The Smiley Kids were most well known for their positive and uplifting lyrics. Their unique punk sound could be likened to Rancid on happy pills.
A few years after they disbanded, the group's lead singer/songwriter, George Fraska (Hosni), picked up the pieces and started "Smiley the Kid", an acoustic/punk version of the band.
Some related bands are FOUR!, Startled Calf, and the Scooterz.
Army of Light
Smiley Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not saved by works, lest anyone boast
But faith without works, is basically dead.
So let the light shine, don't be afraid to fall
Put on the armor of God, there's a battle to be won.
Shield of faith, sword of the spirit,
Helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness,
We're soldiers of the light.
Preparing for the fight
We're soldiers of the light.
We've already won the fight
The lyrics to Smiley Kids' song "Army of Light" speak to the idea of salvation through faith, rather than through good deeds. The opening lines reference the Christian belief in salvation through grace, asserting that humans are not saved by their actions, but instead by their faith. The lyrics then caution that faith alone isn't enough, and that we must also put our faith into action by doing good works, echoing James 2:17-26.
The song then takes on a more militant tone, referencing the "armor of God" described in Ephesians 6:10-18. The lyrics list off each piece of the armor and their associated virtues, equipping the listener for spiritual warfare. The final lines declare that the believers are soldiers of the light, preparing for battle but also already victorious.
Overall, the song seems to encourage a balance between faith and action, while also acknowledging the struggle inherent in living out one's beliefs. It is a call to arms, both in a spiritual sense and in the sense of being an active force for good in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
We're saved by grace, imperfect human race.
Our redemption comes from the mercy of God, despite our flawed nature as humans.
Not saved by works, lest anyone boast
Our salvation is not earned through good deeds, so that nobody can take credit for it.
But faith without works, is basically dead.
Although we are not saved by our works, true faith is evident through good deeds that follow it.
So let the light shine, don't be afraid to fall
We should let our faith shine by doing good and not be afraid to make mistakes or fail in our efforts.
Put on the armor of God, there's a battle to be won.
We must equip ourselves with spiritual protection to face the challenges ahead.
Shield of faith, sword of the spirit,
Our faith serves as a shield and the teachings of the Holy Spirit as our weapon.
Helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness,
Our salvation and righteous actions protect our mind and heart from spiritual harm.
hearts of peace and love
Our attitude and actions should be guided by a peaceful and loving heart.
We're soldiers of the light.
We are warriors in the spiritual battle between good and evil, fighting for God's truth.
Preparing for the fight
We must constantly ready ourselves for whatever trials may come our way.
We're soldiers of the light.
We fight with God's strength and guidance, which gives us confidence and assurance.
We've already won the fight
Through Christ's sacrifice and God's grace, we have already obtained victory over sin and death.
Contributed by Julian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.