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.
Brother Sun and Sister Moon
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
sister star shine day and night
see them shine, beautiful
radiant splendor of light
Brother Sun, and sister moon
heaven and earth
proclaim God's glory
most High God.
Brother wind, and brother air
fair in storm, all weather's wounds
colored flowers and healing herbs
heavenly grace flows through you
Brother sun, and sister moon
heaven and earth,
proclaim God's glory
all praise be Yours
Most High God.
So rejoice,
for the heavens and earth
are filled with God's glory.
So rejoice,
for the heavens and earth
are full of God's glory.
Brother Sun, Sister Moon
The song "Brother Sun and Sister Moon" by John Michael Talbot is a deeply spiritual and introspective song that speaks to the beauty of nature and the divine nature of all things. The lyrics begin by focusing on the sun, moon, and stars, referring to them as "Brother Sun" and "Sister Moon" and "sister star." The song praises these celestial bodies for their radiant splendor of light that shines day and night, proclaiming their beauty as a testament to the glory and greatness of God.
Moving on to the wind and air, the lyrics describe their ability to heal and transform all weather's wounds with heavenly grace, as well as the colorful flowers and healing herbs that they help to grow. This section also refers to the wind and air as "Brother Wind" and "Brother Air," showcasing the interconnectedness and kinship of all things in nature.
The entire song is a celebration of the natural world and God's presence within it, urging listeners to rejoice in the glory of the heavens and earth. Through its use of metaphors and imagery, the song encourages a deeper connection to the world around us and a recognition of the divine in everyday things.
Line by Line Meaning
Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Acknowledging the beauty and significance of the sun and moon as integral parts of God's creation
Sister star shine day and night
The stars, like the sun and moon, are part of a vast universe that declares God's glory day and night
See them shine, beautiful radiant splendor of light
The sun, moon, and stars are majestic and awe-inspiring, reflecting the glory and wonder of God
Heaven and earth proclaim God's glory
All of creation points to God's greatness and majesty, from the heavens to the earth
All praise be Yours, most High God
The uplifting of God's name as the ultimate source of all honor and praise
Brother wind, and brother air fair in storm, all weather's wounds colored flowers and healing herbs
The power and beauty of nature in all its manifestations and how it reflects God's grace and healing power
Heavenly grace flows through you
Nature is a channel for God's grace to flow through to us
So rejoice, for the heavens and earth are filled with God's glory
A call to celebrate the beauty and wonder of God's creation, which points to God's infinite wisdom and creative power
Contributed by Cameron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.