MAKE
Johnnyswim Lyrics
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Pick up your life, lay down my own.
And on this altar known as love,
You made an orphan child a son,
Made an orphan child a son.
When wandering was my heart′s recourse
You brought me home from distant shores.
You made a harlot girl your bride,
Made a harlot girl your bride.
Now I'm standing face to face
Here with angels and the saints
With beauty only love could ever make
From now until forever′s end
You hold me close and you call me friend
No deeper love I've ever known
Than when your heart became my home
When your heart became my home
Now I'm standing face to face
Here with angels and the saints
With beauty only love could ever make
In "MAKE" by Johnnyswim, the lyrics are full of metaphors for a spiritual love that transforms and brings redemption. The first verse speaks about the act of surrendering oneself, even to the point of laying down one's own life for the beloved. The person speaking is offering themselves to another as a sacrifice on an altar, which is a clear allusion to the idea of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The person speaking is likening themselves to an orphan child who has been made into a son through this act of love.
The second verse is also full of redemption imagery. The person speaking describes themselves as a wanderer who has been brought home from distant shores. The idea of being brought home speaks to the idea of coming back to one's true self and finding peace and rest. The altar that is described in this verse is void of breath, which could be interpreted as being heavily symbolic of a kind of resuscitation, or giving new life to someone who was once dead. The person speaking is also described as a harlot girl who has been made into a bride, which could be another reference to the redemptive power of love.
The chorus cements the theme of redemption, as the person speaking sings about standing face to face with angels and saints, looking upon beauty that only love could create. Overall, the theme of "MAKE" is one of profound transformative love, love that makes the beloved into something new and better.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk right up onto your throne,
I humbly approach you, giving up my own life for yours.
Pick up your life, lay down my own.
Taking on your burdens and problems as my own.
And on this altar known as love,
Our devotion to each other is strong and unbreakable.
You made an orphan child a son,
You have taken me in and adopted me as your own.
When wandering was my heart′s recourse
I was lost and looking for direction.
You brought me home from distant shores.
You gave me a sense of belonging and security.
And on this altar void of breath,
Our love is so strong that it can sustain even in the face of death.
You made a harlot girl your bride,
You saw past my flaws and mistakes and made me feel valued and loved.
Now I'm standing face to face
I am in your presence and am filled with awe.
Here with angels and the saints
I am surrounded by love and beauty.
With beauty only love could ever make
The beauty I see is a result of our love for each other.
From now until forever′s end
Our love will continue and endure forever.
You hold me close and you call me friend
You are always there for me and treat me as a close friend.
No deeper love I've ever known
I have never felt a more profound love before.
Than when your heart became my home
I am most at home and comfortable when I am with you.
Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.