The good people at Flyleaf sent me the lyrics to the Album when I was writing my review (which you can read here) and have given me permission to share them with you. So here are the lyrics.

Beautiful Bride

Unified diversity.
now.
functioning as one body.
Every part encouraged by the other.
no one independent of another.
Irreplaceable.
indispensable.
you’re incredible.
incredible.

beautiful bride. Body of grace. one flesh, abiding, strong and unifying. Fighting ends in forgiveness. Unite and fight all division. Beautiful bride.

strengthen your arms now.
Train your fingers for battle.
Urgency’s here now.
Train your fingers for battle.
Fighting this violence, with your feet wrapped in peace.
Sad tears and silence, now screams of joy!
Victory!

Beautiful bride body of grace. One flesh abiding strong and unifying. Fighting ends in forgiveness. unite and fight all division. beautiful bride.
Beautiful Bride body of Christ one flesh abiding strong and unifying…

we’re not gonna fall and forget how far you went to pick us up. If one part’s hurt the whole body’s sick, if one part mourns we all mourn with him, rejoice and we’ll sing with you, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Chasm

Break up already wake up now
walk away take it all back now
Don’t be quick to lick the scab off
your spitting in his face with the rest of them

Please give me something I’m so thirsty, I’m so thirsty
Oh please, let me warn them, Don’t you come here, don’t bring anyone here.

The chasm isn’t fixed yet. Take this water
Drinking ever deeper.. living water.

Please give me something I’m so thirsty
Oh, Please.. let me warn them. Don’t you come here, don’t bring anyone here

please…

This Close

Had a dream that we were dead, but we pretended that we still lived.
With no regrets we never bled and we took everything life could give
and came up broken empty handed in the end
in the hearts of the blind, something you’ll never find is a vision of light
With the voice of the dead, I’m screaming
I don’t know who I am anymore
Not once in life have I been real but I never felt this close before
I’ve been looking in your window I’ve been dressing in your clothes
I’ve been walking dead, watching you, long enough to know I can’t go on.
Had a dream that fire fell from an opening in the sky
Someone warned me of this hell, and I spit in his naive eye
And left him crying for my soul he said would die.
In the hearts of the blind something you’ll never find is a vision of light
With the voice of the dead I’m screaming, I don’t know who I am anymore.
Not once in life have I been real, but I’ve never felt this close before
I’ve been looking in your window, been dressing in your clothes,
I’ve been watching you long enough to know I can’t go on.

Missing

I saw the queen
swam out below her star on sea beneath
though I lifted up my hands to her
she never lifted me
Oh something’s missing in me
I felt it deep within me
as lovers left me to bleed alone
Found something sweet
on the island with daughters of eve
But through thick and thin they’ve gone away and only left their grief
Oh, something’s missing in me
I felt it deep within me
as lovers left me to bleed alone
something’s missing in me
something missing in me
down here love wasn’t’ meant to be
it wasn’t meant to be for me
All is vanity underneath the sun
all is vanity

The Kind

Its like being in love you rob your own mind and defile your bed
you ignore the fate of the players who both end up dead
and you pretend for us and you pretend for them
this fairytale will make them jealous of you
but its not the kind that you talked about
and its just the kind that rips the clothing off your mind
she is feeding you and you lie with her
and for the first time your right arm becomes useful
as you sin with it you wanna cut it off but instead you thank god for all of the wrong you do.
you cut the cord today with God’s hand to hold yours steady
He waits for you to apply the pressure
the warmth of His breath wrapped in His words
as He repeats His Truth after Truth after Truth after Truth
and its just the kind the kind you talked about and its just the kind
that clothes your mind with Christ
He is feeding you and you know the truth and I pray this is the last song I will sing to you
I’m sorry Father, I’m sorry sister, I’m sorry brother, I’m sorry everybody.

In The Dark

I’ve written songs in the dark
I’ve felt inspired in the dark
I hide myself in the dark
used to be afraid of the dark
those in the light know we die in the dark
there’s only artificial light
my flaws hide well here
I used to be afraid of cluttered noises
now I’m afraid of silence
fill this space Idle words
I’m scared to death of light and silence
Jesus kill me inside this
raise me up to live again
like you did, like you did.
Now I am mute despite myself
all of them are gone
the silence overtakes me
the idle words forsake me and I am left to face me
I’m held accountable
for every idle word
curse the idle words
I’m scared to death of light and silence
Jesus kill me inside this
Raise me up to live again
like you did, like you did.
glory shows up
exposes us
I’m naked here
forsaken here, by the dark, by the dark
I’m scared to death of light and silence
Jesus kill me in side this
raise me up to live again
like you did
like you did.

Swept Away

help help help
out out out out out out out now now now now now

the evil fell from your pretty mouth wrapped in your classic voice
angelic in your syntax, demonic in your motive your eyes don’t know
that the water flowing from this well isn’t fresh
demolish all that sets you up against your rising up
confessing all that’s broken and watch the healing come
spread out your open hands
admit you’ve held them shut
turn all the way around
be swept away by this.

Time for surrender
Spread out your open hands
and He will raise you up
confessing all that’s broken
and watch the healing come
spread out your open hands
admit you’ve held them shut
be swept away by this

Your clothes are smooth and spotless
the air is putrid sewage downwind of your pressed church clothes
your eyes are black and empty
your deeds are just for showing how big and bright your fake smile glows
I see you moving and their getting scared
their eyes are focusing on something else
your staring at me and I stare at you
I rage against everything that you do.

See them surrender
spread out your open hands
and he will raise you up
confessing all that’s broken
look at the healing come
spread out your open hands
admit you’ve held them shut
be swept away by this

I see you moving and their getting scared
their eyes are focusing on something else
your staring at me and I stare at you
I rage against everything that you do
get this hell out out of my way
there’s nothing more that you can say so
get this hell out get this hell out out out of my way

We spread our open hands
and he is rising up
repairing all that broken
look at the healing come
we spread our open hands
forgiveness holds them up
we’re swept away by this.

out out out out out out
now now now now now now

Treasure

Can I tell you a story as we dance while the sun starts to bleed
Song of songs love is calling daughter wake up from your sleep

Refined I’ll become the most dazzling precious treasure
I’ll be treasured over all the earth

Bearing the gift of a new heart
patience ablaze I’m slowly burning

Refined ill become the most dazzling precious treasure
Ill be treasured over all the earth

I am in awe and in shock
I’m in love and given away
I’m reserved with these words…

Can I tell you a story as we dance while the sun starts to bleed
Trees rejoice with the wind here
Hallelujah, Yes Shua

Tonight I’ve become the most dazzling precious
I am treasured over all the earth
just look at what he’s done
how he’s laying down his life
take this life
oh most dazzling precious treasure
Tonight I’ve become the most dazzling precious treasure
I am treasure over all the earth.

Again

I love the way that your heart breaks
with every injustice and deadly fate
praying it all will be new
and living like it all depends on you

Here you are down on your knees again
Trying to find air to breathe again
Only surrender will help you now
I love you please see and believe again

I love that you’re never satisfied
with face value wisdom and happy lies
you take what they say and go back and cry
you’re so close to me that you nearly died

Here you are down on your knees again
Trying to find air to breathe again
Only surrender will help you now
I love you please see and believe again

They don’t have to understand you, be still
Wait and know I understand you be, still

Here you are down on your knees again
trying to find air to breathe again
and only surrender will help you now
the floodgates are breaking I’m pouring out
here you are down on your knees
trying to find air to breath
right where I want you to breathe again
here you are down on your knees again
trying to find air to breathe again
right where I want you to be again
see and believe.

set apart this dream

close your eyes little girl
you’re a princess now
you own this world
twirling in your twirly dress
you’re the loveliest far above the rest
you build your castles in the skies
stars reflecting off your eyes
and angels sing on silver clouds
and no one cries screams or shouts’
oh set apart this dream
set apart this dream for me

close your eyes pretty girl cause its easier when you brace yourself
set your thoughts on a world far off
where we only cry from joy

oh set apart this dream
set apart this dream for me

oh lovely and beautiful
precious and priceless
you’re so much more than you know
heart of the purest gold
pure clean and white snow
clothed in such splendor
oh what a beauty for me.

oh set apart this dream
set apart this dream for me.

Tiny Heart

Tiny heart
stuck inside yourself
when you open up for me?
I love you so
I wanna meet you again
before one of us must go….
your lips touched every hand but mine
if you choose me I’m waiting for you
will you choose me I’m waiting for you
always waiting
Tiny heart
your not by yourself
when will you recognize the beat of my own heart
grieving in your hand
you crush me when you run that way
your lips touched every hand but mine
if you choose me I’m waiting for you
will you choose me I’m waiting for you
always waiting
you will never know
what you have done to me
You will never know losing love from me
and you will never know a single day alone
Tiny heart stuck inside yourself
when will you open up
Your lips touched every hand but mine
if you choose me I’m waiting for you
will you choose me I’m waiting for you.
Always waiting.

Circle

Circle encircles the earth
chance and choice break his heart
his innocent arm moves to save me and I am spared
his beautiful arm is bloody and cut off
his heart ripped out to show me he loved
but I would not believe him
he did all that he could
I still would not believe him

I left his arms empty and tied
out stretched for me until he died
I left his arms empty and tied
outstretched for me until he died
no man shows greater love
than when a man lays down his life
for his beloved
I left his arms empty and tied outstretched until he died

here I’m alive
and I don’t have the right
he gave me the right
costing him his life
new mercy’s in the morning

I believe! what if I believe you now
could it ever change this

Arise

Tell the swine
we will make it out alive
there’s a note
in the pages of a book
so sleep tonight
we’ll sleep dreamlessly this time
when we awake, we’ll know that everything’s alright.

Sing to me, about the end of the world, end of these hammers and needles for you.
Hold on to the world we all remember fighting for
there’s some strength left in us yet
hold on to the world we all remember dying for
there’s some hope left in it yet
there’s snow on your face
and your razorblade
twilight is bruised
and there you lie

Sing to me,
about the end of the world,
end of these hammers and needles for you.
we’ll cry to night

but in the morning we are new
stand in the sun will dry your eyes
Hold on to the world we all remember fighting for
there’s some strength left in us yet
Hold on to the world we all remember dying for
there’s some hope left in it yet
Sing, Sing

Arise.
Arise and be all that you dream,
all that you dream.

Artist: Flyleaf
CD Title: Memento Mori
Style: Post grunge
Website: www.flyleafmusic.com
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Release Date: November 10th 2009

Playlist
1. Beautiful Bride – 3:03
2. Again – 3:05
3. Chasm – 2:54
4. Missing – 2:55
5. This Close – 3:21
6. The Kind – 2:47
7. In the Dark – 3:47
8. Set Apart This Dream – 3:15
9. Swept Away – 4:09
10. Tiny Heart – 3:07
11. Melting – 0:57
12. Treasure – 3:24
13. Circle – 3:03
14. Arise – 4:18
15. Uncle Bobby – (Hidden Track not on Preview)

The other day I opened my E-mail to find a short, cryptic email from someone whose name I remembered but just couldn’t place. The email held nothing more than a web address, user name and password (and no I’m not going to share). Following the address I was rather pleased to see that it led me to a preview of Flyleaf’s new album which comes out November 10th , titled “Memento Mori” Which is a Latin Phrase meaning “Be mindful of death” or “Remember you will die”. The Sophomore album while clearly flyleaf shows a great deal of maturity. Each song is layered with enough separate dimensions to make a quantum physicist giggle with glee.

Straight out of the gate this album rocks with “Beautiful Bride“, a perfect opener. The song sets a fevered tempo for the rest of the album. As I started to listened to the album I had two fears. The first was that somewhere on the album I would find a poor remake of “all around me” from the previous self-titled album. Secondly I was afraid I would find of Cd full of music trying very hard to not sound like a poor remake of the previous self-titled album. At no point while listening to the Preview did I feel like I was listening to anything other than Flyleaf. Also while I listened i did hear reminders of the previous albums, the reminders serve to show just how the band’s sound has changed since their first album.

From the subtle strings in the background of “In the Dark” to later in the same song when the verse screams “Jesus kill me inside this, raise me up to live again like you did, like you did!” The songs on this album are clearly taking no prisoners as it also clear that the band has a serious statement to make. With songs like “Chasm” that I believe was written about the parable of “Lazarus and the Rich Man” (Luke 16:19-31) with a Chorus that rings out “Please give me something I’m so thirsty, I’m so thirsty Oh please, let me warn them, Don’t you come here, don’t bring anyone here.” Song after song I find the CD full of these references.

I find that “Memento Mori” to be far more of “Christ influenced” Album than their first album. While all the members of the band are professed Christians, they don’t refer to their music as “Christian Music” instead they simply allow their life experience to reflect in the music they make. That being said I was taken by surprise by the obvious references to Christ, faith, and belief. I am hoping that with the obvious success of their first album they were given a freer hand in what songs went onto the CD. While I have decided that Beautiful Bride is one of the best songs on the preview “Treasure” is easily the most powerful song on the CD. The Cd is So different from the previous one that I have to wonder just what happened between the creation of the first album and the second to cause such a change in the feeling of the individual CDs. I for one am ecstatic over the fact that while this CD is so much more than just music, it never forgets that it is first and foremost a Flyleaf album. While it is true that the Message and not the Method is what is important it as also true that The Method should not be overlooked either. This CD Rocks hard, Takes no prisoners and like life, leaves no survivors.

there are several songs on the Preview I am really looking forward to seeing live, as I believe they would make great concert songs. “Beautiful Bride” For its total rock-ablility along with “Set apart this Dream” for its sing-ability. I can already hear a couple thousand fans singing “Set Apart this dream for me..” There are just some songs that are perfect for audience participation segment of every concert. Other songs are destined to become one of the live show “must plays” The song that everyone is waiting to hear. “Swept Away” is destined to be one of those songs. From a distinct opening and verses that can be described as “Spoken Word” this song defines a style all it’s own.

I have to admit that there is very little about this CD to complain about, One of the things I noticed on the First CD that is repeated on this cd is that for the most part the Cd is split into two sections with a rockier front end and a mellower ending. I would of preferred the songs intermixed where the change of rock to mellow and mellow to rock can serve to make each song stand out even more. Still I understand that this is simply a personal preference and in the age of MP3 players and thousand song shuffles I have to wonder if song order even matters at all anymore?

You are probably expecting me to talk about the technical aspects of the CD, however since this an A&M/Octone production I expect the Technical aspects of the CD to be flawless. Lets face facts, a CD like this is on a whole different level from Indie Productions and cant really be compared to or analyzed like an Indie Production. All the Music is crisp and clean, and the vocals are clear in a way that leaves me envious. Even the 57 second Instrumental “Melting” makes for an interesting interlude between “Tiny Heart” and “Treasure“. Overall “Memento Mori” is easily one of the better CDs I have listened to for quite a while and is a strong step up for Flyleaf from their self-titled freshman album. I am giving this CD a solid 4.5 stars out of a possible 5 stars, and I am already looking forward to November 10th when the album drops and November 11th when Flyleaf plays a live concert in Pittsburgh. You know I’ll be there.. “Memento Mori” is in my opinion a must own album, your collection simply isn’t complete without it.

this review is put out under a creative commons, attribution, non commercial, no derivatives, 3.0 united states license.

1. Beautiful Bride – 3:03
My Favorite song on the CD. A truly hard rocking song, classic Flyleaf sound, this song will be a great live performance and as the First single released (available on Itunes) I would be very surprised if there wasn’t a music video in the making for this song even now as I write this. The songs sets the Tempo and structure of rest of the CD as Lacey sings
“Beautiful bride body of grace.
One flesh abiding strong and unifying.
Fighting ends in forgiveness.
unite and fight all division.
beautiful bride.
Beautiful Bride body of Christ
one flesh abiding strong and unifying”

2. Again – 3:05
The melodic beginning of this song belies it’s rocking core. Lacey’s voice is clearly the instrument that pushes this song. This song of all of them reminds me the most of the previous album.

3. Chasm – 2:54
Chasm begins with a thumping beat that becomes just a bit repetitive. This song is perhaps my least favorite on the Album. The song itself has a start stop feel that I find disconcerting.

4. Missing – 2:55
This song makes shows me the depth of the musical talent. I find that the music is the strength of this song. the depth and dimension of the instruments make for a song that I can listen to over and over again and find something new each time.

5. This Close – 3:21
after four songs a Power/Rock ballad was inevitable, I have to say if I am going to listen to a Power Ballad I want it to be by someone like Lacey. Here you find all of your typical angsty Ballad-dy goodness.

6. The Kind – 2:47
A hard song about sin and forgiveness. The song throbs and repeats, throwing in our faces how we sin and justify our own actions until we can’t lie to ourselves anymore and finally go to God in desperate need of healing.

7. In the Dark – 3:47
darkly melodic, this song opens with the words
“I’ve written songs in the dark
I’ve felt inspired in the dark
I hide myself in the dark
used to be afraid of the dark”
All through the song you will hear the haunting undertones of what might be a harp.This is one of those songs that clings to you. The words get a hold of you and demand your attention. The songs builds in intensity until the Climaxing silence, drawing even more attention to the chorus of:
“I’m scared to death of light and silence, Jesus kill me inside this, raise me up to live again like you did, like you did!”

8. Set Apart This Dream – 3:15
the dichotomy between this song and “In the Dark” just places both of them into such contrast. Like a sunrise after the long night, Set apart is a song full of hope. Easily the most singable song on the CD, sure to be a concert favorite for audience participation.

9. Swept Away – 4:09
A Song about fake faith and hypocrisy. The opening words say it all:
“The evil fell from your pretty mouth wrapped in your classic voice
angelic in your syntax, demonic in your motive your eyes don’t know
that the water flowing from this well isn’t fresh
demolish all that sets you up against your rising up
confessing all that’s broken and watch the healing come”

Taking on the current form of Traditional Church, while a pet peeve of mine I will admit that all to often the current form of the Traditional church has all to often made a target of itself.

10. Tiny Heart – 3:07
Very light and melodic opening, Lacey’s voice in the opening reminds me of Leigh Nash from Six Pence, Again I am taken by the feeling and emotion caught up in this Cd. The song could easily be written from the point of Jesus to all the people in this world He loves and is just waiting for them to realize just how much He loves them. Likewise the song could also be written from the point of one person to another. The metaphor of Jesus as boyfriend/girlfriend is pretty common in music.

11. Melting – 0:57
Instrumental that makes for a good transition from Melting to Treasure.

12. Treasure – 3:24
Easily the most powerful Song on the CD. Lacey begins the song by talking instead of singing. This sets this song apart from the rest at the very beginning when Lacey says “That night I felt like I’d become something treasured. different.” There is no metaphor in this song, but simply the statement that Jesus (named in the song as “Yes Shua“) and the meaning of the song is also clear
“I am treasured over all the earth
just look at what he’s done
how he’s laying down his life”

13. Circle – 3:03
Throbbing drums and melodic the music behind this song serve more to set the stage than on any other song on the cd. The song rips through emotions as the words take hold
“I left his arms empty and tied
outstretched for me until he died
no man shows greater love
than when a man lays down his life
for his beloved”
Again, taken straight from the Bible.

14. Arise – 4:18
This song almost sounds like an 80’s alt-pop song in the beginning. There isn’t a weak song in the bunch, Arise may be the least of the songs. While the rest of the songs on the CD seem to go out of their way to make their presence known, Arise is more of the wallflower in the corner waiting patiently for you discover just how intelligent and beautiful she actually is.