The band members include lead singer and lyricist J. Jackson, guitarist/keyboardist Bill Hubauer, bassist Keith Haynie, and drummer Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner. The band played its first concert as ApologetiX in 1992, and its 1000th in 2007. All of the band members grew up in and around Pittsburgh PA, and that is where they make their homes and attend church.
ApologetiX rewrites secular songs with (often comical) Christian lyrics. Some of their parodies include "Corinthians" (parody of "In the End" by Linkin Park), "Look Yourself" ("Lose Yourself" by Eminem), "Smooth Grandmama" ("Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm), "Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit" ("Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana), and "Bethlehemian Rhapsody" ("Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen). Smooth Grandmama is considered to be their most well-known parody. While maintaining the integrity of fundamentalist "grannies," the song pokes fun at certain aspects.
ApologetiX gets their unusual name from the word apologetics, which means "the defense of the Christian faith." It is based on the Greek word for defense, apologia. The word is used in 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer (defense or "apologia") to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (NIV). Their logo, a triquetra, is an ancient symbol of the Holy Trinity.
Visit their website for booking, concerts and contact them through email at www.apologetix.com.
Swimmer
ApologetiX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25, Matthew 14:24-33, Joel 2:32 Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13)
Hey Hey Hey
When we looked the sea turned gloomy
Got so rough we feared tsunamis
On the boat we'd never seen such tides
Our Lord deep in slumber lingered
Jesus Christ please save us or we'll die
Then He calmed the waters
The One who hushed the waves can save both you and I
It's time you see
Hey Hey Hey
When the sea was cruel and stormy
Late one night we saw Him walking
On the water, gravity defied
Always eager Simon Peter
Starts to walk but gets cold feet
He cries Jesus Christ please save me or I'll die
When you're on the water
You've got to call His name forsake your foolish pride
It's time you see
That like those others you've got to call the name that saves or else you'll die
Eternally
In the Book you'll see quite clearly
Matthew chapter 8 and 14
Call on the Lord -- whosoever will won't die
When you're underwater
You've got to call the name that saves all humankind
Verse 10:13
In Romans, brother, and Joel 2:32
And Acts 2:21, listen to me
Romans 10:13
For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
The song "Swimmer" by ApologetiX is a parody of the song "Slither" by Velvet Revolver. It follows the theme of water and the power of Jesus to calm the seas and save those in need. The lyrics are based on several biblical passages, including Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25, Matthew 14:24-33, Joel 2:32 Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:13.
The lyrics describe how the disciples were in a boat and feared for their lives as the sea became very rough. They turned to Jesus, who was sleeping in the boat, and cried out for help. Jesus then calmed the waters, saving the disciples from certain death. The song also references Simon Peter's attempt to walk on water, and how he began to sink until he called out to Jesus for help.
The overall message of the song is that when faced with life's storms, one must call on Jesus for help in order to be saved. The biblical references emphasize the importance of faith and belief in Jesus as the only way to eternal salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
When we looked the sea turned gloomy
The sea became stormy when we looked at it
Got so rough we feared tsunamis
The sea became so rough that we were afraid of tsunamis
On the boat we'd never seen such tides
We had never seen such strong tides while on the boat before
Our Lord deep in slumber lingered
While we were in trouble, Jesus was asleep on the boat
Past the point where we might sink we cried
We were so close to sinking that we cried for help
Jesus Christ please save us or we'll die
We asked Jesus to save us or else we would die
Then He calmed the waters
Jesus miraculously calmed the stormy waters
The One who hushed the waves can save both you and I
Jesus, who has the power to calm the waves, can save both you and me
When the sea was cruel and stormy
When the sea was rough and stormy
Late one night we saw Him walking
We saw Jesus walking on the water late one night
On the water, gravity defied
Jesus walked on water, defying gravity
Always eager Simon Peter
Simon Peter was always eager to do things for Jesus
Starts to walk but gets cold feet
Simon Peter started walking on water but got scared
He cries Jesus Christ please save me or I'll die
Simon Peter asked Jesus to save him or else he would die
When you're on the water
When you are on the water
You've got to call His name forsake your foolish pride
You must call upon Jesus and not let your foolish pride get in the way
It's time you see
It is time for you to understand
That like those others you've got to call the name that saves or else you'll die
You need to call upon the name of Jesus like others did or else you will die
Eternally
Forever
In the Book you'll see quite clearly
In the Bible, it is clear
Matthew chapter 8 and 14
In Matthew chapters 8 and 14
Call on the Lord -- whosoever will won't die
Call upon the Lord and whoever does will not die
When you're underwater
When you are underwater
You've got to call the name that saves all humankind
You must call upon the name of Jesus, who saves all of humanity
Romans 10:13
Reference to Romans 10:13 in the Bible
For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
The biblical quote from Romans 10:13 means that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
And Acts 2:21, listen to me
Reference to Acts 2:21 in the Bible and a plea to listen
Joel 2:32
Reference to Joel 2:32 in the Bible
Contributed by Harper S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MJSpiderman7116
I LOVE the original more, but this one does a nice job of reimagining it. Nice message too! I just wish the drum/guitar sound quality was better!
Bene Jung
Cool version of a pretty cool song of a pretty cool band!
jonnygoth
HAHAHA!!!! I have to LAUGH at anyone claiming these guys are doing this for the money... I know J personally, And unlike most bands (secular or Christian) that charge to come play (nothing wrong with that, "the laborer is worthy of his pay"), they put on a full production show without charge, trusting God & relying on ticket sales to pay their way. These guys are 100% sold out for Jesus, and showing that it's not music that is good or bad, it's what you do with it, will you serve God or men?
Philip
this is great i have all there studio cds great band
Jen Standridge
Awesome video. Thank you for sharing!
Martin Simon
Matthew 8:23 .. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Martin Simon
Psalms 107 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their...
Rawk4Life
Wow, take about overanalyzing. I didn't know it was a sin to do Biblical parodies of songs made popular by secular artists. I guess I'm reading the wrong Bible.
Martin Simon
Job 9:2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? ...8 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Superbabiez
@Apocalips320 1 Corinthians 10:21 King James Version (KJV 21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. WHat does this have to do with winning souls for christ.