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.
Te Deum
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are God and we praise You
You are the Lord, we acclaim You
Te Deum
All creation worships You
You are the eternal Father
God of power and might
Heaven and earth
Are full of Your glory
To You all angels and powers of heaven
Cherubim and seraphim
To you all angels and powers of heaven
Singing in endleass praise
Holy, holy Lord
God of power and might
The company of apostles
The fellowship of phrophets
The white robed army of the martyrs
Sing of their praise to You
Te Deum
Holy, holy Lord
God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory
Holy, holy Lord
Te Deum
Lord God of power
and might, we come before You in awe and reverence. The Te Deum is a hymn of praise to God, acknowledging His greatness and majesty. The lyrics begin with the declaration that God is worthy of our praise, and we proclaim His Lordship. All of creation is called to worship, and God is recognized as the eternal Father. The lyrics exalt God as the holy Lord, who is the God of power and might.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Heaven and earth are full of Your glory," reminding us of the vastness and grandeur of God's creation. All of the angels and heavenly powers join in endless praise to God, including the cherubim and seraphim. The second verse mentions the company of apostles, the fellowship of prophets, and the white-robed army of the martyrs who also sing praise to God.
Line by Line Meaning
Te Deum Laudamus
We praise You, O God
You are God and we praise You
You are the Almighty God and we give You all glory
You are the Lord, we acclaim You
You are the Sovereign Lord and we acknowledge You
Te Deum
We give You all honor and worship
All creation worships You
Every living thing gives You reverence and honor
You are the eternal Father
You are the everlasting Father who reigns forever
Holy Lord
You are absolutely holy and righteous
God of power and might
You are the omnipotent God who reigns over all
Heaven and earth
All of creation, both on earth and in heaven
Are full of Your glory
Is filled with Your majestic splendor
To You all angels and powers of heaven
The angels and all heavenly beings give You glory
Cherubim and seraphim
The cherubim and seraphim, the highest order of angels,
To you all angels and powers of heaven
Give You endless praise and worship
Singing in endleass praise
Unceasingly singing Your praises
The company of apostles
The apostles, who spread the gospel of Christ,
The fellowship of prophets
The prophets, who prophesied about the coming of Christ,
The white robed army of the martyrs
The martyrs, who gave their lives for their faith in You,
Sing of their praise to You
Glorify and exalt Your Name
Te Deum
We worship and adore You
Holy, holy Lord
You are completely holy and pure
God of power and might
Mighty and all-powerful God
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory
All creation declares Your greatness and majesty
Holy, holy Lord
Completely holy and righteous God
Te Deum
We give You all honor and worship
Lord God of power
Supreme God, who reigns over all with might
Contributed by Christopher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.