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.
Thousand Miles
Caedmon's Call Lyrics
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I have left Your house a fugitive
I have wandered in my own way
Squandered everything You gave
But my dying heart You saved and let me live
I have cursed the air and clenched my fists
I have hungered for Your righteousness
I drew between Your heart and mine
But You forgive me every time the mark is missed
So take my broken offering and make it whole
And set my feet upon the road that leads me home
Let me walk as one fixed upon the goal
Even though I've got a thousand miles to go
I have sought Your grace in my defense
I have plundered Your magnificence
Until my journey is complete
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
That I might sow what I have reaped
From Your great love
As I struggle for Your hand
You use me in ways I can't understand
You take this sinful man and renew me
Working through me
The lyrics to Caedmon's Call's song "Thousand Miles" reflect the struggles of a believer who has fallen short of God's expectations but still seeks His grace and redemption. The songwriter acknowledges that he has made mistakes, "stolen" and "left [God's] house a fugitive." But he also recognizes that God has saved his "dying heart" and forgiven him every time he falls short of the mark. The songwriter wants to offer his broken life to God and asks for His help to walk on the path that leads him home. He acknowledges that he has a long way to go, but he trusts in God's grace and love to guide him.
The lyrics of "Thousand Miles" touch on several themes that are central to the Christian faith, such as sin, grace, redemption, and the nature of the Christian journey. The songwriter humbly confesses his shortcomings and expresses his gratitude for God's forgiveness and love. The song also underscores the idea that the Christian journey is a lifelong process of learning, growing, and becoming more like Christ.
Interestingly, "Thousand Miles" was featured in the 2003 film, "The Perfect Score," which tells the story of a group of high school students who plot to steal the answers to the SAT exam. The song appears in a pivotal scene where the characters reflect on the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I have stolen, Lord, let me give
I acknowledge that I have taken what is not mine but now I want to give back.
I have left Your house a fugitive
I have wandered from You and Your ways, hiding from You.
I have wandered in my own way
I have chosen to live my life apart from You, following my own desires.
Squandered everything You gave
I have wasted the gifts and blessings that You have given me.
But my dying heart You saved and let me live
Despite my flaws and sins, You have saved me and given me new life.
I have cursed the air and clenched my fists
I have been angry and frustrated, feeling lost and helpless.
I have hungered for Your righteousness
I have longed for Your guidance and wisdom in my life.
I have tried to walk the line
I have attempted to live according to Your teachings, but sometimes I have failed.
I drew between Your heart and mine
I have created a distance between us, even though I desire to be close to You.
But You forgive me every time the mark is missed
Despite my failures, You continue to forgive and show me mercy.
So take my broken offering and make it whole
I offer You my imperfect self and ask that You heal and transform me.
And set my feet upon the road that leads me home
Guide me on the path that leads to You, my true home.
Let me walk as one fixed upon the goal
Help me to stay focused on You and Your will for my life.
Even though I've got a thousand miles to go
Although my journey with You may be long, I am committed to following You.
I have sought Your grace in my defense
I have relied on Your grace to protect me from my sins and mistakes.
I have plundered Your magnificence
I have recognized Your greatness and majesty and have taken what I can from it.
Until my journey is complete
Until I reach the end of my life or the end of my journey with You.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I pray that You will protect my soul and keep me close to You.
That I might sow what I have reaped
So that I can plant good seeds with what I have received from You.
From Your great love
All that I have and am comes from Your incredible love for me.
As I struggle for Your hand
Even as I face challenges and difficulties, I know that I need Your guidance and support.
You use me in ways I can't understand
I know that You are working behind the scenes, using me for Your purposes, even when I don't see it.
You take this sinful man and renew me
Despite my flaws and mistakes, You continue to renew and transform me.
Working through me
You work through me to bring about Your will and to help others know Your love and grace.
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