‘Joyful’ is the first single off our new record, coming out straight after Thanksgiving. ‘Joyful’ has pretty great pedigree – a pedigree that has nothing to do with us obviously
The verse melody was penned by Beethoven in 1785, the verse lyrics were penned by Henry van Dyke (Professor of Literature at Princeton in the early 1900’s and US ambassador to the Netherlands) more than 100 years later. And the new chorus and bridge was written with Jason Ingram exactly 100 years after that. Jason who has worked with Brandon Heath (Give Me Your Eyes) and Tenth Avenue North (By Your Side) also helped produce the track. So the verse melody is 225 years old! And yet it still feels fresh to me. That’s writing. I guess that’s why we still study Beethoven in school. Van Dyke, a professor of literature at Princeton, wrote of the verse lyrics
‘These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time—hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope’.
This hope is as true as it was a century ago. As much as has changed in the last century, what remains true for today, especially during this economic downturn is that Jesus Christ is the hope and Savior of the world. There is no school of thought, there is no scientific theory, there is no political movement, there is no economic crisis, there is no threat of violence, there is no personal tragedy, there is no illness or disease, there is no power neither in heaven nor on earth that can shake the love and rescuing hand of our GOD in Jesus. Death itself has bowed the knee before Him. He is is the One who’s hand lifts us from the grave. He is our rescue. And as we turn our hearts and eyes towards Christmas it is this hope that we celebrate and rejoice in at this important time in the Christian calendar. ‘We know that this man really is the Savior of the world’ (John 4.42) and because our lives and hearts are held in His, we can be joyful regardless of the trials and difficulties we face. This joy that He brings us transcends every human trial, it is a joy that can strengthen even the weakest of hands….
If you are friends of our band we would love you to help us by calling your local Christian Radio station to ask for this song to be played. We need as much help as we can get! Radio is still the unchartered ‘here be monsters’ section of our musical map.
Joyful [The One Who Saves]
Joyful joyful we adore You, God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before You, opening to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of Eternal gladness fill us with the light of day (cause)
You are the One who saves, You are the One who saves
You are the One who’s hands lift us from the grave
You are the light of life, the everlasting day
You are the One who takes all our sins away
You are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed
Fountain of the joy of living, ocean depths of happy rest
Jesus you are my rescue, Jesus you are my rescue
I give you everything I am
Adapted from Hymn to Joy from Ludwig van Beethovens 9th Symphony (adapted by Edward Hodges, 1824, verses Henry J. van Dyke, 1907) by Brenton Brown/Jason Ingram; Thankyou Music/Sony ATV/Timber Publishing / West Main Music / Windsor Hill Music (SESAC). All rights on behalf of Sony ATV/Timber, West Main Music and Windsor Hill Music admin. by Sony ATV. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
