Norman was originally involved in Young Life Ministries and gained a considerable fan base by performing at the summer camps there. This has drawn parallels to musician Matt Wertz and producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant), both who gained fame through their involvement with Young Life. Upon releasing Big Blue Sky, his third album, Norman included a slip asking for donations to the organization. His song "Walk Down This Mountain" is about an experience at Young Life's Wilderness Ranch.
Norman released Between the Dreaming and the Coming True in September 2006. The tour in support of this album featured Christian music newcomers Aaron Shust and Brandon Heath. Norman is a graduate of Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. His song, "To Find My Way To You" was used on various promos for the CBS sitcom, The Class.
Bebo's single called "Britney" is written to Britney Spears, and is featured on Norman's ninth studio self-titled album. Recently (2007–2008) Bebo has appeared with several notable Christian artists on tour as they present Andrew Peterson's "Behold the Lamb" concerts during the Christmas season.
Bebo Norman's new album, "Ocean", released on September 28, 2010. It's a personal album, according to Norman, that covers the discovery of his true identity and the battle between fear and faith. The singer/songwriter told CBN.com that he hopes "Ocean" causes listeners to "look internally… at where they draw their own identity from. It’s worth wrestling with who we are, where we draw our value from, and where we draw our life from and .... refocusing on the source of whatever season of life we are in rather than focusing on the season itself."
The Hammer Holds
Bebo Norman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's all I claim to be
This hammer pounds to give me form,
This flame, it melts my dreams
I glow with fire and fury,
As I'm twisted like a vine
My final shape, my final form
I'm sure I'm bound to find
So dream a little, dream for me
In hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me
So I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me
My future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here,
For they, the hammer holds
And the water, it cools me gray,
And the hurt's subdued somehow
I have my shape, this sharpened point,
What is my purpose now?
And the question still remains,
What am I to be?
Perhaps some perfect piece of art
Displayed for all to see
So dream a little, dream for me
In hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me
So I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me
My future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here,
For they, the hammer holds
The hammer pounds again,
But flames I do not feel
This force that drives me, helplessly,
Through flesh, and wood reveals
A burn that burns much deeper,
It's more than I can stand
The reason for my life was to take
The life of a guiltless man
So dream a little, dream for me
In hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me
So I can bear the pain
And hurt a little, hurt for me,
My future is so bold
But my dreams are not the issue here,
For they, the hammer holds
This task before me may seem unclear
But it, my maker holds
The lyrics of Bebo Norman's song "The Hammer Holds" speak of a shapeless piece of steel that becomes a hammer through a process of being pounded and melted. The hammer is then used as a metaphor for the human journey, as one is shaped and formed by life's experiences. The song urges the listener to hold onto their dreams while enduring the hardships that shape them into who they are meant to be.
The song has a haunting quality with its melody and the lyrics that paint vivid pictures of the hammer being shaped and the steel being melted. The repetition of the lines "So dream a little, dream for me. And cry a little, cry for me. And hurt a little, hurt for me" reinforces the importance of holding onto one's dreams while enduring hardship. The final verse takes a surprising turn, revealing that the purpose of the hammer was to take the life of a guiltless man. This adds a layer of depth to the song, highlighting the idea that sometimes the shaping we undergo is for purposes greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
A shapeless piece of steel,
I am undefined, with no clear purpose or direction.
That's all I claim to be
I am aware of my lack of identity and purpose.
This hammer pounds to give me form,
The painful process of shaping me is necessary for me to have any direction or purpose.
This flame, it melts my dreams
My desires and aspirations are being destroyed in the process of shaping me.
I glow with fire and fury,
I am being tempered in the fire of life's challenges.
As I'm twisted like a vine
I am being molded into shape through the difficulties I face.
My final shape, my final form
The end result of my shaping is still unknown.
I'm sure I'm bound to find
I have faith that there is a purpose for my existence.
So dream a little, dream for me
Hope for my future, and wish for me to succeed.
In hopes that I'll remain
I hope that I will not break or fail in my purpose.
And cry a little, cry for me
Feel empathy for me in the difficulties I must face.
So I can bear the flames
May my struggles make me stronger and more capable.
And hurt a little, hurt for me
May my pain and suffering be seen as worthwhile and meaningful.
My future is untold
The potential outcome of my life is still unknown.
But my dreams are not the issue here,
My aspirations and desires are not the primary focus of my existence.
For they, the hammer holds
My experiences and struggles are shaping me into who I am meant to be.
And the water, it cools me gray,
The trials and tribulations of life have left me feeling dull and lifeless.
And the hurt's subdued somehow
The pain I've experienced has become more muted over time.
I have my shape, this sharpened point,
I have finally been shaped into something recognizable and purposeful.
What is my purpose now?
I am left wondering what my specific role in life is meant to be.
And the question still remains,
I am still uncertain about many aspects of my existence.
Perhaps some perfect piece of art
Maybe my purpose is to become something beautiful and admired by others.
Displayed for all to see
So that I may be appreciated for my unique value and purpose.
The hammer pounds again,
I am still being refined and shaped by the challenges of life.
But flames I do not feel
I am becoming more resilient to the hardships I face.
This force that drives me, helplessly,
I am being directed towards a specific purpose beyond my control.
Through flesh, and wood reveals
The process of my refinement is apparent to those around me.
A burn that burns much deeper,
The pain I am experiencing is more significant than before.
It's more than I can stand
The pain and suffering I am enduring is becoming overwhelming.
The reason for my life was to take
The purpose for my existence is becoming clear.
The life of a guiltless man
I realize that my suffering is part of a divine plan.
My future is so bold
The outcome of my existence is becoming clearer and more meaningful.
But my dreams are not the issue here,
The ultimate purpose for my life is not about my personal aspirations or goals.
For they, the hammer holds
God's plan for me is being revealed through the painful process of life's challenges.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: BEBO NORMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariadefatimalima250
A shapeless piece of steel,
That's all I claim to be
This hammer pounds to give me form,
This flame, it melts my dreams
I glow with fire and fury,
As I'm twisted like a vine
My final shape, my final form
I'm sure I'm bound to find
So dream a little, dream for me
In hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me
So I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me
My future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here,
For they, the hammer holds
And the water, it cools me gray,
And the hurt's subdued somehow
I have my shape, this sharpened point,
What is my purpose now?
And the question still remains,
What am I to be?
Perhaps some perfect piece of art
Displayed for all to see
So dream a little, dream for me
In hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me
So I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me
My future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here,
For they, the hammer holds
The hammer pounds again,
But flames I do not feel
This force that drives me, helplessly,
Through flesh, and wood reveals
A burn that burns much deeper,
It's more than I can stand
The reason for my life was to take
The life of a guiltless man
So dream a little, dream for me
In hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me
So I can bear the pain
And hurt a little, hurt for me,
My future is so bold
But my dreams are not the issue here,
For they, the hammer holds
This task before me may seem unclear
But it, my maker holds
Traduzir para o português
@rafahelito1982
A shapeless piece of steel,
That's all I claim to be
This hammer pounds to give me form,
This flame, it melts my dreams
I glow with fire and fury,
As I'm twisted like a vine
My final shape, my final form
I'm sure I'm bound to find
So dream a little, dream for me
In hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me
So I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me
My future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here,
For they, the hammer holds
And the water, it cools me gray,
And the hurt's subdued somehow
I have my shape, this sharpened point,
What is my purpose now?
And the question still remains,
What am I to be?
Perhaps some perfect piece of art
Displayed for all to see
So dream a little, dream for me
In hopes that I'll remain
And cry…
@jerrybest3404
Our Father does not promise us an easy life; quite the contrary, He tells us we will have tribulation. I can readily understand, having lived these 70 years (and counting). Yet, if we just trust in Him, He will bring us through. This wonderful song reminds us of that. Thanks, Bebo
@dankasper5104
Cancer survivor 9 years. there is always Hope. Kathleen We will pray for you and yours
@foster367able
I was 15. Memories rushing back. My innocence. My child like faith and love for God. Walked away for 15 years. Never again.
@glassblower19
Still one of my favorite Bebo Norman songs. Brings me to tears! Thank Jesus for you Bebo! ❤
@sdgtrlvr6922
Such emotion. Thank you Bebo.
@dianecvengros9413
I did not know this was here. So glad to hear Bebo's outstanding vocals on such a touching song. I knew you could do it.
@Siriussegler1
Schönes Musikstück. Wunderbar
@jimmyrizek6204
Beautiful
@tomadams5582
This was one of the first Christian Albums I ever bought besides Amy Grant and MW Smith . I was always a huge acoustic singer / songwriter person . This guy gave me a chance to listen to Christian acoustic music . Wish there was a lot more .
@matthewevans5758
Look up Curt Vernon!