(EABEBE)
Or “Turned Out to Be Wise” as was the early alternate title. Nov. 3, 1998. I had just finished writing it and played it for producer Rick Naqvi who liked it. I seem to remember them telling me, “You will record this song”, or something to that extent.

It, like “Wise Blood” (Land of the Living) is a moody little piece on the back end of an album. Not meant to impress, but meant to marinate. Solomon’s Proverbs are a veritable mine field of metaphor. I don’t think it’s an accident, however, that wisdom is likened unto a woman throughout those proverbs. “Her” ways are pleasant, “Her” paths are paved in peace, “She” calls aloud in the noisy streets. Another testament to God’s ironic sense of humor.

I built my house on quicksand
the fields have long since burned
I found out that wisdom
yields much better returns

underneath the silver lining
deeper than the veins of gold
more precious than all the rubies
sacks of knowledge to lay hold

I thought I’d listen to reason
in the things I was after
but the voice I thought was wisdom
turned out to be laughter
I had held my meetings
determined in my eyes
but the things I thought were foolish
turned out to be wise

all her ways are pleasant
and her paths are paved in peace
I made a wrong turn at turmoil square
now I can’t tell west from east

she raises her voice in the public square
she calls aloud in the noisy streets
but no one dares look her in the eye
’cause there’s a mirror just beneath

I thought I’d listen to reason
in the things I was after
but the voice I thought was wisdom
turned out to be laughter
I had held my meetings
determined in my eyes
but the things I thought were foolish
turned out to be wise