Hailing from Oklahoma, Stephen Speaks is a music project led by Rockwell Ry… Read Full Bio ↴Hailing from Oklahoma, Stephen Speaks is a music project led by Rockwell Ryan Ripperger, who has collaborated with hundreds of artists over five independent releases. In summer of 2010 Rockwell teamed up with producer Brady Blade to record the first major Stephen Speaks record, which is set to be released in 2011. Statistically, Stephen Speaks has been one of the most successful independent artists from the mid-west for the last decade. From topping online charts to the top 100 CD Baby best sellers, they have racked up astounding numbers in every market submitted to, played hundreds of performances across the globe, and racked up tens of millions of internet plays via word of mouth. While gaining roots performing in the mid-west, Stephen Speaks is beginning to branch out, including performances with artists such as Owl City, OneRepublic, Augustana, Ingrid Michaelson, Eric Hutchinson, The Daylights, Shiny Toy Guns, Dave Barnes, and Duncan Sheik.

Wilderness
Stephen Speaks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I come here to praise You
I come here to lift my voice
But this silence breaks my heart
I come here to feel Your grace
I come here to raise my hands
But this blackness brings me down
Am I one voice crying in the wilderness
Am I one man alone in a crowd

Am I lifting up my eyes into nothingness
I don't think so not right now
I come here to be filled up

I come here to just go on
But would I be here if I were the only one

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Stephen Speaks’ song Wilderness offer a glimpse into the crisis of faith that the artist seems to be experiencing. The song commences with the confession that the artist has come to praise and lift his voice in worship while seeking to feel the grace of God. However, the silence that he encounters instead serves to break his heart. The artist then goes on to raise his hands, intending to draw nearer to God, but the darkness that he perceives brings him down and makes him question whether he is crying in the wilderness, whether he is alone in a crowd, and whether he is lifting his eyes into nothingness.

Through this song, Stephen Speaks seems to be expressing feelings of despair and isolation. His lyrics portray the artist grappling with existential questions regarding the existence of God and his purpose on Earth. He seems to feel lost, questioning whether his existence matters, and whether the presence of God is real or merely a myth. The song’s somber tone, coupled with the simple acoustics, further amplifies the emotional turmoil that the artist is experiencing.

Line by Line Meaning

I come here to praise You
I have come to this place to express my admiration and worship for You.

I come here to lift my voice
I have come to this place to raise my voice in adoration and worship to You.

But this silence breaks my heart
The absence of Your response or presence makes me feel sad and disheartened.

I come here to feel Your grace
I have come to this place to experience Your divine favor and blessings.

I come here to raise my hands
I have come to this place to raise my hands in surrender and worship to You.

But this blackness brings me down
The darkness or negative emotions I feel are making me feel discouraged and disheartened.

Am I one voice crying in the wilderness
Am I the only person expressing my views or feelings in a place where they may not be heard, recognized, or appreciated?

Am I one man alone in a crowd
Do I feel like I am the only one expressing my views, values, or emotions in a sea of people who may be different from me?

Am I lifting up my eyes into nothingness
Am I staring into an empty void or darkness, hoping for a sign or response that may not come?

I don't think so not right now
I do not believe that I am alone or that my expressions or faith are meaningless, at least not at the moment.

I come here to be filled up
I have come to this place to be replenished, satisfied, or empowered in some way.

I come here to just go on
I have come to this place to find the strength or motivation to keep going, even in difficult circumstances.

But would I be here if I were the only one
If I were the only person expressing my faith or worship, would I still come to this place or find meaning in it?

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