Pam Thum was the only child of traveling evangelists Bruce and Ruth Thum, producers of the very popular and unique drama, Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames. The experience, which never kept them in the same place for more than a month, had both positive and negative effects on Pam.
Thum's parents were very dedicated Christians and carried Jesus into every aspect of their lives. They taught her a great deal about prayer and helped give her the assurance that Jesus was always with her. Still, Thum grew up in a very adult world and often felt quite lonely. She learned to depend on Jesus at a very early age and often made up little songs to sing to Him to help her not feel so lonely and scared. Jesus was one of the only constants in her life and she knew she never wanted to leave Him.
Pam's music career began when she was three years old and started singing on stage. As the years went on, Pam began to realize the effect music had on people and the hope that the words she sang often gave them. "I wanted them to feel the peace I did when I sang to God. I wanted them to feel as though Jesus were hugging them through my music."
And so it began. Pam Thum started writing songs when she was 16 and decided to pursue songwriting and performing as her own full time ministry. In 1987, Pam was offered a songwriting contract after her song "We Are An Army" was recorded by Trace Balin. She was offered a recording contract in 1992 and released her self titled debut album in 1993. The record was a huge success, with six of the songs making the top ten. She also received a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year.
Pam Thum's albums:
Pam Thum, 1993
Faithful, 1994
Feel the Healing, 1995
Believe, 1997
Thum's geatest influences have been her parents and her Aunt Myrtle. Aunt Myrtle was a bundle of energy and was always hugging someone, taking people to church, baking cookies, teaching Sunday School, or singing joyfully to the Lord. Thum's greatest desire in her music is to be like her Aunt Myrtle and to love others where they're at and point them to Jesus.
Perhaps one of the most surprising things that came out of Pam's immediate success was her popularity in South Africa. Shortly after the release of her first album, the readers of JOY Magazine, a Christian publication in South Africa, named her Best International Female Artist of 1993. On her first trip there, she was greeted by an enormous group of fans and a hotel room filled with flowers. Thum believes that God has given her a special platform in South Africa and she desires to use it for His glory.
Today, Pam is married to Stephen Marshall and together they have built Pam Thum Ministries, which is partnered with several other "world-changing" ministries. Her mission remains the same - to fearlessly share the Good News of Christ with the world and encourage others to do the same. "We have the greatest news for this world," says Pam, "and we've spent too many years acting as if we're in some kind of secret club. People are living and dying without Jesus -- hurt, hatred, sickness, and fear have ruled for too long. I just feel an urgency that we've got to shake off the apathy in our lives and get bold and direct about our faith."
Innocence of Heart
Pam Thum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wonderin' where your world is goin'
So many voices try to speak
Set out to steal your youth
Your tender soul unguarded
Could turn from right to wrong
And it's so hard to know how to be strong
In God's eyes, you're a hero
His love will always guide you
Through the storm, oh, oh
Though you're a single light in the dark
Don't let go of the innocence of heart
Keep the innocence of heart
The innocence of heart
So how on earth do you survive
When doubt and fear surround you
Most people swear you'll lose the fight
The rest just call you fool
But don't give up or in tonight
'Cause strength lies in the truth
And there's no truer love
Than what God gives to you
So don't be afraid to stand alone
In God's eyes, you're a hero
His love will always guide you
Through the storm, oh, oh
Though you're a single light in the dark
Don't let go of the innocence of heart
Keep the innocence of heart
The innocence of heart
Lift your head up high
And don't forget who's on your side
No matter the battle
You have reason to fly
So don't be afraid to stand alone
In God's eyes, you're a hero
His love will always guide you
Through the storm, oh, oh
Though you're a single light in the dark
Don't let go of the innocence of heart
Keep the innocence of heart
The innocence of heart
Keep the innocence of heart
The innocence of heart
Keep the innocence of heart
The innocence of heart...
The lyrics of Pam Thum's song "Innocence of Heart" speak about the challenges and doubts that we face in life, especially when we feel alone, and how we can overcome them by holding onto our innocence of heart. The song starts off with the singer telling us to close our eyes and wondering where our world is going. The singer points out that so many voices are trying to speak to us and steal our youth, which could lead us down the wrong path. The singer acknowledges that it's hard to know how to be strong in these situations, but assures us that we can stand alone and be a hero in God's eyes. The idea of keeping the innocence of heart is repeated throughout the song as a way to guide us through the storm and be a single light in the dark.
The song's message is about keeping our faith and purity of heart, even when we feel discouraged and surrounded by doubt and fear. The singer tells us not to give up or give in, but to hold onto the truth and the love that God gives us. By reminding us that we have reason to fly and lifting our heads up high, the singer encourages listeners to keep going and to not let go of our innocence of heart. Overall, the lyrics of "Innocence of Heart" convey a message of hope and faith in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
You close your eyes and try to sleep
You struggle to soothe yourself to slumber, trying to forget about the battles faced in the daytime.
Wonderin' where your world is goin'
You are lost and uncertain about the direction your life is headed and where it will eventually lead.
So many voices try to speak
There are numerous opinions surrounding you, each trying to pull you in different directions and confuse you.
Set out to steal your youth
These voices seek to rob you of your innocence and youthful naivety, packing your life with stress and negativity.
Your tender soul unguarded
You are vulnerable to the cruelties of life, open and unshielded from the negative aspects of this world.
Could turn from right to wrong
Even if you know what's right and moral, the confusion caused by these overpowering voices can easily lead you astray.
And it's so hard to know how to be strong
It's challenging to stay strong amidst all the negativity, especially when you don't know what's the right thing to do.
Don't be afraid to stand alone
Be brave and take a stand, even if it means standing alone, and fighting for what you believe in.
In God's eyes, you're a hero
Regardless of what society says, in the eyes of God, you are a warrior and a mighty hero.
His love will always guide you
God's love is a constant beacon, directing you towards the right path, even in the darkest hours.
Through the storm, oh, oh
God will help you navigate through tough times and face the storms of life, safely.
Though you're a single light in the dark
You may feel all alone, but like a lamp in the darkness, you serve as a guiding light for many to follow.
Don't let go of the innocence of heart
Hold onto the purity and the goodness that resides within your heart, ensuring that these evils don't snuff out the light.
Keep the innocence of heart
Nurture and preserve that innocent spark within yourself, remaining pure-minded and untainted by worldly negativity.
So how on earth do you survive
When everything seems overwhelming, how do you go on and survive through it all?
When doubt and fear surround you
When uncertainty and fear grip you, making it impossible to take steps forward in life.
Most people swear you'll lose the fight
Many people would say that you will never make it through the challenges, that you are destined to fail, and that you will lose the fight.
The rest just call you fool
Others may even consider you foolish for pursuing the path that you have chosen.
But don't give up or in tonight
However, irrespective of what others say, don't give up and lose hope tonight.
'Cause strength lies in the truth
Remember that power and courage lies in being honest, true to oneself, and in admitting one's flaws and weaknesses openly.
And there's no truer love
For, in knowing the truth, one can experience deep love, affection, and unconditional support from the Almighty.
Than what God gives to you
Nothing can come close to the kind of love, guidance, and support that one can experience when they have faith in God.
Lift your head up high
Hold your head high and face the world with confidence and pride in who you are, your values, and your faith.
And don't forget who's on your side
Never forget that there is a higher power, watching over you every step of the way, and that God is always by your side, through thick and thin.
No matter the battle
Irrespective of the magnitude of the challenges you face, be brave and courageous, and know that you can overcome it all.
You have reason to fly
You have every reason to soar to new heights, to accomplish great things, and to lead a fulfilling life - one filled with purpose, hope, and love.
Keep the innocence of heart
Nurture and preserve that innocent spark within yourself, remaining pure-minded and untainted by worldly negativity.
The innocence of heart
Preserve the goodness, the naivety, and the purity that resides within your heart, working towards leading a fulfilling and a purposeful life.
Keep the innocence of heart
Nurture and preserve that innocent spark within yourself, remaining pure-minded and untainted by worldly negativity.
The innocence of heart
Preserve the goodness, the naivety, and the purity that resides within your heart, working towards leading a fulfilling and a purposeful life.
Writer(s): Pam Thum, Bill Cuomo, Robert Johnson
Contributed by Nora P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.