Career
Green was born in Portland, Oregon to missionary parents, Charles and Jo Green. He is one of six siblings who spent much of his early life in Argentina. He studied Music at Grand Canyon University, graduating in 1976. He originally broke into Christian music with the Mobile, Alabama based youth worship group Truth. He also sang backup vocals and played bass with Sandi Patti, White Heart and the Gaither Vocal Band. In 1982, he joined the Christian rock band White Heart as a vocalist. But a difference in ministry vision accompanied by a confrontation with his brother, Randy, led to a spiritual renewal in Steve's life in 1983. He signed a solo contract with Sparrow Records, and his self-titled debut album appeared in 1984. In the same year, he established Steve Green Ministries.
His break out year came in 1985 with the release of He Holds The Keys. The album garnered Green a nomination and win as Male Vocalist of the Year in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) category. The following year, 1986, saw the release of two recordings, "For God And God Alone," and a high church style worship album entitled "A Mighty Fortress." The following year saw the release of his first Christmas recording, "Joy To The World." In early 1988, he released an album dedicated to his parents called "Find Us Faithful." As the 1980s came to an end, many of Green's songs became recognized standards including "People Need The Lord" and "Broken And Spilled Out." He was often considered the male version of Sandi Patti, using many of the same songwriters and styles as well as the traditional ending the song on a (literal) high note. Green also contributed background vocals to Patti's 1986 hit, "Let There Be Praise."
Green was one of the first artists to be involved with Promise Keepers, performing at their inaugural event at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado in July 1993 before 50,000 men. His song "Answer The Call" was inspired by the event and another song, "O Men of God Arise," embodies the Promise Keeper mentality.
Green recorded "The Mission" in 1989 and continued his success with "We Believe" in 1991. As the early 1990s direction of Christian music changed to a more rock oriented format, Green returned to traditional roots by releasing an album of hymns in 1992. Yet Green switched styles in 1994 on his "Where Mercy Begins" album. He also received the first of two career boosts due to outside events.
On September 9, 1994, a US Air jet crashed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing all aboard. One passenger was an up and coming Christian singer named Kirk Lynn. Lynn has just recorded Green's song "As We Sail To Heaven's Shore" from the 1988 "Find Us Faithful" album. Only a rough cut played at the memorial service for the passengers, grieving family members were told where to find the original song by Green, which boosted album sales for the older recording.
Green's style change continued on his 1996 recording, "The Letter." He was also instrumental in attempting to set up an accountability group for Christian artists following the adultery scandals of Michael English, Marabeth Jordan, and Sandi Patty as well as the Mike Warnke debacle. He was helped in this endeavor by Steve Camp, Wes King, and Michael W. Smith. That year also saw the release of his second Christmas album, "The First Noel."
Green changed focus again in 1998 by declaring he would only record songs that honor the Lord - songs that he could be satisfied with should it be his last recording. That year saw the release of "The Faithful" and 2000 saw the release of a devotional song album entitled "Morning Light." Two years later Green released "Woven In Time" and again found himself receiving a career boost.
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
Green was a personal friend of Space Shuttle Columbia commander Rick Husband, who was killed along with six others in the February 2003 disintegration during reentry. Green was interviewed by CNN and his song "God Of Wonders" got a boost from the unexpected publicity. He released another album in 2005.
Green's sister is married to Dr. Mark Bailey, president of the evangelical Dallas Theological Seminary, and he helped the seminary celebrate its eightieth anniversary in April 2004. He has also written a thirty day devotional titled, "The Power of the Cross" and has recorded numerous children's videos and songs.
His bilingual abilities have seen the release of two Spanish CDs in the United States.
He is married to Marijean Green, who has testified to her own struggle with bulimia and they have two children, Summer (b. 1984) and Josiah (b. 1986).
Green has expanded his musical ministry to include videos and James Dobson's Focus on the Family.
The Victor
Steve Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Death has triumphed that’s what they say
But try to hold Him in the tomb
The Son of life rose on the third day
Look, the gates of hell they’re falling
Crumbling from the inside out
He’s bursting through the walls with laughter
Chorus:
It is finished, He has done it
Life conquered death
Jesus Christ has won it
His plan of battle fooled them all
They led Him off to prison to die
But as he entered Hades Hall
He broke those hellish chains with a cry
Listen to the demons screaming
See him bruise the serpent’s head
The prisoners of hell the Savior’s redeeming
All the power of death is dead
Chorus
Just look, the gates of hell they’re falling
Crumbling from the inside out
He’s bursting through the walls with laughter
Listen to the angels shout
Chorus
In "The Victor" by Steve Green, the lyrics describe the triumph of Jesus over death and the power of his resurrection. The song begins by painting a bleak picture of death, using the metaphor of being swallowed into the dark womb of the earth. However, the song quickly turns to emphasize the victory that Jesus achieved over death. Despite death having triumphed over Jesus, he was able to break free from the tomb on the third day, rising as the Son of Life. The gates of hell are falling, crumbling from the inside out, and Jesus is bursting through the walls with laughter. The angels themselves join in the celebration, shouting out the good news.
The second verse describes how Jesus planned to conquer death all along, even though his enemies did not expect it. He was led off to prison to die, but he broke the chains of hell with a mighty cry. The demons themselves are screaming in terror as they witness Jesus bruising the serpent's head. But this victory is not just for show; Jesus has the power to redeem the prisoners of hell, and his triumph over death breaks the hold that death had over all of humanity. In the end, all the power of death is dead, and Jesus has emerged victorious.
"The Victor" is a powerful song that uses vivid imagery and memorable melody to celebrate the victory of Jesus over death. The lyrics emphasize the triumph of Jesus and the power of his resurrection to break the hold that death once had over humanity. The song is an inspiration to all those who struggle with grief and fear, reminding them that Jesus has overcome the power of death and given us the gift of eternal life.
Line by Line Meaning
Swallowed into earth’s dark womb
Death has taken hold of Him and He lies buried in the grave.
Death has triumphed that’s what they say
People believe that death has won and that Jesus is dead.
But try to hold Him in the tomb
Death cannot constrain Jesus and keep Him buried.
The Son of life rose on the third day
On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, overcoming death.
Look, the gates of hell they’re falling
The powers of evil are being defeated and losing their grip.
Crumbling from the inside out
The defeat is happening from within the stronghold of evil.
He’s bursting through the walls with laughter
Christ is bravely and triumphantly smashing through the barriers of death.
Listen to the angels shout
The angels are rejoicing and praising the Lord for His triumph over death.
Chorus:
The refrain of the song that emphasizes Jesus' victory over death.
It is finished, He has done it
Jesus' mission is accomplished, and He has won the victory.
Life conquered death
Jesus brings life and overcomes the power of death.
Jesus Christ has won it
Jesus is the victor and has triumphed over death and sin.
His plan of battle fooled them all
Jesus' plan to overcome death was hidden from the enemy.
They led Him off to prison to die
Jesus was crucified and died on the cross.
But as he entered Hades Hall
Jesus descended to the realm of the dead to rescue the captives from death.
He broke those hellish chains with a cry
Jesus released those in bondage to death and the enemy with His power.
Listen to the demons screaming
The demonic powers shriek and cry out in fear at Jesus' power.
See him bruise the serpent’s head
Jesus' power destroys the adversary symbolized by the serpent.
The prisoners of hell the Savior’s redeeming
Jesus rescues those trapped in death and redeems them to eternal life.
All the power of death is dead
Death no longer has any hold over those who believe in Jesus.
Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.