Skillet, The Band
Many groups are claiming to be part of the Christian music scene. Some are traditional while others are quite outside the box. The “outside-the-boxers” often come under the heavy fist of traditional pastors and parents who hear the sound, but not the words. I suggest not judging the cover without reading the book. Here are 9 lyrics (although there are many more) from the band Skillet that epitomize their Christian faith.
First, may I offer an introduction: Skillet is an American Christian crossover metal/ alternative rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, and that has been impacting the sound waves since 1996. Skillet is currently formed by husband and wife duo John Cooper (lead vocals, bass) and Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Jen Ledger (drums, co-lead vocals) and Seth Morrison (lead guitar).
In their march toward three decades of original, sometimes controversial, Christian music, Skillet has produced 11 studio albums, 4 EPs, 2 live albums, 3 compilation albums, 70 radio singles (with 21 reaching #1 status on at least one chart). Their unique sound features intense guitars, industrial influences, and aggressive beats.
According to Dewayne Hamby, John Cooper has accomplished a variety of projects, including a podcast, graphic novel, and book “Awake & Alive to Truth,” which sold out it’s first printing after its November release. Like the band, Cooper pulls no punches with unapologetic, uncompromising commentary.
“The truth hasn’t changed,” Cooper said. “But culture has changed so much, that I meet a lot of Christians that don’t know how to live for Jesus because they’re hearing so many voices.”
I can not claim to be an intimate fan of this group, although I have heard their more acclaimed songs and enjoyed them over the years (I’m kind of an “out-of-the-boxer” myself). When working with teens, one seems to be exposed to a lot of things one may not gravitate towards alone or with traditional peers.
One thing I have learned is that just because a tune “sounds” beautiful, doesn’t mean the words are beautiful, edifying, or honoring to God. The opposite is also true. I hesitate to say “I like this” or “I like that” just because of a pretty melody. Jesus was the “Word made flesh” indicating that words are important–lyrics, are important.
So I embarked on a study of the lyrics of Skillet. Here are 9 Skillet lyrics that, in my opinion, epitomize the band’s Christian faith, and their war on evil:
# 9 Whispers in the Dark
My love is just waiting
To turn your tears to roses
I will be the one that’s gonna hold you
I will be the one that you run to
My love is a burning, consuming fire
No, you’ll never be alone
When darkness comes
I’ll light the night with stars
From Whispers in the Dark Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Brian Howes / John CooperWhispers in the Dark lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Royalty Network, SMV Schacht Musikverlage GmbH & Co. KG, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc
What I glean here is Almighty God approaching His child who feels alone in the darkness. Just like these lyrics, Jesus promises to be closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), to wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4), and to love like a burning, consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).\
# 8 Angels Fall Down
I saw angels fall down
At the glory of the Lord
The hurt and broken find rest here
I saw angels fall down
At the glory of the Lord
And as I kneeled I cried to know Him
And I fall down
Afraid and shaking here
And I fall down
I’m perfectly safe with you
Songwriters: John Landrum Cooper / Korene M Cooper, Angels Fall Down lyrics @Universal Music Publishing Group
This is the second verse of a beautiful worship song. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” We find that rest as we “fall down” in submission to Him.
These words also express my belief of what happens when human beings encounter heavenly beings. A lot of people think that standing before an angel, or Christ Himself, they would slap a high five or hug his neck. I think it’s much more probable that one would fall prostrate in awe, as in the Bible encounters.
# 7 Anchor
Drifting beneath the horizon
Body is weak but I’m trying
To make it to shore, but I’m falling short
I need You more
Wave after wave, I’ve been sinking
So unto Your promise I’m clinging
You say that I’m strong, to You I belong
Keep holding on
You are my anchor
So steady me, steady me now
You are my anchor
You’re keeping my feet on the ground
In angry oceans, You’ve never broken through
Every wave of the storm
You are my anchor
So steady me, steady me now
Come steady me, steady me now
Songwriters: Jen Ledger / John Cooper / Korey Cooper / Seth Morrison Anchor lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
This song reminds me of Hebrews 6:19, which says: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.”
# 6 Refuge
Every day and darkest night (night)
I trust You at all times (trust You at all times)
I’m not afraid, for You are my refuge
And when I’ve got nothin’ left (got nothin’ left)
You’re the place I find my rest (place I find my rest)
You are the only one that I run to
Yes, You are my refuge
You’re my rest, You’re my rock, You’re my fortress
You’re my strength, You’re my shield and You’re my defense
Nothing could ever take me from You
Nothing’s ever gonna take me from You
Songwriters: John Cooper / Seth Mosley Refuge lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Psalm 18:2 is the perfect scripture to back up these lyrics: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” I am also reminded of Psalm 91: 1-2: “He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’”
# 5 Brave
My feet were made to march like thunder
My lips to praise in all and wonder
My hands hold power and my lungs breath fire
Holy spirit fire, holy spirit fire
On your love I stand
Because of who you are
I know who I am
Wherever I will go
Wherever you will lead
I’ll never walk alone
Your spirit is with me
oh oh oh oh oh
You’re with me as I go
So I will not be afraid
You call me to be brave
In you, in you
Brave
In you, you call me to be brave
No height, no death, no fear can shake me
Held firm, your hands will never fail me
I won’t lose strength, for your strength is mine
You will be my light through the darkest night
All on Your love I stand
Because of who you are
I know who I am
Songwriters: Jen Ledger / John Cooper / Korey Cooper / Seth Morrison Brave lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
This song talks about our identity in Christ. Because of Him we can be brave. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
# 4 White Horse
Verily, verily, I will tell thee
Nothing but the truth
Listen to the preacher
Warning you about the deceiver
I am the way, the truth, the life, life
Nations rage, wars and plagues
Lords of chaos are set in place
Raising up kingdoms, small and great
Gonna make ’em all bow, power on display
Your idols will be consumed with fire, fire
Look up in the sky
Look up in the sky
Look up in the sky
The storm is rising
Songwriters: Kevin Churko / John Cooper / Kane Churko / Korene Cooper White Horse lyrics © Gumpofwump, Landrum Publishing Llc, Darkonikor, Mr. Kane Music Llc
There is more to this song, and there are lines I like more than others, but it definitely, unapologetically addresses the second coming of Christ and the chaos that will ensue for those who don’t believe.
# 3 Safe With You
The whole universe is at rest
When I’m in Your arms, Jesus
When I feel the best
Locked inside Your creative being
World abound in Your unfailing truth
Attacked with power by ferocious love
Salvation alone belongs to You
Lifting up my voice
To the God who really sees
The God who is consumed
With loving thoughts of me
The screaming winds
And the crashing of the oceans
Shifting sand and the changing of seasons
As I stand in awe and wonder
Nothin’ in the world prepared me for You!
Never prepared me for You!
Safe with You
I’ll be safe with You
Songwriters: Josh Thompson / Jeremiah Richey Safe with You lyrics © Sony/atv Tree Publishing, Photon Music, Anthem Songs Of Better Angels
I love the idea of “ferocious love.” He is our “safe place.” I love the phrase “Your creative being”–yes, He certainly is!
# 2 Dominion
Colliding chaos
Prе-programmed robots
No dissent allowed at all
A forty foot golden idol
Not your place
I’ll never bow down
To the power state
Death will not dominate
The fighters finally rise
They refuse to believe the lies
[Pre-Chorus] Our rebellion has begun
[Chorus]
Dominion, dominion
Under the fists of a powerful
Dominion, dominion
Don’t let the empire take control
Revolution from within
Let the kingdom reign begin
Dominion, Dominion
“Dominion” is the title song from the album. I think I like it because one of my favorite Bible stories is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo who rebel against the “state” and won’t bow to that 40’ golden idol.
“This album … has attitude to it, but it’s positive,” John Cooper tells Billboard of the Jan. 14 Atlantic release. “It is rebellious because we’re in a spiritual battle every day against depression and anxiety and fear. People are absolutely terrified. Depression rates are going up. America has like an increase in suicides… Positive rebellion [says]: I will not be ruled by fear. I will not be ruled by addiction and by all of these internal forces that really want to take control of my life. It’s saying, ‘I will not be ruled by these negative things’” (https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/skillet-john-cooper-interview-dominion-1235018262/).
So here we are at:
# 1: Lions
Today is ours, it’s always been
Before we face the fight
We know who’s gonna win
We live by faith and not by sight
We don’t want safe and quiet
We don’t wanna run and hide
This is not an intermission
It’s our time, not gonna miss it
You’ve already called us fearless
Unafraid
If we’re gonna fly, we fly like eagles
Arms out wide
If we’re gonna fear, we fear no evil
We will rise
By Your power, we will go
By Your spirit, we are bold
If we’re gonna stand, we stand as giants
If we’re gonna walk, we walk as lions
We walk as lions
Songwriters: Wayne Hector / Eric Frederic / Todd Michael Bridges / Victor Dimotisis / Zachary Cooper Lions lyrics © Sony/atv Songs Llc, Centricsongs, Frederic And Ried Music, Eartha’s Gumbo Music, Sony/atv Smash Hits Music Publishing, Anthem Boardwalk Music Publishing
Here is the link to the video:
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