John Michael Talbot (born May 8, 1954) is an American Roman Catholic singer… Read Full Bio ↴John Michael Talbot (born May 8, 1954) is an American Roman Catholic singer-songwriter-guitarist who is founder of a monastic community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity

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.

Thanks To Thee
John Michael Talbot Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Thanks to Thee, O God
That I have risen today
To the rising of this life

It is like Thee
To the rising of Thy glory
O God of every gift
And the glory of my soul

O great God
Aid Thou my soul
With the aiding of Thine own
And Thy mercy

Even as I clothe
My body with wool
Cover Thou my soul
With the shadow of Your wing

Thanks to Thee, O God
That I have risen today
To the rising of this life

And as the mist
Scatters on the crest
Of the hills may each haze
Clear from my soul

Thanks to Thee, O God

That I have risen today
To the rising of this life

Overall Meaning

The song "Thanks to Thee" by John Michael Talbot is a beautiful and heartfelt expression of gratitude and praise to God. The opening lines, "Thanks to Thee, O God, that I have risen today to the rising of this life," immediately establish a tone of gratitude and reverence for the gift of life. The singer acknowledges that it is God's grace and mercy that allow them to wake up each day and experience the beauty and wonder of the world around them.

The next verse, "It is like Thee to the rising of Thy glory, O God of every gift and the glory of my soul," speaks to the idea that God's presence is woven into all of creation, and that the beauty and majesty of the world around us is a reflection of God's own glory. The singer acknowledges that they are but a small part of this grand design, yet they take solace in knowing that they are loved and cared for by the same God who created everything.

The final verses of the song are a humble prayer for God's help and protection: "O great God, aid Thou my soul with the aiding of Thine own and Thy mercy. Even as I clothe my body with wool, cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Your wing." The singer recognizes their own frailty and dependence on God's grace, and asks for God's protection and guidance as they go through life. Overall, "Thanks to Thee" is a beautiful expression of gratitude and faith that speaks to the deep human desire for connection and meaning in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Thanks to Thee, O God
Expressing gratitude to God

That I have risen today
Thankful for the start of a new day

To the rising of this life
Acknowledgment of the beginning of a new journey

It is like Thee
Comparing the start of a new day to the glory of God

To the rising of Thy glory
Being in awe of God's glory

O God of every gift
Addressing God as the giver of all good things

And the glory of my soul
Grateful for the beauty and majesty of the soul

O great God
Addressing God with reverence and respect

Aid Thou my soul
Asking for help and guidance from God

With the aiding of Thine own
Requesting help from God's own power and strength

And Thy mercy
Asking for God's mercy and forgiveness