Poetic and artistic Christian lyrics

by Dustofyears 2/2/2024, 3:12 am

I understand that cheesy lyrics kind of fit bands like Whitecross and Stryper and Barren Cross etc but what are some bands and or songs you think have lyrics written in a poetic and artistic and intelligent way.

It doesn't have to be just metal. And also genres are taken into consideration such as Mort's scrolls lyrics fit death metal are written well for that genre etc

Here's one from a band that has many well written lyrics (especially from early albums) and these lyrics from a heart felt song

Song: Everywhere I go

Album: Faith hope Love

I've been in tears, I've been the clown
I've had my doubts, what if I'm wrong
I've been in love then maybe not
I crossed my heart and then forgot

Everywhere I go I see you there
Aah

I read the story said you died
I turned the page you were alive
with hope and love and mostly faith
one day I'll see you face to face

Everywhere I go I see you there
Aah
Everywhere I go I see you there
Aah

Everywhere I go I see you there
Aah
Everywhere I go I see you there
Aah

Everywhere I go I see you
Everywhere I go I see you
Everywhere I go I see you
Everywhere I go I see you

Like to see what you got

by StevenCressler 2/2/2024, 3:50 am

Even though you don't like the music to Assimilation, I recommend at least reading the lyrics for the poetry. Especially The Learned Man.

by Dustofyears 2/2/2024, 8:34 am

I'll check out the song Cheers Steven.

by Xid 2/2/2024, 11:35 am

It's a shameless plug, but nonetheless, these are some lyrics I'm proud of.

Dreaming In Color

Another page is turned light reflects from page to eye
Peering through a clouded glass I’m virtually blind
Pouring over all the words that I’ve read before
A mere glimpse in black and white I wish my view was so much more

So now I forge ahead dreaming of color
Compelled by a higher call each step brings it closer
Like a jigsaw mystery each piece makes it clearer
I know there’s so much more than a colorless mirror

Chorus 1
   Life will be richer
   Dreaming of color
   I yearn for the rainbow ahead
   When I sleep will I find rest?
   Will I find rest?

The evening drifts away day is forced through the night
Now I lay me down to sleep to the greater depths of rapid eye
Lucid visions void of stain collide with one another
I'll never understand these pictures without color

Quest begins towards far away from a world that’s left behind
Realize I’m crossing over that eternal boundary line
Images attack my eyes I can only stare with wonder
Like a childhood fairy tale: kaleidoscope of color

Chorus 2
   Life tastes much richer
   Dreaming in color
   I see the rainbow ahead
   I’m asleep now I’ve found rest
   Now I’ve found rest

Life tastes richer
Dreaming in Color

Dreaming in Color on Spotify

by seth 2/2/2024, 12:39 pm

I know I said this on a similar thread recently, but it’s hard to beat Matt Smith for poetic, meaningful lyrics. Almost all of his songs are like this, but some of the best are Mirror of Souls, As the World Bleeds, Twist of Fate, The Serpent’s Kiss, The Wonder of it All

by Temple of Blood 2/2/2024, 2:19 pm

I always felt like Tourniquet had the best Christian metal lyrics. Not sure if they are "poetic" though.

by StevenCressler 2/2/2024, 6:55 pm

Temple of Blood wrote:I always felt like Tourniquet had the best Christian metal lyrics. Not sure if they are "poetic" though.

I agree. I'd say they're somewhat poetic, at least very symoblic at times, such as The Skeezix Dilemna.

by StevenCressler 2/2/2024, 6:56 pm

Xid wrote:It's a shameless plug, but nonetheless, these are some lyrics I'm proud of.

Dreaming In Color

Another page is turned light reflects from page to eye
Peering through a clouded glass I’m virtually blind
Pouring over all the words that I’ve read before
A mere glimpse in black and white I wish my view was so much more

So now I forge ahead dreaming of color
Compelled by a higher call each step brings it closer
Like a jigsaw mystery each piece makes it clearer
I know there’s so much more than a colorless mirror

Chorus 1
   Life will be richer
   Dreaming of color
   I yearn for the rainbow ahead
   When I sleep will I find rest?
   Will I find rest?

The evening drifts away day is forced through the night
Now I lay me down to sleep to the greater depths of rapid eye
Lucid visions void of stain collide with one another
I'll never understand these pictures without color

Quest begins towards far away from a world that’s left behind
Realize I’m crossing over that eternal boundary line
Images attack my eyes I can only stare with wonder
Like a childhood fairy tale: kaleidoscope of color

Chorus 2
   Life tastes much richer
   Dreaming in color
   I see the rainbow ahead
   I’m asleep now I’ve found rest
   Now I’ve found rest

Life tastes richer
Dreaming in Color

Dreaming in Color on Spotify

Those are great lyrics. As far as plugs, I'm proud of the depth of the allegory in "Long Road to a Dead End":

You heard about this place

Everyone said is great

And nobody there ever ever leaves

Open to everyone

The perfect place to spend

The rest of your life

The friends of the homeowner tell you

The proper road to take

But the road looks too hard

And everyone’s going one way

So, it must be correct

You turn away from Salvation Street

And drive down Works Road

The promised place is far away

You know the road will be long

Not knowing the road you chose

Is absolutely wrong

You drive past the big towns

All the happy places

Unlike the people on Salvation Street

A road with barely any faces

You see many streets on the way there

All headed in the same direction as you

The various other misguided avenues

All leading to a dead-end

Salvation Street is the hardest road

In many sections, the cars need towed

But at the end of the street is a light

While all the others end with the night

After the long journey is done

You finally reach the end of the path

But there is nothing there

And your car is out of gas

You get out of the car

And yell a desperate shout

But there’s no one there to hear you

And the wolves are coming out

As all the other travelers come to similar fates

The folk on Salvation Street finally reach the gates

The owner’s son, Jesús, lets them through the doors

And they step onto the beautiful marble floors

They sit down for the best day of their lives

They grab their spoons, their forks, and their knives

They dive into a wonderful stew

While all the while, wolves are eating you

Be careful of the paths you take

Choosing the wrong one can be a big mistake

You have to stay away, my friend,

From the long road to a dead end

by StevenCressler 2/2/2024, 7:26 pm

Also, The Tomb of Gilgamesh by Tourniquet has amazing lyrics.

by Pethead 2/2/2024, 7:28 pm

That’s my favorite TQT song.

by StevenCressler 2/2/2024, 7:36 pm

Pethead wrote:That’s my favorite TQT song.

It's my second behind Broken Chromosomes.

by Dustofyears 3/2/2024, 4:11 am

Temple of Blood wrote:I always felt like Tourniquet had the best Christian metal lyrics. Not sure if they are "poetic" though.

Poetic is probably the wrong word. Just well written lyrics within any genre, be it rock, black metal, death metal, thrash, doom etc... what are some of the best, well written lyrics you've come across in Christian metal/rock, more what I meant.

Good stuff from Xid and Steven. I really appreciate well written lyrics. Mind you guess cheesy can be well written too when it fits the music I guess. But like if you compare say (Will insert different band here so as not to bash Stryper too much. They are a good band in the end of the day) — Whitecross to most of Holy soldier then you get the idea.

by StevenCressler 3/2/2024, 4:39 am

While Tourniquet's not always extremely poetic, Tomb of Gilgamesh most definitely is.

by nocturnaliridescence 3/2/2024, 5:00 pm

When it comes to poetic lyrics, you'll rarely find better in the Christian or secular scenes than Throne of Awful Splendor. It's almost like Edgar Allen Poe became a preacher or something.
Here's one song:

“I glimpse in the darkness
God without a throne,
shadows swirling beside Him
in a kingdom of sand and stone.
The shadows they quiver with malice,
refusing the touch of the light.
What is it that lurks on
the desert air tonight?”

His wretched breath, graveolent exhaust
to enmire the Christ in noxious froth,
seething ‘tween the teeth whose gnawing inspired Dante’s awe.

Scaled in hematitic pride
for the Deity his heart defied,
wearing Hell’s grotesqueries from hoof to sable eye.

This archetypical misanthrope
skulks his once-angelic bulk
to God swathed in a threadbare cloak…

Creation recoils at his presence.
Light shines not upon his frame.
Nature bays its terror:
“Anathema! Corrosion incarnate!”

“Nazarene…
bow down thy brow
to me.
Nazarene…
all I shall give
to thee.”

Sweet and honey-viscous this reprisal of deceit,
the serpent emerged from Eden’s curse to strike messianic feet,
but for his thrice-plied sirenical guile this slavering drake receives

…a double-edged sword glossectomy.

"Satan! Get thee from me!
Worship God only…"

Thus Heaven, seraphim-tongued,
threads space with bipolar songs,
both joy and lament; the saviour, the serpent
rent from their benedight throng…

LuciPhilosophaster!

by alldatndensum 3/2/2024, 5:39 pm

To be honest, there are some poetic lyrics that I just don't get. Oh, there may be a line or two that I see where they are going, but the song as a whole just doesn't seem to point to anything. I can't stand that type of lyric.

Also, when people say cheesy lyrics, I never feel like they give great examples. What is cheesy to one is great to another. Besides, what might reach someone who needs a more simplistic or in your face message might not reach you.

In many of these discussions in the past, it always seemed that people wanted to look down upon bands that didn't write the way that their favorite bands did. I am not saying that this is the intent now by any means. I don't know that it's really that profitable to delve into what is considered great and what is considered cheesy especially when the poetic lyrics don't always land well with listeners, either. Wouldn't that make those lyrics equally as "bad" if you couldn't hook your listener? Then aren't we just end up digesting lyrics that may be pricier "brie" or more common "cheddar" but still cheese nonetheless?

by Dustofyears 3/2/2024, 9:52 pm

nocturnaliridescence wrote:When it comes to poetic lyrics, you'll rarely find better in the Christian or secular scenes than Throne of Awful Splendor. It's almost like Edgar Allen Poe became a preacher or something.
Here's one song:

“I glimpse in the darkness
God without a throne,
shadows swirling beside Him
in a kingdom of sand and stone.
The shadows they quiver with malice,
refusing the touch of the light.
What is it that lurks on
the desert air tonight?”

His wretched breath, graveolent exhaust
to enmire the Christ in noxious froth,
seething ‘tween the teeth whose gnawing inspired Dante’s awe.

Scaled in hematitic pride
for the Deity his heart defied,
wearing Hell’s grotesqueries from hoof to sable eye.

This archetypical misanthrope
skulks his once-angelic bulk
to God swathed in a threadbare cloak…

Creation recoils at his presence.
Light shines not upon his frame.
Nature bays its terror:
“Anathema! Corrosion incarnate!”

“Nazarene…
bow down thy brow
to me.
Nazarene…
all I shall give
to thee.”

Sweet and honey-viscous this reprisal of deceit,
the serpent emerged from Eden’s curse to strike messianic feet,
but for his thrice-plied sirenical guile this slavering drake receives

…a double-edged sword glossectomy.

"Satan! Get thee from me!
Worship God only…"

Thus Heaven, seraphim-tongued,
threads space with bipolar songs,
both joy and lament; the saviour, the serpent
rent from their benedight throng…

LuciPhilosophaster!

1. throne of awful splendor is cool name.

2. these come of as Black metal lyrics am I right?

3. This is really well written lyrics.

4. Cradle of filth is a band that possess some of the best lyrics ever penned in the metal kingdom.

5. Might have to give this band a listen cheers.

by Dustofyears 3/2/2024, 10:01 pm

alldatndensum wrote:To be honest, there are some poetic lyrics that I just don't get. Oh, there may be a line or two that I see where they are going, but the song as a whole just doesn't seem to point to anything. I can't stand that type of lyric.

Also, when people say cheesy lyrics, I never feel like they give great examples. What is cheesy to one is great to another. Besides, what might reach someone who needs a more simplistic or in your face message might not reach you.

In many of these discussions in the past, it always seemed that people wanted to look down upon bands that didn't write the way that their favorite bands did. I am not saying that this is the intent now by any means. I don't know that it's really that profitable to delve into what is considered great and what is considered cheesy especially when the poetic lyrics don't always land well with listeners, either. Wouldn't that make those lyrics equally as "bad" if you couldn't hook your listener? Then aren't we just end up digesting lyrics that may be pricier "brie" or more common "cheddar" but still cheese nonetheless?

Yeah I get that. I like both. I like acdc and it doesn't get anymore cheese and basic and simple as that lolz. Cheese fits glam bands and hair metal and Kiss. I was just wondering what was around in the christian metal/rock world that had a bit of meat to it (lyrically speaking).

by Pethead 3/2/2024, 10:05 pm

Don't be a...don't be a hit and run, (don't be a hit and run, run, run)
Don't be a...don't be a hit and run, (don't be a hit and run, run, run, run)
How can you run when you're hit?
Don't be a hit and run

by seth 3/2/2024, 10:47 pm

I would add Biogenesis too, they have some great lyrics about serious subjects, such as abortion, suicide, child abuse, racism, and more, all from a Christian perspective

by MagnusPrime 3/2/2024, 11:14 pm

Pethead wrote:Don't be a...don't be a hit and run, (don't be a hit and run, run, run)
Don't be a...don't be a hit and run, (don't be a hit and run, run, run, run)
How can you run when you're hit?
Don't be a hit and run

Poetic and artistic Christian lyrics 78ef9349-7ffe-4630-abdd-8a2083510bb6_text

by Dustofyears 4/2/2024, 12:27 am

Pethead wrote:Don't be a...don't be a hit and run, (don't be a hit and run, run, run)
Don't be a...don't be a hit and run, (don't be a hit and run, run, run, run)
How can you run when you're hit?
Don't be a hit and run

That Messiah Prophet ain't it?

No Dust— it's Paula abdul!!!

by Pethead 4/2/2024, 12:28 am

Yeppers

by Dustofyears 4/2/2024, 12:29 am

Pethead wrote:Yeppers

K long as it wasn't Paula abdul

by TZ75 4/2/2024, 3:53 am

Eric Wagner from Trouble used a lot of Christian themed lyrics mixed with his love of Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry. Ted Kirkpatrick was a fan too.

Trouble - R.I.P.

Looking through the window of destiny
Casement open to the skies - no more lies
Rosemary nods upon the grave
Could've been saved
From the garden of the brave
She cries
Rest in peace

Soft may the worms about him creep
Never heard the children weep - he's asleep
Rosemary nods upon the grave
Could've been saved
From the garden of the brave
She cries
Rest in peace

When saints go marching down the hall
Like ghosts the shadows rise and fall - when pigs call Rosemary nods upon the grave
Could've been saved
From the garden of the brave
She cries
Rest in peace

by Superjuice 5/2/2024, 9:20 pm

Saviour Machine - "The Stand"

Are you ready for the unveiling?
We have met the enemy and he is us.
Breeding divisions within the body of the lamb,
Distorting scripture, creating instability
And all oppressive forms of dissonance.
There is disorder, its quarantine is necessary
When pale attempts to gather men result in confusion
For unity cannot be based on doctrine.

The blinding light is paradoxical, symbolic of two
Spiritual lineage,
The ministry of life and resurrection,
The ministry of death and condemnation.

The poltergeist moves ancient and established,
Reviving scenes of medieval inquisition;
Every desecration emphasized in psychic renaissance,
Reserving atmosphere for terminating thoughts.
The priest is talking backwards painting sacrilegious
Pictures
In his doctrinal errors, emphasizing isolated
Scriptures.
His intolerable anointing is inhuman interrogation
And its paranormal necromancy feeds upon its nation.
We will prostitute this offering with discipline and
Honor,
Evolving man to higher states for the age of Rationalism is over.

To the uninitiated,
We will stalk the enemy and cross the line.
Can you fell the signs? Cross the line.
Are we still alive? Cross the line.

To walk the sacred halls of truth
For whom the blood of angels cry,
To fill your servants cup with light,
For in his heart the spirits rise, rise, rise.
To search and trace the scars of love and infinite
Betrayal.
For those who face resistance are protected by the
Grail,
Break the silence, Take the fear ...
Rape the sorrow, Wipe the tears. Rise, rise,

Drink the blood of the lamb,
Await the stand.
Drink the blood of the lamb,
Await the stand.
The spirit haunts the armies breathing life in this
Militia,
To bring complete reversal of authority and power
Into the eyes of God on highest, witnessing the two
Worlds collide,
The blood is rising in the temple, naked and alive.

The stage is set through all dimensions, denominations
And rituals;
From evolution to revolution and indestructible
Force.
Immune to righteousness based on law and civil
Disobedience,
The people find the pale defendant guilty on all
Charges.

The battlefield is cold and worn, receiving gifts of
Tyranny;
The revolution has arrived to turn his face around
And see it's covered with the blood of martyrs'
Innocent sedation,
With a kiss the child is lying slain upon the ground.

The lamb will stay awake with me to watch the
Revolution
And light the ground we stand upon.
The powers of the night, drawn between the darkness
In the field of blind indifference we count
The corpses silently before the blood has dried.

His peace is broken into a thousand scars revealed,
He puts on his bloody robe for the last time.
His eyes, like mirrors, filled with murder, I saw him
Falling in the streams,
Immersed in tears, crying for the others,
Fighting to receive possession of his will.

Standing in the fire, He said to me:
"If you don't reject this power it may destroy you"
For we have seen the great interval, and we have lived
To see
The monster sleeping; But some will say
The monster was me.

I will hold his ashes in my hands,
Dreaming out loud, moving in metaphors, dancing away.

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