Ca… Read Full Bio ↴“Turn the page because where we are is not where we’re going...”
Canadian-born singer/songwriter Matt Brouwer’s latest single, 'Waking Up', is more than just a nod to the past 14 years of being a recording artist, which Brouwer is celebrating on the release of his first career spanning ‘best of’ collection, "Writing To Remember". The sentiment of a bookend and a new beginning is no accident and reveals a season of transition that Brouwer is happily embracing. With more than a decade of hit songs, including “Water,” “I Shall Believe,” “Tonight,” and the Top 20 "Sometimes”; two GMA Canada Covenant Awards; two Canadian people’s choice Vibe Awards—not to mention a 2010 Juno Award (Canada’s Grammy equivalent) for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the year—Matt has a lot to celebrate in all that has been accomplished so far over the course of his career. With the passage of time inevitably comes change and it is in looking back that Matt is starting to see a new and exciting road ahead.
Matt Brouwer got his start in the music industry while studying music at school in Alberta, Canada. While in college he and fellow students founded the band Monday Night Worship (MNW). Because of the spiritual content of his lyrics he was 'discovered' by a Nashville record company in 2000, and in 2001 recorded his solo debut CD "Imagerical". The album was released on May 29, 2001 on Reunion Records. He then formed his own label called Black Shoe Records and released an album titled 'Unlearning' in 2005, 'Where’s Our Revolution' (Universal) in 2009, and 'Till The Sunrise' in 2012. Brouwer's music has been hailed for its relentless vulnerability as he shares his life's story of tragedy (the tragic death of his father) and hope (his Spiritual pilgrimage) with his listeners.
“I never imagined where this journey would take me”, says Brouwer. “I can remember being 17 or 18 and feeling so compelled to want to shout from the rooftops about the Spiritual awakening I was experiencing. It was like being embraced by the most incredible love and connection to the Lord and the key to unlocking this door to my heart was through music. I was so hungry for that and totally committed and determined to follow it wherever it might lead me. My time in college and the friends I made there, the energy that was driving us, or driving me, to write songs and attempt to share them with the world felt like a humble but passionate expression of a new but relevant faith that was growing like a wildfire at the time. Fifteen years or so later, I still feel that longing. With all the miles travelled and water under the bridge, I still sit down in front or a piano or with a guitar and dream about what could be possible. I believe in the power of God’s love, transforming hearts through music and worship because I’ve experienced it and I’ve seen it happen in sometimes subtle and not so subtle ways. It’s something I believe I’ll be pursuing my entire life.”
That’s not to say that Brouwer believes that all anyone needs to find peace in life is a three minute pop song to solve all of their problems. Growing up in a very devout Christian family, Matt’s mom made sure that he and his siblings were memorizing full chapters of scripture by the time they started kindergarten and spending as much or more time during the week at church gatherings than in front of the tv or devouring any type of pop culture media. “I used to feel embarrassed by how sheltered we were, but now I am so thankful because it gave me an incredible foundation of solid teaching and an education in Biblical theology. But knowledge alone is pretty useless until it makes an emotional connection somehow and finds it’s way into your heart. For me, the music is what connected the two.”
Like so many new beginnings, much of the genesis for this fresh optimism happened when Hannah entered Matt’s life. The two first met while Matt was on a mission trip in Guatemala, where Hannah’s parents serve as medical missionaries. The relationship blossomed and they were engaged in spring 2010 and married later that year. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in September of 2013 and life forever changed. The balance of career and family has been a stretch at times, but it’s something Matt says he is learning to embrace and explore. “It might sounds strange, but I’ve never been less interested in pursuing a music career. Being married and having a family has re-oriented my priorities completely and the career things that used to be so important to me have become less so. In that way it’s been very freeing and has forced me to let go of control and allowed my steps to be directed by opportunities that the Lord brings our way rather than striving and trying to ‘make it’. If ten or ten million people are listening, it really doesn’t matter. Being a great husband, father, and friend are much more important to me right now than striving for some big career that takes me away from these precious gifts of family and community.”
Community and camaraderie has become increasingly more important to the singer and one listen to 'Writing to Remember' reveals this collaborative spirit that is a hallmark of Matt’s musical pallet. Those lending their vocal talents include JJ Heller, Jill Paquette, and even Vince Gill and Amy Grant on a deeply personal and emotional track, 'The Other Side'. 'Writing to Remember' is equally saturated with a spirit of hope, togetherness, and God’s love. The album beautifully bookends this first chapter with a nod to the next waiting to unfold. “These 15 songs truly represent the progression of learning for me and express the joys and struggles of life that has been lived these past 14 years”, says Matt. “It’s been cool to re-discover how relevant these simple truths still are in my life and I believe for all of us.”
Angels Sing
Matt Brouwer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the cold night long ago, that hope is alive
The promise of heaven was born on the earth
Savior, infinite word
Love is come to redeem all the hope in the world
And the angels sing, peace descends like a song yet unsung
In the heart of every man singing glory
Here among us, bending low, the light to reveal
All the darkness in the soul to comfort and heal
Wrapped up in mystery, born in a sty
Held in the arms, a world He would save
Love is come to redeem all the hope in the world
And the angels sing, peace descends like a song yet unsung
In the heart of every man singing glory
Singing glory, oh, glory to the new born King
Love is come to redeem all the hope in the world
And the angels sing, peace descends like a song yet unsung
In the heart of every man singing glory
Singing glory, oh, glory to the new born King
The new born King, oh, yeah
The lyrics to Matt Brouwer's "Angels Sing" speak to the story of the birth of Jesus and the hope that it brought to the world. The song describes the angels that surrounded the birth of Jesus and the peace that descended upon the earth in their presence. The lyrics also mention the redemption that came with the birth of Jesus and the glory that was bestowed upon him as the new born King.
The opening lines of the song describe the angels that were present at the birth of Jesus. These angels are bending low and confiding in those around them that hope is alive. The imagery of the angels bending low creates a sense of reverence and awe at the miracle that they are witnessing. The angels are messengers of hope and they are delivering the message that the Savior has been born.
The song goes on to talk about the "promise of heaven" that was born on earth in the form of Jesus. This promise is one of redemption and salvation for all of humanity. The lyrics describe Jesus as the "infinite word," which emphasizes his divine nature and his power to bring about change in the world. The chorus of the song speaks to the peace that was brought to the world with the birth of Jesus and the glory that is sung in his name.
Overall, "Angels Sing" is a powerful song that captures the spirit of hope and redemption that is central to the story of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
All around us, bending low, angels confide
Angels are present everywhere, quietly sharing their wisdom and guidance with us.
In the cold night long ago, that hope is alive
Even in the darkest of times, hope can be found and kept alive through faith and love.
The promise of heaven was born on the earth
The hope and promise of heaven was brought down to earth through the birth of Christ.
Savior, infinite word
Christ is the Savior and embodiment of the infinite power and love of God.
Love is come to redeem all the hope in the world
Love has come to heal and restore hope in a world that has been broken and lost.
And the angels sing, peace descends like a song yet unsung
The angels sing a beautiful song of peace, that is still waiting to be fully realized and heard in the hearts of all people.
In the heart of every man singing glory
In the innermost being of every person, is a longing to glorify and honor the new born King, Jesus Christ.
Here among us, bending low, the light to reveal
Christ is present among us, humbly shining His light to reveal the darkness in our souls and bring comfort and healing.
All the darkness in the soul to comfort and heal
Christ brings comfort and healing to the broken places in our hearts and souls, where darkness has taken hold.
Wrapped up in mystery, born in a sty
Christ's birth was shrouded in mystery and humility, yet still a momentous event in the history of the world.
Held in the arms, a world He would save
As a baby, Christ was held in His mother's arms, but with a mission to save the world from sin and death.
Singing glory, oh, glory to the new born King
All creation sings out in praise and honor to the new born King, Jesus Christ.
The new born King, oh, yeah
The new born King, Jesus Christ, brings hope, peace, and salvation to all who believe in Him.
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pinksparkle1965love
Beautiful 😍😘😍
@jakobtritten
Hi Matt. My husband and i moved to the Maritimes :) You were probably the one to help me find my harmony first by simply encouraging me to sing between the lines and not get stuck on the music. ~Prairie alum 2002. Hope you and your loved ones have a WonderFULL 2023 (Isaiah 9:6)