I'm involved with a feminist faith collective that has been rewriting contemporary worship songs that we used to enjoy. Many of them were songs that missed singing but could no longer agree with theologically. It was been really fun to begin to reclaim these songs. We initially started out just changing patriarchal language but soon realized that was not enough. We have tried to rewrite these songs in ways that are more community centered, empowering, and life-giving. We also like to emphasize that everyone is free to change the lyrics to what is best for their own spiritual freedom, so what works for one person may not work for someone else.
Amazing Grace / My Chains Are Gone
(the original lyrics were written by Chris Tomlin)
V.1
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound,
That saves someone like me;
My Joy was lost, but now it’s found.
I let my Light be seen.
V.2
‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to love,
And Grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Chorus
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.
My God is dancing here with me.
And like a flood Her mercy rains.
Unending love, Amazing Grace.
V.3
Our Love has promised good to us
Her word our hope secures;
She will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
V.4
When we’ve been Here 10,000 years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing our thanks
Than when we first begun
Mighty to Save
(the original lyrics were written by Laura Story)
V.1
Everyone needs compassion
Love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
We need transformation
The kindness of a Healer
The hope of nations
Chorus
Healer
She can move the mountains
Our Love is mighty to save
She is mighty to save
Forever
Author of our stories
She rose and conquered the grave
Our Love conquered the grave
V. 2
Take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything that I believe in
Now you surround me
You surround me
Chorus
Healer
She can move the mountains
Our Love is mighty to save
She is mighty to save
Forever
Author of our stories
She rose and conquered the grave
Our Love conquered the grave
Bridge
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing
For the glory over everything
Our Love
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing
For the glory over everything
Here is Our Life
(the original lyrics were written by the David Crowder Band)
V.1
From wherever spring arrived to heal the ground
From wherever searching comes the look itself
A trace of what we’re looking for so be quiet now and wait
The ocean... is growing
The tide is coming in here it is
Chorus
Here is our Life
Here is our Love
Here is our God who’s come to bring is back to Her
She is the one now She’s Sophia
Here is our Life
Here is our Love
Here is our God who’s come to bring is back to Her
She is the one She’s Sophia
V.2
And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
Was said to me here in my chest,
So be quiet now and rest
The ocean… is growing
The tide is coming here it is
Bridge
I am free...
Finally...
Here
How She Loves
(the original lyrics were written by John Mark McMillan)
V.1
She is longing for me
Love's like a rushing wind, I am the sea
Rising in strength in the midst of her love and mercy
When all of a sudden I become aware of all the freedom that you want for me
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great your affections are for me.
Pre-Chorus
And oh, how She loves us oh
Oh how She loves us,
How She loves us all
Chorus
She loves us,
Oh how She loves us,
Oh how She loves us,
Oh how She loves.
Bridge
We are her portion and She is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in Her eyes,
If Her grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
Your kin-dom meets earth like an intimate kiss,
And my heart turns joyfully inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way...
God of Wonders
(the original lyrics were written by Marc Byrd and Steve Hindalong)
V.1
Heart of all creation
Of water, earth, and sky,
The heavens are a living canvas
Glory to our Endless Light
Chorus
God of wonders, sustaining everything
You are holy, holy (**alternative: here with me)
The Universe declares your great beauty
You are holy, holy
V.2
Early in the morning,
I will celebrate the light
And as I stumble through the darkness
I will call Your name by night.
Bridge
Hallelujah to the Love of heaven and earth (x3)
How Deep the Mother's Love
(original lyrics by Stuart Townsend)
How deep the Mother's love for us
How vast beyond all measure,
That She should give to everyone
To make of us her treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss -
The Mother sees our suffering.
Holding our broken bodies close,
She starts the work of mending.
How vast beyond all measure,
That She should give to everyone
To make of us her treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss -
The Mother sees our suffering.
Holding our broken bodies close,
She starts the work of mending.
Behold Our love upon a cross,
Our hate upon Her shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was our hate that held Her there
As violence was accomplished
Her life and breath have brought us life
Her light was not extinguished.
I will not boast in anything,
Our hate upon Her shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was our hate that held Her there
As violence was accomplished
Her life and breath have brought us life
Her light was not extinguished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in God's great power,
Of life and resurrection.
Why should I gain from Her reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart -
Her love will end oppression.
But I will boast in God's great power,
Of life and resurrection.
Why should I gain from Her reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart -
Her love will end oppression.
In Christ Alone
(Original lyrics by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend)
V.1
In Christ Sophia, hope is found
She is a light, a strength, a song
Her presence here, like solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
Where violence and injustice cease
My comforter, who welcomes all
She is a light, a strength, a song
Her presence here, like solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
Where violence and injustice cease
My comforter, who welcomes all
Here in Sophia Christ I stand
V.2
Our Christ Sophia took on flesh
Love of God in helpless babe
Stood with the least, for righteousness
Scorned by the empires of her day.
By wrath of man, and fear, and pride,
the Hope of All was crucified;
Love of God in helpless babe
Stood with the least, for righteousness
Scorned by the empires of her day.
By wrath of man, and fear, and pride,
the Hope of All was crucified;
Until the women at the grave
Found emptiness where she'd been laid.
V.3
There in the ground, God's Wisdom lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave she rose again
And as She stands with you and me
From all oppression we are free
For I am Hers, and She is mine,
Safe in the precious love of Christ
V.4
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is Sophia's power in me
From life's first cry, to final breath,
Sophia's presence is with me
No power on earth, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from her hand
For She's my friend, and She's my home
Here in Sophia's love, I stand
Here in Sophia's love, I stand
