Song: Paint Your Tigers Gold

The Story of the Song

“Paint Your Tigers Gold” was written when our daughter, Lucy (then 2 years old), was having night terrors. She would erupt into screaming and crying anywhere between midnight and 4 AM. And we couldn’t wake her up to calm her down.
Being in that helpless place and not being able to fix the problem was extremely hard for me as a dad. Exhausted, I would hold my frantic daughter and be completely unsure what to do.

After several weeks of trial and error, turns out she just had to go to the bathroom as a part of the bedtime routine. That was a tiring lesson to learn and best remedied at 7 PM rather than 2 AM.

I wrote this song as a prayer- processing what it means to come alongside someone (when that’s really all you can do… just be with them) when they experience darkness. There’s such strength in coming alongside them to tell them you are with them; that they are brave and can do it.

The sound of the song is purposefully both circus/ kaleidoscope joy and vesper/lullaby hush- a call to courage and a calming comfort. And all that wrapped up in hope.
-Tim

Listen to “Paint Your Tigers Gold”

“Paint Your Tigers Gold” Lyrics and Chords

by Giants & Pilgrims

F
Hedge of angels come to corners with me

Bb
Riddle out every shadow you see

dm             C                       dm                   C                           F
Ring a bell, shake across, give them hell whatever the cost

Summon all of your rave revelry, Say a word against the indecency
You’re alright, you’re not alone, Keep the fight, you’re safe and you’re home

F F/E  dm x2
Put on your brightest shine
(Paint all your tigers gold, Whistle your loudest song,
Shout in your highest notes, Singing your loudest tone,
Put on your greatest crown)

Bb                                                 F   F/E  dm
… And your Lionheart sleeps tonight

Every ride, every Carasol stops, In the end, ended all without knots
Breathing deep, thank the Lord, you’re covered up, with rock and with sword

dm           F              Bb
Sleep along, dear. Darling I’m here
I’ll hang my heart, dear, upon the door here x2

Bb– F– dm– C–