Since its inception, the CM has chosen to define themselves as the Christian or holy division of hip hop culture as opposed to the hip hop or rap division of Christian culture. Within the genre of rap music, there are various subgenres such as gangsta rap, Conscious rap, old school rap, crunk, and reggaeton, but all of it falls under the rubric of rap and, by extension, hip hop. In choosing to define their music as simply being another subgenre - i.e., the Christian rap subgenre - of hip hop culture, the CM attempts to "keep it real" in order to maintain the validity needed to influence members of hip hop culture who may or may not be Christians. In their 2003 release, Holy Culture, The CM stated their reasoning is based on a passage from the Bible, St. John 17:15-19 in which Jesus is reported to have said to God:
“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
As the word sanctified means "to set apart", the interpretation maintained by the CM is that they are instructed by Jesus to remain a part of hip hop culture while being set apart from the majority of the followers of hip hop culture in order to influence it from within to conform to the mores and moral code preached by the followers of mainstream Christianity. The acceptance of this interpretation has been mixed, however. Despite their claim to be a part of hip hop culture, the CM has slowly found more acceptance, though not total acceptance, in the Christian community than in the secular hip hop community as the majority of their concerts are held at churches or church-sponsored events as opposed to secular venues. In 2006, the CM received a Grammy nomination for “Best Rock Gospel Album,” as opposed to any of the traditional hip hop or rap categories. Additionally, the CM has generally only been recognized at Christian and Gospel awards shows such as the Dove Awards or Stellar Awards as opposed to hip hop-only award shows such as the Source Awards or the Vibe Awards.
Big Things
The Cross Movement Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have this dream I think of it still sometimes
I know it's just the season
I sense no time or reason
The sky falls down; it's evening
The feeling goes; it's leaving
Miles until this desert brings me back to your face
But you're away in Eden
And I'm still here the heathen
This times for real, we're even
We do this for the season
I cross the sand
Without your hand
I go back to
Where you and I began
And I was yours
And you were mine
Things seem so soon to say goodbye
I hope you're well as I am fine
I keep myself where I go where I lie
The Cross Movement's song "Big Things" is a reflective and introspective piece of music that speaks to the complexities and contradictions of a Christian's faith. The lyrics describe the struggle of the singer to reconcile their belief in God with the challenges and doubts they face in their daily life. The song's opening lines describe the singer's sense of dislocation, feeling caught "somewhere in between this ocean and mountainside" while dreaming of a distant ideal. Although they experience moments of doubt, the singer recognizes that their faith is part of a grander plan and that there is a reason to trust and believe.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is struggling with feelings of separation and distance from God. The line "But you're away in Eden / And I'm still here the heathen" speaks to their feelings of being left behind, abandoned in a world that feels increasingly hostile and tricky. Despite this, the singer asserts their faith, recognizing that their struggle is part of a bigger picture and that they are fighting for a greater purpose.
"Big Things" is a song that mixes introspection with evocative imagery to create a powerful and moving message for listeners. Through its lyrics, the song taps into the ever-present human need for connection, hope, and faith, all while acknowledging that these things are never easy to come by.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere in between this ocean and mountainside
In a place where land and sea meet, where different terrains come together.
I have this dream I think of it still sometimes
A dream that is still fresh in memory, even though it might have happened long ago.
I know it's just the season
Awareness that what is happening is temporary, and things will change with time.
I sense no time or reason
Feeling of being lost, without sense or purpose, somehow disconnected from reality.
The sky falls down; it's evening
Nighttime has arrived, and the darkness seems overwhelming.
The feeling goes; it's leaving
Sudden realization that a strong emotion is fading away, leaving a sense of emptiness.
Miles until this desert brings me back to your face
A long journey through an arid landscape, with the hope of meeting someone again.
Those eyes you know you know I think of them still sometimes
Memories of someone's eyes that are still vivid, even though they are far away.
But you're away in Eden
A reference to the Biblical garden of Eden, a metaphor for a distant, perfect place.
And I'm still here the heathen
Feeling of being lost in a world of confusion and sin, far from a state of grace.
This times for real, we're even
Acknowledgement of a certain reality, a sense of parity between two sides.
We do this for the season
A shared belief that what is happening, though difficult, has a purpose or meaning.
I cross the sand
A literal or figurative crossing of a difficult terrain, often alone.
Without your hand
The absence of someone's help or support, the loneliness of the journey.
I go back to
Returning to a place that was previously known, often with different feelings or experiences.
Where you and I began
A reference to a shared past, a time when two people started something together.
And I was yours
A declaration of belonging, of being someone else's, perhaps in a romantic relationship.
And you were mine
A reciprocal claim of ownership, an affirmation of mutual love or commitment.
Things seem so soon to say goodbye
An awareness of how quickly time passes, and how difficult it is to let go of something or someone.
I hope you're well as I am fine
A friendly wish for the well-being of someone who is far away, along with a reassurance of one's own state.
I keep myself where I go where I lie
A personal choice to stay true to oneself, no matter where one is, and no matter what one does.
Contributed by Jake B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shawn Mayhall Sr.
on Name Up
Who is the first artist on this track ????