When Guerra is not on tour, he is a part of Vertical Church Band, which is the worship team formed out of Chicago's Harvest Bible Chapel.
Tightrope
Jon Guerra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A tightrope from heaven to earth
Walk steady, walk straight
Don’t grumble, don’t be late
Get better, or you’re going to get hurt
So I try to walk balanced and healthy
I say I’m fine, wobbles and all
But some things I can’t fake
No, the tightrope’s no match for the Fall
No, the tightrope’s no match for the Fall
Teach me to fall in your direction
Teach me to hitch my heart to yours
Give me the mind to know the difference
Between the cart, the cargo, and horse
Teach me today I still need saving
Show me the measure of your grace
When I can’t go on, teach me to climb
When I can’t get up, teach me to rise
And when I fall, teach me to fly
You danced on the tightrope like nothing
Made all of the walkers look stiff
You forgave the sinner, and you condemned the winner
So they took that rope and hung you with it
But on the third day something happened
You rose up and looked for your friends
You told them you forgave them
And that you'd always be with them
And that falling is how you ascend
You said falling is how you ascend
Teach me to fall in your direction
Teach me to hitch my heart to yours
Give me the mind to know the difference
Between the cart, the cargo, and horse
Teach me today I still need saving
Teach me the measure of your grace
When I can’t go on, teach me to climb
When I can’t get up, teach me to rise
And when I fall, teach me to fly
The lyrics to Jon Guerra's song "Tightrope" convey a sense of vulnerability and the continuous struggle to maintain balance in life. The tightrope symbolizes the delicate line we walk between heaven and earth, between the spiritual and the earthly realms. The singer acknowledges the pressure to walk straight and steady, to not complain or be late, and to constantly improve oneself. However, the singer also recognizes their limitations and the inability to fake certain emotions or struggles that come with being human. Despite their efforts, they feel trapped by the consequences of the Fall, referring to the fall of humanity in the biblical sense.
In the chorus, the singer pleads to be taught by God, asking to be guided in falling in His direction and connecting their heart to His. They ask for the wisdom to discern between superficial matters (the cart), material possessions (the cargo), and what truly matters (the horse). They seek to understand the depth of God's grace and to be taught how to persevere, rise, and even ascend through falling.
The second verse shifts the focus to Jesus' experience on the tightrope of life. Despite the way He challenged the religious norms and forgave sinners, He was ultimately condemned and crucified. However, the lyrics highlight the transformative power of His resurrection as He rose up and sought his friends, offering forgiveness and assuring them of His continued presence. The notion of falling being a way to ascend is emphasized, indicating that the singer seeks to learn from Jesus' example of rising above adversity and finding redemption.
Overall, "Tightrope" is a contemplative song that explores the human struggle between the spiritual and earthly realms, the desire for guidance and salvation, and the redemption found in falling and rising.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I feel like I’m walking
At times, I experience the sensation of moving
A tightrope from heaven to earth
An elevated, precarious path spanning the celestial realm to the terrestrial domain
Walk steady, walk straight
Maintain a consistent and unwavering gait
Don’t grumble, don’t be late
Refrain from expressing discontentment and avoid tardiness
Get better, or you’re going to get hurt
Strive for improvement, as failure to do so may result in harm
So I try to walk balanced and healthy
Hence, I endeavor to traverse with stability and vitality
I say I’m fine, wobbles and all
Despite oscillations and imperfections, I claim to be in good condition
But some things I can’t fake
Yet, there are certain aspects I cannot feign or pretend
It’s a curse I can’t break
A persistent affliction that defies resolution
No, the tightrope’s no match for the Fall
Indeed, the high wire cannot withstand the consequences of the original sin
Teach me to fall in your direction
Instruct me to descend towards your guidance
Teach me to hitch my heart to yours
Teach me how to connect my emotions inseparably to yours
Give me the mind to know the difference
Endow me with the discernment to comprehend distinctions
Between the cart, the cargo, and horse
Understand the disparities amidst the means of transportation and their contents
Teach me today I still need saving
Educate me that even presently, I require redemption
Show me the measure of your grace
Illuminate the extent of your divine favor
When I can’t go on, teach me to climb
During moments of impossibility, instruct me in ascending
When I can’t get up, teach me to rise
When I am incapable of standing again, guide me towards rebirth
And when I fall, teach me to fly
Furthermore, when I stumble, teach me how to soar
You danced on the tightrope like nothing
You gracefully maneuvered on the high wire as though unaffected
Made all of the walkers look stiff
Comparatively, you rendered the other individuals on the path appear rigid
You forgave the sinner, and you condemned the winner
You pardoned the wrongdoer while condemning the triumphant
So they took that rope and hung you with it
Consequently, they utilized that very rope to execute your crucifixion
But on the third day something happened
Yet, on the third day, a significant event transpired
You rose up and looked for your friends
You resurrected and sought the company of your companions
You told them you forgave them
You conveyed to them your act of forgiveness
And that you'd always be with them
Furthermore, you assured them of your perpetual presence
And that falling is how you ascend
Additionally, you elucidated that descending is the path to ascension
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JON GUERRA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sydney Teagarden
this was my top song for the year. I found the album 4 days after its release, and I didn't stop listening to it. like, at all. I cannot thank you two enough for the joyful melancholy you pour into your songs. it gives me such a pattern for authenticity, ironically :)
Ian Thomas
I can not stress enough how BEAUTIFUL THIS SONG WAS!! I saw in one of your videos where you did a cover of Rich Mullins song "Hold Me Jesus" you wanted to get that sort of impact of music where it wasn't just the cheap everyday mainstream Christian music on radio... Sir you have gone above and beyond with this song...
Deborah Clavette
You put words to my prayers within a sweet, lovely and heartfelt melody. Thank you, Jon.
Jessica Portilla
yes, exactly. I can listen to this song over and over and never get tired of it.
Jessa
I'd sum up the Guerras' music as "respectful of the listener." They understand that Christians are adults with developed musical tastes and a desire for thought-provoking lyrics, and they honor us and God with their effort.
Thebriwac
Thank you Jon. I would love to learn this to play at coffee houses in my area. Are you tuned down a whole step, playing in Eb (Cminor)? What are the chord nomenclatures? I can go with those alone... your wife's voice and harmonies are amazingly beautiful. She finds notes inbeteween notes. You two are such a bessing, Brian
Realising Equilibrium
This song is a dream.
So so grateful for the fruits of your labour! We are so much better for it. It helps up see Jesus more clearly than we did before. Thank you!
Humble Feet
This song is MASSIVELY underrated! 💯
Deo003
This made my heart melt
Thebriwac
Would you possibly do a tutorial for this song as you did for I Will Follow? ;-)