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.
The Beautiful City
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hundred years
As they built their homes
With blood, sweat and tears
The storm that would surely
Come to their beautiful city
We all chose to turn away
Knees and we prayed
And the storm waters rose
O'er the beautiful city
And the storm raged on in
The beautiful city
And the waters rose o'er the
Beautiful city
The poor became like refugees
The little child to the
Elderly
And those who just could
Not flee the beautiful city
And the storm raged on and
On in the beautiful city
And the waters rose o'er the
Beautiful city
Livin' on the banks of the river
That flows through the
Heartland
While the wetlands disappear
From the regions of the
Coastlands
Politicians accused and
Blamed
Soldiers marched as zydeco
Played
The common people gave and
Gave for the beautiful city
And the storm raged on and
On in the beautiful city
And the waters rose o'er the
Beautiful city
And the storm raged on and
On and on in the beautiful city
(She will rise again)
And the waters rose o'er the
Beautiful city
(She will rise again)
She will rise again
She will rise again
She will rise again
The Beautiful City by John Michael Talbot is a song that describes the aftermath caused by a devastating storm that hit a beautiful city. The lyrics reflect on how the inhabitants of the city ignored the warnings of the impending disaster due to fear and other obligations. They continued to build their homes and infrastructure for years, which eventually added to the severity of the storm. The storm caused a great deal of destruction, resulting in citizens turning to prayer for help, as the storm raged on in the city.
The lyrics explicitly shows how the city was no longer a place cozy enough for everyone to live. When the storm hit, most people had to flee, and the poorest became like refugees. Despite all these implications on the citizens, the tune's lyrics shows how the people of the city united in the face of the calamity. Politicians were accused and blamed, while soldiers marched as zydeco played, and the common people gave and gave to save the beautiful city.
Overall, the song's message is that, although the storm destroyed everything in the beautiful city, the city will rise again, thanks to the resilience of its people. It is a message of hope, assuring its listeners that no matter what happens, they can overcome it.
Line by Line Meaning
They have feared it for a
The inhabitants of the city have always feared the oncoming storm.
Hundred years
They have been anticipating it for generations.
As they built their homes
They worked hard to create their homes and establish their city.
With blood, sweat and tears
It took great effort and sacrifice to make their beautiful city.
The storm that would surely
The storm was inevitable.
Come to their beautiful city
Their beloved city would eventually face the storm.
We all chose to turn away
As outsiders, they ignored the warning signs.
Until we fell down to our
Only after seeing the devastation did they take notice.
Knees and we prayed
They prayed for the city's recovery.
And the storm waters rose
The water level increased as the storm persisted.
O'er the beautiful city
The entire city was flooding.
The poor became like refugees
The less fortunate were forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
The little child to the
Everyone, regardless of age, was affected.
Elderly
The aging population was impacted as well.
And those who just could
Even those who wanted to leave could not.
Not flee the beautiful city
The storm trapped them within the city limits.
Livin' on the banks of the river
There were people living along the riverbanks.
That flows through the
The river ran through the heart of the city.
Heartland
It was the heart of the region.
While the wetlands disappear
The wetlands started to vanish due to the storm.
From the regions of the
The surrounding area was affected as well.
Coastlands
Even the coastal areas were in danger.
Politicians accused and
Blame was placed on the politicians.
Blamed
They were held responsible for the lack of preparedness.
Soldiers marched as zydeco
The military was involved in relief efforts.
Played
Music was used to raise morale.
The common people gave and
The citizens generously donated to help rebuild their city.
Gave for the beautiful city
They gave whatever they could for the sake of their beloved city.
And the storm raged on and
The storm persisted for an extended period.
On in the beautiful city
The city continued to face the effects of the storm.
And the waters rose o'er the
The floodwaters only got worse.
She will rise again
Despite the destruction, the city will eventually recover.
She will rise again
The artists repeat their belief in the city's eventual recovery.
She will rise again
They have faith in the city's resilience and ability to recover from the storm.
Writer(s): terry talbot, john michael talbot
Contributed by David H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.