The three met while they were young men at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. They formed the band dc Talk (a reference to Washington D.C., but later marketed as 'decent Christian talk' by their label) and, as of the year 2000, spent twelve solid years together, performing all over the world, recording 6 albums, and earning many awards, including 4 Grammy awards.
Their music, aimed at a younger audience, combined hip-hop, rap, and R&B sensibilities and filled a gap in 1980s Christian Music and gave them a unique niche. Their first three albums, DC Talk, Nu Thang, and Free at Last started from their rap/hip-hop roots but increasingly included melodic vocal rock influences. Their 1995 studio album, Jesus Freak, continued this musical evolution by eshewing almost all rap elements and adopting a harder modern rock/grunge sound on many songs, especially the title track. Their most recent studio album, Supernatural, draws on their previous efforts while moving towards mainstream pop stylings.
Their signature sound in all albums is their use of the three members' different vocal skills separately and together. They are often lauded for their lyrical sophistication, addressing many themes in Christian theology, faith, and practice.
After more than ten years together as a group, they are taking a break in recording together to pursue their own activities outside of the band, and launch solo careers in recording music. Michael Tait formed his own band, Tait, and has most recently served as the frontman for Newsboys. Toby McKeehan has released music under the name Tobymac, and has been the most sucessful of the three. Kevin Max has released two solo albums of his own.
Free At Last
dc Talk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome to the... heaven... ... and ministry tonight
Won't you please turn in your hymnals to page 333
Sister Mildred, we're gonna play free at last
Free at last, thank God almighty
Free at last, free at last
I thank God I'm free at last
I thank God I'm free at last
[Have you heard?]
[Listen carefully]
[I can't stop]
(chorus 1)
Free, free, I'm free at last
Thank God Almighty I'm free at last
Free, free, I'm free at last
Thank God Almighty I'm free
(chorus 2)
Cause I'm free, free at last
And I'm free, from my past, and I'm free
Free from sin, and I'm free
And I ain't going back again
Shackles had me down but He gave me a new sound
So reclaim my name from the lost and found
Ya see, something's got me jumpin'
And I think it's the way
That He can take a hard man
And turn him into soft clay
Out of the darkness, the Father has sparked this
The spirit's alive while the flesh is a carcass
If you're seriously curious about my past
Well I once was lost but I'm free at last!
(repeat choruses 1 and 2)
Oppression was in session and my life was the term
But when I heard about the Word I was willing to learn
About a flavor I could savor and a brighter tomorrow
Cause this could never be endeavored by a wish on a star
The Father first receives us, the Truth then frees us
Forgiven, now I'm living like a man full of Jesus
It was hell until I fell upon my knees and prayed
But now the yoke that I was totin' has been taken away
(repeat chorus 1)
Cause I'm free, free at last, free
From my past, free from sin, and I'm free
And down on my knees when my life passed me by
And I ain't, no I ain't going back again
F are to the E E
L A to the S T
Out of the darkness, the Father has sparked this
The spirit's alive while the flesh is a carcass
If you're seriously curious about my past
Well I was once lost but I'm free at last
I'm here to tell you what he did for me and
I'm here to tell you that he set me free and
I know that He can do the same for you, too
He did it, I'm wit it, so come and get it
Be free at last!
(repeat chorus 1 x2)
When all of God's children: black men and white men,
Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics
Will be able to join hands and
Sing in the words of the old negro spiritual...
(repeat chorus 1)
Cause I'm free, free at last, cause I'm free
I'm free, I'm free, I'm free, I'm free, I'm free
Down on my knees when my life passed me by
And I ain't, no I ain't going back again
Thank God I'm free
Free at last, free at last
Thank God almighty we are free at last!
The song "Free At Last" by DC Talk is a joyful and uplifting gospel-inspired song that speaks about the freedom found in Christ. The song begins with an announcement to young people gathered in a church, inviting them to turn to page 333 for the hymn "Free At Last". The chorus repeats the phrase "Free at last" four times, reinforcing the message of freedom in Christ. The verses discuss the experiences of oppression, being lost, and shackles holding someone down, but through Christ, they are given a new sound and are no longer burdened by their past. The final verse recalls Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech and speaks about the hope of unity among all people.
Overall, the song is a celebration of the redemption and transformation found in Christ. The song encourages listeners to break free from oppression and their past and rejoice in the freedom that Christ brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Young people
Welcome to the... heaven... ... and ministry tonight
Won't you please turn in your hymnals to page 333
Sister Mildred, we're gonna play free at last
The song's introduction at a church in front of the youth makes the point that there is freedom in God's love, and through music and lyrics, they hope to convey its meaning to others
Free at last, free at last
I thank God I'm free at last
Being free from the struggles of life and finding peace in God is a blessing, and the singer is expressing gratitude for it
[Have you heard?]
[Listen carefully]
[I can't stop]
The singer is emphasizing how important the message of the song is to them and how it's impossible to convey it enough
Free, free, I'm free at last
Thank God Almighty I'm free at last
Free, free, I'm free at last
Thank God Almighty I'm free
Multiple repetitions of this line are meant to reinforce the message in the listener's mind, which exclaims how thankful and relieved the artist is to be free from the past
Cause I'm free, free at last
And I'm free, from my past, and I'm free
Free from sin, and I'm free
And I ain't going back again
The artist is emphasizing that they have overcome their struggles and embraced a life of freedom from sin, and there is no chance of returning to their previous state
Shackles had me down but He gave me a new sound
So reclaim my name from the lost and found
Ya see, something's got me jumpin'
And I think it's the way
That He can take a hard man
And turn him into soft clay
Out of the darkness, the Father has sparked this
The spirit's alive while the flesh is a carcass
If you're seriously curious about my past
Well I once was lost but I'm free at last!
The singer acknowledges being in a difficult situation, but with God's grace, they overcame it and embraced a new life filled with joy, and they are proud of their recovery journey
Oppression was in session and my life was the term
But when I heard about the Word I was willing to learn
About a flavor I could savor and a brighter tomorrow
Cause this could never be endeavored by a wish on a star
The Father first receives us, the Truth then frees us
Forgiven, now I'm living like a man full of Jesus
It was hell until I fell upon my knees and prayed
But now the yoke that I was totin' has been taken away
The singer acknowledges that they were oppressed and unhappy in their life until they discovered the Word in Christianity, and God's forgiveness gave them the freedom they were looking for
F are to the E E
L A to the S T
Out of the darkness, the Father has sparked this
The spirit's alive while the flesh is a carcass
If you're seriously curious about my past
Well I was once lost but I'm free at last
The artist spells out the word 'flee' in the chorus of the song, emphasizing the theme of running away from one's past and embracing freedom through God's love
I'm here to tell you what he did for me and
I'm here to tell you that he set me free and
I know that He can do the same for you, too
He did it, I'm wit it, so come and get it
Be free at last!
The artist is urging others to embrace God's love and find freedom, just as they have, and are enthusiastic about sharing the message with others
When all of God's children: black men and white men,
Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics
Will be able to join hands and
Sing in the words of the old negro spiritual...
The artist is calling for unity among all of God's children, regardless of race, creed or sect, and hopes for them to come together in harmony, singing hymns of freedom
Cause I'm free, free at last, cause I'm free
I'm free, I'm free, I'm free, I'm free, I'm free
Down on my knees when my life passed me by
And I ain't, no I ain't going back again
Thank God I'm free
The singer recalls their challenging past and how turning towards God was a turning point for their life, finding solace in being free from such struggles
Free at last, free at last
Thank God almighty we are free at last!
The artist is grateful for their freedom from sin and strifes through their connection with God
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JOSEPH RANDOLPH HOGUE JR., TOBY MCKEEHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind