Saint Lewis is the worship band of Shannon & Cyle Lewis, a husband-wife team from Georgia, where Shannon serves as Associate Music Director at St. Simons Community Church. Check out the Saint Lewis website to learn more and to get their new record, Songs From The Hope Farm.
This album contains none of the glossy sheen of so many worship projects, nor the “Jesus is my boyfriend” lyrics. It does contain straightforward music with lyrics that depend heavily on scriptural passages and allusions. The subjective declarations of the singer (“I will choose this day to lay down my life”) are responses to the objective truth of our triune God’s Word (“You made me/ Sustained me/ You saved and showed mercy to me”).
I also really liked this from “You Come Running”:
I suspected you were cheerful, care free,
enthroned in Heaven with no thought for me
I bet that’s a pretty common thought, and yet one that doesn’t find its way into very many worship songs.
“Call Me To Live” is a clear prayer of petition:
Where is the passion? Where is the drive?
Can I find that consuming thirst for a life well-lived,
without a thought that I may die?
Where is the Kingdom? Where is the life?
God, tear open my chest — take my heart — take the rest
make it the best that I could give.
and Let Me Never Cease To Sing follows in similar vein, with a soaring chorus:
Lord let me fear Your name, let me love Your name
And the Son will rise with healing in His wings
I will dance and shout; all that I have I’ll bring,
Of Your mercies, Lord, let me never cease to sing.
“Coming Kingdom” closes the record in a gently moving way — a “come down” that also gets the listener looking ahead.
You can learn more about Saint Lewis and their vision to train and mentor young worship leaders and worshipers through their blogs:
Both blogs exist within the larger Saint Lewis website, which contains many thoughts on worship and resources.
This review was right on! I’ve listened to part of the album and echo the reviewer’s lyrical observations
Is it taboo to comment on your own review?
Bobby… thank you for the kind review. I appreciate it because you focus on the lyrics more-so than the music, which is unique these days, when production and rock-factor are (apparently) the #1 priority. Thank you for REALLY listening.
Hope we can hang out next time I’m up that way!