Ortega was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico near the banks of the Rio Grande. He started learning piano at eight years of age. Through his father's work with the United States Department of State, he also spent time in Ecuador and Barbados. It is from his heritage and classical training at The University of New Mexico where Ortega derives his sound, embracing country, classical, Celtic, Latin American, world, modern folk, and rustic hymnody. Fernando Ortega currently leads worship at Christ the King Anglican Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
His album Storm reached No. 197 on the Billboard 200 in 2002, and Christmas Songs reached No. 36 on the Billboard Christmas Album Chart in 2009.
More Love to Thee
Fernando Ortega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
This is my earnest plea
More love, oh Christ, to Thee
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest
Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best.
More love, oh Christ to Thee
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise
This be the parting cry my heart shall raise
Still all my prayer shall be
More love, oh Christ to Thee
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
In Fernando Ortega’s “More Love to Thee,” the singer expresses a deep desire to love Christ more fully. The song begins with a fervent request for Christ to hear the prayer being made while on “bended knee.” This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which entreats Christ to grant the singer more love for Him. The lyrics reveal a turning point in the singer’s life, having once sought joy and peace on earth, but now seeking only Christ and what He deems best for the singer.
The chorus repeats “More love to Thee” several times, emphasizing the singer’s desire for a deeper connection and love for Christ. The final lines reveal the singer’s hope that their “latest breath” will be a whisper of Christ’s praise and that their final words will be an entreaty for more love for Him. Overall, the song expresses a profound longing for a greater love for Christ and a complete devotion to Him.
Line by Line Meaning
More love to Thee, oh Christ, more love to Thee!
I ask for an increase in my love for you, Jesus.
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
Please listen to my earnest request as I humbly pray.
This is my earnest plea
I am desperately begging for this one thing.
More love, oh Christ, to Thee
I desire to love you even more than I do now, Jesus.
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
My heart longs to give you more love, Jesus.
Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest
In the past, I searched for happiness and comfort in the things of this world.
Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best.
But now, I only want to find fulfillment in you, Jesus, and trust that you will provide what I need.
This all my prayer shall be
My entire prayer is summed up in this one request.
More love, oh Christ to Thee
Please increase my love for you, Jesus.
Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise
When I take my final breath, I hope to be singing your praises.
This be the parting cry my heart shall raise
My last words on this earth will be a cry of love and devotion to you, Jesus.
Still all my prayer shall be
Even until my final moments, my prayer will remain the same.
More love, oh Christ to Thee
I want to love you more, Jesus.
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
My heart's desire is to give you more and more love, Jesus.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., MUSIC SERVICES, INC.
Written by: ELIZABETH PRENTISS, W H. DOANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Janice Bultman Bogott
on Into Your Presence
Is there anywhere I can get the sheet music for piano for this song? I just love it!!