Inspiration Behind the House That Built Me:
The House That Built Me was conceived from personal experiences by Miranda Lambert and Allen Shamblin. This song was co-written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin. These childhood memories combined with Lambert’s emotional response to the completed lyrics led Miranda to record this song for herself.
Biblical Application:
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a] knowledge and discretion to the young—5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b] 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction, Proverbs 1:1-7.
Exegesis of the House That Built Me:
I know they say you can’t go home again
I just had to come back one last time
Ma’am, I know you don’t know me from Adam
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine
Adults sometimes want to revisit their childhood by going back to where they grew up. Miranda wanted to walk through the house she grew up in one last time.
Up those stairs in that little back bedroom
Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar
And I bet you didn’t know under that live oak
My favourite dog is buried in the yard
With each step, memories flowed from her mind. Especially the tree where her favorite dog was buried.
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here, it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
These memories weren’t all positive. This home was associated with pain and suffering. Miranda thought that returning one more time would bring healing.
If I could just come in, I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothin’ but a memory
From the house that built me
The time spent living in this house helped shape who Miranda has become as an adult.
Momma cut out pictures of houses for years
From better homes and garden magazine
Plans were drawn and concrete poured
Nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to momma’s dream
Although her parents didn’t have much, they did the best that they could.
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here, it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
Going back in time doesn’t always help. Brokenness takes time to heal, often longer than you expect.
If I could just come in, I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothin’ but a memory
From the house that built me
Miranda begs the current owners for one last chance to walk back in time.
You leave home, you move on
And you do the best you can
I got lost in this whole world
And forgot who I am
Miranda got so caught up in her busy schedule that she lost her way, forgetting who she was.
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here, it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
This visit didn’t produce the outcome that Miranda was hoping for.
If I could walk around, I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothin’ but a memory
From the house that built me
If these walls could speak, they would share the life lessons Miranda learned while growing up in this house.
Final Thoughts:
As an adult, I still have a photographic memory, able to recall fond memories. Growing up in New Jersey, I can remember my first homerun in baseball and being laughed out for not being able to read out loud in first grade due to severe stuttering. These are past events that helped shape me as an adult. The tougher the pain, the greater the opportunity for personal growth. These are the events that build and shape human beings.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 