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.
Breathe on Me
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breathe on me, fill me anew
Breathe on me, Holy Spirit of God
To love what You love and to do what You do
Breathe on me, Holy Spirit of God
Breathe on me, fill me anew
Breathe on me, Holy Spirit of God
Breathe on me, breath of God
Make my heart pure
Conform my will to Your holy will
To choose a life of virtue
Breathe on me, Holy Spirit of God
Breathe on me, fill me anew
Breathe on me, Holy Spirit of God
To love what You love and to do what You do
Breathe on me, breath of God
So I shall never die
But live in the Spirit eternally
Live in the Spirit of life
Breathe on me, Holy Spirit of God
Breathe on me, fill me anew
Breathe on me, Holy Spirit of God
To love what You love and to do what You do
Breathe on me, Holy Spirit of God
Breathe on me, fill me anew
Breathe on me, Holy Spirit of God
To love what You love and to do what You do
The song "Breathe on Me" by John Michael Talbot is a plea to the Holy Spirit of God to fill and purify the singer with new life, love, and virtue. The lyrics reflect a desire to be led by the Spirit to love what God loves and to do what God does. The repetition of the song's title as the opening line and refrain adds to the sense of urgency and the singer's longing for transformation.
The lyrics point to the idea of surrendering to the Holy Spirit as the source of guidance and strength in life. The reference to the breath of God and the call to make the heart pure suggest a purification of the soul and an openness to receive spiritual renewal. The later lyrics suggest that living in the Spirit of life would lead to eternal life and that the Holy Spirit is the only way to achieve this spiritual goal.
In summary, John Michael Talbot's "Breathe on Me" is a prayerful song that invites the Holy Spirit to transform the singer's life, will, and desires to conform to God's will. It is a song that highlights the importance of surrender and purification in maintaining an intimate spiritual relationship with God.
Line by Line Meaning
Breathe on me, Holy Spirit of God
Inviting the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within the singer
Breathe on me, fill me anew
Asking the Holy Spirit to refresh and renew the singer's spirit
To love what You love and to do what You do
A desire to have the same values and actions as the Holy Spirit
Breathe on me, breath of God
Comparing the Holy Spirit to the very breath of God
Make my heart pure
A plea to the Holy Spirit to purify the artist's heart and intentions
Conform my will to Your holy will
Requesting the Holy Spirit to help the singer align their own will with that of God
To choose a life of virtue
An aspiration to live a life of moral excellence
So I shall never die
A hope to have everlasting life through the Holy Spirit
But live in the Spirit eternally
Expressing the belief that living in the Holy Spirit equates to eternal life
Live in the Spirit of life
Living a life guided by the life-giving force of the Holy Spirit
Contributed by Jackson A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.