Much has been made, both satirical and serious, about how modern praise worship adds a “chorus “to existing hymns. The argument against the chorus often points out how these songs have existed in some cases for over a century and done just fine without a chorus or power chords to make an impact. The problem with holding to that notion is that the songs are treated less like songs to be sung, and more like grandma’s china that you never take out for more than special occasions, like Easter, Christmas and funerals, taking these otherwise powerful songs and relegating them to a forgotten corner.
Fact is, many of these hymns we love such as “Amazing Grace” and “Be Thou My Vision” took existing songs, like drinking tunes and folk songs, to set poetry to music. Even songs like “Oh God Beyond All Praising”, or “Be Still My Soul” used works from classical symphonies, the hymn portion of Holst’s “Jupiter” from The Planets and Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia respectively. Thus as Martin Luther himself acknowledged, which Larry Norman put it to music “Why should the devil have all the good music.” And indeed, hymns are ‘good’ music, in the biblical sense that they are not only “good” but, “Excellent, and praiseworthy”, the very things that believers are to think on. If by taking an old hymn and giving it a chorus allows a younger generation too appreciate a great song in their terms, and be drawn to worship, then that is nothing short of a great thing. It allows the younger believer to join hands with the centuries and raise their voice to heaven, not only singing a “new song” but a familiar hymn of praise to their king.
Thus, one of the 21st centuries most prominent worship leaders, known for introducing many of the great hymns to younger believer, Chris Tomlin, made for a great “closing act “for the Inspired by Album for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. His chorus for the Isaac Watt’s classic “When I survey the Wondrous l Cross”, invites the believer to be crucified along with Christ, so they may find life, and reflects on the grace by which they are called to bless His name, while his “Amazing Grace My chains are Gone” written or the movie Amazing Grace, introduced entire generations of Christians to the seldom sung fourth and fifth verses of the John Newton hymn.However, far from just reintroducing believers to old songs, he has also penned his share of powerful praise anthems with Jesse Reeves, Louis Giglio. Songs like “Our God” testify to how we have nothing to fear when the God who can do all things goes with us, while “I Will Rise” is a beautiful modern hymn that reflects not only on the enduring faith of a believer to be anchored firmly in the Lord, and that faith will sustain us through all things even until the end when we finally see our Savior face to face.
Thus, it makes sense that Tomlin’s contribution to the Inspired by Album, “You’re the One” would capture that enduring sense of faith. After all, Aslan told the children later in Voyage of the Dawn Treader that they had been brought into Narnia so that they would one day know Him better in their own world. But this song isn’t written from the perspective of any of the Pevensies. Keep in mind their faith is still in its infancy and they still have a lot to learn on their journey, while for the Narnians like Tumnus and the Beavers, their faith is expressed more in the “Advent” song “Waiting for the World To Fall” . If anything, it’s about a fifth friend of Narnia, one just as important to the story as any of the Pevensies.
In the song’s opening line, Tomlin describes the central figure as hearing Aslan’s song coming over the hill. There are only a handful of characters from the seven books who heard a “Song” coming over a hill, and only one who figures in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, one who held onto his faith and memories of Narnia and Aslan long after logic may have convinced him otherwise: Digory Kirke, now the Professor. This is someone who not only witnessed Aslan’s power as He sang Narnia into creation, but experienced his love, compassion and forgiveness first hand. Digory might have been a “one and done “for visiting Narnia, but his enduring faith in Alsan and Narnia, and the fact that he was a far kinder, warmer, more humble and more considerate person then his uncle shows he never forgot the lessons he learned.
And neither should we. As Tomlin reminds us in “You’re the One” we have that same King and friend who’s always there for us, sustaining us, and guiding us, even when we can’t see Him.
Playlist:
Side A
“You’re the One”
“Our God”
Side B
“Amazing Grace ( My Chains are Gone)”
“I Will Rise”
Be the first to comment