The Measure Of Yourself

[Ray Brookes]

Cowardice and courage
Measured in stories told
Empathy and kindness
Measured in the begging bowls
Failure measured angrily
In the mistakes of someone else.
But look into your looking-glass
To find the measure of yourself.

Health measured in heartbeats
Sorrow in broken dreams
Journeys measured in footsteps
Ambitions in snake-oil schemes
Disappointment measured angrily
In the faults of someone else
But lay there in the darkness
To find the measure of yourself.

Foundering measured angrily
In the weakness of someone else
But lift your heart; lift your soul
To find the measure of yourself.

[thetworegs]

another beauty Ray

[Johnbee]

Your lyrics are always so profound.  Tasty guitar work and I love that stereo delay on your lead vox.

  John B

[hardlock]

A fine song and performance. From vocals to lead, you achieve a beautiful balance of moods and tones. Love it!  

[BerryPatch]

Very nice song Ray, a stellar intro with those haunting keys and the beautiful lead licks and a lovely lyric. Excellent string additions as well and the beautiful rhodes lines really stand out to me.

[DarrenG / The Devil's Toupee]

Lovely intro, another well written song, with great lyrics music and vocals. Beautiful lead guitar work, love those synths and keys too.

[StephenM]

this song works for me in so many ways.  The lovely guitar work itself is a hit.  The chimy keys against the organ is beautiful and really sets the mood for the incredible vocals.  The bass and drums make this actually punch a lot harder than the song tries to be.  It is mellow like some really fine whiskey but yah better watch out because you could end up on the floor if you drink too much.

a great lyric and vocal... just another great song and I like how Pru's cover of your song comes up right after on the jukebox latest... really cool...

[Farrell Jackson]

A beautifully performed and produced song Ray. You can't go wrong with the cool Rhodes like keys..it works every time. Wonderful, thoughtful words and your vocal delivers them well. The mellow lead guitar might be subtle but it plays a big part in the songs' overall sound. Well done!

[Pipes]

Ray..

Utterly beautiful...

Breath takingly so...

Your'e such a fine story teller and song writer.

Sweet vocals and very touching..

Nick

[Mike_S]

I read the lyrics without listening to the song some nights ago and loved them. Only getting to listen to this now... it lives up to those great lyrics. That electric piano is wonderful, who does not like some of that! Sparkling guitar flourishes. Ray this is one of your best. Have I said that before??

Lovely stuff.

Mike