I’ve previously shared that a strong part of our Christian heritage is the practice of writing new lyrics to well-known tunes. This practice goes back to at least the Reformers. But I suspect it precedes that.
In February 2012, I delivered a message to a Christian community entitled Living in the Divine Parenthesis. The night before I brought the message, I wrote a song as a companion to the talk called “He Has Anointed Us.”
I wrote the song to the tune of Wavin’ Flag by K’naan — a specific version of it performed by the Young Artists for Haiti. I regard their version to be one of the most inspiring melodies of our time. (It’s not a “Christian” song, but a secular one.)
In July 2012, a community of Christians I know took the lyrics I wrote and recorded the new song in a studio. And . . . well . . . it blew me away.
The lyrics follow below so you can read them while you listen to the recording. The talk I delivered (above) gives the context and meaning of each line.
Click here to listen to the recording
These saints did an amazing job. I hope you’re inspired by the song.
Here’s a video of it along with lyrics.
Lyrics to He Has Anointed Us (Luke 4:18-21)
[All]
We are His body
Serving His lost world
They will see Jesus
He has anointed us
[A Brother Sings]
He is alive
World is revived
Lord over all
God’s future now
[A Sister Sings]
He is our home
We’ll make Him known
[A Brother Sings]
We’re on His throne
Glory is shown
[A Sister Sings]
Out of the darkness
Free from the carnage
Bearing the good news of Jes-u-s
[A Brother Sings]
Sin on the streets
Lost broken dreams
He is their Hope
True Prince of Peace
[All]
So we’re reaching out
[A Brother Sings]
Giving His love
[All]
And we’re pressing on
[A Brother Sings]
Because we are free
[A Sister Sings]
We will not wait
For some future day
It’s too far away
So right now we say
[All – Chorus]
We are His body
Serving His lost world
They will see Jesus
He has anointed us
For He’s the true King
For He’s the true King
For He’s the true King
Woh oh oh
[A Sister Sings]
Jesus has risen
A new creation
[A Brother Sings]
Spirit is in us
We are forgiven
[A Sister Sings]
We boldly say
Love is the way
[A Brother Sings]
Christ is the answer
That’s what we say
[A Sister Sings]
But we’re not just dreamers
Nor clever schemers
[A Brother Sings]
His hand has reached us
Mended our weakness
[A Sister Sings]
He lives within
Doing His will
Jubilee now
Showing us how
[All]
So we’re reaching out
[A Brother Sings]
Giving His love
[All]
And we’re pressing on
[A Brother Sings]
Because we are free
[A Sister Sings]
We will not wait
For some future day
It’s too far away
So right now we say
[All – Chorus]
We are His body
Serving His lost world
They will see Jesus
He has anointed us
For He’s the true King
For He’s the true King
For He’s the true King
Woh oh oh
[All – Chorus]
We are His body
Serving His lost world
They will see Jesus
He has anointed us
True Lord of the world
True Lord of the world
True Lord of the world
Woh oh oh
Pettiness
Wow! Wow! Awesome, it hit me right to my heart!
Frank,
just as you wrote: “This practice goes back to at least the Reformers. But I suspect it precedes that.”
.. well then, a scripture from Ps 22 comes to mind:
“For the Chief Musician; set to Aijaleth hash-Shahar. A Psalm of David.”
“Aijaleth hash-Shahar” is hebrew for, like “Hind/Doe of the Dawn.”
So the practice of writing more spiritual lyrics to existing songs obviously goes waaaaay back, much further back than the reformers…
So Frank, suspicion confirmed 😉
BTW, love it!
Andy
Thank you for this blessed inspiration. I would like to use this song in our worship at O’Hare Airport Chapel on August 5th…
Brother,
Thank you for sharing! So beautiful to hear the brothers and sisters singing it.
May His glory continue to fill the earth!
Absolutely gorgeous song! It brought
pure joy to my heart! A true work with
the body working together!!
Fantastic job. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Frank my Brother,
This song filled my heart with such joy this good morning. Our King is alive forever! My heart longs for the family of God who meets in Israel to be set free in this kind of way. Thank you brother for this gem of life. I am going to share it with some brothers and sisters tonight! May He continue to fill this earth with more and more of HIs glorious life and light!
Love every part of this! The lyrics, the idea, the voices,… so much talent being expressed through the Body in this project. Christ sure is beautiful!!
Wonderful!!! Love it. Where can I buy a download of it for my iPod? Also would like to download a copy of “In Christ”. 🙂
Stephen,
You can right click the link Frank provided above, select “Save As” then title it however you want and save it to your computer. Then just upload it to your iTunes files and transfer it to your iPod.
🙂 I think everybody will love this in South Africa since it was like the theme song for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. How amazing is it now that rather than something which has now been pretty much forgotten the Rhythm of the song will now stand for Someone more permanent.
“We are His body
Serving His lost world
They will see Jesus
He has anointed us
For He’s the true King
For He’s the true King
For He’s the true King
Woh oh oh”
I am singing away… :), I Love it.
warms my heart to hear these precious saints!
They did an amazing job! Thank you. 🙂
Keep writing these great songs brother!
Absolutely Bee-a-uuuu-ti-ful!! Frank, I bet you were all giddy in the insides when you heard this heehee ;D
Amazing song!
Awesome sauce 🙂
Very nice!
Wow! Pure awesomenss!
Oh my. That is a beautiful song! Great work on the lyrics Frank. And great job to these artists for such a beautiful rendition.