College is a stressful time for everyone – add in any physical or mental challenges and it can seem overwhelming. For some of the members of the BYU acapella group, 1AChord, it felt like they were drowning in challenges, but making music has been a powerful way to cope during this stressful semester.
The group just released a music video cover of Avril Lavigne’s song “Head Above Water.” They had been searching for just the right song when David Allen pitched the song to his co-director, Danny Dawson. He said, “from the very first rehearsal it was clear that this song was not only going to be enjoyable to sing and perform, but it was going to be meaningful and timely.”
The song definitely was meaningful to singer Abi Urton. She had been going through a lot of challenges, and didn’t think that she was going to make it through the semester, but relates how this song helped her.
“I remember singing this song at… rehearsal, and I realized… what it means to ‘Keep your head above water.’ It’s to have the strength to keep treading when you are in a hopeless sea, it’s a test of faith and trust that God will keep you from drowning, it’s recognizing you have people around you who are willing to ‘pull you up from down below.’ And that’s why I made it through, I had the support of God, my family, friends, and this group.”
Another member of the group, Tatiana Arkell-Ruano literally felt the song lift her up. The first time the group performed the song, she had been experiencing some health issues and was feeling physically weak. When everyone started singing Tatiana said she “felt energized, and was able to make it through the song with no problem.”
BYU A Capella Group 1AChord
Whitney Anderson saw how this song was touching others. “As… I watched different group members and myself struggle with things, particularly physical and mental health, the song became an anthem of survival, resilience, and hope. Even up to the very end, the day after the shutdown and group members were leaving to go home to their families, we were making the video and holding onto that message of keeping our heads above water.”
…have the strength to keep treading when you are in a hopeless sea.
Clearly, this song has been a great strength for those in the 1AChord group. It’s now time to share it with the world in hopes that this message will bring joy and confidence to the hearts of those who hear it – and be an anthem for them in their times of struggle.
You can Subscribe to 1AChord on YouTube here. Also, please share this song with anyone you know who could benefit from it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVfsiMBcPL/
Head Above Water Lyrics
I don’t want less, I don’t want more
Must bar the windows and the doors
To keep me safe, to keep me warm
Can’t part the sea, can’t reach the shore
And my voice becomes the driving force
I won’t let this pull me overboard
Don’t let me drown, it gets harder
I’ll meet you there at the altar
As I fall down to my knees
Don’t let me drown, drown, drown
Don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me drown
‘Cause I’m underneath the undertow
Come dry me off and hold me close
I need you now, I need you most
Don’t let me drown, it gets harder
I’ll meet you there at the altar
As I fall down to my knees
Don’t let me drown, drown, drown
Don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me drown
Don’t let me drown, drown, drown
Keep my head above water, above water
I can’t seem to keep it all together
And I, I can’t swim the ocean like this forever
And I can’t breathe
I lose my breath at the bottom
Come rescue me, I’ll be waiting
I’m too young to fall asleep
Don’t let me drown, it gets harder
I’ll meet you there at the altar
As I fall down to my knees
Don’t let me drown (don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me drown)
Don’t let me drown (don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me drown)
Keep my head above water, above water