Be Not Afraid

[Erik B.]

I'd be real interested to hear the story behind why he decided to put this on the album.  

And since it's kind of a "secret" song (that is, it's not listed on the back of the CD jewel case, there's gotta be something.

The back of the booklet says "Special secret song inside."  I assume this song is what it's referring to.

[Rik]

You shall cross the barren desert,
but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety,
though you do not know the way.

You shall speak your words in foreign lands,
and all will understand,
You shall see the face of God and live.

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
and I shall give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters
in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amidst the burning flames,
you shall not be harmed.

If you stand before the pow’r of hell
and death is at your side,
know that I am with you, through it all

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
and I shall give you rest.

Blessed are your poor,
for the Kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn,
for one day you shall laugh.

And if wicked men insult and hate you, all because of Me,
blessed, blessed are you!

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
and I shall give you rest.

[wickedgarden23]

I don't get this cover at all. For the first half..it's good and it doesn't even sound like Scott..but the end of the song it's absolutely horrible..probably the worst vocals I have ever heard of Scott's.

I don't think it's that bad...in my opinion Scott's worst vocal performance on any track in his career is Velvet Revolver's cover of "Money". That's the only song Weiland sings on where I just can't stand the vocals.

[Erik B.]

I actually really love him singing this song.  

But that's probably just the hard-core Catholic in me.

[Me(hdi)]

I am not big on religion, but I dig the song.  A bit shocked that most here seem to think it is a downer.  I agree with the post that it could be trimmed in half though.

[wayne gretzky]

Im just curious as to why he sang it in that voice.

[adhesive-love]

The first half of the song is fine.  It sounds very Jeff Buckley'ish.  The tone of the opening guitar notes is absolutely amazing.

But yeah, this song is way to long.  I lose interest halfway.

[jayjay9979]

a little explanation why this song is on the album......it was posted in a very recent interview...i know its not the greatest song but i think it is one of the most personal heart felt songs he has ever done now that we know the story behind it...i love listening to it.

scott said that he remembers growing up and going to church with his mom and brother and everytime they sang this song he would look up at her and she would be crying...and then when his brother died he or his mom (can't remember at the moment) thought he should sing it...so he sang it at his brothers funeral...i couldn't imagine singing a song at my own brothers funeral, and then decided to put it on his album for a special tribute to him and his mom...if that isn't a tearjerker i don't know what is.

[loungefly611]

That's a great tribute to his family in that case. While it definitely is one of my least favorite tracks, (Fame takes the distinction of my least favorite) I give him props for the reason behind the song.

[SoftVinyl]

Can't stand this song. Scott's worst!! I like the IDEA of it...just hate the performance.

[Shangri]

when I listened to it by first time I loved it, after playing the record a couple of times I started to dislike it... later till now I love it again...