It is often said that where people place a period, God inserts a comma. And Wayburn Dean’s life has definitely been spent giving his talents back to God, as his mother prayed. Indeed, the instant success of his 2nd solo effort – IMMEASURABLE – is further proof that Wayburn’s talents are not going unnoticed.
Radio has instantly embraced Wayburn’s return to the music scene, catapulting the first single from his new IMMEASURABLE CD to the top of the national Inspirational charts. The CD has been picked up for distribution in all Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Borders, Tower Records, and other mainstream stores nationwide. IMMEASURABLE has hit a nerve, and Wayburn believes it has a specific purpose.
“I love praise & worship music,” says Wayburn, “but there are a lot of people who are not there yet. They are hurting; they are going through circumstances in life that bog them down, and praising God is a difficult task for them. The songs on this CD were written to be just over the line from praise & worship – to minister to people where they are, and to give them a hunger for the things of God.”
Known for his vocal prowess in the multi-million-selling group Acappella, Wayburn’s musical ability gained him much acclaim during his 5 ½ year stint with the group. With songs such as “Rescue” and “We Have Seen The Glory,” Wayburn’s lead vocals garnered Grammy and Dove nominations, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the CAMA for his efforts to further a cappella music. But in the midst of the accolades and honors, Wayburn decided to take a break.
From 1993 to 2001, Wayburn decided a reprieve from touring and recording would give him a chance to refocus. He dived into helping worthwhile causes, devoting his time and efforts to important philanthropic organizations. He and his wife, Janae, became involved in several projects together, including developing a Sunday School curriculum for middle school students. But the further Wayburn walked away from music, the more melodies he seemed to hear, and eventually, the music had to come out. And it has come out in-- a big way.
Produced by Doug Beiden, IMMEASURABLE combines pop and R&B grooves with potent lyrics, all complimented by Wayburn’s dynamic vocal stylings. The first single “Each Day Of My Life” is an upbeat, personal declaration of living for God on a daily basis. The poignant “Crucified” gives the view of Christ’s sacrifice from the Father’s perspective. It is one of several songs on the CD co-written by Wayburn and his wife Janae. While Wayburn doesn’t consider himself a songwriter, his talent for arranging melodies is unmistakable. Recently, an arrangement he did of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” was used in the movie “The Fighting Temptations” starring Oscar winner Cuba Gooding, Jr. But Wayburn gives more credit to his wife for the songs they write together.
“Janae is great at putting life’s experiences into lyrics and I’m good at finding the melody, so we compliment each other. Where ever I travel, I take her with me because she can minister to people – especially to women – that maybe I can’t do. She plays a crucial role in my life and in this ministry.”
Wayburn and his wife formed a non-profit organization called Afterword Music. They have donated thousands of cds to missionaries and churches in Vietnam, India, Jamaica, Brazil, New Zealand, and other countries. Wayburn sees this as a chance to offer hope to those who may have never heard the Gospel.
“I want my music to be a source of encouragement to people all over the world,” says Wayburn. “The Gospel is the message of hope to so many oppressed people. Jesus Christ is the answer to every challenge we face, and it is my prayer that my music will bring people closer to finding a personal relationship with Him.”
Wayburn recently went back to the house he grew up in, and he was amazed at how tiny it now seemed. But there was that wire, hanging loosely from the ceiling, and it reminded Wayburn that the smallest light can make a big difference.
“We are commissioned by God to be the Light of our generation,” Wayburn concludes. “Every Christian can make a difference in this world. We just have to be willing to shine our lights into some dark, sometimes scary, places. But it only takes a little light to make the darkness disappear. At the end of my journey, I hope I will have used the gifts that God has given me to do just that.”
http://www.wayburndean.com
As Long as I Live
Wayburn Dean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Jay Greene, Marcus Coleman)
Every part of me is thankful
Everyday I spend with you
I've never truly been this grateful
Now that I've found you
Oh Lord you've been the one to hear me
Every breath I take I'm mindful
You're the reason why I sing
With every move I make you're faithful
So let your spirit rest in me
I need you Lord, I'm ready now to commit to you
I want to live my life, a holy sacrifice
Chorus
Always love you
And I'll never leave
I will be true
To you Lord as long as I live
I never want to let this feeling
Ever fall away from my heart
Your love is so amazing
Now your love has brought me out of the dark
I know that I'm not worthy, to claim that I belong
Oh Lord its only grace that brings me to your arms
Bridge
I know there's more to life than living here
You said we'd be together again
I leave my life in your hands
I promise I will do the things you command
I surrender, to you forever
Everything I am
Just as long as I live and have my being
I will be true to you forever
Just as long as I live
Musicians:
Electric Guitars: Adam Depasquale / Percussion: Jared Depasquale
Programmer: Jim Cooper / Keyboards: Jared Depasquale, Matt Butler
Cello: Matt Butler
Background Vocals: Nicalle Dean, Steve Reischl, Matt Butler, Wayburn Dean
Lead Vocal: Wayburn Dean
Arrangement: Wayburn Dean
The lyrics to Wayburn Dean's "As Long As I Live" express a profound sense of gratitude towards God and the unwavering commitment the singer has made to remain true to Him. The song begins by acknowledging the thankfulness the singer feels towards God for bringing him a sense of joy and fulfillment that he has never experienced before. He recognizes that God has been the cornerstone of his life and has been there for him in every possible way.
The lyrics then go on to describe the singer's unwavering commitment to God. He is mindful of God's presence in his life and recognizes that God has been faithful in every move he makes. The singer wants to live his life as a holy sacrifice to God, committing himself completely to Him. He promises to always love God and never leave His side. Even though he knows he is not worthy of God's love, he recognizes that it is only through God's grace that he has been brought into His arms.
The bridge of the song speaks to the singer's willingness to surrender his life to God and promises to follow His commands. He knows there is more to life than living on this earth and that one day they will be together again. He surrenders his everything to God forever and commits to being true to Him for as long as he lives.
Overall, "As Long As I Live" is a song of gratitude and commitment, expressing the deep connection between the singer and God.
Line by Line Meaning
Every part of me is thankful
I'm grateful for every aspect of my being, including my mind, body, and spirit.
Everyday I spend with you
I cherish every moment spent in your presence.
I've never truly been this grateful
I've never experienced such a deep sense of gratitude as I do now.
Now that I've found you
Since I've met you and have you in my life, I've experienced true joy.
Oh Lord you've been the one to hear me
You, God, have been the one to listen and respond to my prayers and needs.
You are my cornerstone, in everyway
You are the foundation of my life and provide stability and support in every aspect.
Every breath I take I'm mindful
I am constantly aware of your presence and your impact in my life.
You're the reason why I sing
You bring joy and purpose to my life, and I express that through music.
With every move I make you're faithful
You are always there, guiding and supporting me, even when I'm not aware of it.
So let your spirit rest in me
I invite your spirit to take residence within me and guide me in all that I do.
I need you Lord, I'm ready now to commit to you
I desire a deeper relationship with you, God, and am willing to dedicate myself to that pursuit.
I want to live my life, a holy sacrifice
I aspire to live my life in service to you, God, and to live according to your will and teachings.
Always love you
My love for you, God, is eternal and unwavering.
And I'll never leave
I will always remain faithful to you and your teachings.
I will be true
I will live my life with integrity and honesty, in accordance with your values and teachings.
To you Lord as long as I live
I will continue to serve and worship you for as long as I live.
I never want to let this feeling
I never want to lose the sense of joy and gratitude that you bring to my life.
Ever fall away from my heart
I don't want these positive feelings to disappear from my life or heart.
Your love is so amazing
I am in awe of your love and the positive impact it has on my life.
Now your love has brought me out of the dark
Your love has helped me overcome difficult times in my life and emerge into a brighter future.
I know that I'm not worthy, to claim that I belong
I recognize my shortcomings and limitations and acknowledge that my place in your love is due to your unconditional grace and mercy.
Oh Lord its only grace that brings me to your arms
I understand that your love and forgiveness are not based on anything I've done, but rather on your grace and mercy.
I know there's more to life than living here
I understand that there is a greater purpose to life beyond the physical world.
You said we'd be together again
I believe in the promise of an afterlife and the opportunity to be reunited with loved ones.
I leave my life in your hands
I trust in your plan and guidance for my life, and surrender control to you.
I promise I will do the things you command
I commit to living my life according to your teachings and principles.
I surrender, to you forever
I give myself over completely to you, God, and pledge my allegiance to you.
Everything I am
I offer all of myself, including my thoughts, actions, and emotions, to you.
Just as long as I live and have my being
For the duration of my life and existence, I will strive to serve and worship you.
I will be true to you forever
I promise to remain faithful and devoted to you for all time.
Just as long as I live
For the rest of my life, I will dedicate myself to following and serving you, God.
Contributed by Lily A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.