"I initially wrote this lyric in my home studio near Dallas, Texas, in 1998, with Jessica, while I was under contract to BMG in Nashville. She had a concept for a song about a girl saving herself for her future husband, (this was obviously WAY prior to her marriage to Nick, or to her even meeting him, and much prior to the new TV show "The Newlyweds" or her more recent magazine covers / mature image) and she and her dad, Joe, and I go way back, (along with Mom Tina) having written together for several years before her deal, since she was about 13, way before the current record deal. At the time of the writing of HEART OF INNOCENCE, they had the deal with Columbia, and Joe and Jess had been calling me. When I returned the call, I found out they were wanting me to write this song with her, as it was an idea very close to her heart. I knew it needed to be artfully done, so as not to come off sounding judgmental or preachy, so I came up with using this literal "gift" approach to the lyric....one of the parts of this song I am proudest of, is the chorus: "I have a gift for you, something I've held onto.." going on to "no ribbon has been untied, from all I hold inside"...I was excited about using this poetic metaphor of a gift, for this lyric, as a "gift which is still wrapped" concept, a lovely way to talk about sexual purity, in my opinion...one of my better brainstorms! (Sometimes brainstorms are hard to come by!) Also, re: "I lay my head down on a pillow of white"...I came up with that part of the lyric, to really drive home the "I sleep soundly, no regrets" type of feeling, knowing that white connotes innocence....and of course, we're talking about dreaming...so a pillow is a natural! And for THIS song, THIS pillow....needed to be white! Jessica had brought me a simple, precious sentiment...that of teen girls valuing their own innocence and sexuality, and valuing it enough to wait for this future, never-seen guy she dreamed about. I admire her, and loved the concept, (not a new one to me--it just happens to agree with my ideas about the subject, for teens...) and I wanted to do this idea justice! Knowing her and her family, I could tell it meant alot to her, and that she was sincere. After we wrote the lyric and music, two more writers joined our song, and the bridge was (lyrically) changed...the verses and chorus stayed almost identical to our original version...with slight paraphrasing/ re-positioning a few phrases. (I think the inner workings/inside story of song creation is so interesting to hear! ) Baker and Myers added their magic touch to the music, which is different from mine and Jess's original....I love the musical changes these guys brought in! Altogether, our joint efforts turned out a GORGEOUS SONG...and one I am proud to say, seems to have made a difference in the way a lot of teens think about sexual abstinence. "-- Paula Carpenter, Songwriter. Here is this wonderful lyric:
Verse One
Whoo, yeah...
Sometimes I wake up...in the dark night...
And in my mind, there's a picture of you...
I know someday this dream will come alive...
so for now, your shadow will do...
I've never seen your face...but I know you're in my heart
Baby some day, some place..I'll hold you in my arms...
Chorus
I have a gift for you...something I've held onto...
Waiting for your sweet caress (sweet caress)
No ribbon has been untied...from all that I hold inside...
and only you will possess....
This HEART OF INNOCENCE.
Verse Two
I lay my head down on a pillow of white...
Here in the dark, I am cradled in peace...
No ghosts from yesterday to haunt me at night...
No tears to dry, no sad memories...
It isn't hard to hold, and I will safely keep
The treasure that's in my soul...until you come to me...
Repeat Chorus
I have a gift for you...something I've held onto...
Waiting for your sweet caress....(sweet caress)
No ribbon has been untied from all that I hold inside
And only you will possess
This HEART OF INNOCENCE.
Bridge
Every night I make a wish before I fall asleep
That destiny will take your hand..and lead you to me...
OH!
Repeat Chorus
I have a gift for you...something I've held onto
Waiting for your sweet caress...
No ribbon has been untied, from all that I hold inside
And only you will possess...
This HEART OF INNOCENCE...
ohhh...ohhh
"Jessica had herself in mind when we wrote this...I personally had my own daughters in mind...if a writer were allowed a dedication of a lyric, as artists sometimes do in the lyric jacket, mine would be to these gorgeous , classy and truly wonderful women of character: My twin daughters, Tiffany Carpenter Schwedland and Tracy Carpenter Wade."
"This song was
a natural for me to write with Jessica...it echoed not only what I had been taught and had experienced, but more than that, it was what I had already taught my little girls, and what I hope little and big girls everywhere...as well as young boys and young men...will take to heart:
You are a gift.
Treat yourself as if you are one, instead of a piece of furniture to be used! Treasure yourself...enough to make right choices that will protect your future health, self-esteem, and happiness!"
--Paula Carpenter
