PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase Camouflaged Christian

Years ago, my Dad heard me playing this acoustic guitar riff and said it reminded him of a swamp with alligators and water moccasins. That gave me the idea and first line for Camouflaged Christian, but every time I started to write, it came out as judgmental. So, I just sat on it for years. A few months back I was in the hospital and it was looking like I wasn't going to make it. A nurse had come in while I was pretty ill and I made an offhanded comment about my faith. He was interested and wanted to talk. I was so sick that I didn't think I could handle a deep theological debate, so I made it brief and just threw out what I believed. It turned out to be a very good and encouraging conversation for both of us. After getting out of the hospital I tried another re-write, this time looking in the mirror and seeing the camouflaged Christian as myself, something I didn't want to be. I don't know if I got it right or not, but that's what I was shooting for with this song.

Camouflaged Christian

Just like the moccasin swimmin’ in the bayou,
or the alligator on the rocks nearby.
You keep your faith concealed and hidden deep inside you.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s even alive.
‘Cause you’re staying real still and layin’ in the shadows.
It seems like you’re afraid to ever move.
If the Lord ever called would you even move at all?
You know the only place you’re hidin’ is from the truth.

And you’re actin’ like a camouflaged Christian.
Like no one’s gonna see you anymore,
but all your answers just keep leading to more questions,
like, are you really trustin’ in the Lord? No.

And you can’t go on this way, being so ashamed,
because what would people say if you followed your beliefs?
Are you more afraid of them than the consequence of sin?
Is it God or Man that you want to please?
And I see you sitin’ there almost every Sunday.
You have your favorite chair in the very back row.
You hide yourself away, so afraid that someday
the fear you feel inside is going to show.

So you keep actin’ like a camouflaged Christian.
Like no one’s gonna see you anymore,
but all your answers just keep leading to more questions,
like, are you really trustin’ in the Lord? No.

Oh you need someone to blame ‘cause you wanna point the finger.
You know that it’s a shame ‘cause you’re about to see
As I’m standing here lookin’ in the mirror,
that camouflaged Christian looks a lot like me

So stop actin’ like a camouflaged Christian.
Like no one’s gonna see you anymore.
You’ve been forgiven so start livin’ like there’s no question.
Plant your flag. Take your stand. Trust in the Lord.
Oh, plant your flag. Take your stand. Trust in the Lord.
I won’t be a camouflaged Christian anymore, no.

THE BAND:
I put everything on here except the dobro. I used the old Casio keyboard for the keys and the drums. My Spirit solid body guitar for the electric rhythm, my Breedlove acoustic for fingerpicking, my Ibanez bass, and my Gretch for the lead guitar parts. After I put the lead guitars on here it sounded a little too rock for my taste, so I used Wanda Vick and her dobro courtesy of Biab to "country-fy" it up a little more.

Because of a broken hard drive there's not much I can do to change anything here, but all comments are welcome so I can use better ideas in the future.

Thanks for the listen,

Brad

You are absolutely one multi-instrument ultra talented musician.

Plus you are a great vocalist and lyricist, outstanding lyrics.

Everything about this is perfect.

Loved it.

Brad,

This is great. I really loved it. Awesome lyrics. I loved the story behind this too. Very inspiring.

Ok, I will get a little silly right now. Hope you don't mind. When this started I was reminded of another tune. Do you you think you can get Steve Earle to cover it???

Hey Brad...Wow! great song and I really love your delivery...that riff is a great start to a super Christian country tune...yeah, it's very swampy but I'll leave the moccasins out of it...I hate it (and love it) mostly I appreciate it when songs step on my toes and remind of me of what the priorities should be and this number does exactly that..."As I’m standing here lookin’ in the mirror, that camouflaged Christian looks a lot like me" Ouch!! and thanks.

Hi, Brad.

      like, are you really trustin’ in the Lord? No.

Ha!

I understand the problem you're trying to address by not being accusatory. I think you did an excellent job addressing it here:

      As I’m standing here lookin’ in the mirror,
      that camouflaged Christian looks a lot like me

But... I think you could do this without changing the POV, along the lines of:

• Are you really trustin’ in the Lord? No, and I should know!
• I can see through your camouflage because that used to be me
• I invite you to join me in stepping into the light

Just a thought. Sorry about your hard drive. Hopefully you've now got regular backups? (I say this not having done a recent backup myself).

As others have said, you're clearly a talented musician, writer and singer, and it comes through in this song.

I really liked the song!