Dallas grew up in Minnesota. In 1965, at the age of sixteen, he was pursuing a music career in local rock bands. Dallas remembers, "One night the pastor of our church sat down and talked with me about my life, my goals, and Jesus. On October 17, 1965, I committed my life and my music to the Lord. I've never looked back."
After Bible college and a short stint as youth pastor, Dallas joined David Wilkerson in his youth crusades in 1970. He traveled and ministered with Wilkerson for ten years. During that time he formed Dallas Holm and Praise in 1976. Dallas says, "It amazes me that even with such turnover in the Christian music industry and such diversity within the church, God keeps this ministry effective year after year. I love what I do now more than ever and consider it a privilege to be a co-laborer with Christ."
Dallas has earned his influence in today's Christian music throughout more than 30 years of writing, singing and ministry in some 3,000 concerts in every state in the USA, as well as many countries abroad. His 37 recordings have garnered gold records, multiple Dove awards, Grammy nominations, number one songs, and countless accolades. During his travels, Dallas also speaks and teaches what God has taught him in his journey.
Holm's creativity and diversity offer everything from inspirational to blues, from country to reggae. Whatever the style, it all points to Christ and the Cross. Songs like "Rise Again," "I Saw the Lord," "Here We Are," and "Before Your Throne" remind us that it's all about Jesus. Holm's songs focus on His life, His death and resurrection, and His desire for intimate relationship with us.
God has used Holm to shape the landscape of today's Christian music. Greg Long of Avalon says, "I rededicated my life to the Lord at a Dallas Holm concert." Dallas has touched the lives of such influential stars as Steven Curtis Chapman, who says, "He's still a hero to me." Twila Paris, who opened for Dallas Holm and Praise when she was a fledging artist, remembers his album, For Teens Only (1971) as the first contemporary Christian recording she heard.
Dallas says, "When people come up to me after a concert and tell me they've given their life to the Lord during the concert, I'm humbled and amazed."[1] Letters pour in from around the world telling of marriages saved and lives changed. Comments that keep Holm focused, fresh and committed to his calling are those that express how God used him to save their kids or, as kids often write, to save their parents.
His family, his role as husband, father and grandfather, take precedence for Dallas. "If I reached the whole world but lost my own family, I'd consider myself a failure. Early on, I set a priority system that put God first, family second, and ministry third. If I'm not the husband and father I need to be in my own home, I have no right to proclaim truths of the Kingdom to others."
This arrangement has worked well for Dallas and Linda since their marriage in 1969. They now have two grown children, Jeffrey (his fishing buddy) and Jennifer. Jennifer and her husband Jason have two children, Jacob and Sophia. Holm says, "I was my son's age when I started in full-time ministry. Now I have grandchildren." He and Linda travel to concerts across the country.
Dallas is quick to point out, "It's been a remarkable journey, yet it hasn't all been easy. When people hear my music or see me on TV or in concert, they don't realize those are just moments in a life. I've had struggles, heartaches, and disappointments just like everyone else. Linda has fought an on-going 19-year battle surviving cancer. But Christ remains preeminent in all things. No matter what has happened, what I'm going through now, or what I may endure tomorrow "nothing can separate me from the love of Christ."
Dallas reminds us, "In Chariots of Fire Eric Liddell said, "When I run, I feel God's pleasure." I say, "When I write, sing and play these songs, I feel His pleasure."
I Saw the Lord
Dallas Holm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and pure as finest gold.
It had the look of new,
yet had the look of old.
I felt like I was home,
but felt so far away,
In fear I thought to leave,
but felt the urge to stay.
And then a silence fell
like none I'd ever known.
I stood among the millions,
I stood there all alone.
His face was like the sun,
His eyes were like the sea,
His voice was like the thunder
rolling through eternity.
And...
I saw the Lord
He was high and lifted up
and rightfully adored
And...
I saw the Lord
and He saw me
And then from sleep awakened
I looked into the night.
The darkness overtaken
By a bright and shining light.
I couldn't understand it
I couldn't reason how,
And then my eyes beheld Him
I wasn't dreaming now
And...
I saw the Lord
He was high and lifted up
And rightfully adored,
And...
I saw the Lord
And He saw me.
The lyrics of Dallas Holm's song "I Saw the Lord" describe a mystical experience of the singer encountering God in a vision. The first verse sets the scene in a place that is both new and old, giving a sense of timelessness. Despite feeling "home," the singer is also overwhelmed with fear, unsure whether to stay or leave.
Then, in the second verse, a profound silence descends, and the singer realizes that they are among millions of people, yet still feel utterly alone. As they look up, they witness God's grandeur and majesty, with his face shining like the sun, his eyes deep like the sea, and thunderous voice. In the chorus, the singer worships God, recognizing His rightful adoration.
In the final verse, the singer wakes up from their sleep, and the darkness is replaced by a bright light. The singer witnesses God again, and this time, reality sets in, and they know that they are not dreaming. They once again declare their awe and worship for God in the final chorus.
The lyrics of "I Saw the Lord" convey an intimate encounter with God and inspire a sense of reverence and awe by the grandeur of God's presence. The majestic language chosen by the singer evokes an epic quality to the vision, while the chorus invites the listener to witness and worship alongside them.
Line by Line Meaning
The place was white as snow
The setting was spotlessly clean with a hue similar to snow
and pure as finest gold.
The place was not only clean but also purely magnificent
It had the look of new,
Although this setting looked brand new, there was proof of its ancient history
yet had the look of old.
Despite its newness, there was an underlying sense of old age within the setting
I felt like I was home,
For all its age and grandeur, the place felt like a comfortable, familiar home
but felt so far away,
Despite its familiarity, the place still felt overwhelmingly far away
In fear I thought to leave,
Fearfully considered leaving this strange yet alluring place
but felt the urge to stay.
Ultimately could not bring myself to part with this newfound home
And then a silence fell
After deep contemplation, a profound silence filled the room
like none I'd ever known.
This particular silence was the most intense anyone could ever experience
I stood among the millions,
Surrounded by a great many people with one thing in common
I stood there all alone.
Despite the great number of people, remained distinct and individual
His face was like the sun,
The Lord's face shone some bright light akin to the sun
His eyes were like the sea,
The Lord's eyes were deep, vast, and brimming with eternity
His voice was like the thunder
The Lord's voice was loud, overwhelming, and mighty
rolling through eternity.
His voice echoed through time without end
And...
Moreover,
I saw the Lord
I saw the Lord with my very own eyes
He was high and lifted up
The Lord sat in a position of power, elevated and grand
and rightfully adored
It was only fitting for everyone present to adore, worship and honor the Lord
and He saw me
The Lord saw me and all of my being
And then from sleep awakened
Suddenly awoken from sleeping
I looked into the night.
Turned my attention to the grand dark sky
The darkness overtaken
The darkness had been overpowered
By a bright and shining light.
A bright, shimmering light now shone without end
I couldn't understand it
Had difficulty comprehending the cause of it all
I couldn't reason how,
The situation was incomprehensible and could not be explained logically
And then my eyes beheld Him
Saw the Lord with my own eyes once more
I wasn't dreaming now
Was fully awake and alert, and knew that the Lord was real
Contributed by Amelia E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
George Tunstill
Thank God He saw me, a wretched sinner not fit to be saved by His grace but He did. Dallas Holm is anointed singer. So glad to know he's still singing for the Lord.
Linda Mulhern
You never want to leave the place this song takes you. God bless.
Flonnie Young
Dallas Holm was very prevalent to my birth in Christ many years ago!! I will never stop listening!!
Manuei Tarin
This song fills my heart in a way I can't express correctly with words.Jesus,thank you for love me always,in my worst and my best days,thank you God!
BARRON CAMPBELL
Have never heard him in person but this song is one of my favorites!!! I agree this is my kind of worship music!!! I was born again March 1977 so I'm from the old school and grateful for it!!!1
LexisPapa
My cousins and I sang this at my Grandmothers funeral.....such a wonderful and moving song
Chava Ayanna
This song was released when I was only 10yrs old. I'm 39 now. and it literally feels like yesterday
Eddie B
I love Isaiah 6.1 and this interpretation of it, Thank you Jesus!
Bobbi McGee
Dallas is singing at our church in Paducah, Kentucky tomorrow night, and I am so excited to hear him. He is still going strong after all these years, what an amazing talent!
ron perry
i sang this song back in the 80"s at church.i remember while learning it the emotional times i had.it was like the lord was there.such a wonderful time.