Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
Agnus Dei
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You take away
The sin of the world
Have mercy
Lamb of God
You take away
The sin of the world
Lamb of God
You take away
The sin of the world
Grant us peace
Lamb of God
You take away
The sin of the world
Have mercy
Lamb of God
You take away
The sin of the world
Have mercy
Lamb of God (Agnus)
You take away (dei)
The sin of the world (qui tollis)
Have mercy (peccata mundi)
Lamb of God (Agnus)
You take away (Dei)
The sin of the world (Agnus)
Grant us peace (Dei)
Lamb of God (Agnus)
You take away (dei)
The sin of the world (qui tollis)
Have mercy (peccata mundi)
Lamb of God (Agnus)
You take away (Dei)
The sin of the world (Agnus)
Grant us peace (Dei)
Lamb of God (Agnus)
You take away (dei)
The sin of the world (qui tollis)
Have mercy (peccata mundi)
Grant us peace
Grant us peace (dona nobis)
Grant us peace (pacem)
Grant us peace (pacem)
The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's song Agnus Dei can be seen as a prayer or invocation to Jesus Christ. The phrase "Lamb of God" is a reference to Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world. The repetition of the phrase "you take away the sin of the world" emphasizes this idea of Jesus being the only one who can cleanse humanity of its sins. The plea for mercy is an acknowledgement of human fallibility and a request for forgiveness. The final line "grant us peace" can be interpreted as both a desire for inner peace and a hope for world peace.
The song's use of Latin phrases, such as "peccata mundi" (sins of the world) and "dona nobis pacem" (grant us peace), gives the song a liturgical or sacred quality. The repetition of the phrases throughout the song also reinforces the idea of prayer or meditation. Musically, the song's simple melody and chant-like quality reinforces this meditative quality. The use of different vocal harmonies and the eventual addition of a choir gives the song a more full and reverential feel.
Line by Line Meaning
Lamb of God
He is calling upon Jesus Christ who he refers to as the "Lamb of God"
You take away
He acknowledges Jesus' power in taking away sins
The sin of the world
He refers to all the sins of humanity here
Have mercy
He asks Jesus to be merciful towards us
Grant us peace
He requests for peace
Lamb of God (Agnus)
He repeats his calling upon Jesus, addressing him as the "Lamb of God" again
You take away (dei)
He emphasizes that Jesus is the one taking away sins, using Latin for "of God"
The sin of the world (qui tollis)
He uses Latin for "who takes away", referring to all sins of humanity
Have mercy (peccata mundi)
He repeats his request for Jesus to be merciful towards us, using Latin for "sins of the world"
Lamb of God (Agnus)
He once again addresses Jesus as the "Lamb of God"
Grant us peace (Dei)
He repeats his request for peace, using Latin for "of God"
Grant us peace (pacem)
He repeats his request for peace one more time, using Latin for "peace"
Writer(s): Michael W. Smith
Contributed by Eliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.