Annie Herring’s music and ministry was, in no small part, forged from personal family tragedy. In 1968 her mother, Elizabeth Ward, died of a brain tumor; two years later her father, Walter, died of leukemia leaving her youngest sister, Nelly, and brother, Matthew, orphaned. The Ward siblings all decided that Annie and her new husband, record producer Buck Herring, should take in the two younger Ward siblings.
Annie was a self-taught singer and songwriter who wrote and played her songs around the family piano. Her brother and sister would often join in as she played, and eventually they developed extremely tight and intricate harmonies.
You Are
Annie Herring Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Letting fear enter into my mind
Not looking upward
I go half blind
You'd think I'd learn my lesson
For the floor falls right through
Everytime I take my eyes off You
The only light I need
You are, You are
A lamp unto my feet
And You are, You are
The bright morning star
That shines for me
Living within reason
Can't let faith enter into my mind
Not lookin' upward
I go half blind
You'd think I'd learn my lesson
For the floor falls right through
Everytime I take my eyes off You
For You are, You are
The only light I need
You are, You are
A lamp unto my feet
And You are, You are
The bright morning star
That shines for me
Shadows come when night stars falling
Illumination fades away
But there's no shadow of turning
You will always be there for me
Shining through the shadows
Letting faith enter into my mind
When I look upward
It's You I find
Holding on to my heart
Holding on straight and true
Everytime I keep my eyes on You
For You are, You are
The only light I need
You are, You are
A lamp unto my feet
And You are, You are
The bright morning star
That shines for me
©1992 Sparrow Records/Latter Rain Music/ASCAP
Written by Annie Herring and Smitty Price
The song "You Are" by Annie Herring is a powerful testimony about the importance of keeping one's eyes on the Lord. The lyrics describe the struggle of living in the shadows and letting fear and reason control one's mind. The singer acknowledges the foolishness of taking her eyes off of God and drifting away from faith. She realizes that without His guidance and protection, she falls through the floor every time.
The chorus serves as a reminder that God is the only light needed in life. He is the lamp that guides our steps and provides clarity in darkness. He is the bright morning star that shines for us, illuminating our path and leading us towards salvation. The singer celebrates the fact that despite the shadows that may come, God is always there, shining through and holding on to her heart.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to keep their focus on God, to trust Him completely, and to live a life guided by faith rather than fear or reason. It emphasizes the importance of relying on God for strength and guidance, especially during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Living in the shadows
Existing in darkness, afraid to face the light of truth and reality.
Letting fear enter into my mind
Allowing negative thoughts and emotions to control my thinking and decision making.
Not looking upward
Neglecting to seek the guidance and support of a higher power or greater force.
I go half blind
Becoming limited in my perception and awareness of the world around me.
You'd think I'd learn my lesson
Despite past mistakes and failures, I still struggle to break free from my negative patterns and behaviors.
For the floor falls right through
When I lose sight of what truly matters in life, everything else seems to crumble and fall apart.
Every time I take my eyes off You
When I lose focus and direction, and forget to prioritize my faith, values, and goals.
For You are, You are
Emphasizes the importance and centrality of a spiritual or religious belief system in the singer's life.
The only light I need
Acknowledges that a source of guidance and inspiration beyond oneself is essential for personal growth and fulfillment.
A lamp unto my feet
Suggests that this higher force provides a clear path and direction for the singer to follow.
And You are, You are
Further emphasizing the importance and reliability of this spiritual or religious belief system.
The bright morning star
Symbolic of hope, new beginnings, and a renewed sense of purpose.
That shines for me
Personalizes the belief that this higher power is present and active in the singer's life.
Living within reason
Trying to make sense of the world based solely on logic, facts, and rational thinking.
Can't let faith enter into my mind
Despite moments of doubt or confusion, the singer cannot abandon their spiritual beliefs.
Shadows come when night stars falling
Darkness and uncertainty are an inevitable part of life's journey, but need not be feared if one remains steadfast in their faith.
Illumination fades away
Even when light seems to disappear, the singer trusts that it will eventually return.
But there's no shadow of turning
Confident in the unchanging and unwavering nature of the higher power being worshipped.
You will always be there for me
A statement of enduring faith and trust in the reliability and benevolence of the higher power.
Shining through the shadows
The spiritual or religious belief system that the singer adheres to provides a beacon of hope and light during difficult times.
Letting faith enter into my mind
Choosing to approach life's challenges with a positive and hopeful attitude, rather than despair or hopelessness.
When I look upward
Reminding oneself to always seek guidance and support from the higher power being worshipped.
It's You I find
The singer finds strength, comfort, and inspiration in their spiritual or religious beliefs.
Holding on to my heart
Keeping a strong emotional connection to one's faith, even in the midst of challenging times.
Holding on straight and true
Maintaining a steadfast commitment to one's spiritual or religious values, and not allowing oneself to be swayed by external pressures or distractions.
Every time I keep my eyes on You
Acknowledging that staying true to one's faith, even in the face of adversity, brings a sense of clarity and purpose to life.
Contributed by Charlie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.