According to his web site, Branch has been ministering Christian gospel since 1991. He states that his desire is "to be a model and a messenger of the gospel’s transforming power especially (but not exclusively) among the hip-hop generations."
Branch received a bachelor's degree in Bible from Lancaster Bible College and has a master's degree in theology from the Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS). His master’s thesis, "Theological Implications of Hip-Hop Culture", provided the inspiration for his solo album, The Thesis.
Gimme Dat!
The Ambassador Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gimme dat bible, gimme dat mic
I’ll drop Jesus-centered weight so he can make a disciple
Can’t surpass Christ there’s no takin’ his title
A passion for Christ I’ll have you prayin’ for revival
Gimme my city, yeah, gimme dat, let’s fish
Gospel of peace, yeah you can give me dat
Fresh kicks, gimme dat
You gave me your life so I look forward to my exit
I used to be a punk kid, used to wanna run with
Dudes that wanna hunt to turn our ones into hundreds
Used to want a blunt, to be blunt I wanted trees
Just to alter my mind, now I find I’m wantin’ Jesus
Used to roll mad deeper with a street clique
Corner holdin’ heat on the low like a secret
God’s spirit penetrated my soul on a sneak tip
Took control now I’m in his fold like a leaflet
[Chorus]
Gimme dat fire, gimme dat flame
Gimme dat fresh wind, gimme dat rain
Gimme dat freedom, you can have the chains
Gimme dat God who can gimme all things
Gimme dat fire, flame
Gimme dat fresh wind, gimme dat rain
Gimme dat freedom, you can have the chains
Gimme dat God who can gimme all things
[Verse 2]
I know you got riches, I know you got ice
Your life is a big party, you’re partyin’ all night
You don’t mind not knowin’ Christ, in your mind that’s alright
You might not get this now but you’re kind of a Saul type
You keep with the trends, Cool’s your middle name
On your pants you got a chain that droops like Lil Wayne
You’re tattooed in a Benz, maybe you’re in a Range
Ladies, you drive ‘em crazy, nothing’s crazier than your frame
This is a shame, it’s the age and I’m game
To be an agent of change in an age that’s like a page in a flame
Just smoke, just mirrors, just vapor – it’s plain
To see a Holy God’s not one of you favorite things
I was just like you but God moved on a fellow
Gave me good news that I could use on the ghetto
Maybe it’s you who wants to U-turn to settle
You’re debt if you do, I’ll tell you it’s been settled
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
So you got platinum? We got a Lord
If we want we could ask him but he’s our reward
Gotta be perfect, it can’t be three out of four
If you’re sick of fallin’ short then he got a cure
Gimme dat cure, dat door, dat hero
Gimme dat grace to never chase the dinero
How much glory should you give your boy? Zero
That would cause beef with the Lamb like a Gyro
Gimme dat day reaches you over shinin’
Truth over rhymin’, virtue over diamonds
Gimme some change, sometimes I do need the dough
And gimme some pain, somethin’ I do need to grow
Gimme what I won’t ask for, don’t gimme what I seek
When I creep, I’m a sheep, gimme dope pasture
Gimme life just like you intended
And sight to see you raise the day you ascended
[Chorus]
In The Ambassador's song Gimme Dat!, the artist expresses his devotion to Jesus Christ in a way that is both confident and passionate. In the first verse, he expresses his need for the Bible and the microphone, as he wants to use his God-given talent to preach the gospel and make disciples. He recognizes that Christ is a title that cannot be surpassed, and he wants to inspire revival in his city through preaching the gospel of peace. He also expresses a desire for fresh kicks and a vest with God's blessing, which serves to remind the listener that even though his focus is on serving God, he is still human and has earthly desires.
In the second verse, The Ambassador contrasts his own experience of turning from a life of drugs and violence to faith in Christ with that of someone who is still living a life of indulgence and worldly pleasures. He recognizes that such a person might think that they are doing just fine without Christ, but he reminds them that they are like Saul in the Bible, who thought he was doing right by persecuting Christians until he had a life-changing encounter with Jesus. The song ends with The Ambassador asking God for the things that he believes will truly bring him happiness in life, such as a life of purpose, freedom, and the ability to make a positive impact on the world.
Overall, Gimme Dat! is a powerful song that speaks to the artist's commitment to his faith in Jesus Christ, his desire to inspire others to find that same faith, and his recognition that even though he is committed to serving God, he still faces the same earthly desires and struggles as anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Gimme dat bible, gimme dat mic
Give me the opportunity to spread the word of Jesus through my music
I’ll drop Jesus-centered weight so he can make a disciple
I will proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in order to bring people to salvation
Can’t surpass Christ there’s no takin’ his title
It is impossible to surpass Jesus Christ and take his position as our Lord and Savior
A passion for Christ I’ll have you prayin’ for revival
My love for Jesus Christ will inspire others to seek revival and join in prayer
Gimme my city, yeah, gimme dat, let’s fish
Give me the opportunity to spread the Gospel in my city and encourage others to do the same
Gospel of peace, yeah you can give me dat
I welcome the good news of Jesus Christ's peace and salvation
Fresh kicks, gimme dat
I desire new shoes
Vest with your blessin’ Lord I’m desperate
I need God's blessing and protection in my life
You gave me your life so I look forward to my exit
Because Jesus Christ gave his life for me, I anticipate the day when I will meet him in heaven
I used to be a punk kid, used to wanna run with
I used to be rebellious and want to associate with people who did not follow God
Dudes that wanna hunt to turn our ones into hundreds
I used to want to participate in illegal activities like hunting for money in order to gain wealth
Used to want a blunt, to be blunt I wanted trees
I used to desire drugs and getting high, but now I want Jesus
Just to alter my mind, now I find I’m wantin’ Jesus
Instead of trying to change my mind with drugs, I now desire to know Jesus Christ
Used to roll mad deeper with a street clique
I used to hang out with a gang of people in the streets
Corner holdin’ heat on the low like a secret
I used to carry a weapon on the streets without anyone knowing, like it was a secret
God’s spirit penetrated my soul on a sneak tip
The Holy Spirit worked in my life unexpectedly and changed my heart
Took control now I’m in his fold like a leaflet
Now that God is in control of my life, I am part of his kingdom like a leaflet in a book
Gimme dat fire, gimme dat flame
I desire the Holy Spirit's fire and passion in my life
Gimme dat fresh wind, gimme dat rain
I welcome the Holy Spirit's refreshing presence and power in my life
Gimme dat freedom, you can have the chains
I desire freedom from sin and bondage, and I give the chains to Jesus
Gimme dat God who can gimme all things
I desire a relationship with God who has the power to provide everything I need
I know you got riches, I know you got ice
I am aware of your material possessions
Your life is a big party, you’re partyin’ all night
You are focused on temporary pleasure and worldly enjoyment
You don’t mind not knowin’ Christ, in your mind that’s alright
You are content with not knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior
You might not get this now but you’re kind of a Saul type
You may not see it, but you are like Saul before his conversion in the Bible
You keep with the trends, Cool’s your middle name
You follow the latest fashion and try to be cool
On your pants you got a chain that droops like Lil Wayne
You wear your pants low with a chain like Lil Wayne
You’re tattooed in a Benz, maybe you’re in a Range
You have tattoos and drive a luxury car
Ladies, you drive ‘em crazy, nothing’s crazier than your frame
You are attractive to women and they desire you, but nothing is crazier than their obsession with your body
This is a shame, it’s the age and I’m game
It is a shame that the world values material possessions and temporary pleasure, but I am willing to be an agent of change
To be an agent of change in an age that’s like a page in a flame
I want to bring change to a world that is like a page burning in a fire
Just smoke, just mirrors, just vapor – it’s plain
All the worldly things that people desire are just illusions and temporary
To see a Holy God’s not one of you favorite things
Most people do not desire a relationship with a holy God
I was just like you but God moved on a fellow
I used to be like you, but God worked in my life and changed me
Gave me good news that I could use on the ghetto
God gave me the Gospel that I can use to bring hope to those in the inner city
Maybe it’s you who wants to U-turn to settle
Maybe you want to make a U-turn in your life and follow Jesus
You’re debt if you do, I’ll tell you it’s been settled
If you turn your life over to Jesus, your debt of sin will be paid for and settled
So you got platinum? We got a Lord
You may have material riches, but I have a relationship with Jesus Christ
If we want we could ask him but he’s our reward
We can ask God for anything, but he is our greatest reward
Gotta be perfect, it can’t be three out of four
We must strive for perfection and cannot settle for anything less
If you’re sick of fallin’ short then he got a cure
If you are tired of falling short in life, Jesus Christ has the cure
Gimme dat cure, dat door, dat hero
I desire the cure for sin that only Jesus can provide, the door to eternal life, and the hero who saved me
Gimme dat grace to never chase the dinero
I desire the grace of God to not chase after money
How much glory should you give your boy? Zero
We should not give any glory to ourselves, only to God
That would cause beef with the Lamb like a Gyro
If we seek glory for ourselves, we would have conflict with Jesus Christ like a Gyro sandwich
Gimme dat day reaches you over shinin’
I desire the day when Jesus Christ comes again, shining over all of us
Truth over rhymin’, virtue over diamonds
I value truth and righteousness over music and worldly possessions
Gimme some change, sometimes I do need the dough
I sometimes need financial help and support
And gimme some pain, somethin’ I do need to grow
I also need challenges and pain in order to grow and mature as a Christian
Gimme what I won’t ask for, don’t gimme what I seek
Sometimes God gives us what we need, even if it is not what we ask for or seek
When I creep, I’m a sheep, gimme dope pasture
When I am lost and wandering, I am like a sheep that needs a good pasture to call home
Gimme life just like you intended
I desire the abundant life that Jesus intended for me
And sight to see you raise the day you ascended
I long to see the day when Jesus Christ returns and ascends to his rightful place as King of Kings
Contributed by Claire A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Tompsf1
Lyrics:
Gimme dat bible, gimme dat mic
I'll drop Jesus-centered weight so he can make a disciple
Can't surpass Christ there's no takin' his title
A passion for Christ I'll have you prayin' for revival
Gimme my city, yeah, gimme dat, let's fish
Gospel of peace, yeah you can give me dat
Fresh kicks, gimme dat
Vest with your blessin' Lord I'm desperate
You gave me your life so I look forward to my exit
I used to be a punk kid, used to wanna run with
Dudes that wanna hunt to turn our ones into hundreds
Used to want a blunt, to be blunt I wanted trees
Just to alter my mind, now I find I'm wantin' Jesus
Used to roll mad deeper with a street clique
Corner holdin' heat on the low like a secret
God's spirit penetrated my soul on a sneak tip
Took control now I'm in his fold like a leaflet
Gimme dat fire, gimme dat flame
Gimme dat fresh wind, gimme dat rain
Gimme dat freedom, you can have the chains
Gimme dat God who can gimme all things
Gimme dat fire, flame
Gimme dat fresh wind, gimme dat rain
Gimme dat freedom, you can have the chains
Gimme dat God who can gimme all things
I know you got riches, I know you got ice
Your life is a big party, you're partyin' all night
You don't mind not knowin' Christ, in your mind that's alright
You might not get this now but you're kind of a Saul type
You keep with the trends, Cool's your middle name
On your pants you got a chain that droops like Lil Wayne
You're tattooed in a Benz, maybe you're in a Range
Ladies, you drive 'em crazy, nothing's crazier than your frame
This is a shame, it's the age and I'm game
To be an agent of change in an age that's like a page in a flame
Just smoke, just mirrors, just vapor – it's plain
To see a Holy God's not one of you favorite things
I was just like you but God moved on a fellow
Gave me good news that I could use on the ghetto
Maybe it's you who wants to U-turn to settle
You're dead if you do, I'll tell you it's been settled
So you got platinum? We got a Lord
If we want we could ask him but he's our reward
Gotta be perfect, it can't be three out of four
If you're sick of fallin' short then he got a cure
Gimme dat cure, dat door, dat hero
Gimme dat grace to never chase the dinero
How much glory should you give your boy? Zero
That would cause beef with the Lamb like a Gyro
Gimme dat day reaches you over shinin'
Truth over rhymin', virtue over diamonds
Gimme some change, sometimes I do need the dough
And gimme some pain, somethin' I do need to grow
Gimme what I won't ask for, don't gimme what I seek
When I creep, I'm a sheep, gimme your pasture
Gimme life just like you intended
And sight to see you raise the day you ascended
Source: Musixmatch
@isabellablankenship9334
He goes to my church!!!!! still listening in 2019
@DemiShenaynay
Isabella Blankenship omg does he have Instagram ?
@isabellablankenship9334
@Demi Shenaynay yes!!! William duce branch
@DemiShenaynay
Thank you ❤️
@isabellablankenship9334
@Demi Shenaynay you're welcome💕
@biancaflores9970
Doooope, what church do you go to?
@byronmccain2115
I've given my life to Christ, and I thought I was gonna give up good music and have no good rap. Oh boy I was dead wrong. Christian rap is fire.
@lloydbailey5247
I will be 50 this year and grew up listening to hip hop. When I Gabe my life to Christ I felt lost. I never really listen to a lot of traditional gospel even though I know a lot of song but I have cried more listen to gospel rap than most Christian songs.
@shadrickchimanga4261
You should try: 116 artists, a combination of Christian rappers rapping different kinds of genres they are amazing 🤩
@anthonyherrera9878
So glad I get to hear this song all over again this year. Brings back memories and now hearing in 2023 couldn’t have made my night any better. Stay bless!