He also plays with Abbye West and every other artist that is willing.
Oh Eden
Matthew Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the garden that lit up the East
How the God of our people created the world
And said that it is good
Oh sing ye the song of the Spirit,
Who brooded the birth of the earth
The voice of the seas and the sunlight rang clean
Oh Eden, unbroken
Hearts in the heart of our God
Our Father, our Maker
Love from the dawn of the world
Dawn of the world
My Heart breaks to hear the old story
I ache with the call of my home
For the beauty of God and the love that we had
I've heard that it was good
But my brokenness flames up before me,
This treasonous heart, bent and torn
The sword of the truths cleaves the branch from the root
My soul is lost in sorrow
Oh Eden, our treason
Has fed us the fruit of decay
Our Father, we hunger
For bread that will not pass away
Not pass away
So the daughters and sons of the Father
Wander now naked and shamed
The blessings reversed by the thorn of the curse
Creation mourns it still
But a promise spread out like the morning,
And bright came the Word from His mouth
A Son would be born and the curse be undone
Give flight to fallen sparrows
Oh Eden, we have been
Working to make our own way
Our Father, we have so
Shadowed you image in shade
All Things made good
All things so broken now
God ever True, ever we hope in You
The song "Oh Eden" by Matthew Clark tells the story of Adam and Eve and the fall of man. The first verse begins with the singer asking his father to tell him the story of the garden of Eden, created by the God of their people. The second verse sings about the Holy Spirit brooding over the creation of the earth, and how the seas and sunlight rang clean across the meadows. The singer recalls the beauty of God and the love that existed before the fall. However, the beauty of God is contrasted with the brokenness and treasonous heart of man, symbolized in the fruit that brought decay and shame.
The chorus draws back to the beauty of Eden, where hearts were unbroken and humans were in perfect harmony with God. However, the treasonous actions of man have led to the fruit of decay, and hunger for something that will not pass away. The third verse continues to mourn the brokenness of man, where blessings have been reversed by the thorn of the curse, and creation still mourns. But the singer reminds listeners of the promise of a Son who would be born and undo the curse. The final chorus reflects the tension between the good and brokenness in the world, while ultimately recognizing that God is ever true, and we hope in him.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh tell me the tale oh my Father
Asking God to share the story of the Garden of Eden
Of the garden that lit up the East
Asking specifically about the location and beauty of the Garden
How the God of our people created the world
Asking for details about the creation story
And said that it is good
Reminding that God proclaimed his creation good
Oh sing ye the song of the Spirit,
Inviting the Spirit to join in the retelling
Who brooded the birth of the earth
Recognizing the Spirit's role in creation
The voice of the seas and the sunlight rang clean
Celebrating the beauty of creation as spoken into existence by God
Out across the meadows
Describing the widespread impact and reach of God's creation
Oh Eden, unbroken
Remembering the beauty and wholeness of the Garden of Eden
Hearts in the heart of our God
Recognizing God's love and care for humanity
Our Father, our Maker
Acknowledging God as the creator and father of humanity
Love from the dawn of the world
Emphasizing the eternal nature of God's love
Dawn of the world
Repeating that God's love dates back to the beginning of creation
My Heart breaks to hear the old story
Acknowledging the sadness and heartbreak over humanity's fall
I ache with the call of my home
Desiring to return to the perfection of Eden
For the beauty of God and the love that we had
Remembering the beauty and love of the Garden of Eden
I've heard that it was good
Echoing the statement that God called his creation good
But my brokenness flames up before me,
Acknowledging the reality of personal brokenness
This treasonous heart, bent and torn
Referring to the sinfulness and inclination to rebel against God
The sword of the truths cleaves the branch from the root
Comparing God's truth to a sword that brings judgement
My soul is lost in sorrow
Expressing grief and sadness over separation from God
Oh Eden, our treason
Acknowledging humanity's betrayal of God in the Garden of Eden
Has fed us the fruit of decay
Describing the consequences and corruption that resulted from sin
Our Father, we hunger
Expressing a desire for spiritual nourishment and sustenance from God
For bread that will not pass away
Asking for eternal sustenance and nourishment from God
Not pass away
Emphasizing the desire for eternal nourishment, not just temporary satisfaction
So the daughters and sons of the Father
Referring to all of humanity as children of God
Wander now naked and shamed
Describing the spiritual condition of humanity after the fall
The blessings reversed by the thorn of the curse
Describing the impact of the curse on creation and humanity's relationship with God
Creation mourns it still
Acknowledging the ongoing effects of sin and the curse in the world
But a promise spread out like the morning,
Referring to the promise of redemption and restoration
And bright came the Word from His mouth
Referring to the coming of Jesus, the Word of God
A Son would be born and the curse be undone
Referencing the promise of redemption through Jesus
Give flight to fallen sparrows
Describing the hope and freedom that come through redemption in Jesus
Oh Eden, we have been
Acknowledging that humanity has been searching and striving for restoration
Working to make our own way
Admitting that humanity has tried to find redemption and restoration on their own
Our Father, we have so
Asking for forgiveness and help from God
Shadowed your image in shade
Admitting that humanity has not accurately reflected God's image
All Things made good
Affirming that God's creation was originally good
All things so broken now
Acknowledging the present state of the world and the impact of sin
God ever True, ever we hope in You
Affirming faith and trust in God's faithfulness and eternal nature
Contributed by Ethan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.