His funeral was open to the public and had a massive gathering. He is buried in the Harrison Township Cemetery in Hollansburg, Ohio, alongside his baby brother who died as an infant and his father.[
Between 1974-78, Mullins attended Cincinnati Bible College. He worked in a parking garage to help pay for his schooling. [7] From 1975 -1978 he was also the Music Director and Youth Director at Erlanger United Methodist Church in nearby Erlanger, Kentucky. [8]
In the mid-1980s he moved to Nashville, Tennessee to begin his professional recording career.
Mullins is best known for his worship songs "Step by Step" (later incorporated into his hit single "Sometimes by Step") and "Awesome God", both of which have been embraced as modern classics by many Christians. Some of his albums are also considered among Christian music's best, including Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth (1988), The World As Best As I Remember It, Volume One (1991) and A Liturgy, A Legacy, & A Ragamuffin Band (1993). His music has been covered by many artists, including Caedmon's Call, Five Iron Frenzy, Amy Grant, Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith, John Tesh, Chris Rice and Third Day.[1]
In 1988, Mullins moved to Wichita, Kansas where, in 1991, he enrolled as a student at Friends University and lived with his best friend, David Strasser (a.k.a. Beaker). He graduated with a B.A. in Music Education on May 14, 1995 [12]. After graduation, he and musician Mitch McVicker moved to a Navajo reservation in Tse Bonito, New Mexico to teach music to children. They lived in a hogan at the reservation until his death.
Rich Mullins is also remembered for his devotion to the Christian faith, which was often an inspiration to others. He was heavily influenced by St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). In 1997, he composed a musical called Canticle of the Plains, a retelling of the life of St. Francis set in the Old West. [2]
His biggest hits were the praise choruses Awesome God and Step by Step. Three of his albums are considered among Christian music's best: Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth (1988), The World As Best As I Remember It, Volume 1 (1991) and A Liturgy, a Legacy & a Ragamuffin Band (1993). The posthumous The Jesus Record include one disc of demos he had recorded shortly before his death, and a second disc of recordings of the songs completed by The Ragamuffin Band, several with guest vocalists.
Mullins often called St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) his hero. He modeled his life after St. Francis by showing great compassion towards the poor and adhering to a vow of poverty. In 1997, he composed a musical about the life of St. Francis set in the Old West titled Canticle of the Plains.
Mullins was seen as an enigma to the Christian music industry. Often barefoot, unshaven, and badly in need of a haircut, Mullins did not look like the average American Gospel music writer. He was very much at home among the non-Christians, and unafraid to name his own sin and inadequacies in public. This baffled some in the American Christian culture where he seemed an odd member. His lifestyle was unquestionably marked by devotion and discipline, yet his simultaneous refusal to subscribe to contemporary Christian "niceties" made him a bit of an uncomfortable presence in the Christian music culture. Although he achieved a significant amount of success on Christian radio, he never received a Dove Award until after his death.
Unlike most artists in Contemporary Christian music, Mullins did not consider his music his primary ministry, but rather a means to pay his bills. Instead, his ministry was the way he treated his neighbors, family, enemies, and those outside the church. Taking a vow of poverty, he accepted a small church salary and spent the last years of his life on a Navajo reservation teaching music to children.
I Will Sing
Rich Mullins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For those who pray with their very lives for peace
Though they're in chains for a higher call
Their mourning will change into laughter when the nations fall
In spirit poor
In mercy rich
They hunger for Your righteousness
Lord let me shine for them
Lord let me sing
Lord let me shine for them
Lord let me sing
The lyrics of Rich Mullins's song "I Will Sing" offer a message of hope and inspiration for those who are struggling in life, particularly for those who are meek and oppressed. The opening lines state "I will sing for the meek / For those who pray with their very lives for peace," indicating the singer's desire to offer comfort and strength to those who are standing up for their beliefs despite facing oppression and persecution.
The next lines of the song describe the qualities of the meek - they are "in spirit poor / In mercy rich / They hunger for Your righteousness / Their hearts refined in the purity." These lines suggest that the meek are not necessarily poor in a material sense, but rather they are spiritually poor because they are seeking something greater than worldly possessions. Despite their struggles, they are also merciful and compassionate, and their hearts are pure and refined by their faith.
The final lines of the song express the singer's desire to support and encourage the meek. "Lord let me shine for them / Lord let me sing" indicates that the singer wants to use their voice and their talents to help lift up those who are struggling, and to offer hope and inspiration where it is needed.
Overall, "I Will Sing" is a powerful and moving song about standing up for what you believe in, even in the face of adversity, and using your talents and abilities to make a difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I will sing for the meek
I will use my voice to sing on behalf of those who are gentle and humble in spirit.
For those who pray with their very lives for peace
I will sing for those who devote their entire lives to pray for peace, hoping to bring harmony to the world.
Though they're in chains for a higher call
Even if they are being oppressed or imprisoned for their beliefs and convictions, I will still sing for them.
Their mourning will change into laughter when the nations fall
Their sorrowful and somber feelings will turn into joy and happiness when the nations or governments that oppress them crumble.
In spirit poor
They may not be materially wealthy, but they are rich in spirit and have faith in God.
In mercy rich
They display mercy, kindness, and compassion towards others as they follow God's commandments.
They hunger for Your righteousness
They have a deep desire for and seek God's righteousness and live according to His will.
Their hearts refined in the purity
Their hearts are purified and cleansed, and they display virtue and goodness in all their actions.
Lord let me shine for them
I pray that I may be a beacon of hope and light that guides and encourages those who are meek and oppressed.
Lord let me sing
I ask the Lord to allow me to use my voice to bring comfort, solace, and encouragement to those who need it most.
Lord let me shine for them
Once again, I implore the Lord to allow me to be a shining light for those who are suffering and in need of hope and help.
Lord let me sing
I repeat my request to God to let me use my singing voice to be a source of comfort and strength to others.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: RICHARD MULLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
odamayriver productions
Beautiful! Soothing a new friend, a wonderful guy named Jeff was the one that told me of Rich Mullin and I am so grateful to have been introduced to his wonderful healing songs, thanks again Jeff :)
Carole Beacham
Amazing song & arrangement It gives me chills every time I hear it. RIP in The Fathers arms Rich. Looking forward to seeing/hearing you again.
Carol Bryant!
The world lost a great singer and song writer when rich Mullins died. Each of his songs has a great message. Sure he is sing in heaven now
Jon Prosise
Sure miss Rich, great song writer.
Ed Beacham
Wow is all I say/think every time I hear this song. I have to admit, I have it on Songs 2 where it leads into Hope to Carry On & they go together amazingly.
Carol Bryant!
Powerful lyrics
ptaylor2112
Nice rendition of the beatitudes.
Rick Lewis
freedom to the
children of tomorrow. God bless.
Louis Ciavolella
I just live this. I wish I could find notation for it.
Randy Buist
25 years ago today. We sill miss you, Rich.