Like her Christian music peers Jaci Velasquez, Stacie Orrico, Rebecca St. James, and Rachael Lampa, Alli Rogers was poised for success at an early age. After winning a talent contest at AtlantaFest, the 16-year-old artist signed to Word Records and worked on her long-awaited debut. Before the album would ever see the light of day, however, Word was absorbed by Time Warner, and Rogers' major-label hopes came to a screeching halt when she was dropped from the roster after a host of personnel changes.
But she didn't let that keep her from making music for long. Rogers teamed up with friend Donnie Boutwell to write and co-produce her well-crafted debut, Always Eden, 11 tracks showcasing Rogers' lovely voice and poetic songwriting. For added accessibility and variety, Bebo Norman also sang a few background vocals that enhanced the album's overall vibe.
Now a little more than a year later, Rogers returns with her sophomore effort, The Day of Small Things, a disc that provides further evidence of the beauty of simplicity. The theme of "enjoying simple things of life" also extends to her songwriting as well.
"It's hard for me to work hard at the small things, the menial tasks, when I can't see the outcome, says Rogers. "I think a lot of people relate to that. When I was looking at the handful of songs I'd been writing, this theme seemed to stand out. The album is about looking past the daily, mundane things and seeing eternal purposes. It worked out well because I had been really inspired by Zechariah 4:10."
With a sound that would make any fan of Patty Griffin or Jonatha Brooke proud, Rogers' vocals are the real standout on the project, particularly on these lyrics on the title track: "You've shown me that we're never alone/And your Spirit will stay by our side/So I won't despise the day of small things."
While Always Eden was a little more introspective, The Day of Small Things has more of a universal message, particularly on a track titled "Hope," which Rogers wrote after seeing victims' pleas for help in the wake of tragedies like the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. "We need to be passionate about bringing hope to people who don't have it, which is the actual definition of poverty," Rogers affirms. "I wanted to write a song that shares that everyone, from the richest of souls to those that are covered in poverty, we all need the hope that is found in Christ."
For more information about Alli Rogers, visit www.allirogers.com.
This Is My Father's World
Alli Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and to my listening ears
all nature sings and 'round me rings
the music of the spheres
This is my Father's world
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought
the birds their carols raise
the morning white, the lily white
declare their Maker's praise
This is my Father's world
He shines in all that's fair
in the rustling grass I hear him pass
He speaks to me everywhere
This is my Father's world
Oh let me not forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the ruler yet
This is my Father's world
the battle is not done
Jesus who died shall be satisfied
and earth and heaven be one
I will not be afraid
I will not be afraid
This is my Father's world
I will not be afraid
I will not be afraid
This is my Father's world
I will not be afraid
No, I will not be afraid
This is my Father's world
I will not be afraid
No, I will not be afraid
This is my Father's world
My Father's world
Oh, everything I see
Oh, it's my Father's world
Everything my Father's world
Alli Rogers's song "This Is My Father's World" is a hymn about finding comfort and solace in the beauty of nature and the power of God. The singer speaks of the world around them as being crafted by their Father, and as they listen, nature sings and rings with the music of the spheres. The singer finds peace in the thought that rocks, trees, skies, and seas were all created by their Father's hand, and that everywhere they go, they can hear him speak to them. The world is fair and beautiful, and the singer declares that they will not be afraid, even when faced with difficulty or wrong, because God is the ruler of the world and Jesus will return to bring heaven and earth together.
The hymn connects the beauty of nature to the power of God, highlighting the idea that everything in the world comes from him. The music of the spheres that the singer hears is a reference to an old Greek idea that the planets move in perfect harmony and create a kind of celestial music. The line "He speaks to me everywhere" is a reminder that the singer sees the world as a place where God is present and communicating with them constantly. The hymn's final lines are a declaration of faith and a refusal to be afraid, even in the face of difficulty or evil.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my Father's world
I recognize that everything I see and experience is created and overseen by my Heavenly Father.
and to my listening ears
Through my attentive ears, I am able to hear the symphony of nature's music.
all nature sings and 'round me rings
The entire natural world is constantly singing and echoing around me.
the music of the spheres
This harmony of nature’s sounds, created by the movement of celestial objects, is like a divine song.
I rest me in the thought
I am at ease, comforted in the knowledge that my Father created everything that surrounds me.
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
I find peace in knowing that my Father's hands crafted everything from the rocks and trees down to the skies and seas.
His hand the wonders wrought
All of the marvels in the world were created by Him.
the birds their carols raise
Birds offer a beautiful song of praise to their Creator.
the morning white, the lily white
The pure, white morning dew and beautiful lilies alike provide a beautiful image of a creation that reflects its Creator.
declare their Maker's praise
The morning dew and beautiful flowers point to God's greatness and sing of His glory.
He shines in all that's fair
God radiates through all things beautiful and fair.
in the rustling grass I hear him pass
Even the rustling of grass creates an image of God moving and passing by.
He speaks to me everywhere
God's presence and voice can be felt and heard in all things around me.
Oh let me not forget
May I never forget that my Heavenly Father is still in control and sovereign over all things.
that though the wrong seems oft so strong
Although things may seem wrong or difficult at times, God is still ultimately in control.
God is the ruler yet
God is the ultimate authority and ruler of all creation.
the battle is not done
The fight against evil in the world is still ongoing.
Jesus who died shall be satisfied
Jesus, who died for our sins, will be fully satisfied when all of creation is reconciled to God.
and earth and heaven be one
When all of creation is united with God, heaven and earth will be one.
I will not be afraid
I will not fear because I trust in my Father's control and sovereignty over all things.
No, I will not be afraid
I will not fear because of my faith in my Heavenly Father.
My Father's world
This is my Heavenly Father's world and I am grateful to be a part of it.
Oh, everything I see
Everything that I see is evidence of my Father's handiwork and love for us.
Oh, it's my Father's world
All that is around me and that I experience belongs to and is created and overseen by my Heavenly Father.
Everything my Father's world
Everything in this world belongs to and is created by my Heavenly Father.
Contributed by Harper P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@juliecrane9647
@Bob Marshall My favorite is...
Be still and know that I am God. Like u I often forget I am not in charge. I need only remind myself of my last fiasco that I alone created lol.
When my middle daughter was deep in her addiction I was powerless and terrified.
Every morning my prayer was simple....
Lord you know I dont want to lose my precious child. I am full of fear but if it is your will please dont let it hurl me back into my own addiction.
Then I recited Emily Dickinson's words on hope...
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune, without words, and never stops at all.
My beautiful girl got clean 7 yrs ago.
What have I NOT to be still about today ??
And know who is in charge ?
Acceptance gives me freedom to go out and do His work. But I must pray to be willing bc I wake up daily full of fear and self. I fear someone's gonna take what I've got or not give me what I think I need. Unless I pray, this stinkin thinkin can manifest into an out of contol freight train lol. There's that control thing again bc I forgot to Be Still.
Beautiful graphics Bob.
I've enjoyed this video many times.
Many thanks to you and Ali.
Stay well and safe.
@juliecrane9647
@Linda Mullin Linda....
You have the precious God given gift of a listening heart.
I can almost see you sitting with the ppl you've been there for...never judging.....only hearing and leaning in.
Im a survivor of child sex abuse that manifested into alcoholism. I was deep in it until age 41 and got help. I fought it like hell but had a sponser to gently guide me until I came to believe. I only knew I didnt want to go back to my life of being sick and tired and afraid.
Ive been blessed with many
Friends and 3 beautiful daughters who were beacons to me as I rebuilt my life 23 yrs ago. I speak openly of my abuse ( had counseling) and of my inability to maintain love relationships. I took lovers as hostages while drunk and later while sober. The fallout of sex abuse.
At 64 I am still learning but also love myself enuf to be with only me. I am still growing and hopeful.
I tell ppl I dont remember the names or faces of those who were unkind to me when I was most unlovable but I DO remember those who were kind.
These folks you write of remember you too.
You are blessed and your gift blesses this world.
My friends and girls tell me I'm a good mentor. Ppl approach me often and share. Especially kids.
Ppl are surprised when I say Im grateful for the pain Ive had thru the yrs.
But today it's the gauge by which I measure my Joy.
Your post touched my heart Linda.
Thank You for the comfort you impart to the lonely and afraid. It matters.
😊😊
@juliecrane9647
I listened to this song just before they took me back for upper lung lobe removed to cut away cancer. I listened every morn for weeks after during chemo. It always brought a calmness over me . I'm cancer free today. His grace truly is amazing. And the ppl he put in my life .... amazing. I will not be afraid.
@andresrogersa
love
@GSS1314
Hello Julie, I saw your comment, but for some reason, I can't view it. It is very likely that we're maybe being stopped from communicating? Anyways, I don't think there is a point in further discussing. Regardless, I wish you well and God bless you!
@Silent-ci3ug
glory to The Guardian, The Witness, The Overseer the only God
@mkl62
I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. Today (October 26), I played this for Sunday School Assembly.
@davidyang8550
So nice. I'm a christian in South Korea. I'm not afraid. This is my Father's world. You know.
@moparmtn
70 years I have listened to this song but this version is awesome and shed a new light on the song and nature... well done Alli Rogers...
@markdemoreuille4451
moparmtn nice
@SeychelleSunshine
She has such a pure and angelic voice with just enough soul and power. i love it.
@Debbiekayrose
This song helped answer an ongoing series of prayers for me this morning. God's hand is in all things! Thank you and God Bless you!