There’s a song I’ve been toying with for a couple of years. It’s from Hillsong United, written by Brooke Fraser. It has a cracking tune, and some great lyrical ideas. The thing that’s put me off though, is the second verse:
[Verse 2]
I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees, we’re on our knees
I’m sure I can’t be the only one on the interweb with concerns about this. I mean, I wish I could sing that with integrity, but I just can’t. Instead, I’m deeply concerned about the lack of a new generation who are grounded in genuine, deep, Biblical faith. I certainly don’t see a “near-revival”, at least not anywhere in the UK.
But, the rest of the song is too good to write off, and so I’ve come up with an alternative to verse 2, below. I hope it stirs us to pray for revival!
[Verse 1]
I see the King of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see His love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing
[Chorus]
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest (x2)
[Verse 2]
We need a generation
To rise up and take their place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
O Lord, we pray, revive us!
Stir us as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees, we’re on our knees
[Chorus]
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest (x2)
[Bridge]
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
[Chorus]
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest (x2)
Lead sheet for Guitar and Bass: I SEE THE KING OF GLORY (Hosanna)
Here’s a video of the original version, played at Hillsongs: