from
Fifty Songs,
track released January 12, 2016
Why I wrote it.
While reading Constance Cherry’s The Worship Architect, I was struck by the idea that one of the primary functions of public worship is to “remember the works of God.” As forgetful as I am, this seemed like a good idea. I made a note in the back of the book about an idea to write a song that walked through the history of God’s saving mankind.
This song is loosely based off of the canticle of Moses in Exodus 15, which to my knowledge is the first recorded “worship” song in the Scriptures. Similar to the triumphant song of the Israelites, I wanted to write something that walked through the narrative of Scripture. Granted, twelve lines in three verses isn’t quite enough to get it all (admittedly, there are big chunks missing like the nation of Israel and the Holy Spirit, to name a couple.) But looking at the God-and-mankind story as a greater narrative intrigued me, and gives the song potential for diverse liturgical functions.
Further reading.
Exodus 14-15. The verses draw from various Scriptures. They begin with creation (pulling mainly from Genesis, the Psalms, & Job), walk through the gospels, and end with imagery from Revelation.
Musical influences.
Ryan Adams, Wilco, Neil Young, M. Ward, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, and (haters forgive me) early Eagles.
Interesting fact.
The chorus of this song originally started out as the bridge/outro for another song. Eventually I realized it was meant to be it’s own thing, and developed the song around the chorus. I went through three drafts before arriving at this one, and the song has become a mainstay at my church.