There are at least three bands using the name "Glad"

1 - The band ma… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three bands using the name "Glad"

1 - The band making the most longstanding use of the name is a contemporary Christian band (and often, a cappella ensemble) formed in 1972 on the campus of West Chester State University of Pennsylvania when singer Ed Nalle auditioned for a new Christian band. Nalle would write and produce much of GLAD's early material in addition to his role as lead vocalist. The other members (from Temple University in Philadelphia) were Bob Kauflin (keyboards, vocals), T. Coble (bass, vocals), John Bolles (guitar, vocals), and Brad Curry (drums). The group's name was chosen from a poll taken at a shopping mall. Playing over 200 dates annually at college campuses, churches and concert halls throughout the United States, GLAD released their first two albums on Myrrh Records in 1978 and 1980.

"The Reason" (on Beyond a Star) was their first a cappella song, which they subsequently re-recorded for their 1988 watershed album, The Acapella Project. That album was released with some trepidation because there was no track record in the genre for the Christian market, but it proved tremendously popular (selling over 400,000 copies), and received a Dove Award nomination and a Billboard Critic's Choice Award. Since that time, GLAD has alternated band and a cappella recordings and increased their admirers, evidenced by new groups that are obviously influenced by the group's elaborate, multilayered sound.

GLAD ventured into the mainstream with their 1995 release, A Cappella Gershwin (featuring some arrangements by the legendary Gene Puerling), which set the a cappella world buzzing and helped introduce their music to a wider audience.

GLAD's current lineup includes Nalle and longtime members Chris Davis (a musician with a strong background in classical and electric guitar, plus session work in the Northwest) and John Gates (an experienced studio percussionist who backed Gladys Knight & the Pips, Frankie and the Knockouts, and others), plus alternating keyboardists Paul Langford and Don Pardoe. Kauflin and Don Hart are the group's primary a cappella arrangers. Recently, the group has released recordings inspired by the writings of John Piper and the worship music of Sovereign Grace Ministries (formerly PDI).
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2 - The second band calling itself Glad is Timothy B. Schmit's band, who made one album in 1968 before he left to join Poco and become a leading figure in the development and evolution of Country Rock.
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3 - Third, Glad is also the name of a little-known UK indie band. Formed in Oxford in 1988, the band that was to become Glad changed their name more often than their underwear. Settling on Smitty’s Chopper for their first gig, the band’s original line-up was Mark Jordan (bass & vocals), Tony Greenham (guitar), Jon Williams (guitar), Will Crerar (drums) and John Tabinor (vocals). Jordan soon took over as main vocalist with Tabinor opting to leave rather than become an embarrassing appendage. The band’s name gradually morphed into Paisley Nightmare and Angus-Boyd Heron was recruited on bass, leaving Jordan free to focus on his frontman persona. After a final, Madchester-inspired name change to Glad and a personnel change in the drumming department, the band split in 1992.
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This Is My Father's World / For the Beauty of the Earth
Glad Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ba Ba Ba Ba Ahhhhhh...
This is my Father's world and to my listening ears. All nature sings around me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world the birds their carols raise. The morning light the lilly white declares their makers praise.
This is my father's world. He shines in all that's fair. In rustling grass I hear him pass he speaks to me everywhere. He speaks to me! He speaks to me! everywhere... Do Do Do Do Dooooo
This is my father's world O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong...
God is the ruler yet. God is the ruler yet.
This is my father's world. The battle is not done. Jesus who died shall be satisfied. and earth and heaven be won.
Ba! Da! Ba! Daaaaaaa!/
(For the beauty of the earth)

For the beauty of the earrrrrrth.
For the beauty of the sky.
For the love which from our father.
over and around us light.
Christ our god with thee we reign with joyful praise
Ba! Da! Ba! Da!

This is my father's world the battle is not done.Jesus who died shall be satisfied. And earth and heaven be won. This is my father's world. The battle is not done. Jesus who died shall be satisfied. And earth and heaven be won. And earth and be won. And earth and heaven be won!!!!!
This is my father's world

Overall Meaning

The song "This Is My Father's World / For the Beauty of the Earth" by Glad is a beautiful tribute to the beauty of nature and the greatness of God. The lyrics speak of how everything in the world around us is a manifestation of God's presence and that we need to be attentive to it. The first verse speaks to how nature is constantly singing praises to God, and it is up to us to listen and take in its beauty. The second verse reminds us that God is present in everything that is fair and beautiful, even in the rustling of the grass. The chorus is a reminder never to forget that though there may be evil in the world, God is the ruler, and the battle is not done, but Jesus who died for us will be satisfied, and earth and heaven will be won.

Overall, the lyrics are a powerful reminder to be mindful of the beauty of our world and to recognize it as the creation of God. It urges us to look past the chaos in the world and have faith, knowing that God is in control and will ultimately triumph.

Line by Line Meaning

This is my Father's world and to my listening ears.
I acknowledge that this world belongs to my Heavenly Father, and I am grateful that I am able to hear the sounds of nature that surrounds me.

All nature sings around me rings the music of the spheres.
The sounds of nature are like music orchestrated by the Creator, and everything around me is singing His praises.

This is my Father's world the birds their carols raise.
Even the birds are aware that this world belongs to their Heavenly Father and they sing their praises to Him.

The morning light the lilly white declares their maker's praise.
The morning light and the beauty of flowers remind me that all of creation declares the praises of its Maker.

This is my father's world. He shines in all that's fair.
This world belongs to my Heavenly Father, and His beauty can be seen in everything around us.

In rustling grass I hear him pass he speaks to me everywhere. He speaks to me! He speaks to me! everywhere...
I am constantly reminded of my Heavenly Father's presence as I hear the rustling of grass and feel His love and guidance wherever I go.

This is my father's world O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong... God is the ruler yet. God is the ruler yet.
Despite the presence of evil in this world, I will not forget that my Heavenly Father is the ultimate ruler and will overcome all that is wrong.

This is my father's world. The battle is not done. Jesus who died shall be satisfied. and earth and heaven be won.
Even though the battle between good and evil continues, I have faith that Jesus will ultimately be victorious, and earth and heaven will be won for His Kingdom.

For the beauty of the earrrrrrth.
I am grateful for the beauty of the earth and all of its wondrous creations.

For the beauty of the sky.
The beauty of the sky reminds me of the infinite love and creativity of the One who made it.

For the love which from our father over and around us light.
I am grateful for the love of my Heavenly Father that surrounds me and brings light into my life.

Christ our god with thee we reign with joyful praise
As believers, we reign with Jesus Christ and give joyful praise to our God.

This is my father's world. The battle is not done. Jesus who died shall be satisfied. And earth and heaven be won. And earth and be won. And earth and heaven be won!!!!!
Once again, I am reminded that the battle between good and evil is not yet over, but I have faith that Jesus will ultimately emerge victorious, and His Kingdom will reign over both earth and heaven.

Writer(s): Forsberg, Franklin Sheppard

Contributed by Owen O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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