Songs Meaningful For Vocations Or That Make You Think Of God..

[johnnydigit]

there are countless songs that express my love for God, but a few really speak to me in regards to my vocation. here are some song lyrics with the ones in bold being the ones that stand out for me:

Hawk Nelson - Everything You Ever Wanted:
[indent][i][b]I walk the line
Leave it all behind[/b][/i][/indent]^makes me think about leaving the world behind.. walking the line that almost no one dares to take.. to give it all up and walk the narrow path to inevitably, final vows.

[indent][i]I've been waiting forever
Lets go back in time
When I could read your mind
Still I've been waiting

It took the seasons going by
To know its not my fault

I tried to be perfect, tried to be honest
Tried to be everything that you ever wanted
I tried to be stronger, tried to be smarter
Tried to be everything but you

Its been so long
Since you've been home
I used to wait up forever
I used to say a prayer
Wishing you were there
And I'm still waiting

You told me once
You'd show up
But I fell for that
Before I fell to pieces
[b]Then I woke up
To no one,
Just a picture of Jesus[/b]
And a house left in pieces
[/i]
[/indent]^i have pictures of Jesus on my walls, and it's the first thing i see when i wake up (Divine Mercy). makes me think of the lonely or saddening times, and how there is only one person who can make it better..



Starfield - All For You:

[indent][i]Nothing compares to
Life I have in You
Nothing of this world satisfies
So, I wanna let go
I wanna let You know
All that I have to give is Yours

Here I am
As gold to the fire
I will surrender to Your hand
To this place
Lord, I have come ready for Your touch

It's all for You
It's all for You
I'm letting go
I'm letting go
It's all for You
It's all for You
I'm letting go
I'm letting go
(heyy...yeah)

What is it in me
That hangs on for so long
Why do I fight the tears that come?
I work so hard to
Keep in control when
All that I want is to let go

Here I am
As gold to the fire
I will surrender to Your hand
To this place
I have come ready for Your touch

It's all for You
It's all for You
I'm letting go
I'm letting go
It's all for You
It's all for You
I'm letting go
I'm letting go
It's all for You
It's all for You
I'm letting go
I'm letting go
It's all for You
It's all for You
I'm letting go
I'm letting go

I'll take this life
And lay it down
I'm letting go
I'm letting go
[b]My hopes and dreams
Here at Your feet[/b]
I'm letting go
I'm letting go

(It's all for You) And I am ready (It's all for You) for Your life
(I'm letting go) And I am (I'm letting go) ready for You now
(It's all for You)Lord I am (It's all for You) ready for Your life
(I'm letting go)And I am (I'm letting go)ready for Your life..

It's all for You
It's all for You
I'm letting go
I'm letting go (I'm ready for Your life)
I'm ready..
I'm ready for Your life
Ready for You now, yeah[/i][/indent]ok this whole song is like the epitome of a vocation song if i ever heard one. this whole song is so beautiful, if you haven't heard it, go listen to it. the part in bold is what sets off the water works for me. i imagine laying my life, my red crown, my hopes and dreams that my selfish desires want, at the feet of Jesus.


other current bands that unleash the flood of tears are Third Day, Barlowgirl, Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, and even Kutless. oh man when i listen to these songs during adoration, i have to make sure i have a box of tissues with me..

[Maria_Faustina]

Ooh, good topic. Because now we can take note of songs other people list, then go look them up, and listen to them, and cry too. And of course there's others, but I just had to say 'Bring the Rain' by MercyMe. I LOVE this song:

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray... (refrain)

Refrain: Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You,
Jesus, bring the rain.

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain.
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me, what's a little rain
So I pray... (refrain)

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty (repeat)



Maybe not diRECtly a vocations song, but it definitely works. Oh, and another--"I Am Nothing", by Ginny Owens. Again, not directly about vocations. More of just doing all things out of love in general...and vocations certainly require things being done out of love! The lyrics are long, I apologize, but good!

I could travel over oceans, cross
the deserts, climb the mountains
Just to share Your story, bring You
glory, and win souls for You.
I could sing like an angel, songs
so humble and so thankful
Full of drama and emotion, so the
world would know Your truth.
I could give away my money and my
clothes and my food
To restore those people who are
poor, lost, and down-and-out.
Oh, I could succeed at all these things,
Find favor with peasants and kings,
But if I do not love, I am nothing.

I could live a flawless life,
Never cheat or steal or lie,
And always speak so kindly, smile so
warmly, and go about doing good.
I could dedicate myself to do what
everyone else wants me to-
Listen to them, compliment them,
say the things I should.
I could show up every Sunday, lead
the Choir and Bible Study
And they all might come to know me
as a leader and a friend.
Oh, I could achieve success on
Earth, but success cannot define my worth
And all these actions, all these
words, will not matter in the end-

CHORUS:
Songs will fade to silence,
Stories, they will cease.
The dust will settle, covering all my selfless deeds.
So as I strive to serve You,
Won't You make it clear to me, that
If I do not love, I am nothing.

BRIDGE:
If I cannot live my life loving my brother,
Then how can I love the One who lived His life for me?

Sent to Earth from Heaven,
Humble Servant, Holy King,
Come to share a story, get no glory,
and save my searching soul,
You knew that I'd deny You, crucify
You, but nothing could stop You from
living for me, dying for me, so that I would know-

CHORUS:
Songs will fade to silence,
Stories they will cease,
The dust will settle covering these selfless deeds.
But Your life here has made it clear enough for me to see
That if I do not love, I am nothing.

[Thomist-in-Training]

Good thread! I'm always thinking about this because, you know, I hear some mushy song on the radio that distracts me and wish I had a "song meaningful for vocations" to sing to snap myself out of it, but the only one I can ever think of is "Mysterious Ways" that I read somewhere might be about nuns. I haven't heard of these songs you guys mention, though. Anyone have any more?

[the lords sheep]

I have a few million more! Some of these songs are directly vocational in nature, but others have really just moved me deeply and challenged me to focus my life on the Lord. Some quick highlights are:

Set me as a Seal: Matt Maher (Based on the Song of Songs)
Love Song for a Savior: Jars of Clay
Offering: Third Day
Own Me: Ginny Owens
Hammer Holds: Bebo Norman
For the Glory of Your Name: Michelle Tumes
Jesus, My Everything: Matt Maher
Everything: Lifehouse
Yearn: Shane & Shane
What if I Stumble: Dc Talk
Nothing Without You: Bebo Norman
Speechless: Steven Curtis Chapman
Be Still and Know: Steven Curtis Chapman
If you want me to: Ginny Owens
Beautiful: Bethany Dillen
Consume Me: DcTalk
My Eyes have Seen Holy: Bebo Norman
Song of Surrender: Shane Barnard

That's all I can think of for now! Enjoy!

[cathoholic_anonymous]

My trouble is that I can make any song relate to God. Even if it's the most secular song possible. Here is a conversation I had with a friend on the subject. (My MSN tagline was "I am disturbed that I am being reminded of Mary by the lyrics of Meat Loaf. 'You're the only thing in this whole world that's pure and good and right...'")

Antonia: hehe! I'm glad it's not just me who listens to secular music and automatically thinks the words refer to Jesus, Mary, the Saints...!

Me: I have a hobby of transforming secular lyrics into worship songs. It's amazing what you can draw out of a song if you really put your mind to it. When I took my nephew to see Shrek 2 in the cinema I immediately thought of the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament when 'Holding Out For a Hero' came on...

Antonia: haha! I'm exactly the same! I saw some yellow and white balloons the other day & I thought"Ooh! Papal balloons!"

[Maria]

There's a song called Voici Ma Vie that I can't find on the internet, but it's perfect...

This isn't a song, and I just found it, but
In the Hands of God Saint Teresa of Avila

I am Yours and born for you,
What do You want of me?
Majestic Sovereign,
Unending wisdom,
Kindness pleasing to my soul;
God sublime, one Being Good,
Behold this one so vile.
Singing of her love to you:
What do You want of me?
Yours, you made me,
Yours, you saved me,
Yours, you endured me,
Yours, you called me,
Yours, you awaited me,
Yours, I did not stray.
What do You want of me?
Good Lord, what do you want of me,
What is this wretch to do?
What work is this,
This sinful slave, to do?
Look at me, Sweet Love,
Sweet Love, look at me,
What do You want of me?
In Your hand I place my heart,
Body, life and soul,
Deep feelings and affections mine,
Spouse – Redeemer sweet,
Myself offered now to you,
What do You want of me?
Give me death, give me life,
Health or sickness,
Honor or shame,
War or swelling peace,
Weakness or full strength,
Yes, to these I say,
What do You want of me?...
Yours I am, for You I was born:
What do You want of me?

What It Means -- Jeremy Camp

I’ve been here a thousand times before
Face down on the floor
Wondering how I even reached this place again

But you have shown so endlessly
How Your love pours over me
No picture can re-create the beauty that I see

Show me what it means, to live my life a sacrifice
If only I would realize how much it took to pay the price
I know I’d always give, everything to You

I want this world to always see
Your perfect majesty
Reflecting from my life this brilliant poetry

Written all over this place
The signs of all creation that You breathed
Words can’t even state how much You mean to me

Show me what it means, to live my life a sacrifice
If only I would realize how much it took to pay the price
I know I’d always give, everything to You

I want to face my very crime
Of not giving all of mine
But I can feel the hope You bring to me

Show me what it means, to live my life a sacrifice
If only I would realize it, how much it took to pay the price

Show me what it means, to live my life a sacrifice
If only I would realize it, how much it took to pay the price
I know I’d always give, everything to You

May the Words of My Mouth -- Tim Hughes
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
Bless Your name, bless Your name, Jesus
And the deeds of the day and the truth in my ways
Speak of You, speak of You, Jesus

For this is what I'm glad to do
It's time to live a life of love that pleases You
And I will give my all to You
Surrender everything I have and follow You
I'll follow You

Lord, will You be my vision, Lord, will You be my guide
Be my hope, be my light and the way
And I'll look not for riches, nor praises on earth
Only You'll be the first of my heart

I will follow
I will follow
I will follow You

[Totus Tuus]

"Everything" by Lifehouse.

[Mari Therese]

Has anyone seen the Everything skit on youtube? Wow!

I like most classic praise and worship songs, but my favorites have to be [b]Tantum Ergo [/b]and [b]O Salutaris[/b]. I learned these songs at a special time in my life. They always remind me of Adoration and good times with my Catholic friends at school.

[johnnydigit]

[quote name='Mari Therese' post='1415468' date='Nov 6 2007, 02:34 PM']Has anyone seen the Everything skit on youtube? Wow!

I like most classic praise and worship songs, but my favorites have to be [b]Tantum Ergo [/b]and [b]O Salutaris[/b]. I learned these songs at a special time in my life. They always remind me of Adoration and good times with my Catholic friends at school.[/quote]

same here. i love it when the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration sing them on Benediction and Devotions on EWTN. they are like angels. Adoremus is my favorite now. they literally put me in heaven when i hear them.


anywho i think my favorite Christian song would be Third Day - God of Wonders. it's like a symphony that sets my soul on fire. it has everything - God, violins, "holy, holy, holy", "alleluia".. best heard when looking at the sky or sunset.

Third Day - Show Me Your Glory[indent][i]I caught a glimpse of Your splendor
In the corner of my eye
The most beautiful thing I've ever seen
[b]And it was like a flash of lightning[/b]
Reflected off the sky
And I know I'll never be the same

[chorus]
Show me Your glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory
Majesty shines about You
I can't go on without You, Lord

[b]When I climb down the mountain
And get back to my life
I won't settle for ordinary things[/b]
I'm gonna follow You forever
And for all of my days
I won't rest 'til I see You again

[chorus]
[/i]
[/indent]^the flash of lightning reminds me of what St. Paul experienced, and i can especially relate. like Moses coming back down the mountain.. ordinary things - nothing compares to God anymore.. which leads me to,

Third Day - Nothing Compares[i][indent]
I've heard all the stories
I've seen all the signs
Witnessed all the glory
Tasted all that's fine
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord
I see all the people
Wasting all their time
Building up their riches
For a life that's fine
I find myself just living for today
'Cause I don't know what
Tomorrow's gonna bring
So no matter if I rise or fall
I'll never be alone, oh no[/indent][/i]^speaks for itself. nothing compares. i've done so many things, but still nothing compares. i see people doing what they do, and it makes me sad. *sniff*.

Third Day - Love Song[indent][i]I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain
Just to be with the one he loves
How many times has he broken that promise
It has never been done.
I've never climbed the highest mountain
[b]But I walked the hill of calvary[/b]

Chorus:
Just to be with you, I'd do anything
There's no price I would not pay
Just to be with you, I'd give anything
I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean
Just to be with the one he loves
How may times has he broken that promise
It can never be done
I've never swam the deepest ocean
[b]But I walked upon the raging sea[/b]
Repeat chorus
(Bridge) I know that you don't understand
the fullness of My love
How I died upon the cross for your sins
And I know that you don't realize
how much that I gave you
But I promise, I would do it all again.

[chorsu][/i]

[/indent]^he walked calvary. he walked on water. he gave his life away, and he'd do it again. *sniff*sniff*.


Third Day - Take My Life[indent][i]How many times have I turned away
The number is the same as the sand on the shore
But every time You've taken me back
And now I pray You do it once more.

Chorus:
[b]Please take from me my life
When I don't have the strength
to give it away to You Jesus[/b]

How many times have I gone astray
The number is the same as the stars in the sky
But every time You've taken me back
And now I pray You do it tonight.

Repeat chorus[/i][/indent]
ok i can't take it anymore, i need a break. you can listen to all of Third Day's songs here [url="http://www.thirdday.com/radioinfo.htm#"]http://www.thirdday.com/radioinfo.htm#[/url], or watch their videos on [url="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=third+day&search=Search"]YouTube[/url].
other popular songs of theirs are Mountain of God and King of Glory.

you can listen to good christian radio online at klife fm here [url="http://www.klife.org/music/listen.html"]http://www.klife.org/music/listen.html[/url] or on the fish [url="http://www.thefish959.com"]http://www.thefish959.com[/url] or if you have the latest aol instant messenger, you can listen to satellite radio which has a few different christian stations (regular, rock, top).

[johnnydigit]

[quote name='Thomist-in-Training' post='1414730' date='Nov 4 2007, 09:43 PM']Good thread! I'm always thinking about this because, you know, I hear some mushy song on the radio that distracts me and wish I had a "song meaningful for vocations" to sing to snap myself out of it, but the only one I can ever think of is "Mysterious Ways" that I read somewhere might be about nuns. I haven't heard of these songs you guys mention, though. Anyone have any more?[/quote]

the ones i mentioned are all the popular ones you'll hear on christian radio stations, or in churches. yes, mostly protestant..

[Maria]

So, I typed up Voici Ma Vie, [i]and[/i] translated it.

[center][size=4]Voici Ma Vie[/size]

Toi, Seigneur, Tu m’as placé
Sur une planète en désarroi;
Les hommes ne veulent rien de Toi.
J’entends les cris de l’affamé,
Les pleurs du riche désemparé.
Je n’en peux plus,
J’en ai assez…

(refrain)
Voici ma vie;
Je veux la vivre
Non pour moi-même,
Mais Je veux Te suivre :
Donne-moi la main, oh Dieu,
Tiens-Toi tout près de moi.
Voici ma vie,
Voici ma vie.

Toi, Seigneur, Tu m’as donné
La liberté,
Tu m’as guéri.
Enfin, mon âme est libérée,
Mon esprit est illuminé,
Mes yeux brillent de Ta clarté.
Ma voix proclame la Vérité…

(refrain)

À Toi, Seigneur,
Je donne toute ma vie,
Mon temps et mes talents;
Rends-moi toujours obéissant,
Remplis de foi, de charité,
D’amour pour toute l’humanité
Qui ne sait rien de Tes bontés…

(refrain)

Enfin, mon âme est libérée.

[size=4]Here Is My Life[/size]

You, Lord, You have placed me
On a planet in disarray;
Men want nothing of You.
I hear the cries of the famished,
The weeping of the bewildered rich
I can’t take it anymore,
I’ve had enough…

(refrain)
Here is my life;
I want to live it
Not for myself,
But I want to follow You:
Give me Your hand, oh God,
Stay close to me.
Here is my life,
Here is my life.

You, Lord, You have given me
Freedom,
You have healed me.
Finally my soul is liberated,
My spirit is illuminated
My eyes shine with Your brightness,
My voice proclaims the Truth…

(refrain)

To You, Lord,
I give all my life,
My time and my talents;
Make me ever obedient,
Filled with faith, with charity,
With love for all humanity
Who knows nothing of Your kindnesses…

(refrain)

Finally, my soul is liberated.
[/center]

This one is by Bob Filoramo, and it's from an old tape we have, but it's also available on [url="http://cdbaby.com/cd/filoramo"]this CD[/url] I'm probably going to buy the CD because of this song.

[center][size=4]Song of a Servant
[/size]
(refrain)
I now declare my allegiance to You, oh Lord,
My life and my will at Your service, my God.
Where You go, I will go, and You lead the way.
My God, I will live and die for You.

Should it be the last breath I take, oh Lord,
I will use it to sing a song of praise to You.
Should it be my last drop of blood, I will shed it for You.
My God, I will live and die for You.

(refrain)

Show me where to live, oh Lord, and I’ll live;
Show me where to die, oh Lord, and I’ll die.
Show me what to do, and I’ll do it, by Your side.
My God, I will live and die for You.

(refrain)

At the sound of Your voice, Master, I will obey.
I will watch every motion You make with open eyes.
May my ears be clear to hear Your commands.
My God, I will live and die for You.

(refrain, 2x)

For You are my God[/center]


These other two ones are also from that tape, but they're not by Mr. Filoramo. If I had been able to find the book I would know who they were by, but it's missing. Anyway...

[center][size=4]Holy Like Mary[/size]

Mary, the Lord alone you magnified;
May your humility replace our pride,
That we might be like you.

(refrain)
May our souls bow down in obedience.
May our souls stand firm in faithfulness.
May our souls rise up in praise.

Trusting that God His word He does fulfill,
May your unwavering faith sustain our will,
That we might be like you.

(refrain)

Wholly devoted to the love of God,
Mary, in your own steps we hope to trod,
That we might come to God.

[size=4]As We Are the Body of Christ[/size]

(refrain)
As we are the body of Christ,
We must bear His wounds of love.
As we posses the life of Jesus,
We, like Him, must lay it down.

Having been made one in Jesus our head,
We can no longer decide for ourselves.
Challenged by God’s love to suffer for men,
In imitation of God, Who is Love.

(refrain)

Let us grow closer to Jesus, our Lord,
Taking a share in His passion and death.
Moved by His Spirit, Who draws us toward God,
Dying to love more, we live homeward bound.

(refrain)

Mocked by the world when we love as our Lord,
Yet we will follow His way to the end.
Trusting our Father, we give up our lives,
Hoping from Him to receive life on high.

(refrain)[/center]

[Thomist-in-Training]

Maria, do you know where I might be able to hear or buy "Voici Ma Vie"? Thanks a lot.