All Sons & Daughters ‘Poets & Saints’

Written by: Laura Chambers (8/24/16)

It’s easy to become discouraged upon hearing the prose and poetry produced by those who have gone before us in the great journey that is the Christian life. Their songs and rhetoric extol the virtues of a life completely submitted to God, looking towards Him in every season, yet they have a way of sounding hollow when we’re blinded by our own pain and need. We wonder how these holy individuals could possibly understand the raw emotions we grapple with every day.

Just as a deeper understanding of the psalms can be gained by reconciling David’s circumstances with the lyrics he wrote, so can it be said for more modern writings. Only then can these heroes of the faith step down from the pedestal we’ve placed them on and become real people who have passed through the fire and come out victorious. All Sons and Daughters’ latest project Poets and Saints gives us hope that our stories have a purpose, if not in the form of great religious texts, as a brilliant testimony of God‘s power to redeem our pain. This album is being released in conjunction with a video curriculum and a companion book by Jamie George.

“Heaven Meets Earth” draws from C.S. Lewis to paint a picture of the first stirrings of creation as God brings forth all that is. I’m not familiar with The Magician’s Nephew, the Narnia book this takes inspiration from, but I do appreciate the aura of hushed awe this song portrays.  “I Surrender” follows the devotion of St. Francis of Assisi, who gave up all his material wealth to live a life of poverty and dedication to God. All of the possessions we cling to will eventually be no more; only the eternal things will follow us into Heaven. Instead of searching within or around for fulfillment, we must surrender our desires and reach up for His hand. “Path of Sorrow” is a variation on a lyric by William Cowper. The song is buoyed by a constant drumbeat that demonstrates God’s faithfulness when we stray off the true course. Though we may suffer due to our ever-changing surroundings, we can have confidence in Him to never let us down.

“My Roving Heart” pairs a John Newton lyric with a raucous melody that continues in the tradition of marrying tavern-style music with Biblical truths. There’s a bit of country twang in this tale of discontentment with lesser things after discovering life in Christ. I find it strangely ironic that a song which extols the virtues of leaving the world behind appropriates one of its genres on the way out, but oh ,well. Maybe in the future, we‘ll see hymns written to the tune of worldly pop songs (and not just lame spoofs that make the listener groan). “This My Inheritance” begins at the beginning of the church with the apostle Peter, reminding us of what we are heirs to in Christ. It is more precious and enduring than any earthly treasure. Nobody and nothing can remove our riches in Jesus from us. It is truly a gift worth celebrating. “You Are Love And Love Alone” becomes a tribute to St. Therese and Frederic William Farrar both (the latter wrote the hymn this song is based on, while the former inspired the bridge), demonstrating the incredible power of love. Adorned with simplicity, this song reminds us that we need nothing but His love to endure the most desperate of circumstances.

“I Wait” is inspired by someone whose significance was not fully realized until he left this world. Though George McDonald did not see the impact of his contributions in this life,  he did have a lasting impact as the inspiration for others, C.S. Lewis among them.  This song reminds us not to fret because we are not receiving what we feel we ought in our time. We can trust God‘s promises to be true, even if they do not come on our timeline. His timing is perfect; our role is to grow in faith and patience. “Rest In You” tears a page out of St. Augustine‘s journal, exalting the Lord and examining the qualities of His goodness. Reassurance laps at the shores of our resistance until we can only worship Him. The tender joy of “You Hold It All Together” finds hope in the story of St. Patrick, who returned by choice to Ireland, his former place of forced exile and labor, this time by choice to bring light to the darkness. We can be certain that God keeps everything from falling apart and brings glory from chaos, strength from weakness. “Creation Sings” rounds out this project with a different perspective on John Calvin than we usually hear of. While for most, the mere mention of his name leads to controversy, All Sons and Daughters focused on an overlooked aspect of his legacy; his earnest desire, if not ability, to see the church make beautiful music. Bringing to mind the truth that some plant while others water, this soaring song declares that everything God has made tells of his glory.

There is a reason for every thorn God does not remove from our sides, every detour we are forced to take on the road to our destiny. Whether it serves to winnow the chaff from our lives, grant us a new purpose, turn our eyes heavenward, or a combination of these, we can rest in the assurance that God never has and never will leave our side. Poets and Saints provides us with many extra-Biblical examples of faithful men and women that prove reliance on Christ isn’t just a relic of the first century, but has and will continue to be our best hope for this life and the one to come.

3.7/5