(1963-1999)
The Cathedral Trio was formed in 1963 … Read Full Bio ↴The Cathedrals
(1963-1999)
The Cathedral Trio was formed in 1963 as a ministry of Rex Humbard’s Cathedral Of Tomorrow in Akron, OH. Original members included Glen Payne, Danny Coker and Bobby Clark. Bass singer George Younce joined the group in 1964, transforming them into a quartet.
Over the next 30 years under the leadership of Payne and Younce, the Cathedrals became a household name among Southern Gospel fans. Driven by Payne’s energetic lead vocals and Younce’s comedic appeal as the group emcee and bass singer, the group dominated the Singing News Fan Awards in the 1990s and appeared on the GMA sponsored Dove Awards broadcast. A farewell tour and the death of Glen Payne ended the Cathedrals’ run in 1999.
Some of their most popular tunes include “I Can See The Hand,” “This Old House,” “Step Into The Water,” “Champion Of Love,” and “Oh, What A Savior.” More than 100 original and compilation recordings were released by the group in their 36 year history.
Several former Cathedrals members went on to establish their own successful groups in Southern Gospel. These include Mark Trammell (Mark Trammell Trio), Gerald Wolfe (Greater Vision), Roger Bennett/Scott Fowler (Legacy V), and Ernie Haase (Signature Sound). They all credit the guidance of Payne and Younce as a key to their success.
Let Freedom Ring
The Cathedrals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somehow breathed into the very soul of life
The prisoner, the powerless, the slave have always known it
There's something that keeps reaching for the sky
Even life begins because a baby fights for freedom
And songs we love to sing have freedom's theme
Some have walked through fire and flood to find a place of freedom
Let freedom ring wherever minds know what it means to be in chains
Let freedom ring wherever hearts know pain
Let freedom echo through the lonely streets where prisons have no key
We can be free and we can sing - let freedom ring
God built freedom into every fiber of creation
And He meant for us to all be free and whole
When my Lord bought freedom with the blood of His redemption
His cross stamped pardon on my very soul
I'll sing it out with every breath, I'll let the whole world hear it
This hallelujah anthem of the free
That iron bars and heavy chains can never hold us captive
The Son has made us free and free indeed
Let freedom ring down through the ages from a hill called Calvary
Let freedom ring wherever hearts know pain
Let freedom echo through the lonely streets where prisons have no key
You can be free and you can sing let freedom ring
Let freedom echo through the lonely streets where prisons have no key
You can be free and you can sing let freedom ring
You can be free and you can sing - let freedom ring - let freedom ring
The Cathedrals' song Let Freedom Ring, is a powerful and patriotic anthem that celebrates the essence of freedom. The lyrics describe how the idea of freedom is something that is innate within us all, deep within our hearts and souls. This theme of freedom is highlighted in various ways throughout the song, particularly through the use of powerful and emotive imagery that serves to reinforce the idea that freedom is a fundamental human right.
The lyrics also draw attention to the idea of personal struggles and how these struggles can be overcome by the power of freedom. The song highlights how people throughout history, from prisoners to slaves, have always known the importance of freedom and how it is something that is worth fighting for. However, the song also highlights how freedom can come at a great cost, and how some people have had to endure unimaginable hardships in order to achieve it.
Overall, Let Freedom Ring is a deeply moving and powerful song that celebrates the idea of freedom, and how it is something that is at the very heart of what makes us human. Through its powerful lyrics and emotive imagery, the song is able to capture the essence of freedom and reinforce the idea that it is one of our most fundamental rights.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep within the heart has always known that there is freedom
Throughout history, people have intuitively understood that freedom is a fundamental human right.
Somehow breathed into the very soul of life
Freedom is so intrinsic to the human experience that it feels like a part of our core essence.
The prisoner, the powerless, the slave have always known it
Even those who have been denied freedom through oppression and captivity have an innate sense of its value and importance.
There's something that keeps reaching for the sky
People's desire for freedom is constant and unyielding, like a force of nature.
Even life begins because a baby fights for freedom
The struggle for freedom starts at birth, as each individual asserts their autonomy and independence in the world.
And songs we love to sing have freedom's theme
Throughout history, music has been a powerful tool for expressing the desire for and celebration of freedom.
Some have walked through fire and flood to find a place of freedom
People have endured incredible hardships and faced immense danger in the quest for freedom.
And some faced hell itself for freedom's dream
The pursuit of freedom has sometimes required extreme sacrifice and struggle, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
Let freedom ring wherever minds know what it means to be in chains
Freedom should be celebrated and pursued wherever there is an understanding of the deep pain and oppression of being bound or restricted.
Let freedom ring wherever hearts know pain
Freedom is even more precious and valuable in the face of deep emotional pain and suffering.
Let freedom echo through the lonely streets where prisons have no key
The desire for and pursuit of freedom can transcend even physical barriers and boundaries like prison walls.
We can be free and we can sing - let freedom ring
People have the power to claim and celebrate their own freedom, even in the face of adversity or oppression.
God built freedom into every fiber of creation
The desire for freedom is not a human invention, but is woven into the very fabric of the universe by its creator.
And He meant for us to all be free and whole
God intends for all people to live in freedom and to experience a sense of spiritual completeness and well-being.
When my Lord bought freedom with the blood of His redemption
For some people, the pursuit of freedom is tied to their religious beliefs and spiritual practices, and is seen as a divine gift.
His cross stamped pardon on my very soul
The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is seen as a powerful symbol of spiritual liberation and forgiveness.
I'll sing it out with every breath, I'll let the whole world hear it
People who have experienced freedom are often motivated to share their stories and inspire others to pursue liberation as well.
This hallelujah anthem of the free
For some people, freedom is not just a political or social ideal, but a spiritual and emotional state of being.
That iron bars and heavy chains can never hold us captive
The desire for freedom is so strong that even physical captivity cannot suppress it completely.
The Son has made us free and free indeed
For some people, religious faith is seen as a path to spiritual and existential freedom.
Let freedom ring down through the ages from a hill called Calvary
The message of liberation and redemption associated with the cross of Jesus has inspired people throughout history to pursue freedom in all its forms.
You can be free and you can sing let freedom ring
Freedom is a universal human aspiration, and people are empowered to claim it for themselves and celebrate it with others.
Contributed by Charlotte J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.