Resurrection Band, also known as Rez Band or REZ, is one of the best-known … Read Full Bio ↴Resurrection Band, also known as Rez Band or REZ, is one of the best-known and respected Christian rock bands in the history of Contemporary Christian music. It was based out of the Jesus People USA Christian community in Chicago, Illinois, and most of its members continue to be part of that community to this day.

Led by the husband-and-wife team of Glenn and Wendi Kaiser, the band has been the preeminent example of how to evangelize using Christian rock, but the quality musicianship of Resurrection Band has also been a driving force in the development of the Christian music industry at large. Glenn Kaiser also has an established solo career as a blues musican and is also a well-known speaker on various spiritual issues to youth and adults.

Official website: http://www.resurrectionband.com/

N.Y.C
Resurrection Band Lyrics

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Out on the curbside sat a little boy whose crying caused a story to unfold,
"I've no father, I've no family, it's getting dark and getting cold,
I've been left here by myself and I'm alone."

Oh, in a New Your City project another victim sits,
Her life is lost from being tossed down streets of trash and brick,
It ain't nice in the city when it's time to turn the trick,
When the fence is late the pimp will wait, and you know you're getting sick.

No "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,"
No one to wonder who you are,
We're all deserting, for bigger boys, the zone.

Like Jack and Jill, we've fallen down,
We're bruised and battered, tarnished crowns,
No water in the well to carry home.

'Cause everyone's a Judas when the truth is finally told,
And everyone's a lonely little child,
We afford life a commodity, our friendship's bought and sold,
But until we've been reborn we're all defiled.

Through life we learn dishonesty and how to never cry, to harden our hearts and watch your pain,
We learn the art of blasphemy, to laugh in Jesus' face, though salvation comes in no other name.

It's time to live in honesty, it's time we learn to cry, to soften our hearts once again,
Oh, it's time we laid our burdens down and raised to Jesus' love - salvation comes in no other name.

In no other name,
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Resurrection Band's "N.Y.C." tell the story of the struggles and hardships faced by people living in New York City, particularly those in impoverished areas. The song starts with the image of a little boy crying alone on the curbside, abandoned by his family. As the song progresses, we hear about the experiences of other victims in the city, including a sex worker who has been tossed down the streets of trash and brick. These individuals have been left to fend for themselves in a difficult and often cruel city. The lyrics also touch on the idea that people in general are often disconnected from each other and from their own emotions, learning to harden their hearts and ignore the pain of others. However, the song ultimately calls for a return to honesty and empathy, urging listeners to soften their hearts and embrace salvation in the name of Jesus.

One of the interesting things about "N.Y.C." is that it was actually written in the early 1970s, a time when New York City was facing significant social and economic challenges. The song speaks directly to these issues, exploring themes of poverty, crime, and urban decay. Another noteworthy aspect of the song is its use of Christian imagery and themes. Resurrection Band was known for being a Christian rock group, and many of their songs featured religious references and messages. In "N.Y.C.," this is particularly evident in the final verse, which urges listeners to turn to Jesus for salvation.

Line by Line Meaning

Out on the curbside sat a little boy whose crying caused a story to unfold,"
A young boy sitting on the sidewalk crying, leading to the revealing of his sad story.

"I've no father, I've no family, it's getting dark and getting cold, I've been left here by myself and I'm alone."
The boy has no family or parental guidance, and is feeling loneliness in the darkness.

"Oh, in a New Your City project another victim sits, Her life is lost from being tossed down streets of trash and brick, It ain't nice in the city when it's time to turn the trick, When the fence is late the pimp will wait, and you know you're getting sick."
A young woman in a New York City housing project is a victim of sexual exploitation and is forced to defend for her life against the dangers of the city. When the pimp is unwilling to grace her with a fence and provides no protection, she knows she's in trouble.

"No \"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,\" No one to wonder who you are, We're all deserting, for bigger boys, the zone."
In the harsh environment and culture of New York City, the innocence of youth is lost, and people are forced to fend for themselves.

"Like Jack and Jill, we've fallen down, We're bruised and battered, tarnished crowns, No water in the well to carry home."
People have fallen from grace and have become damaged, with no resources to help them turn their lives around.

"'Cause everyone's a Judas when the truth is finally told, And everyone's a lonely little child, We afford life a commodity, our friendship's bought and sold, But until we've been reborn we're all defiled."
In the end, everyone sells out to their own selfish interests and betrays others. We all feel lonely and vulnerable, treating our lives and relationships as possessions rather than something sacred. But rebirth can change our tarnished souls into pure spirits.

"Through life we learn dishonesty and how to never cry, to harden our hearts and watch your pain, We learn the art of blasphemy, to laugh in Jesus' face, though salvation comes in no other name."
Life teaches us to be untruthful, ignore our feelings, and become desensitized to others' suffering. We mock Jesus Christ and his teachings, despite that he is the only source of true salvation.

"It's time to live in honesty, it's time we learn to cry, to soften our hearts once again, Oh, it's time we laid our burdens down and raised to Jesus' love - salvation comes in no other name."
We need to live truthfully, be in touch with our emotions, and show compassion to one another. We need to surrender our baggage to the Lord and accept his grace and love, as He is the only one capable of granting us true salvation.

"In no other name, Yeah, yeah, yeah."
Only in the name of Jesus Christ can we find liberation from our sins and become free from the dire consequences of our past choices.

Contributed by Lillian R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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