Deliverance
Edwin Fawcett Lyrics

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The people that walked in darkness
Has seen a great light
On those who lived in a land of deep shadow a light has shone
You´ve broken the heavy joke that was weighing on them
And the rod of their oppressor
And the bar across their shoulders
Wonder counsellor
Mighty god

Eternal father
Prince of peace

You have made their gladness greater
You have made their joy increase
They rejoice in you presence

For all the footgear of battle
Every cloak rolled in blood
Is burnt and consumed by fire is burnt and consumed by
fire for there is a child born for us a son given to us
Whit dominion laid on his shoulders
And this is the name they give him
Wonder counsellor
Mighty god
Eternal father
Prince of peace

You have made our gladness greater
You have made our joy increase
We rejoice in your presence

You have made our gladness greater
You have made our joy increase
We rejoice in your presence

Wide in his dominion for his royal power and
for the throne of david in peace that have no end

You have made our gladness greater

You have made our joy increase
I rejoice in your presence

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Edwin Fawcett's song "Deliverance" are heavily influenced by a passage from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament of the Bible. The passage, found in chapter nine, verses one through seven, describes the coming of a great light to a people living in darkness and oppression. Fawcett uses the language and imagery from this passage, invoking the hope and promise of liberation and peace that it offers to his listeners.

The first verse of the song references the "heavy yoke" and "oppressor's rod" that have been broken by the coming of the light. This language refers to the oppression and subjugation of the Israelites by the Assyrian empire, which was the context in which Isaiah originally wrote his prophecy. Fawcett likens this historical circumstance to the universal human experience of being weighed down by burdens that we cannot lift on our own. The "great light" that he sings of represents hope and freedom from these burdens.

The chorus of the song repeats the names given to the child who is born, which are "Wonder Counsellor," "Mighty God," "Eternal Father," and "Prince of Peace." These names describe the magnitude of the figure who has come to bring deliverance to the people. Fawcett ends the song with a personal expression of joy at the presence of this deliverer in his own life.

Line by Line Meaning

The people that walked in darkness
Those who experienced hardships and difficulties in life

Has seen a great light
Have found hope and made progress

On those who lived in a land of deep shadow a light has shone
Those who were living in darkness have found light and hope

You've broken the heavy yoke that was weighing on them
You have lifted the burden of oppression that they were facing

And the rod of their oppressor
And the authority of those who were oppressing them

And the bar across their shoulders
And the heavy load of responsibility that they were carrying

Wonder counselor
A miraculous advisor

Mighty God
A powerful deity

Eternal Father
An everlasting parent figure

Prince of Peace
A leader who brings harmony and tranquility

You have made their gladness greater
You have increased their happiness

You have made their joy increase
You have given them more reasons to be joyful

They rejoice in your presence
They celebrate the positive influence that you bring

For all the footgear of battle
For all the things associated with warfare

Every cloak rolled in blood
Every garment stained with blood from battle

Is burnt and consumed by fire is burnt and consumed by fire
Is destroyed and eliminated completely

For there is a child born for us a son given to us
A new hope has been born, a promising future awaits

Whit dominion laid on his shoulders
With power and responsibility bestowed upon him

And this is the name they give him
And he is known as

Wide in his dominion for his royal power and for the throne of David in peace that has no end
His power and influence will extend far and long, bringing peace and stability to his people

You have made our gladness greater
You have increased our happiness

You have made our joy increase
You have given us more reasons to be joyful

We rejoice in your presence
We celebrate the positive influence that you bring

You have made our gladness greater
You have increased our happiness

You have made our joy increase
You have given us more reasons to be joyful

We rejoice in your presence
We celebrate the positive influence that you bring

I rejoice in your presence
I celebrate the positive impact that you have on my life

Contributed by Mila M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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