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.
Hosea
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let fear keep us apart
Trees do bend though straight and tall
So must we to others' call
Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives
The wilderness will lead you
To the place where I will speak
Integrity and justice
With tenderness
You shall know.
Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives
Come back to me with all your heart
Don't let fear keep us apart
Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives
Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives
Come back to me with all your heart
Don't let fear keep us apart
Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives
Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives
The lyrics to John Michael Talbot's song Hosea are a plea to a loved one who has left to return to the love that they once shared. The singer asks the other person to come back to them with all their heart, stating that fear should not keep them apart. They use the metaphor of trees, explaining that they can bend even though they are straight and tall, and that they too should be willing to bend to the call of others.
The song speaks of waiting a long time for the other person to come back, indicating that the singer has been patient and has missed the other person deeply. They express a desire to live deeply with their loved one and start anew. The wilderness is mentioned as a place where the person will be led to hear what the singer has to say. There is a call for integrity and justice with tenderness, indicating that the singer wants to start fresh in a new and mutually respectful way.
In summary, the lyrics to John Michael Talbot's song Hosea express a longing for a loved one who has left to return and start anew. They use metaphors such as trees and the wilderness to illustrate their point, emphasizing the importance of bending to the call of others and hearing what the other person has to say. The song speaks to the need for integrity and justice with tenderness and a desire to live deeply together.
Line by Line Meaning
Come back to me with all your heart
Return to me fully devoted without reservation or hesitation
Don't let fear keep us apart
Don't allow your insecurities or apprehensions to create distance between us
Trees do bend though straight and tall
Even the staunch and steadfast can adapt when compelled by necessity or compassion
So must we to others' call
We too should heed the cry for mercy and fellowship from those in need
Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives
I have yearned for your return so we can begin a fresh start of fervent, meaningful living
The wilderness will lead you
To the place where I will speak
Integrity and justice
With tenderness
You shall know.
Journeying through hardship reveals my voice, and under my guidance you'll know righteousness and empathy
Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives
I have longed for your presence to fulfill our purpose and lead a fulfilling existence
Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives
I have desired your company to experience profound, gratifying life
Come back to me with all your heart
Don't let fear keep us apart
Reunite with me unreservedly and reject doubts or misgivings
Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives
I have yearned for your arrival so we can revitalize our existence with meaningful living
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.