The following albums saw large shifts in style. Much Afraid saw them releasing gorgeous - sometimes brittle - music, which the Band intended to have a "timeless" sound, while If I Left the Zoo is a quirkier but musically brilliant album, featuring considerably more keys and experimentation. The Eleventh Hour is their first true "rock" album. They returned to acoustic guitars for the "Furthermore" project, which featured two EPs - a live disc and an acoustic disc. The band's 5th album, Who We Are Instead continued some of the band's earlier sonic experiments and showcased some new gospel, bluegrass, and hymnsong influences. The hymnsong approach was continued on an album of new arrangements of classic hymns - Redemption Songs.
Good Monsters was released on Sept. 05, 2006. The album was hailed by CCM Magazine as "Album of the Year" - a controversial move considering that this announcement was made in August. "Good Monsters" further showcases the diverse style of the venerable quartet and is considered by the band to be their first true "rock" record. It is a rock driven record with electric guitars having prevalence on more of the songs than any previous albums. The album also has other stylistic influences and even includes a choir of African school children, while lyrically, it hits the darker side of their self-shaped genre.
In 2007, Jars of Clay announced that they were leaving Essential Records and were creating their own record label, Gray Matters. Jars of Clay released Christmas Songs through Gray Matters in 2007, and the Closer EP was released in the Summer of 2008.
April 21, 2009 marked the release of The Long Fall Back to Earth, containing two tracks from the Closer EP and 12 additional tracks. Two Hands is the first single from that release.
Shelter
Jars of Clay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holding on to hearts still wounding
For those who've yet to find it
The place is near where love is moving
Cast off the robes you're wearing
Set aside the names that you've been given
May this place of rest in the fold of your journey
Bind you to hope
In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (Never walk alone)
In the shelter of each other
We will live (Your arms are all around us)
We will live
(Oh, oh, we will live)
(Oh, oh)
If our hearts are turned to stone
There is hope we know the rocks will cry out
And the tears aren't ours alone
Let them fall into the hands that hold us
Come away from where you're hiding
Set aside the lies that you've been living
May this place of rest in the fold of your journey
Bind you to hope
We will never walk alone
In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (In the shelter)
In the shelter of each other
We will live (You will never walk alone)
We will live
In the shelter of each other (In Your arms are all around us)
We will live
We will live
In the shelter of each other (In Your arms are all around us)
We will live
We will live
If there is any peace
If there is any war
We must all believe
Our lives are not our own
We all belong
God has given us each other
And we will never walk alone
In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (In the shelter)
In the shelter of each other
We will live (Your arms are all around us)
We will live
In the shelter of each other (And Your arms are all around us)
We will live
We will live
In the shelter of each other (And Your arms are all around us)
We will live
We will live
In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (In Your arms are all around us)
In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (In Your arms are all around us)
In the shelter of each other
We will live (We will never walk alone)
We will live
Never walk alone
Jars of Clay’s song “Shelter” is a moving and emotional tribute to the power of love in a broken world where so many people are still struggling to find the guidance and support they need. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the lyrics to follow, as they speak to those who are still struggling to heal from wounds that have yet to fully heal. The song speaks to a sense of community and solidarity that can be found when people come together, sharing their experiences and their struggles, and finding hope and comfort in the support of others. It reminds us that we are never truly alone, and that we can always find strength in the people around us.
The lyrics of “Shelter” are incredibly powerful and inspiring, but they are also reflective of the personal experiences of the band members themselves. Jars of Clay has been very open about the struggles they have faced in their own lives, including issues with addiction, mental illness, and faith. The song “Shelter” is a testament to their own journey and the power of community and support they have found in their own lives. The song is not only an encouragement to others but also a reminder to themselves that they are not alone in their struggles.
Overall, “Shelter” is a beautiful and moving song that is both introspective and inspiring. It speaks to the human condition and our need for community and connection, as well as the power of love and hope in difficult times. The song is not only a tribute to the band members themselves but also to all who have faced challenges and struggles in their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
To all who are looking down
This is a message of hope and solidarity to all those who feel weighed down and discouraged.
Holding on to hearts still wounding
Despite the pain and hurt that we carry, we continue to hold on and seek healing.
For those who've yet to find it
There are those who haven't discovered love yet, but it's within reach.
The place is near where love is moving
Love is actively at work around us and we are close to experiencing its transformative power.
Cast off the robes you're wearing
Let go of the old identities and labels that no longer serve you.
Set aside the names that you've been given
The world may have given us names that don't define us. It's time to let go of them.
May this place of rest in the fold of your journey
Amidst the ups and downs of life, may there be a place of solace and rest for our souls.
Bind you to hope
This place of rest is also a source of hope that will carry us through the tough times ahead.
You will never walk alone
We can take comfort in the fact that we are not alone, that we have each other and a Higher Power to lean on.
In the shelter of each other
Together, we can create a safe and supportive space where we can thrive.
We will live (Never walk alone)
With the support and love of each other, we can truly live, and we'll never have to walk alone.
Your arms are all around us
God's loving arms surround us, giving us comfort and protection.
If our hearts are turned to stone
Sometimes our hearts can become hard and closed off, but there's still hope for transformation.
There is hope we know the rocks will cry out
Even if we lose hope, the natural world around us can still testify to the Creator's power and love.
And the tears aren't ours alone
We don't have to bear our grief and pain alone; there are others who understand and can share in our tears.
Let them fall into the hands that hold us
We can trust that the universe is holding us and will catch our tears.
Come away from where you're hiding
We need to step out of our hiding places, whether it's fear or shame, and embrace new possibilities for growth.
Set aside the lies that you've been living
We may have believed lies about ourselves or others that keep us from living fully. It's time to let them go.
If there is any peace
No matter what the situation or circumstance, peace is always possible.
If there is any war
Even in the midst of conflict and hostility, we can still find ways to build bridges and seek reconciliation.
We must all believe
We need to have faith and trust that there is goodness and hope for everyone.
Our lives are not our own
Our lives are interconnected and we have a responsibility to care for one another and the earth.
God has given us each other
We should cherish and value our relationships as a gift from the Divine.
We will live (We will never walk alone)
Together, we will truly live and we'll never have to face life's challenges alone.
(Oh, oh, we will live)
This is a declaration of the fullness of life that is available when we live in community and love.
And Your arms are all around us
God's presence is felt in the love and support of the community.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: STEPHEN DANIEL MASON, CHARLIE LOWELL, DAN HASELTINE, MATT ODMARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind