Katy's influences range from the vocal and lyrical styles of Nichole Nordeman, Jennifer Knapp, and Plumb, to the conversational style of David Wilcox, to the soulful influence of Martina McBride. Spiritual influences include writings of C.S. Lewis, Flannery O' Connor, and Phillip Yancey...and the occasional Veggie Tales video.
Having moved from Colorado to Nashville after high school, Katy attended Belmont University, where she studied Commercial Music and Music Business. She focused on writing and recording at Belmont, also having the privilege of performing at the Grand Ole Opry in backup choirs for artists such as Alan Jackson, Kenny Rogers, and Taylor Sorenson. She's single-handedly booked separate tours through Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Georgia, and Florida, and she currently makes the rounds at clubs, coffee shops, and churches in Nashville and her former hometown of Colorado Springs/Woodland Park.
Katy’s song: “Here,” has had airplay on over 30 radio stations. In 2005, she won a recording artist competition through Embassy Music's Talent Search, taking her place as one of Tennessee's regional winners. In 2007, she was chosen as a semi-finalist (top 100 chosen) for the Independent Music Awards, judged by TAXI And Billboard Magazine and won their Popular Vote May of '08. Most recently, her song: "World's Largest Peanut," won first prize in the '09 International Acoustic Music Awards folk category. Katy has recorded and toured two CD's: “Headed Back” (2005) and “You're Still Better” (2007). She is currently recording "Lullaby hymns: for adults" expected to be released in November.
Katy's heart is to see people comforted and awakened spiritually, and emotionally. But she is quick to say that she also needs awakening, and that her search will continue as long as there are questions.
Be Thou My Vision
Katy Kinard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven? S joys, O bright heaven? S sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art
In "Be Thou My Vision," Katy Kinard introduces God as the subject of her song, making a plea for God's presence to remain consistent in her life. She asks God to be her vision and wisdom, to dwell within her, and be with her during both her waking and sleeping moments. The opening line, "Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart," calls upon God to be the center of her attention and affection, with nothing else taking precedence.
In the second verse, Kinard asks God to be her wisdom and true word--to guide her thoughts and actions. She also refers to God as her Father, and herself as His child, stating that God dwells within her as she does within Him. This line emphasizes a strong sense of unity between Kinard and God.
In the final verse, Kinard rejoices in the idea of God as the High King of Heaven and the victor. She question whether she will ultimately reach the joyous heaven, but remains steadfast in her plea for God's presence to remain with her throughout whatever may occur, stating "whatever befall, still be my vision, O ruler of all." Overall, "Be Thou My Vision" is a song of devotion and surrender to God, to remain constant and guiding through all seasons of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Oh God, guide my vision and my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Nothing else can replace Your place in my life
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
You are always on my mind, day and night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
You are my guiding light, even in my dreams
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
You are my source of knowledge and truth
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
I am always with You and You are always with me
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
You are my divine father and I am Your true child
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one
You reside in me, and I am united with You
High King of Heaven, my victory won
You are the ruler of Heaven, and You have brought me victory
May I reach heaven? S joys, O bright heaven? S sun
I hope to reach Heaven and experience its joys and brightness
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
You are the core of my being, no matter what happens
Still be my vision, O ruler of all
You will always be my guiding vision, as You rule over everything
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
You are the only one in my heart
High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art
You are my treasure, the King of Heaven
Contributed by Alaina A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.