Altar Boyz won the 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical.
The Calling
Altar Boyz Lyrics
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Looking outside of my window
Watching the world passing by
Feeling so terribly lonely
Wanting to sit down and cry
Suddenly I felt a presence
Ending my deep, dark fears
Of something ringing in my ears
Jesus called me on my cell phone (Jesus called me on my cell phone)
No roaming charges were incurred (Oooooh)
He told me that I should go out in the world (Aaaah)
And spread His glorious word (Word)
Mark
Walking the streets of the city
Feeling such feelings of strife
Leaving my friends all behind me
Running away from my life
Suddenly I felt a presence
I got a second chance
There was this vibrating feeling
On the belt-loop of my pants
Jesus paged me on my beeper (Jesus paged me on my beeper)
He called from Heaven up above (Oooooh)
He said I should go to the ends of the Earth (Aaaah)
And spread His glorious love (Love)
OOohOooOh...
Abe
I’m losing your signal, Lord
Can you try your call again?
Please Lord...I’m a losing ya
I’m a going in a tunnel and I can’t see the light!
(Jesus...)
Luke
Jesus called me on my cell phone (Dialing his Nokia, He called me on the phone)
The clearest voice I ever heard, yeah
He beeped me! (He beeped me)
He faxed me! (He faxed me)
He emailed my soul! (He emailed my soul)
And said (And said)
'Til the day I'm dead ('Til the day I’m dead)
That I must spread His glorious word (Spread his glorious word)
All
Ooooooh...
The lyrics of Altar Boyz's song "The Calling" allude to the idea of receiving a spiritual calling and making a decision to share it with the world. The song is a humorous take on the concept of modern-day evangelism, where each member of the group talks about how they received their calling in a contemporary way, such as receiving a call, text, or page from Jesus on their cell phones or beepers.
The opening lines of the song sung by Matt describe the feelings of loneliness and emotional pain he is going through as he gazes outside his window. Suddenly, he feels a divine presence which offers him solace, thereby ending his despair. Jesus calls him, and Matt realizes that he has a mission for the greater good of spreading His word throughout the world.
The verses that follow sung by Mark and Luke talk about how they receive a similar spiritual calling through their modern-day devices, and they feel called to spread the gospel of God's love to others. Even Abe, who faces a weak connection, realizes the Lord is calling out to him and spreading his message of faith. In conclusion, the song inspires people who believe in God to be open to their spiritual calling and share their beliefs with others, no matter where their faith journey takes them.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking outside of my window
Feeling lost and alone, gazing wistfully out the window of my room.
Watching the world passing by
Observing the hustle and bustle of daily life, feeling disengaged from it all.
Feeling so terribly lonely
Overwhelmed by my own solitude, searching for a sense of purpose.
Wanting to sit down and cry
Feeling so out of place in the world that tears seem like the only appropriate response.
Suddenly I felt a presence
Experiencing a profound moment of spiritual awakening or realization.
Ending my deep, dark fears
Overcoming my deepest fears and anxieties through my newfound faith or sense of purpose.
There was this heavenly sound
Sensing a divine presence or intervention in my life.
Of something ringing in my ears
Hearing a metaphysical or otherworldly message loud and clear.
Jesus called me on my cell phone (Jesus called me on my cell phone)
Interpreting my spiritual calling as a personal message from Jesus, delivered through modern technology.
No roaming charges were incurred (Oooooh)
Reveling in the idea that this important message was delivered to me free of charge.
He told me that I should go out in the world (Aaaah)
Receiving a clear directive to leave my isolated world behind and engage with others.
And spread His glorious word (Word)
Feeling called to share the good news of Jesus and His teachings with others, as part of my spiritual journey.
Walking the streets of the city
Venturing out into the wider world, embracing my role as a spiritual wanderer or seeker.
Feeling such feelings of strife
Experiencing intense emotions of conflict, turmoil, or hardship in my everyday life.
Leaving my friends all behind me
Sacrificing some aspects of my past life in order to pursue my spiritual calling.
Running away from my life
Feeling like I needed to escape from my old life and seek a new, more meaningful path.
I got a second chance
Feeling like I had been given a fresh start or a new opportunity at life, thanks to my spiritual awakening.
There was this vibrating feeling
Experiencing a visceral physical sensation, like a tangible confirmation of my spiritual calling or direction.
On the belt-loop of my pants
Receiving a message or sign through an everyday object or item, like a metaphor for the ordinary transformed into something extraordinary.
Jesus paged me on my beeper (Jesus paged me on my beeper)
Once again interpreting my spiritual calling as a message from Jesus delivered through a modern device, emphasizing the timeless appeal of the divine message.
He called from Heaven up above (Oooooh)
Reinforcing the idea that my spiritual direction or calling comes directly from a celestial power, beyond the mundane world of everyday life.
He said I should go to the ends of the Earth (Aaaah)
Receiving a message that I should pursue my spiritual mission with a sense of urgency and dedication, even if it takes me far from home.
And spread His glorious love (Love)
Recognizing that my spiritual calling is about more than just sharing a message, but also embodying a universal message of compassion, kindness, and love.
I’m losing your signal, Lord
Feeling like my spiritual connection or guidance is faltering, as though I am losing touch with the divine.
Can you try your call again?
Expressing a humble and earnest plea for spiritual guidance or a renewed sense of purpose or direction.
Please Lord...I’m a losing ya
Feeling like my faith or my relationship with the divine is slipping away or being threatened in some way.
I’m a going in a tunnel and I can’t see the light!
Feeling like I am adrift in darkness or uncertainty, unable to see the way forward in my spiritual journey.
Jesus called me on my cell phone (Dialing his Nokia, He called me on the phone)
Revisiting the idea that my spiritual calling comes through modern technology, but this time with a humorous twist.
The clearest voice I ever heard, yeah
Hearing a message from the divine so clearly that it feels like I am hearing it with my own two ears.
He beeped me! (He beeped me)
Embracing the humorous and irreverent side of my spiritual calling and its use of modern technology.
He faxed me! (He faxed me)
Turning the mundane act of receiving a fax into a spiritual metaphor for divine communication and guidance.
He emailed my soul! (He emailed my soul)
Pushing the limits of what modern technology can do, suggesting that even my spiritual essence can be reached via email.
And said (And said)
Receiving a message or directive from the divine, delivered through modern technology but still imbued with timeless significance.
'Til the day I'm dead ('Til the day I’m dead)
Committing myself to my spiritual path and my mission to share the divine message for the rest of my life.
That I must spread His glorious word (Spread his glorious word)
Recognizing that my spiritual calling is not just an abstract idea, but a concrete obligation to share the message of love and compassion with others.
Ooooooh...
Emphasizing the emotional power and transformative potential of the divine message and my spiritual journey.
Contributed by Gianna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.