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.
He Is Risen
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A Story echoes in the wind, can you hear it?
It's an answer for a prayer for peace come true
And it Comes now from me to you, can you hear it?
There was a Prophet in the land, do you remember?
He said He was more than just a man, do you remember?
He told of us of a love that was so true
Hallelu, Hallelu, He is livin'
But they took this Nazarene, hear them screamin'
They took this Man of Peace, in confusion they're screamin'
Tearin' His clothes they stripped Him bare
They scourged His back 'til His skin did tear, hear them screamin'?
And the hammer it did fall to the tree as they nailed Him
And the hammer it did fall to the tree as they nailed Him
In sorrow and pain His blood was shed
For peace He wore the crown of thorns on His head as they're screamin'
When they laid Him in His grave, thought it was over
When they laid Him in His grave they thought themselves bolder
But when they turned and they looked he was alive and well
Come back from the dead, conquered the gates of hell now He is risen!
Hallelu, Hallelu, He is risen!
John Michael Talbot's song "He Is Risen" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that reflects on the life and death of Jesus Christ. The song speaks of a voice in the wind, echoing a story that is an answer to a prayer for peace. These words are a reminder that Jesus Christ's teachings and life are still relevant today. The message that He brought transcends time and space and speaks to our hearts, if only we listen.
The song then moves on to talk about the crucifixion of Jesus, how he was taken and stripped, and how his back was scourged until his skin tore. The agony and pain he must have gone through is reflected in the lyrics, and the descriptive language takes you right into the scene. The hammer falling and the nails driven into his flesh serve as a vivid reminder of what Jesus went through for us. The song then moves to his resurrection, where the lyrics describe how the people thought it was over when they laid him in his grave. But in a moment of astonishment, they discovered that he was alive and well, having conquered the gates of hell.
Overall, "He Is Risen" is a powerful hymn that brings the resurrection story alive. It is a reminder of the immense love that God has for us - so great that he gave his only son to suffer a cruel death so that we may live. The song leaves you with a sense of hope, and the message that no matter what we are going through, there is always a way forward, and God is always with us, guiding us on our journey.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a Voice in the wind, can you hear it?
Do you perceive the message conveyed by the blowing wind?
A Story echoes in the wind, can you hear it?
Do you feel the narrative reflected by the blowing wind?
It's an answer for a prayer for peace come true
It's a response to a supplication of serenity fulfilled
And it Comes now from me to you, can you hear it?
And now it approaches from me to you, can you perceive it?
There was a Prophet in the land, do you remember?
Do you recall there was a prophet in this land?
He said He was more than just a man, do you remember?
He declared that he was beyond a mere human, do you remember?
He told of us of a love that was so true
He informed us of an affection that was extremely genuine
How it would last the ages through, do you remember?
How it would be everlasting throughout the eras, do you recall?
Hallelu, Hallelu, He is livin'
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, He is alive
But they took this Nazarene, hear them screamin'
But they seized this person from Nazareth, hear them yelling
They took this Man of Peace, in confusion they're screamin'
They apprehended this Man of Serenity, yelling in disarray
Tearin' His clothes they stripped Him bare
By ripping His garments, they exposed Him naked
They scourged His back 'til His skin did tear, hear them screamin'?
They whipped His back till His skin was ripped, listen to their shouts?
And the hammer it did fall to the tree as they nailed Him
And as they nailed Him, the hammer struck the wood
In sorrow and pain His blood was shed
His blood was shed in torment and agony
For peace He wore the crown of thorns on His head as they're screamin'
For the sake of peace, He wore a crown of thorns on His head as they shout
When they laid Him in His grave, thought it was over
When they placed Him in His tomb, they assumed it was finished
When they laid Him in His grave they thought themselves bolder
As they put Him in His crypt, they deemed themselves more daring
But when they turned and they looked he was alive and well
But when they turned and saw, He was alive and healthy
Come back from the dead, conquered the gates of hell now He is risen!
He resurrected, triumphed over the gates of hell, now He has risen!
Hallelu, Hallelu, He is risen!
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, He is risen!
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Samantha L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.