NIC AND RACHAEL BILLMAN have been writing songs together since they were 13… Read Full Bio ↴NIC AND RACHAEL BILLMAN have been writing songs together since they were 13 years old. Their music is new and unique, and they often hear “I don't know who to compare you to.”

All of their songs come from spontaneous moments in worship and many of them come from their times alone with the Lord. They grew up listening to a variety of music including worship artists like Jason Upton, David Ruis and Kevin Prosch; 90’s alternative rock like Live and Pearl Jam; and singer-song writers like Dylan, Cash and Nelson.Their passion is to hear and release the song that the Father sings over the children and then help the children sing back to the Father. They have led worship all over the world, wether it's on sidewalks or in arenas, their heart is the same: worship.

They have released seven albums in the U.S. and their eighth album is due out in Spring 2012. They also were a part of a joint worship album called Sound of Heaven released in Brazil.

the invitation
Nic & Rachael Billman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There′s a calling out.
There's a calling out.
Come up here, come up here.
My beloved, my bride
I see the light coming from the throne
Breaking through the night as you call.
I feel the trembling, the trembling of the dark
At each mention of your name

Jesus, Jesus.

Come up here, come up here.
My beloved, my bride
I hear the cries, the cries of a broken bride
And I long to hold you in my arms as we dance

I′ve taken away the stained and filthy
Rags that you once called identity
And I have laid out garments of white
Sewn with grace and washed in blood

Come up here, come up here
My beloved, my bride

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nic & Rachael Billman's song The Invitation speak about a calling out that is being made to the singer's beloved, who seems to be a representation of the broader audience. The lyrics convey a message of hope, reassurance, and comfort to those who may be unsettled by the darkness of the night. The singer invites their beloved to come up here, indicating that there is a higher plane of existence that they can access. The light coming from the throne symbolizes this higher plane, and through each mention of Jesus' name, the darkness is lifted, and the light is brought closer.

The singer acknowledges the brokenness of their beloved and expresses a longing to embrace them in their arms and dance. The imagery of dancing suggests joy, celebration and a sense of relief from the pain and suffering that the beloved may be experiencing. The lyrics go on to speak about how the singer has taken away the stained and filthy rags that the beloved once called identity. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for past traumas, past mistakes, or anything that may weigh on the beloved's spirit. The "garments of white" can be understood as a symbol of newness, purity and a fresh start. The use of the phrase "sewn with grace and washed in blood" indicates a sacrifice made on behalf of the beloved, possibly referencing the Christian belief in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a calling out.
God is calling out to his beloved followers.

Come up here, come up here.
God is inviting his beloved followers to come closer to him.

My beloved, my bride
God views his followers as a beloved spouse.

I see the light coming from the throne
God sees the glorious light emanating from his throne.

Breaking through the night as you call.
God's light breaks through the darkness as his followers call to him.

I feel the trembling, the trembling of the dark
God senses the fear and anxiety of those in darkness.

At each mention of your name Jesus, Jesus.
Even the sound of Jesus' name can cause ripples in the world.

I hear the cries, the cries of a broken bride
God hears the desperate pleas of his followers who are brokenhearted.

And I long to hold you in my arms as we dance
God desires to embrace his followers and dance with them.

I've taken away the stained and filthy Rags that you once called identity
God has removed the dirty and sinful past of his followers.

And I have laid out garments of white Sewn with grace and washed in blood
God has gifted his followers with grace and has purified them with the blood of Jesus.

Come up here, come up here My beloved, my bride
God invites his followers to come closer and views them as his beloved spouse.

Writer(s): Nic, Rachael Billman

Contributed by Logan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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