Rebecca was born in Sydney, Australia, to David and Helen Smallbone. She is the oldest of seven children, and currently lives in Los Angeles with Jacob. Rebecca took the name St. James from her grandmother, as it was her maiden name. Her album ‘’God’’ was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995. Also, ‘’Pray ‘’ was certified Gold by the RIAA on the last week of September 1999.
Rebecca's musical career began in 1990 at age 13 when she began opening shows for CCM (Christian Contemporary Music) artist Carman during his Australian tour which was promoted by her father's company, David Smallbone Promotions. That same year she recorded her first album, Refresh My Heart. In 1991 she moved to the United States upon signing with ForeFront Records, and took her stage name at the label's request.
In 1999 Rebecca received a Grammy Award for her album ''Pray'' in the Best Rock Gospel Album category. Rebecca is the eighth Australian artist or group to win a Grammy Award.
In 2003 she played the part of Maggie (Mary Magdalene) in the !HERO rock opera.
Rebecca is an open supporter of teenage sexual abstinence, and has become an unofficial spokesperson for True Love Waits. The single "Wait for Me", from her 2000 album Transform, encourages waiting to have sex until after marriage. Later that year it also became the title and focus of a 46-city tour. James wrote the song herself on a tour bus, and it became instantly popular. The song was also used on the TV program The O.C. Rebecca's first book, titled Wait for Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance, was published in 2002 and further addressed the issue.
In November of 2005, Rebecca released her highly anticipated album If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something. After not putting out a new pop/rock album since 2000, this album combines Rebecca's overall versatility in vocal and song writing to the finest degree.
Rebecca sang a song on the 2005 soundtrack, Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia called "Lion" for which she won a Dove Award.
A Special Edition of If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something was released in November 2006 and included two acoustic tracks and other special features.
In 2007. Rebecca released her live CD\DVD aLIVE In Florida featuring some of her No. 1 hits as well as fan favorites.
In 2008, two compilation albums, The Ultimate Collection (Double Disc) and Greatest Hits featuring some of her biggest hits were released. The same year she also released a new book called Pure: A 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, Body, & Spirit which broke into Top 10 at #9 on the CBA bestseller's list in Feb 2009. Pure is also nominated among the Top 3 books of 2009 for the youth/teen market.
The September 09' release of Loved, (Hachette/Faithwords) and the fall national film release of Sarah’s Choice capped 2009 as one of Rebecca’s most creatively diverse years.
Lion
Rebecca St. James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's what I call You
I'm curious about You
I'm scared and not sure that You are safe
But Your eyes seem to say that You are good
This is not a dream that I'm living
This is just a world of Your own
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth, but the lion is (an angel)
Wise eyes, You see the core of me
Your gentleness melts me
And now I know that words cannot describe
The power that I feel when I'm with You
This is not a dream that I'm living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth, but the lion is
Peace and power, love forever
Who am I to stand before You?
I am speechless
But in my weakness
You are here and all is well
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth, but the lion is (an angel)
This is not a dream that I'm living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth, but the lion is (an angel)
Is an angel
The lyrics to Rebecca St. James's song Lion describe a journey of getting to know someone who is mysterious and unknown but who has captured the singer's curiosity and fear. The first verse describes the singer's initial impression of this mysterious figure, who she calls a lion, but also thinks may be an angel. She is not sure if this figure is safe, but his eyes seem to tell her that he is good. This paradoxical feeling of fear combined with a sense of trust and safety is reflected throughout the song.
The second verse of Lion takes the listener deeper into the relationship between the singer and this mysterious figure. She describes him as seeing the core of her and his gentleness melting her. The singer realizes that words cannot describe the power she feels when she is with him. The third verse declares the singer's ultimate trust and surrender to this figure, who she now knows to be an angel. She is speechless but knows that she is not alone and all is well.
The song Lion is a powerful declaration of faith and trust in a higher power that is both mysterious but also comforting. It highlights the paradoxical nature of fear and trust and how those emotions can coexist within a relationship. The lion symbolism references the biblical idea of the lion of Judah, representing bravery and power, while the angel symbolizes protection and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Mysterious
There is an air of secrecy and wonder surrounding the subject (God).
That's what I call You
The singer doesn't have a name for God that fully captures the essence of who they are.
I'm curious about You
The singer is intrigued and wants to understand God more.
I'm scared and not sure that You are safe
The artist is hesitant to trust God completely because of fear and doubt.
But Your eyes seem to say that You are good
Despite her fear, the artist can sense that God is trustworthy and well-meaning.
This is not a dream that I'm living
The singer is emphasizing that God's presence in her life is a reality, not just a figment of her imagination.
This is just a world of Your own
God's realm is separate and distinct from the rest of the world.
You took me from all that I knew
God has lifted the artist out of a former way of life and into something new.
Shown me how it feels to hope
God has given the artist cause for optimism and expectation, even in difficult circumstances.
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
The artist is acknowledging that God's companionship is essential to facing whatever lies ahead.
I can learn to fly
With God's help, the singer can achieve feats that once seemed impossible.
Feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth, but the lion is (an angel)
Despite being in the midst of danger and difficulty, there is a sense of safety and protection due to God's presence, which is symbolized as an angel.
Wise eyes, You see the core of me
God is perceptive and attuned to the singer's inner self.
Your gentleness melts me
God's kindness and compassion towards the singer evoke strong positive emotions within her.
And now I know that words cannot describe
The singer realizes that language falls short in adequately expressing the depth and magnitude of her experience with God.
The power that I feel when I'm with You
Being in God's presence gives the artist a profound sense of strength and energy.
Peace and power, love forever
God represents qualities such as tranquility, strength, and love in the artist's mind.
Who am I to stand before You?
The singer recognizes that God's greatness surpasses her own and feels humble in his presence.
I am speechless
The singer lacks words to adequately express her awe and reverence for God.
But in my weakness
The artist recognizes her own frailty and need for God's strength and assistance.
You are here and all is well
The artist finds comfort and reassurance in God's presence, even in troubling circumstances.
Is an angel
The lion is a metaphor for God's protective presence, symbolized as an angel.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHAUN SHANKEL, REBECCA ST. JAMES, CARY RYAN BARLOWE, JAMIE MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Larissa Oliveira
Rebecca St. James - Lion
Mysterious
That's what I call You
I'm curious about You
I'm scared and not sure that You are safe
But Your eyes seem to say that You are good
Chorus
This is not a dream that I'm living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth, but the lion is (an
angel)
Wise eyes, You see the core of me
Your gentleness melts me
And now I know that words cannot describe
The power that I feel when I'm with You
Chorus
This is not a dream that I'm living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth, but the lion is
Peace and power, love forever
Who am I to stand before You?
I am speechless
But in my weakness
You are here and all is well
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth, but the lion is (an
angel)
Chorus
This is not a dream that I'm living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth, but the lion is (an
angel)
is an angel
Katy Tinder
Rebecca St. James, on the other night, while I was on the phone with my boyfriend, he proposed to me and wanted me to be his wife.
I told him, "OMG, YES!!!"
however, last night was a nightmare on the phone, He wasn't getting flirty with me.
He thought that I was annoying him with all of me thinking about him non-stop.
What the heck that am I going to do?
I mean, I wish that I'd have a whole lot of help from God.
Faith
Perfectly Beautiful!!!! Jesus is my Lion, my Angel........
tonkagarfield
When this album first came out, this and waiting for the world to fall was my favorite tracks. So many years later and it still holds the same appeal.
Hecomut
That's by far one of the mosts beautiful songs i've ever heard. So freaking nice!!!
Story-Teller BJFultz
This song is freakin' EPIC.
Danigo Darling
It’s about God
Thalo B.
I remember bawling my eyes out to this song. I wasn't sad. I couldn't tell you what I was feeling besides twelve years old and full of hormones.
Bean Brain
This comment is gonna be a mood forever, no matter how old it gets XD
Rachel Martinka
I cry every time I listen to it.
Jane Eyre
One of the best song in history!!
Lanie Henry
Love this song. I cant figure out if I feel like this song could be about regular Love ( Family. friends..etc ) or Romantic love