Secular music - not always so secular

[Maynard Keenan]

Just because a band is secular doesn't mean members of the band aren't Christians, or that they can't write songs with Christian themes. I thought it would be fun to start a thread with songs and lyrics from secular bands that have Christian themes or otherwise positive themes.

Thrice - Music Box

We move for all mankind, a million miles from everything we've ever known
we're on their hearts and minds, a million heads are bowed to bring us safely home
hemmed in by emptiness, a million ways that everything could be undone
this hollow in my chest is filled with reasons not to sing but i found one, i know

we are not alone, we feel an unseen love
we are sons and heirs of grace
we are children of a light that never dims
a love that never dies, keep your chin up child
and wipe the tears from your eyes

in sleep we saw ourselves, a million years we had been waiting there it seems
while someone weaves a spell, a million stars look on in witness to our dreams, I know

we are not alone, we feel an unseen love
we are sons and heirs of grace
we are children of a light that never dims
a love that never dies, keep you chin up child
and wipe the tears from your eyes

we feel an unseen love
we are children of light

we are not alone, we feel an unseen love
we are sons and heirs of grace
we are children of a light that never dims
a love that never dies, keep you chin up child
and wipe the tears from your eyes

stand ready and tall, reflect the light

 

[Leader of the Banned]

Black Sabbath - After Forever

Have you ever thought about your soul - can it be saved?
Or perhaps you think that when you're dead you just stay in your grave
Is God just a thought within your head or is he a part of you?
Is Christ just a name that you read in a book when you were in school?

When you think about death do you lose your breath or do you keep your cool?
Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope - do you think he's a fool?
Well I have seen the truth, yes I've seen the light and I've changed my ways
And I'll be prepared when you're lonely and scared at the end of our days

Could it be you're afraid of what your friends might say
If they knew you believe in God above?
They should realize before they criticize
that God is the only way to love

Is your mind so small that you have to fall
In with the pack wherever they run
Will you still sneer when death is near
And say they may as well worship the sun?

I think it was true it was people like you that crucified Christ
I think it is sad the opinion you had was the only one voiced
Will you be so sure when your day is near, say you don't believe?
You had the chance but you turned it down, now you can't retrieve

Perhaps you'll think before you say that God is dead and gone
Open your eyes, just realize that he's the one
The only one who can save you now from all this sin and hate
Or will you still jeer at all you hear? Yes! I think it's too late.

 

[PoundingMetal]

Queen - Jesus

And then I saw him in the crowd
A lot of people had gathered round him
The beggars shouted, the lepers called him
The old man said nothing
He just stared about him
All going down to see the lord Jesus
All going down (going down) to see the lord Jesus
All going down

Then came a man before his feet he fell
Unclean said the leper, rang his bell
Felt the palm of a hand touch his head
Go now, go now you're a new man instead
All going down (going down) to see the lord Jesus
All going down to see the lord Jesus - alright
All going down

It all began with the three wise men
Followed a star took them to Bethlehem
And made it heard throughout the land
Born was the leader of man
All going down (going down) to see the lord Jesus
All going down (going down to bethlehem) to see the lord Jesus
All going down


Queen also have a lot of songs against suicide. An all around great band with some very good lyrics.

 

[AFallingStar]

Goo Goo Dolls, "Better Days"

And you asked me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just the chance that maybe we'll find better days

'Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And designer love and empty things
Just the chance that maybe we'll find better days

CHORUS
So take these words
And sing out loud
'Cause everyone...
Is forgiven now
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again

I need someplace simple where we can live
And something only you can give
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive

And the one poor child who saved this world
And there's ten million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

CHORUS

I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just the chance that maybe we'll find better days

CHORUS

'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again

 

[Leader of the Banned]

Twisted Sister - The Power And The Glory

I don't wanna think about it, why can't I live without it?
Oh, I need the love
I'm free and independent, I just take life and I spend it
Oh, I need the love
I'll feel the flames of a million fires
Fed by my feelings and my desires
Oh, I need the love
Oh, I want the love
I just need the power from above
I just got the power from above

Can't believe I saw the light, never thought I'd see the day
So filled with wrong I couldn't see right, almost lost the way
I was headed down, taken by the tide
I was lost at sea, missing in action, taken for a ride

CHORUS:

Now I've got the power and the glory
I've got the power from above
I've got the power and the glory
I've got the power, power of love

All the time I knew what was wrong, but denied it all the same
I was so blind I sang the same song, thought it was a game
But when I looked inside, the writing on the wall
Said, "it's a long way down, face it clown, fool you're gonna fall"

Power of love
Power of love

 

[HELENz]

Hold On - Kansas
Look in the mirror and tell me
Just what you see
What have the years of your life
Taught you to be
Innocence dyin' in so many ways
Things that you dream of are lost
Lost in the haze

(Chorus)
Hold on, Baby Hold on
'Cause it's closer than you think
And you're standing on the brink
Hold on, Baby Hold on
'Cause there's something on the way
Your tomorrow's not the same as today

Don't you recall what you felt
When you weren't alone
Someone who stood by your side
A face you have known
Where do you run when it's too much to bear
Who do you turn to in need
When nobody's there

(Chorus)

Outside your door He is waiting
Waiting for you
Sooner or later you know
He's got to get through
No hesitation and no holding back
Let it all go and you'll know
You're on the right track

(Chorus)

 

[Lessien]

"Crazy"--Simple Plan
Tell me what's wrong with society
When everywhere I look I see
Young girls dying to be on TV
They wont stop 'til they've reached their dreams

Diet pills, surgery
Photoshop pictures in magazines
Telling them how they should be
It doesn't make sense to me

Is everybody going crazy?
Is anybody gonna save me?
Can anybody tell me what's going on?
Tell me what's going on
If you open your eyes
You'll see that something is wrong

I guess things are not how they used to be
There's no more normal families
Parents act like enemies
Making kids feel like it's world war III

No one cares, no one's there
I guess we're all just too damn busy
Money's our first priority
It doesn't make sense to me

Is everybody going crazy?
Is anybody gonna save me?
Can anybody tell me what's going on?
Tell me what's going on
If you open your eyes
You'll see that something is wrong

Is everybody going crazy?
Is everybody going crazy?

Tell me what's wrong with society
When everywhere I look I see
Rich guys driving big SUV's
While kids are starving in the streets
No one cares
No one likes to share
I guess life's unfair

Is everybody going crazy?
Is anybody gonna save me?
Can anybody tell me what's going on
Tell me what's going on
If you open your eyes
You'll see that something

something is wrong
Is everybody going Crazy?
Can anybody tell me what's going on
Tell me what's going on
If you open your eyes
You'll see that something is wrong

 

[Leader of the Banned]

Cleveland band I saw 3 times, I think they only had one album.....

Destructor
"Pounding Evil"

Mist is rising time is near
Satan's militia appears
The power we have the strength
In hand
We must defeat again!

Sword at side moon up high
Who will survive the fight?
Battle commense blood intense
God is with us tonight!

We're pounding evil!
We're pounding evil!

Satan wants you to be his
Decide what to do
‘Cause evil is not the way
The fire he's breathing is burning
Down your back
He's waiting to attack

We're pounding evil!
We're pounding evil!
We're pounding evil!
We're pounding evil!

The fighting the burning
The raising of Hell
Our mission awaiting tonight
Out to crush Satan
His eternal domain
No more torture no pain

Devastated they lay all around
Satan is gone fled for now
Scarred in battle but soon will return
Join to pound evil you all must learn

Mist is rising tome is near
Satan's militia appears
The power we have the strength
In hand

We must defeat again
Sword at side moon up high
Who will survive the fight
Battle commense blood intense
God is with us tonight!

We're pounding evil!
We're pounding evil!
We're pounding evil!
We're pounding evil!

Pounding evil!

 

[12ogue]

The Artist In The Ambulance"

Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal
Red light, can't stop so I spin the wheel
My world goes black before I feel an angel lift me up
And I open bloodshot eyes into fluorescent white
They flip the siren, hit the lights, close the doors and I am gone

Now I lay here owing my life to a stranger
And I realize that empty words are not enough
I'm left here with the question of just
What have I to show except the promises I never kept?
I lie here shaking on this bed, under the weight of my regrets

[Chorus:]
I hope that I will never let you down
I know that this can be more than just flashing lights and sound

Look around and you'll see that at times it feels like no one really cares
It gets me down but I'm still gonna try to do what's right, I know that there's
A difference between sleight of hand, and giving everything you have
There's a line drawn in the sand, I'm working up the will to cross it and

[Chorus]

Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of always talking when there's no change
Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of empty words, let's lead and not follow

Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal
Red light, can't stop so I spin the wheel
My world goes black before I feel an angel steal me from the
Greedy jaws of death and chance, and pull me in with steady hands
They've given me a second chance, the artist in the ambulance

[Chorus]

Can we pick you off the ground, more than flashing lights and sound

 

[KitsapGirl]

The Youngbloods - Get Together

Love is but the song we sing,
And fear's the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Know the dove is on the wing
And you need not know why
C'mon people now,
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try and love one another right now
Some will come and some will go
We shall surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moments sunlight
Fading in the grass
C'mon people now,
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try and love one another right now
If you hear the song I sing,
You must understand
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It's there at your command
C'mon people now,
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try and love one another right now
Right now
Right now!

NEIL DIAMOND- "Shilo"

Young child with dreams
Dream every dream on your own
When children play,
Seems like you end up alone
Papa says he'd love to be with you
If he had the time
So you turn to the only friend you can find
There in your mind

Shilo when I was young,
I used to call your name
When no one else would come,
Shilo you always came and we'd play

Young girl with fire,
Something said she understood
I wanted to fly
She made me feel like I could

Held my hand out, I let her take me
Blind as a child
All I saw was the way
That she made me smile
She made me smile

Shilo when I was young,
I used to call your name
When no one else would come,
Shilo you always came and you'd stay

Had a dream and it filled me with wonder
She had other plans
"Got to go" said she'd know I'd understand
I understand

Shilo when I was young
I used to call your name
When no one else would come....

 

[murraylikespie]

Creed- Higher

When dreaming I'm guided through another world
Time and time again
At sunrise I fight to stay asleep
'Cause I don't want to leave the comfort of this place
'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape
From the life I live when I'm awake
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?
Can you take me higher?
To the place where blind men see
Can you take me higher?
To the place with golden streets
Although I would like our world to change
It helps me to appreciate
Those nights and those dreams
But, my friend, I'd sacrifice all those nights
If I could make the Earth and my dreams the same
The only difference is
To let love replace all our hate
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?
Up high I feel like I'm alive for the very first time
Up high I'm strong enough to take these dreams
And make them mine

 

[Mr.Cheese]

Christian Music: Not really so Christian.

 

[murraylikespie]

Christian Music: Not really so Christian.

yeah no thats crap Im sorry but it is

 

[Lessien]

yeah no thats crap Im sorry but it is

Prove it.

Sorry, I'm not using that as a rebuttal for your claim, but until you present an argument for your claim, I won't be able to believe you.

 

[peanutbutter12]

Queen Flood!!!!

Song: We're All Gods People
Album: Innuendo
So all you people give freely
Make welcome inside your homes, (ooh) ooh
Thank God you people give freely (yeah)
Don't turn your back on the lesson of the Lord
All prime ministers (yeah) and majesty around the world, yeah
Open your eyes, look, touch and feel
Rule with your heart (rule with your heart)
Live with your conscience (live with your conscience)

Love, love and be free
Love, love and be free
We're all God's people
Gotta face up
Better grow up
Gotta stand tall and be strong
Gotta face up
Better grow up
Gotta face up
Better grow up
Gotta stand tall and be strong
Gotta face up
Better grow up
We're all God's people
Gotta face up
Better grow up
Yeah yeah - yes there was this magic light
I said to myself
I'd better go to bed and have an early night
Then I, then I, then I, then I went into a dream
Rule with your heart and live with your conscience
We're all God's people, yeah, give freely, yeah
Make welcome inside your homes
Let us be thankful, he's so incredible
We're all God's people (x5)
Ah ah ah (x2)
We're all God's people (x3)

Song: My Life Has Been Saved
Album: Made In Heaven
This is where we are today
People going separate ways
This is the way things are now
In disarray
I read it in the papers
There's death on every page
Oh Lord, I thank the Lord above
My life has been saved, eaah eah

Here we go
Tellin' lies
Here we go - here we go

We're right back where we started from
People going separate ways
This is the way things are now
In disarray - hey
I read it in the papers
There's death on every page
Aah - oh Lord, I thank you from above
My life has been saved
Ooh ooh ooh ooh my life
My life has been saved
Ooh my my life
My life has been saved

Song: The Miracle
Album: The Miracle
Every drop of rain that falls in Sahara Desert says it all
It's a miracle
All God's creations great and small, the Golden Gate and the Taj Mahal
That's a miracle
Test tube babies being born, mothers, fathers dead and gone
It's a miracle
We're having a miracle on Earth, mother nature does it all for us
The wonders of this world go on, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Captain Cook and Cain and Abel, Jimi Hendrix to the Tower of Babel
It's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle
The one thing we're all waiting for, is peace on Earth - an end to war
It's a miracle we need - the miracle
The miracle we're all waiting for today
If every leaf on every tree, could tell a story that would be a miracle
If every child on every street, had clothes to wear and food to eat
That's a miracle
If all God's people could be free, to live in perfect harmony
It's a miracle, we're having a miracle on Earth
Mother nature does it all for us
(the wonders of this world go on)
Open hearts and surgery, Sunday mornings with a cup of tea
Super powers always fighting
But Mona Lisa just keeps on smiling
It's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle

(The wonders of this world go on)
Well it's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle
The one thing (the one thing)
We're all waiting for (we're all waiting for)
Is peace on Earth (peace on Earth) and an end to war (end to war)
It's a miracle we need, the miracle, the miracle
Peace on Earth and end to war today
That time will come one day you'll see when we can all be friends (x5)

Song: Is This The World We Created
Album: The Works
Just look at all those hungry mouths we have to feed
Take a look at all the suffering we breed
So many lonely faces scattered all around
Searching for what they need

Is this the world we created...?
What did we do it for
Is this the world we invaded
Against the law
So it seems in the end
Is this what we're all living for today
The world that we created

You know that everyday a helpless child is born
Who needs some loving care inside a happy home
Somewhere a wealthy man is sitting on his throne
Waiting for life to go by

Wooh, is this the world we created...?
We made it all our own
Is this the world we devastated, right to the bone
If there's a God in the sky looking down
What can he think of what we've done
To the world that he created

 

[AJB4]

Evanescence - Tourniquet

I tried to kill the pain
But only brought more (so much more)
I lay dying
And I'm pouring crimson regret and betrayal
I'm dying, praying, bleeding and screaming
Am I too lost
To be saved?
Am I too lost?

My God, my tourniquet
Return to me salvation
My God, my tourniquet
Return to me salvation

Do you remember me?
Lost for so long
Will you be on the other side?
Or will you forget me?
I'm dying, praying, bleeding, and screaming
Am I too lost
To be saved?
Am I too lost?

My God, my tourniquet
Return to me salvation
My God, my tourniquet
Return to me salvation

(Return to me salvation)

(Ohhhhhh)

(I want to die)

My God, my tourniquet
Return to me salvation
My God, my tourniquet
Return to me salvation

My wounds cry for the grave
My soul cries for deliverance
Will I be denied?
Christ? (Christ)
Tourniquet
My suicide

(Return to me salvation)

(Return to me salvation)

(Doesn't get much more Christian-themed than that).

 

[Paladin Dave]

I'm really not sure of the individual members' religious affiliations, but they claim to enjoy not really pushing either side of the spectrum in songs like The Beast and the Harlot. I speak of course of Avenged Sevenfold, whose name is based on God's promise to Kane that any who harmed him would be paid back sevenfold. Beast and the Harlot is of course pretty much the fall of Babylon in a song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJwllkUwB90

This shining city built of gold, a far cry from innocence,
There's more than meets the eye round here, look to the waters of the deep.
A city of evil.
There sat a seven-headed beast, ten horns raised from his head.
Symbolic woman sits on his throne, but hatred strips her and leaves her naked.
The Beast and the Harlot.

She's a dwelling place for demons.
She's a cage for every unclean spirit,
every filthy bird, makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.

The city dressed in jewels and gold, fine linen, myrrh with pearls.
Her plagues have come all at once as her mourners watch her burn.
Destroyed in an hour.
Merchants and captains of the world, sailors, navigators too.
Will weep and mourn this loss with her sins piled to the sky,
The Beast and the Harlot.

She's a dwelling place for demons.
She's a cage for every unclean spirit,
every filthy bird, makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.

The day has come for all us sinners.
If you're not a servant, you'll be struck to the ground.
Flee the burning, greedy city.
Lookin' back on her to see there's nothing around.

I don't believe in fairytales and no one wants to go to hell.
You've made the wrong decision and it's easy to see.
Now if you wanna serve above or be a king below with us,
You're welcome to the city where your future is set forever.

She's a dwelling place for demons.
She's a cage for every unclean spirit,
every filthy bird, makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.

She's a dwelling place for demons.
She's a cage for every unclean spirit,
every filthy bird, makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.

 

[Lessien]

"Carry On Wayward Son"--Kansas

Carry on my wayward son,
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high
Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say:

Carry on my wayward son,
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say:

Carry on my wayward son,
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
No!

Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you

Carry on my wayward son,
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry
Don't you cry no more

 

[BornAgainJen]

U2 - "40" (from Psalms 40)

I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song

He set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see and fear

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song

This one's so Christian-themed that DC Talk covered it!

I win!



...lol j/k obviously I don't win anything...

 

[justanobserver]

this song goes back a couple years.... like when I was a kid! Norman Greenbaum did the original but The Kentucky Headhunters does a good version.

Spirit in the Sky

by Norman Greenbaum

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When they lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky

Goin' up to the spirit in the sky - spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die - when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best

Prepare yourself, you know it's a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He's gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky - spirit in the sky

Oh, recommend you to the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die - when you die
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best

Never been a sinner, I've never sinned
I've got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky

Oh, set me up with the spirit in the sky - spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die - when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best