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.
Sunrise
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let all creation greet the dawn
And praise the Lord who created
Brother sun to open our eyes
For all of us would be blind
If not for the light of our Lord
"In every work of the artist, he praised the divine Artist
Whatever he found in the things made, he referred to the Maker
He rejoiced in all the works of the hands of the Lord, and in beautiful things, he saw divine beauty itself
Whoever is not enlightened by such brillinat of things created, must be blind
Whoever is not awakened by their mighty voise, must be deaf
And whoever fails to praise God for all his works, must be voiceless"
For all of us would be blind
If not for the light of our Lord
The song Sunrise by John Michael Talbot is a celebration of nature and the beauty of God's creation. The first verse encourages all of creation to welcome the dawn of a new day and to praise the Lord who created brother sun to open our eyes. We owe our sight to God and his divine provision of light, without which we would be blind. This highlights the dependence and gratitude that we should have towards our Creator.
The second verse of the song features a quote from a reading that speaks of the artist's admiration and praise towards God for his creation. The artist sees divine beauty in all things made and rejoices in the works of the Lord's hands. The reading also conveys the idea that those who fail to recognize and praise God's works are spiritually blind, deaf, and voiceless. This highlights the importance of acknowledging and being grateful for all that God has created.
Overall, Sunrise is a beautiful song that celebrates the majesty of nature and the glory of God's creation. It reminds us of our dependence on God for our sight and the need to recognize and praise him for all his works.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunrise in the morning
The start of a new day, filled with hope and promise.
Let all creation greet the dawn
All creatures, great and small, recognize the start of a new day and the beauty that comes with it.
And praise the Lord who created
Acknowledging and giving thanks to the divine creator who made all things possible.
Brother sun to open our eyes
Gratefulness for the sun, which provides light and warmth, allowing us to see all the beauty that surrounds us.
For all of us would be blind
Without the light of our Lord shining upon us, we would be lost in darkness and unable to appreciate the world around us.
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Carson N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.