn't understand the full extent of the wrong because they did not know they were committing those acts against the perfectly righteous Son of God. The false messiahs who were crucified before Christ most likely recanted their claims in an effort to lessen their suffering. They most likely cursed those who carried out their punishment. Those events are recorded in Roman history, not the Bible. The temple officers who came to arrest Jesus (John 7:46) observed in awe, "Never man spake like this man." I think the same type of recognition registered on the thief who believed, causing him to request for the Lord to remember him when He entered His kingdom (Luke 23:42).
Lyrics:
So deep in a hole that I can't see the light,
I've been digging so long that wrong feels right,
And the world told me who I should be.
Now the devil's laughing while I bleed.
My selfish heart is full of shame,
As I climb this hill on my judgement day.
When the sun goes down, it'll be too late.
This blood on my hands won't wash away.
I want to fly...so far away.
I can't outrun all my mistakes.
Time's running out for my escape.
Though I've tried, I just can't seem to change
This heart of a thief.
I've spent my life, living on the run
From the ones who care and the things I've done,
And the weight I carry on my back
Ain't nothing compared to my regret.
I want to fly...so far away.
I can't outrun all my mistakes.
Time's running out for my escape.
As my cross begins to raise...
There's a man hanging up here next to me.
Never seen Him before, but He knows my name.
He said, "If you will but believe in me,
I'll break these bonds and set you free.
We're going to fly...so far away.
Paradise is where we'll be today."
As I cried, "Lord, remember me,"
All the sins were washed away
From a heart of a thief.
Andrew's original song "Cowboy:" youtube.com/watch?v=PcyT6oLsLmU
Listen to original singles on YouTube:
youtube.com/channel/UC2WQqe6yfRH2zahVpfZ_teg
