Green took to music at a young age, and his talents were noted by major newspapers by the time he was only eight years old. Following a performance of Arthur Laurents' The Time of the Cuckoo, the Los Angeles Times wrote that "roguish-looking, eight-year-old Keith Green gave a winning performance," one that "stole the show". Green went on to play "Kurt Von Trapp" in a major production of The Sound of Music.
At the age of eleven, Green became the youngest person ever to sign with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) when he published, recorded and released the song "The Way I Used to Be".
In his early teens, with more than 50 original songs under his belt, Green was signed to Decca Records. Decca had plans to make Green a teen-idol, regularly getting the young man featured in fanzines like Teen Scene and on popular television shows like The Jack Benny Show and Steve Allen's show. Time Magazine called Green "a prepubescent dreamboat". His dreams of stardom were shattered, however, when Donny Osmond stole his short-lived spotlight and Green was quickly forgotten.
By his mid-teens, Green became heavily involved in drug use, eastern religion, astrology, and mysticism. After experiencing a really horrifying "bad trip", he abandoned drug use and also became bitter towards philosophy and theology in general. In the midst of his skepticism, as Green described it, God's love 'broke through' his 'calloused heart'. He began on a new path 'with Christ as his guru', but had many 'spiritual struggles' and hardships along the way. He married his wife Melody in 1973, and the two became involved in the Vineyard fellowship in Southern California, where they were introduced to Bob Dylan.
The Greens began an outreach program to their community by purchasing two homes (and renting five) to provide housing and care for prostitutes, drug addicts, and homeless people. Eventually, the couple and the rest of their group relocated to Lindale, Texas, where the Greens founded Last Days Ministries.
Green began to release a series of albums in the new Contemporary Christian music market in 1977, after being signed to Sparrow Records and working on their Christian musical album Firewind (1976) with 2nd Chapter of Acts, Terry Talbot, John Talbot, and Barry McGuire. Two years later, Keith would shock many in the industry by refusing to charge money for concerts or albums. He insisted that his new label, Sparrow Records, let him out of his contract. The Greens then mortgaged their home to privately finance the album So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt? (with a guest appearance by Bob Dylan), which was then offered through mail-order and at concerts for "whatever you could afford". As of May of 1982, Green had shipped out more than 200,000 units of his album - 61,000 for free.
Last Days Ministries also began publishing a self-described "small, colorful magazine" called the Last Days Newsletter. The magazine featured articles by Keith and Melody as well as contemporary authors such as David Wilkerson, Leonard Ravenhill, and Winkie Pratney, all of whom lived in the area, as well as reprinting work by earlier Christian workers such as Charles Finney, John Wesley, and William Booth and his wife Catherine. The newsletter had such an impact on the Christian community at the time that many of the articles were reprinted as tracts.
Green was killed on July 28, 1982, when a small airplane owned by Last Days Ministries crashed on takeoff. Green had planned to give visiting friends an aerial view of the Last Days Ministries compound. Two of Green's children, three year old Josiah, and two year old Bethany, were also on board the plane, as was pilot Don Burmeister, and friends John and Dede Smalley and all six of their children. All passengers were killed in the crash. Crash investigators determined that the aircraft was nearly 500 lb (230 kg) overweight with 12 passengers and only 6 seats. Keith, Josiah, and Bethany Green are interred at Lindale Cemetery.
In 1992, several artists joined together to re-record many of Green's most well known songs for a tribute album called No Compromise: Remembering the Music of Keith Green, on Sparrow Records. Artists contributing to that record included Charlie Peacock, PFR, Susan Ashton, Margaret Becker, Michael Card, Rich Mullins, and Russ Taff. BEC Records released a second, more modern, tribute record Start Right Here: Remembering the Life of Keith Green, in 2001. That tribute was produced by Derri Daugherty and included performances by MxPx, Joy Electric and others. In 2002, upon the twentieth anniversary of Keith's death, Sparrow Records released another tribute album. Your Love Broke Through: The Worship Songs of Keith Green contains re-recordings by Rebecca St. James, Michelle Tumes, Chris Tomlin, Twila Paris, Darlene Zschech, Jason Upton, Martin Smith, Charlie Hall, Joanne Hogg, Matt Redman, Paul Oakley, and Sarah Sadler. This album also includes "There Is One" performed by Michael W. Smith, which was an unfinished work completed by Michael W. Smith and Martin Smith.
Since the time of his death, the only known unreleased Christian song recorded by Keith was "Born Again". This song was finally released 17 years later in 1999 on the First Love compilation video and CD, which also features a two-song tribute to Keith by other artists. Keith was working on other songs at the time of his death, but these are in the sole-possession of his widowed-wife, Melody Green, and not available to the public. Melody inherited Keith's writings as well, and she has released many excerpts of these as books: Cry In The Wilderness (Sparrow, 1993), If You Love the Lord (Harvest House, 2000), and Make My Life a Prayer (Harvest House, 2001).
On November 27, 2001, Green was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Keith's mother, Char Green was present with a heavy heart but very proud of her son.
Since 1982, Melody Green has continued to operate Last Days Ministries from Oceanside, California, and has "become an internationally known speaker and author". She now ministers as a Christian prophet and a touring evangelist.
The land in Lindale, Texas (more specifically, Garden Valley, Texas) where Last Days Ministries was once located is now occupied by Teen Mania Ministries. Teen Mania has dedicated one of its dormitories, Green Hall, in memory of Keith.
There is a biography of Keith Green's life written by Melody Green with David Hazard called No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green (Harvest House Publishers, 1989; revised and expanded in 2000) and a documentary film called Your Love Broke Through: The Keith Green Story (available from www.keithgreen.com and serialized on youtube.com).
Asleep In The Light
Keith Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the people sinking down?
Don't you care? Don't you care?
Are you gonna let them drown?
How can you be so numb?
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done
You know, it's all I ever hear
No one aches, no one hurts
No one even sheds one tear
But, He cries, He weeps, He bleeds
And He cares for your needs
And you just lay back and keep soaking it in
Oh, can't you see it's such sin?
'Cause He brings people to your door
And you turn them away
As you smile and say
"God bless you, be at peace"
And all Heaven just weeps
'Cause Jesus came to your door
You've left Him out on the streets
Open up, open up
And give yourself away
You see the need, you hear the cries
So how can you delay?
God's calling and you're the one
But like Jonah, you run
He's told you to speak but you keep holding it in
Oh, can't you see it's such sin?
The world is sleeping in the dark
That the church just can't fight
'Cause it's asleep in the light
How can you be so dead
When you've been so well fed?
Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you can't even get out of bed
Oh, Jesus rose from the dead
Come on, get out of your bed
How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come?
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done
Don't close your eyes, don't pretend the job's done
Come away, come away
Come away with me, my love
Come away from this mess
Come away with me, my lov
Come away from this mess
Come away with me, my love
Come away, come away, oh
Come away with me, my love
Keith Green's song "Asleep in the Light" is a powerful message to the church, challenging them to wake up and see the need of the world around them. The opening lines ask the listener if they can see all the people sinking down, and if they even care. The urgent tone is emphasized by the repetition of the questions, as if pleading for a response. Keith then points out the hypocrisy of those who claim to follow Jesus but are too comfortable and apathetic to help those in need. He contrasts this with the image of Jesus, who wept and bled for humanity's needs.
The song then takes an even more pointed turn, as Keith calls out the church for turning away those in need, and how the world is sleeping in darkness because the church is "asleep in the light." This phrase is a powerful critique of the church's failure to engage with the world, to actively reach out and help those in need. He compares this to the story of Jonah, who was called by God to preach to Nineveh but ran away. Keith says that God is calling us to speak up, but we keep holding it in.
The final section of the song is a plea to come away with Jesus, to escape the mess of our apathy and inaction. It's a call to repentance and action, to recognize our failings and to turn towards Jesus and follow his example of sacrificial love and compassion.
Overall, "Asleep in the Light" is a powerful and prophetic song that challenges us to examine our own lives and actions, and to ask ourselves if we're truly living out the gospel message of love and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you see? Do you see?
Do you notice the countless people struggling and sinking around you, in desperate need of God's love and salvation?
Don't you care? Don't you care?
Does it not break your heart to see them drowning without hope and with no one to save them?
Are you gonna let them drown?
Will you stand by idly and allow these people to suffer and perish while you remain indifferent and inactive?
How can you be so numb?
How can you be so indifferent and apathetic to the plight of those in need?
Not to care if they come
To be unbothered by the fate of those seeking help and salvation.
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done
To rid yourself of the plight of others by refusing to engage with their struggles or pretending to have done enough to help them.
"Oh, bless me, Lord, bless me, Lord"
A plea to be blessed while showing no concern for the pain and suffering of others.
No one aches, no one hurts
No one seems to feel the pain or suffering of those around them.
No one even sheds one tear
The struggles of others seem to never have any emotional impact on anyone.
But, He cries, He weeps, He bleeds
Jesus feels the pain and anguish of those in need as if it were His own.
And He cares for your needs
God's love and compassion extend to all people in need, regardless of their social status or background.
And you just lay back and keep soaking it in
While God's love and compassion are endless, you do nothing but absorb it selfishly without ever seeking to share it with others.
Oh, can't you see it's such sin?
It is a grievous sin to refuse to engage with or help those in need, especially with the knowledge of God's love and compassion.
'Cause He brings people to your door
God brings people in need into your life, offering you countless opportunities to help and share His love.
And you turn them away
Despite these opportunities, you refuse to engage with those in need or share God's love with them.
As you smile and say "God bless you, be at peace"
Your offer of blessings and peace is empty and meaningless to those in need, as it is not backed up by any tangible actions or efforts to help them.
And all Heaven just weeps
The angels and saints in heaven mourn the lost opportunities to help and save those in need.
'Cause Jesus came to your door
Jesus came to you in the form of those in need, and you missed the chance to engage with Him and help Him.
You've left Him out on the streets
By refusing to help those in need, you have also rejected Jesus and left Him abandoned and alone.
Open up, open up
It is time to open your heart and mind to the plight of those in need and commit to helping them.
And give yourself away
To truly help others, you must be willing to sacrifice your own comfort and convenience, giving of yourself completely.
You see the need, you hear the cries
You recognize the desperation and pain of those in need and are aware of the urgent need to help them.
So how can you delay?
There is no time to waste, as every moment you delay in helping those in need only means more suffering and pain for them.
God's calling and you're the one
God has chosen and called you specifically to help those in need and share His love and salvation with them.
But like Jonah, you run
Like the prophet Jonah, you flee from God's calling and avoid your responsibility to help those in need.
He's told you to speak but you keep holding it in
God has commanded you to share His love and salvation with others, but you continually refuse to do so or keep it to yourself.
The world is sleeping in the dark
Many people in the world are lost and unaware of God's love and salvation, living in spiritual darkness and hopelessness.
That the church just can't fight
The church is failing to engage with those in need or share God's love and compassion with them, becoming ineffective in the face of such great need.
'Cause it's asleep in the light
The church is comfortable and complacent, resting in its own spiritual salvation and failing to help those in need.
How can you be so dead
How can you claim to be alive spiritually while refusing to acknowledge the desperate needs of those around you?
When you've been so well fed?
God's love and compassion are endless and abundant, and it is a sin to selfishly keep it to oneself without sharing it with others.
Jesus rose from the grave
Jesus died and rose again to give us eternal life and offer salvation to all people regardless of their past sins or mistakes.
And you, you can't even get out of bed
Despite the resurrection and the promise of eternal life, you refuse to engage with those in need or leave your comfort zone to help others.
Come on, get out of your bed
It is time to wake up from your spiritual slumber and take action to help those in need and share God's love with them.
Don't close your eyes, don't pretend the job's done
It is a sin to close your eyes to the plight of those in need and pretend that you have done enough to help them when there is still so much more to be done.
Come away, come away
It is time to turn away from selfishness and apathy and move towards a path of compassion, love, and service to others.
Come away with me, my love
God offers a path of love and service to others that leads to eternal life and spiritual fulfillment.
Come away from this mess
It is time to leave behind the selfishness and apathy of the world and move towards a life of love, compassion, and service to others.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Keith Gordon Green
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tony shumway
Ephesians
Chapter 4
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Roger Aubrey
Prophetic. Today this song is as relevant as when Keith first brought it to the church. Bless me, Bless me; no one aches no one hurts, no one sheds a tear.
objectivitycave11
i do ... still not enough.. i don't have any money, i can't help nobody in that way .. this is a great song though, perhaps the best Christ song ever made
Deirdre Morris
@objectivitycave11 Money doesnt always help people.
Jeph
@objectivitycave11 me neither, but that's ok, we can give our lives to serve God and others. You know what, tho? Being poor causes us to trust Him more. People with money don't get this 'privilege'
Jeph
@Deirdre Morris true, but it would sure help me out right about now!😉 God is faithful, and provides day-by-day
Coopertown78
Indeed! When you speak the true words of God, they also are just as relevant as they were 2000, and even 6000 years ago!💪☝️🙏🏻👍💪
Mark R Reneau
This is the GREATEST christian song to Christians of all time.
CELESTINE
I agree. Most powerful ever!
Phillip E Schwab
This song keeps me out of my comfort zone of complacency. "Lord, Lord!" I did feed you when you were hungry, clothed you when you were naked... Thank you Lord for continualy reminding me I'm simply passing through this world trying to make the most impact before I reach my eternal home.
Doug R
"cause he brings people to your door and you turn them away as you smile and say God bless you be at peace..."
Reminds me of when an assistant pastor who was committing adultery at the time kicked me out of his church and said "God bless you" as I was leaving.