After over a decade of making music with the David Crowder Band, David Crowder is now embarking on a new musical journey as a solo artist, under the name Crowder. “I am thrilled to announce a new album coming out under the name Crowder,” the singer explains. “I’ve never been more excited about a batch of songs!”
His first single, "I Am," off his upcoming album Neon Steeple (February 18, 2014), is a great reminder of how we are always in the presence of God- no matter where our lives have taken us. “The name of God when it’s revealed is a big moment in history." David explains. “That evokes the idea of the presence, of being in his name. For me, that is one of the greatest hopes of the Christian faith. That no matter where you are in life, that you live and breathe in the presence of God. So many times I forget about that, and I need to be realigned to that reality."
The album Neon Steeple, is described by David as “Folktronica-” porch music and computer music combined. "It's been a couple years since the David Crowder Band has made music, but there was more to be written," he says. "I collected some players that could all fit on a porch and have instruments that you wouldn't have to put on a wall, like- banjos, fiddles, that type of thing. The point is to feel like we were on a porch together."
In addition to the "porch music" sound, David said it was important to him to add an electronic element as well. "I love computer music," he says. "Growing up around the video games I loved the sounds. It makes my heart happy."
Crowder will joining artists such as Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North and Thousand Foot Krutch, on the Winter Jam Tour this fall. He will also be headlining a nationwide tour in 2014, with All Sons & Daughters, and Capital Kings. "It's gonna be a 'Folktronica' night," he says of the tour. "I cannot wait for you to hear it!"
Red Letters
Crowder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guilty in the first degree
Son of God hanging on a hill
Hell was my destiny
The crowd was shouting crucify
Could've come from these lips of mine
The dirty shame was killing me
Then I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
Felt like lightning hit my veins
My dead heart began to beat
Breath of God filled my lungs
And the Holy Ghost awakened me
Yeah, the Holy Ghost awakened me
When I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
For God so loved the whole wide world
Sent His only Son to die for me
Arms spread wide for the whole wide world
His arms spread wide where mine should be
Jesus changed my destiny
Thank You, God, for red letters
When the ground began to shake
The grace of God started falling
And I became a free man that day
The prison walls started falling
And I am a free man today
In Crowder's song "Red Letters," the singer describes his transformation from a hopeless death row inmate to a free man through his encounter with the words of Jesus, represented by the "red letters" of the Bible. The lyrics depict the singer's overwhelming sense of guilt and despair as he faces his inevitable fate of eternal damnation in hell. The crowd shouting "crucify" further emphasizes his feeling of isolation and rejection.
However, the singer experiences a sudden shift when he reads the red letters, signifying the words of Jesus spoken in the Bible, and the ground begins to shake. This spiritual earthquake is a metaphor for the singer's internal transformation as the Holy Spirit awakens him, and he is born again. The prison walls fall as the singer is freed from the bondage of his sins and guilt, and he is filled with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. The song ends with the singer thanking God for the red letters which changed his destiny.
Overall, the song serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of Jesus' words, and how they have the ability to change lives and offer redemption to even the worst of sinners.
Line by Line Meaning
There I was on death row
I felt like a prisoner sentenced to death
Guilty in the first degree
I knew I was responsible for my wrongdoing
Son of God hanging on a hill
Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross
Hell was my destiny
I deserved eternal punishment
The crowd was shouting crucify
People were demanding Jesus' death
Could've come from these lips of mine
I realized that I am not innocent, like everyone else in the crowd
The dirty shame was killing me
I felt embarrassed and guilty of my sins
It would take a miracle to wash me clean
I needed divine intervention to be forgiven
Then I read the red letters
I discovered the words of Jesus
And the ground began to shake
I felt a sense of transformation
The prison walls started falling
I was liberated from my spiritual captivity
And I became a free man that day
I was no longer enslaved by my sins and guilt
Felt like lightning hit my veins
I felt a sudden jolt of realization
My dead heart began to beat
I felt a sense of life and renewal
Breath of God filled my lungs
I was filled with the Holy Spirit
And the Holy Ghost awakened me
I was spiritually reborn
For God so loved the whole wide world
I realized the extent of God's love for humanity
Sent His only Son to die for me
Jesus sacrificed himself for my sins
Arms spread wide for the whole wide world
Jesus' crucifixion was an act of love for all people
His arms spread wide where mine should be
Jesus took my place on the cross
Jesus changed my destiny
Jesus transformed my life and my eternal fate
Thank You, God, for red letters
I am grateful for Jesus' teachings and words
The grace of God started falling
I received God's unmerited favor
And I am a free man today
I experience freedom in my newfound faith
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: David Crowder, Ed Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@daisyarispe4387
I just want to take a moment to give praise to God for what he’s done in my life. As a Christian you never forget where you came from before becoming a believer and follower of God. I heard this song “Red Letters” by Crowder and it spoke to my heart, brought tears to my eyes. There is not one verse I can describe, because the entire lyrics are true for me.
I was lost without God and undeserving of anything good because of my guilt and my sin; still yet, because of God’s love, grace and mercy He gave me a new life.
Psalm 40 is also a reminder to me of where I came from, but most importantly what God has done in my life... “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” Psalm 40:1-3
I remember when I first started going to church I did not know how to read a Bible; much less what the red letters were. I did not know what God said about me, who I was, nor about His plan for my life. God took me out of the pit I had dug myself into and he set me on his firm ground; he washed the dirt off of me and clothed me in white; he took my anger and replaced it with his peace; he took my unfaithfulness and showed me his perfect love; he took my chains and broke them to pieces; he took my pain and he healed me; he took my pride and showed me his humble spirit; he took my selfish nature and he taught me to serve and to love; he took my bad choices and he gave me wisdom; he took my emptiness and He became my best friend; he took my thirst and he gave me rivers of living water; he took the lies of the devil and he gave me truth...he took my scarlet letter and gave me His red letters. Jesus transformed my heart, and still continues to...day after day. So today, I am “a free man” as this song says; I have “a new song in my mouth” as the psalm says. God’s praise will forever be on my lips 🙌🏻
If God has done so much in my life he can for you too. The process may be long and painful sometimes, it takes full surrender, but know that good will come from it. I pray you are encouraged in some way and know that God loves you no matter what you’re going through. Thank you Crowder for writing this song and thank you Jesus for your word.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25
@Theimpression
Thank God for the Red Letters - This is my favorite song out right now.
There I was on death row
Guilty in the first degree
Son of God hanging on a hill
Hell was my destiny
The crowd was shouting crucify
Could've come from these lips of mine
The dirty shame was killing me
It would take a miracle to wash me clean
Then I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
Felt like lightning hit my veins
My dead heart began to beat
Breath of God filled my lungs
And the Holy Ghost awakened me
Yeah, the Holy Ghost awakened me
When I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
For God so loved the whole wide world
Sent his only Son to die for me
Arms spread wide for the whole wide world
His arms spread wide where mine should be
Jesus changed my destiny
Thank You, God, for red letters
When the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
The prison walls started falling
And I am a free man today
@system-4210
This song feels like it’s about my life. I found god on the cold jail house floor with no hope for a future. God is now my future.
@mechellenelson4940
It just goes to show you. Even when you feel like your in the lowest pits of hell, JESUS is there with you and HE CAN AND WILL PULL YOU OUT AND LIFT YOU UP and GIVE YOU NEW LIFE AND HOPE AND FORGIVENESS. Even if sometimes we can't forgive ourself. Praise GOD!!!!! Just keep looking up and reading those red letters and praising JESUS for setting you free.
@peeweepixie3655
May God bless you always and be an ever-loving presence in your life. Showing you the way, the truth, and the light.
@anonymouskaos7175
Praise the Lord of all creation 🙏 ❤️ 🕊️🙏
You found freedom if you found Jesus bless you and thank you God for adding another member to the family 😊
@dakprescott6714
Me 2, carry on child of GOD!😇😇😇
@trishaherom3149
AMEN !!!❤🙏❤
@amandar6000
The first time I heard this song was yesterday. I was at the gym. And it played. I got chills and started crying. Thank you Lord for delivering me from everything I’ve suffered from. 🙌🏼🙏🏼
@elizabethtice7824
The letters in red led me to jesus.
@henrybaron1092
Amen!
@raeannmcnees9644
Amen 🙏