INTRODUCTION
The Brooklyn Tab. choir Lyrics
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Our eyes are blinded by the holiness you bear.
The bishop's robe, the mitre and the cross of gold
obscure the simple man within the Saint.
Strip off your glory, Nicolas, and speak!
NICOLAS
Across the tremendous bridge of sixteen hundred years
among my faithful congregation long ago.
All who knelt beside me then are gone.
Their name is dust, their tombs are grass and clay
yet still their shining seed of Faith survives - in you!
It weathers time, it springs again in you!
With you it stands like forest oak
or withers with the grasses underfoot.
Preserve the living Faith for which your fathers fought!
For Faith was won by centuries of sacrifice
and many martyrs died that you might worship God.
CHORUS
Help us, Lord! to find the hidden road
that leads from love to greater Love,
from faith to greater Faith. Strengthen us, O Lord!
Screw up our strength to serve Thee with simplicity.
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir's song "Introduction" is a hauntingly beautiful, and deeply introspective piece that invites the listener to reflect on the nature of faith, sacrifice, and the passing of time. The lyrics are composed of two distinct parts: a chorus, and a spoken word interlude, each of which serves a specific purpose in the song.
In the chorus, the choir sings of being blinded by the holiness of the Bishop, his robe, the mitre, and the cross of gold. These symbols of power and authority, they sing, obscure the simple man within the Saint. The choir - and, in turn, the listener - is invited to imagine the Bishop donning a more humble persona, to "strip off his glory" so that he may better connect with those he serves. This call for humility and empathy is a central theme throughout the song, as it emphasizes the need for those who lead in religious contexts to remember the humanity of those they serve.
The spoken word interlude, delivered by the character of Nicolas, serves as a meditation on the nature of faith and the passage of time. Nicolas speaks of standing among his congregation many years ago, and of seeing them all pass away. He reflects on how time erodes everything - tombs become grass and clay, names become dust - but emphasizes that the seeds of faith that were sown long ago continue to survive through generations of worshipers. He calls on the choir and the listener to "preserve the living Faith for which your fathers fought," reminding us that the faith we practice was won through centuries of sacrifice and martyrdom, and encouraging us to carry that legacy forward with simplicity and strength.
Overall, "Introduction" is a meditation on the inescapable passage of time, the importance of humility and empathy, and the enduring power of faith. It is a deeply moving piece that invites the listener to reflect on their own relationship with faith and spirituality, and to consider how they can carry on the legacy of those who came before them.
Line by Line Meaning
Our eyes are blinded by the holiness you bear.
We are unable to see beyond the holiness that surrounds you.
The bishop's robe, the mitre and the cross of gold obscure the simple man within the Saint.
The grandeur of your religious garments hides the humble person you truly are underneath.
Strip off your glory, Nicolas, and speak!
Remove your impressive robes and titles, Nicolas, and share your message with us in plain terms.
Across the tremendous bridge of sixteen hundred years I come to stand in worship with you as I stood among my faithful congregation long ago.
Even though I lived centuries ago, I feel as though I am standing among you in worship in the present moment.
All who knelt beside me then are gone. Their name is dust, their tombs are grass and clay yet still their shining seed of Faith survives - in you!
My former congregants have passed away and returned to nature, but their unwavering faith lives on through you.
It weathers time, it springs again in you! With you it stands like forest oak or withers with the grasses underfoot.
Faith endures the test of time and is reborn in each new generation, just as some trees thrive while others wither and die.
Preserve the living Faith for which your fathers fought! For Faith was won by centuries of sacrifice and many martyrs died that you might worship God.
Hold onto the faith that has been passed down to you through generations of sacrifice and martyrdom.
Help us, Lord! to find the hidden road that leads from love to greater Love, from faith to greater Faith. Strengthen us, O Lord! Screw up our strength to serve Thee with simplicity.
Guide us to a path that leads from love and faith to even stronger love and faith. Give us the strength to serve you with simplicity and humility.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Benjamin Britten
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tabeakalimeris1230
Lyrics:
God surprised me with His power, God surprised me with his love
Just when I thought my case was hopeless, He sent an answer from above
God surprised me with His mercy, God surprised me with His grace
Just when I thought my case was hopeless, He sent an answer from above
Choir
What He's done for me, He has promised for you
What He's done for me, He has promised for you
No matter your problem, or difficult hour
My God is able, a mighty strong tower
God always surprises, with His power__
God always surprises, with His power__ (2nd x go to vamp)
God surprised me with His power, God surprised me with his love (unison)
Just when I thought my case was hopeless, He sent an answer from above (harmony)
God surprised me with His mercy, God surprised me with His grace (unison)
Just when I thought my case was hopeless, He sent an answer from above (harmony)
Vamp
With His power, with His power, He is able to come through
With His power, with His power, He is able to come through
Power ^
With His power, with His power, He is able to come through
With His power, with His power, with His power
No matter your problem, or difficult hour
My God is able, a mighty strong tower___
God always surprises, with His power__
God always surprises, with His power__
@chano5pr
La letra dice:
Dios me sorprendió con su poder
Dios me sorprendió con su amor
Justo cuando pensaba que mi caso no tenía remedio,
Envió una respuesta desde arriba
Dios me sorprendió con su misericordia
Dios me sorprendió con su gracia
Justo cuando pensaba que mi caso no tenía remedio,
Envió una respuesta desde arriba
Lo que ha hecho por mí
Ha prometido para ti
Lo que ha hecho por mí
Ha prometido para ti
No importa tu problema, o tu hora difícil
Mi dios es capaz
Una torre poderosa y fuerte
Dios siempre sorprende con su poder
Dios siempre sorprende, con su poder
Dios me sorprendió con su poder
Dios me sorprendió con su amor (al unísono)
Justo cuando pensaba que mi caso no tenía remedio,
Él envió una respuesta desde arriba (armonía)
Dios me sorprendió con su misericordia
Dios me sorprendió con su gracia (al unísono) Sólo…
He visto al coro en persona tres veces, y es realmente impresionante.
Saludos desde Puerto Rico.
@edenalexandriab9120
Keep strong. Dont forget that despite the evil in this world, God is full of justice, mercy and love.
Justice said we broke His perfect law - causing the world's previous perfection to be destroyed - and therefore we deserve Hell (like a punishment in any legal system but this is eternal as His perfect law is eternal too). Don't think you fit in that category? Ever done one of these?: lying, stealing - regardless of how small the object EVER, hating others - which is murder in God's perfect law, lusting (plus God sees our entire thought life). Justice says "the soul that sins shall die" - if we break one in thought/word/deed it's as if we're guilty of all of them. Quite simply, living by the law (which is doing everything perfectly) is impossible for sinful humans
. The law shows us that 1. We will die in Hell if we fail to follow it and 2. We cannot save ourselves BUT, 3. God's perfect, immovable law points us to Christ, who followed and fulfilled the law in thought, word and deed perfectly in our place. He did what we couldn't and did it on our behalf. He was then sentenced to death on a cross, and took our personal punishment for our sin, paying our penalty (like paying our fine) completely FOR us, and has given us freedom.
If we turn from the sins we have committed and repent (pursue the opposite direction of love through Christ) He will, overtime, recreate us into His image through The Holy Spirit which Jesus sends to all who accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior of their life. We cannot purify ourselves, but Christ lived that perfect sinless, pure life and then allotted it to our "account".
That's where our righteousness comes from. Not from any good, works that you or I could do.
It is not based on the amount of good works we do. God starts the changes, He carries it on, and He completes it in those who let Him.
It's about letting Christ in to guide and teach you and obeying Him, again, through His power and instruction).
He is our substitute in His life, death and resurrection. He essentially rewrote history in our place so that, if you believe in Him, it will be as if YOU had never sinned if you accept Christ's death as our own in our place.
He is in Heaven right now preparing a place for us so that He can take His faithful, believing children home with Him when He returns. He will ressurrect us from death when He returns, giving mercy to those who accept His love, forgiveness, instruction and teachings in their life, and give justice to those who refuse it.
He doesn't want ANY of us to go to Hell and die for continuing in evil and rejecting His way to life, thats why He died FOR us. Hes giving EVERYONE a chance, He wants everyone to take the free gift of salvation from Hell. He wants us to be His and begin to follow His life of love and service through His power and abiding (staying) with Him. So long as we keep our hearts near to Christ through His strength, strive to follow His will of perfect love revealed in the Bible, and let Him lead in the midst of (very certain) pitfalls and struggles, we will, in time, win the ultimate victory over sin, pain and DEATH through Christ. Even if you are willing to be made willing, pray for Jesus to come in and He will do what we can't. Give us The Holy Spirit who will guide us in the right way.
NOTE: You are NEVER too sinful or messed up that God cannot turn your life around through Jesus. EVER
If you have any questions let me know
@yesiownfrodo
This was Brooklyn Tab Choir at it's BEST! I sure miss it! I've got it on play lists to keep me encouraged through these difficult and wicked times when it seems like all of hell has been loosed. It feels like we are in the last days. Lift up your heads!
@marshagomez7379
We are in the last days! Just keep eyes on the Lord
@lizf3949
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is the exemplary of unity, diversity, fellowship and harmonious love for God. I pray that the example God sets through them will reach our churches, communities, state and governments. Then the world will see and become infected by the love and light of God! Jesus is the answer if you seek truth. Praise God!!!🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾❤❤❤
@katherineeinspahr7804
This song supported me while healing from tricky redo hip surgery after 2 years of infection and failed repairs on the original one. God DID surprise me! 😃
@MsTagb
This is one of my top 3 favourite songs from BKTC including Psalm 34 & Now I'm On My Way. Praise be to the Lord, for now and forevermore.
@gloriasimpkins823
I going something and found this on U-Tube God always surprises for sure . Oh bless His Name 🙌 😂❤
@Random_vids_girl
I LOVE this song! The lead singer just takes it to another level where Heaven is. Whoever was in charge of camera shots did a fantastic job capturing everyone using their gifts at just the right moments. This is what excellence looks like!
@ruthon-nimillakamasungua5582
True! Amen.
@brianjohnson9456
ABSOLUTELY LOVE BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR!!! KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING!!!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️
@traceywhitney1272
My mom shared this with me today, and I NEEDED this!!