Blacknall Arts, our community of in-house songwriters and musicians, has released their second single off the forthcoming album, “From the Dead.” The song, “The Lord Who Lives to Save,” is now available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. The song is inspired by an eighth-century hymn that depicts Jesus as our powerful and loving rescuer who frees us from our own death through His death and resurrection. The hope is that it helps listeners look forward to Jesus' return with joyful affection.
Liner notes about “The Lord Who Lives to Save” by co-writer Kat Burgett
I wrote the first draft of this song on a day when I was anxiously waiting for some big career news; it helped me focus my mind and emotions on the beauty of the Gospel. That day, I set the text of the hymn “Let Us Rise in Early Morning” by St. John of Damascus to the basic structure of the melody you hear in the song. When we lengthened the melody of each verse, we realized I’d have to write my own extension of each verse’s lyrics. So the first half of each verse is St. John’s — the second half is mine.
This promise of life in the midst of our death-dealing world is what drives the melodic progression of the song: the first two verses are musically dark and brooding, with a lilting rise in the middle. But the third verse switches from minor to major as a foretaste of the day when death will no longer be intermingled with our life in Christ.
Download or buy the single on Bandcamp | Find the single on any music platform
Writers: Kat Burgett, Wen Reagan
Performers: Paul Alberti (percussion), Sam Gould (organ, wurlitzer), Casey Reagan (vocals), Wen Reagan (vocals, guitars, bass)
Artwork: Anna Cenezy
About “From the Dead”
With songs of praise, reflection, and adoration, a new album from Blacknall Arts is set to celebrate the heart of the Christian story: Jesus Christ is risen, and new life is breaking through. The collection includes original works, hymn retunes, and even a classic Wendell Berry poem set to music. Across its rich variety, one theme resounds: Christ is the firstfruits from the dead, and we are drawn with him into new life. From the Dead will release on June 3.