Caedmon's Call, a Contemporary Christian band that fuses traditional folk s… Read Full Bio ↴Caedmon's Call, a Contemporary Christian band that fuses traditional folk stylings with world music and alternative rock influences, formed in 1993. It is comprised of Cliff Young (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Danielle Young (vocals; married to Cliff, formerly Danielle Glenn), Garett Buell (percussion), Jeff Miller (bass guitar), Todd Bragg (drums), Josh Moore (keys, accordion, harmonica), and Andrew Osenga (guitars, vocals).

Former members include Derek Webb (guitar, vocals; left the band in 2003 to pursue a solo career), Aaron Tate (songwriting duties), Aric Nitzberg (bass guitar), and Randy Holsapple (hammond organ).
Recently Derek Webb rejoined the band.

Beautiful Mystery
Caedmon's Call Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I tried to know
Every mystery
Soon realized, no
It was too much for me

'Cause most things true
Are simple and complex
So it is with You

What else should I expect

You suffer the seeker
In You they abide

You are to me
A beautiful mystery
You are to me
A Servant and a King
You're a beautiful mystery

You're like the water
I can feel but not grasp
Still You say all I've gotta do
Is seek and knock and ask

You are to the river
What hems it in and sets it free

You are to me
A beautiful mystery
You are to me
A Servant and a King
You're a beautiful mystery

The truth is a river
Where the strong can swim down deep
And the weak and the broken
Can walk across so easily

You are to me
A beautiful mystery
You are to me
A Servant and a King

You are to me
A beautiful mystery
You are to me
A Servant and a King
You're a beautiful mystery

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
Beautiful
Mystery

You're beautiful
You're beautiful

Beautiful
Mystery

Overall Meaning

The song "Beautiful Mystery" by Caedmon's Call is a profound exploration of the complexity and simplicity of God. The singer reflects on his attempt to understand every mystery, only to realize that it was too much for him. He acknowledges that most things true are both simple and complex, and comes to the conclusion that this is also true of God. He describes God as a "beautiful mystery," at once a servant and a king.

The singer acknowledges the difficulty of comprehending God, comparing Him to water that can be felt but not grasped, and yet he notes that God asks only that we seek Him out. He describes God as the river that both hems in and sets free. He notes that truth is like a river, deep enough for the strong to swim in, yet easy enough for the weak and broken to walk across.

Overall, the song is a testimony to the majesty and beauty of God, and a reminder that He is both knowable and unknowable, simple and complex.

Line by Line Meaning

I tried to know
I attempted to understand

Every mystery
All complexities and unknowns

Soon realized, no
Quickly recognizing failure

It was too much for me
The task was overwhelming

'Cause most things true
Because fundamental truths

Are simple and complex
Can be both easy and difficult to grasp

So it is with You
This is also true of You

What else should I expect
I should not be surprised

You suffer the seeker
You allow and accept those who search

In You they abide
And they find rest and comfort within You