White Heart has never actually stated that they have disbanded, but there hasn't been any consistent musical activity by them as a group since 1997. However, in August 2006 they had a reunion concert at the third annual Soul2Soul Honors event in New Albany, Indiana (Louisville, Kentucky), with the following line-up: Billy Smiley, Rick Florian, Mark Gershmel, Tommy Sims, Jon Knox and Gordon Kennedy.
Discography (with personnel history):
*WHITE HEART (1982 - Home Sweet Home/Myrrh)
*Gary Lunn - bass
*Steve Green - vocals
*David Huff - drums, percussion
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, synthesizers, vocals
*Dann Huff - lead and rhythm guitars, vocals
*Billy Smiley - keyboards, rhythm guitars, vocals
*VITAL SIGNS (1984 - Home Sweet Home/Myrrh)
*Billy Smiley - piano, acoustic guitar, vocals
*David Huff - drums, percussion
*Gary Lunn - bass guitars
*Mark Gershmel - synthesizers, piano, vocals
*Dann Huff - rhythm & lead guitars, acoustic guitar, vocals
*Scott Douglas - vocals
*HOTLINE (1985 - Home Sweet Home, Inc)
*Gary Lunn - bass
*Scott Douglas - lead vocals
*Gordon Kennedy - lead guitars, guitars, vocals
*David Huff - drums, percussion
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, vocals
*Billy Smiley - keyboards, guitars, vocals
*DON'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE (1986 - Sparrow Records)
*Ric Florian - lead vocals
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, vocals, trombone
*Gordon Kennedy - guitars, lead guitar, sitar, vocals
*Gary Lunn - bass, linn programming
*Chris McHugh - drums, percussion
*Billy Smiley - vocals, keyboards, guitar, trumpet
*EMERGENCY BROADCAST (1987 - Sparrow Records)
*Chris McHugh - drums and percussion
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, vocals
*Tommy Sims - bass guitar, synth bass, keyboards, vocals
*Gordon Kennedy - lead and rhythm guitars, vocals
*Billy Smiley - vocals, rhythm guitar
*Rick Florian - lead vocals
*FREEDOM (1989 - Sparrow Records)
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards and lead vocals
*Billy Smiley - guitars and vocals
*Gordon Kennedy - guitars and vocals
*Tommy Sims - bass and vocals
*Chris McHugh - drums
*Rikk Florian - lead vocals
*POWERHOUSE (1990 - Star Song Records)
*Riq Florian - lead vocals, background vocals
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, lead vocals, background vocals
*Mark Nemer - drums and percussion
*Anthony Sallee - bass guitar
*Billy Smiley - acoustic and rhythm guitars, and background vocals
*Brian Wooten - rhythm and lead guitars
*TALES OF WONDER (1992 - Star Song Records)
*Ricke Florian - lead vocals, background vocals
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, lead vocals, background vocals, recorder
*Billy Smiley - rickenbacker 12-string, hi-string, and 12-string acoustic guitars, background vocals
*Brian Wooten - lead guitar, rhythm guitar, gut string guitar
*Anthony Sallee - bass, fretless bass
*Jon Knox - drums ("Vendetta")
*Chris McHugh - drums (all tracks except "Vendetta")
*HIGHLANDS (1993 - Star Song Records)
*Rhic Florian - lead vocals, background vocals
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, percussion, lead vocals, background vocals, recorder
*Brian Wooten - rhythm & lead guitars
*Anthony Sallee - bass
*Jon Knox - drums, percussion
*Billy Smiley - rhythm guitars, acoustic & octave acoustic guitars, background vocals
*NOTHING BUT THE BEST - ROCK CLASSICS (1994 - Star Song Records)
*NOTHING BUT THE BEST - RADIO CLASSICS (1994 - Star Song Records)
*Rikcq Florian - lead and background vocals
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, percussion programming, and lead vocals
*Jon Knox - drums
*Chris McHugh - drums (Climb the Hill)
*Mark Hill - Bass
*Brian Wooten - guitars
*Billy Smiley - guitars and vocals
*INSIDE (1995 - Curb Records)
*Rick Florian - lead & background vocals
*Billy Smiley - acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals
*Mark Gersmehl - organ, piano, synths, lead & background vocals
*Brian Wooten - electric & acoustic guitars, lead guitars
*John Thorn - electric & acoustic bass, background vocals
*Jon Knox - drums, percussion
*REDEMPTION (1997 - Curb Records)
*Rick Florian - lead & background vocals
*Mark Gersmehl - keyboards, lead & background vocals, loops
*Billy Smiley - acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals
*Mike Mead (drums) records for this album but continues with other projects
*Barry Graul (lead guitar) records for this project but continues with other projects (including lead guitar for DC Talk)
*Mark Hill (bass) records for this album but continues with other projects
http://www.whiteheart.com
Independence Day
White Heart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listen to our testament
We've been given a revelation
We are sure of where we stand
So let the banner be unfurled
We've found the light of hope in a dying world
You're the god of your own land
They call you weak a spineless fool
Say you've given up your right to rule
But I have been to the land of me
And I know I was never free
Freedom came when I gave it all away
That's why I call it independence day
Call it independence day
Let the rockets blaze across the sky
Raise the flag of faith up high
Let the doubters call it what they may
It's independence day
The world can crown another hundred kings
But I believe in better dreams
They may call it slavery
But the biggest chain I knew was me
So the idols tumble down
The walls of lies crumble to the ground
I know where salvation can be found
Let the idols tumble down
That's why I call it independence day
Call it independence day
Let the rockets blaze across the sky
Raise the flag of faith up high
Let the doubters call it what they may
It's independence day
So join in the celebration
It's the birth of a holy nation
As people of light we are proud to say
It's independence day
That's why I call it independence day
Call it independence day
Let the rockets blaze across the sky
Raise the flag of faith up high
Let the doubters call it what they may
It's independence day
The lyrics of White Heart's song Independence Day is about the celebration of true freedom and independence, which can only be achieved when one surrenders their life to a higher power. The song talks about how the world deceives people into thinking that they are free, but in reality, they are slaves to their own desires and fears. The song urges people to listen to the declaration and testament of those who have found true freedom in faith, and to raise the flag of faith up high, despite the doubts and criticisms of others.
The message of the song is presented through powerful and vivid imagery, such as the rockets blazing across the sky and the idols tumbling down. The lyrics also refer to the Land of Me, a metaphorical place where people mistakenly believe that they can be the ultimate authority and ruler of their lives, but in reality, they are lost and unfree. The song encourages listeners to celebrate the birth of a holy nation, which is the community of believers who have found true independence and freedom in faith.
Overall, Independence Day is a powerful anthem that celebrates the true meaning of freedom and independence, which can only be found when one surrenders their life to a higher power and finds hope in a dying world.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen to our declaration
We want to share our thoughts and beliefs.
Listen to our testament
We want our statements to be heard and acknowledged.
We've been given a revelation
We have experienced an epiphany that has given us clarity.
We are sure of where we stand
We are confident in our beliefs and convictions.
So let the banner be unfurled
We want to show and express ourselves boldly and openly.
We've found the light of hope in a dying world
Despite the negativity and sadness in the world, we have found hope and positivity.
Hear the myth of modern man
The stories and beliefs of modern society.
You're the god of your own land
You have the power and authority to make your own choices and decisions.
They call you weak a spineless fool
Others may judge and criticize you for your beliefs.
Say you've given up your right to rule
Others may question your leadership or authority because of your beliefs.
But I have been to the land of me
I have reflected and examined my own beliefs and values.
And I know I was never free
I realized that my personal beliefs and values were not truly free, as they were influenced by societal norms and expectations.
Freedom came when I gave it all away
I experienced true freedom when I let go of societal pressures and followed my own beliefs and values.
That's why I call it independence day
I consider this a significant day because it marks my freedom from societal expectations and pressures.
Call it independence day
I want others to acknowledge and celebrate this day with me.
Let the rockets blaze across the sky
Let us celebrate and express ourselves boldly and joyfully.
Raise the flag of faith up high
Let us celebrate our beliefs and values openly and proudly.
Let the doubters call it what they may
Others may criticize or judge our beliefs and celebrations, but we will remain confident and proud.
It's independence day
This day is meaningful and important to us because it marks our freedom and independence from societal pressures and expectations.
The world can crown another hundred kings
The world may have many leaders and figures of authority.
But I believe in better dreams
However, I have my own beliefs and ideas of what a good leader or figure of authority looks like.
They may call it slavery
Others may criticize and judge our beliefs and values as being restrictive or limiting.
But the biggest chain I knew was me
However, the biggest obstacle or barrier to my freedom and independence was myself.
So the idols tumble down
We are willing to let go of societal expectations and pressures, even if it means challenging traditional beliefs and ideas.
The walls of lies crumble to the ground
We want to expose and break down false beliefs and ideas.
I know where salvation can be found
I am confident in my beliefs and values, and they bring me peace and hope.
So join in the celebration
We invite others to celebrate with us and acknowledge the importance of this day.
It's the birth of a holy nation
We see ourselves as a community of people with similar values and beliefs, and this day marks the start of our collective identity.
As people of light we are proud to say
We see ourselves as positive and hopeful individuals, and we are proud of our beliefs and values.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: BILLY LEE SMILEY, MARK STEPHEN GERSMEHL, RICK DUANE FLORIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tofufury9437
I'm so thankful that I grew up listening to Whiteheart, because my parents were huge fans. These songs will stay with me for the rest of my life.
@joanmclean3380
Use to listen to this band down at my barn taking care of horses god blessed me with a lifetimes dream acreage I'll never forget till day I die
@jinnybiliter6292
Thanks for helping me to boldly stand for Jesus many years ago!
@chrisedwards8050
WOW!!!!.Picked Powerhouse cd up at op shop for a dollar having never heard this band before.Cant stop listening to it.Great vocals and great performance.
@ronhoffman7941
Incredible Song !!!!!!!!! Wish they would come back for one more concert and put it on a DVD
@Silverbugle2005
It's sad that 'Christian' radio doesn't play this anymore....
@margaretcook2097
I LOVE WHITE HEART CHRISTIAN BAND THEY TOUCH MY HEART IN MIND STRONG IN THE LORD IVE BEEN INTO THIS BAND LONG YEARS I LOVE YOU WHITE HEART❤
@jocelyndrummond803
I absolutely love this song! White Heart is amazing especially with Rick as their lead singer. I wish they were still making music to this day. My family and I listen to this song every year on the 4th of July.
@jackjones3657
Great lyrics with an immortal message. The line "Let the doubters call it what they may, but the biggest chain I knew was me." How true this can be. We are often our own worst enemies when all along Christ has His hands held open to rescue us.
@thejerichoharlot2447
Listen to those lyrics!
Such a powerful song