Introduction
Lehman Engel Orchestra and Chorus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our eyes are blinded by the holiness you bear.
The bishop's robe, the mitre and the cross of gold
obscure the simple man within the Saint.
Strip off your glory, Nicolas, and speak!
NICOLAS
Across the tremendous bridge of sixteen hundred years
among my faithful congregation long ago.
All who knelt beside me then are gone.
Their name is dust, their tombs are grass and clay
yet still their shining seed of Faith survives - in you!
It weathers time, it springs again in you!
With you it stands like forest oak
or withers with the grasses underfoot.
Preserve the living Faith for which your fathers fought!
For Faith was won by centuries of sacrifice
and many martyrs died that you might worship God.
CHORUS
Help us, Lord! to find the hidden road
that leads from love to greater Love,
from faith to greater Faith. Strengthen us, O Lord!
Screw up our strength to serve Thee with simplicity.
The song Introduction by Lehman Engel Orchestra and Chorus is a reflection on the power and impact of faith over time. The chorus is in awe of the holiness that Nicolas, possibly Saint Nicholas, bears as represented by his bishop's robe, mitre, and cross of gold, which obscures his simple inner self. The chorus implores Nicolas to strip off his glory and speak to them in his true form. Nicolas responds by expressing his connection to the present day and sharing the power of faith. He speaks of coming across a tremendous bridge of sixteen hundred years to stand among his faithful congregation long ago, who have all passed away. Despite their passing, the seed of faith that they sowed still survives in the present day, in the people who are listening to his speech. Nicolas refers to faith as something that weathers time and can either stand like an oak or wither like grass underfoot. He urges his listeners to preserve the living faith for which their fathers fought by serving God wholeheartedly and with simplicity.
Line by Line Meaning
Our eyes are blinded by the holiness you bear.
Your prestigious religious symbols obscure the true nature of the humble man within.
The bishop's robe, the mitre and the cross of gold
The symbols of your rank and status in the church.
obscure the simple man within the Saint.
Hide the basic human qualities that the saint holds, under the burden of tradition.
Strip off your glory, Nicolas, and speak!
Remove the embellishments of your influential position and share your message with us.
Across the tremendous bridge of sixteen hundred years
Despite the vast gap of time, I have come to worship with you in spirit.
I come to stand in worship with you as I stood
Similar to how I led worship in the past, I join you now in reverence.
among my faithful congregation long ago.
With the followers who supported me during my lifetime.
All who knelt beside me then are gone.
My congregation has since passed away.
Their name is dust, their tombs are grass and clay
Time has turned my followers into ashes and dust, and their graves have become overgrown with vegetation.
yet still their shining seed of Faith survives - in you!
The unwavering belief of my followers still exists in those who continue to uphold their Faith today.
It weathers time, it springs again in you!
Despite the passing of years, Faith persists and thrives in new generations.
With you it stands like forest oak
The Faith you hold is towering and enduring like an oak tree in a forest.
or withers with the grasses underfoot.
However, it is also fragile and can fade away if not nurtured.
Preserve the living Faith for which your fathers fought!
Protect and sustain the Faith that has been preserved through generations of believers before you.
For Faith was won by centuries of sacrifice
The Faith we hold today has been secured through the sacrifices of those who came before us.
and many martyrs died that you might worship God.
Many people have given their lives in the pursuit of religious freedom and the ability to practice their Faith.
Help us, Lord! to find the hidden road
Assist us, oh God, in discovering the path that is not easily visible or evident.
that leads from love to greater Love,
Guide us towards the path that leads from love to an even more profound affection.
from faith to greater Faith.
Show us how to deepen our belief in your teachings and traditions.
Strengthen us, O Lord!
Grant us the strength we need to persist through struggles and challenges.
Screw up our strength to serve Thee with simplicity.
Bolster our ability to serve and worship you without needless complexity.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Benjamin Britten
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind