“For you” is a song written by Canadian Country star, Paul Brandt, and Steven Jon Rosen for the soundtrack of the 2002 movie “We Were Soldiers”. It was sung as a duet by the legendary Johnny Cash and Dave Matthews. I find it a very appropriate song to reflect on as we remember the blood shed and lives given for our liberty 75 years ago...
“For You” is a lyrically deep and rich song with the theme of selfless sacrifice for others. It tells the tale of the brave soldier who gives his life for the many but ultimately it is clear that it reflects Brandt’s own personal faith in Jesus Christ as the one who gave the ultimate sacrifice for all. It also quotes a portion of the famous 23rd Psalm.
Cash lends his rich and weathered voice to the ballad along with his own personal faith in Jesus and Dave Matthews’ haunting vocals cap it all off. It has always been one of my very favourite songs and apparently one of the co-writer’s as well. In a 2015 interview, Paul Brandt was asked about the highlight of his career. He says:
“Hard to pick just one for me, there have been so many fun times. While I love performing, I think I’m a songwriter at heart. I was asked to write a song for a music project which promoted the major motion picture “We Were Soldiers” by Mel Gibson. I wrote a song called “For You” with a great collaborator and friend of mine named Steve Rosen. We turned the song in at the deadline, and not only were we were selected for the project, our song was recorded by Dave Matthews, and Johnny Cash. My grandmother was still alive when that happened, and she was a great encouragement and supporter of mine. She used to mail order Johnny Cash music to the house so she could learn to play the guitar when she was younger, and was a huge fan of his. When she found out Johnny Cash had sung something I’d had a hand in writing… let’s just say that took her excitement with my career to a whole new level.”
https://canadianbeats.ca/2015/05/05/2-in-1-interview-dean-brody-paul-brandt/
As we reflect on the 75th anniversary of D-Day and on other heroic sacrifices throughout history let us soak in these lyrics and have a listen to the song below. As Jesus himself said: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
We have all personally received the blessings and freedom that came from that mighty sacrifice 75 years ago, may we also receive the blessings and freedom that come from the mightiest sacrifice over 2000 years ago. After all, it was for you...
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Jesus (from the Gospel of John chapter 3)
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| "Into the Jaws of Death" taken on the morning of June 6th, 1944 by Robert F. Sargent |
“For You” is a lyrically deep and rich song with the theme of selfless sacrifice for others. It tells the tale of the brave soldier who gives his life for the many but ultimately it is clear that it reflects Brandt’s own personal faith in Jesus Christ as the one who gave the ultimate sacrifice for all. It also quotes a portion of the famous 23rd Psalm.
Cash lends his rich and weathered voice to the ballad along with his own personal faith in Jesus and Dave Matthews’ haunting vocals cap it all off. It has always been one of my very favourite songs and apparently one of the co-writer’s as well. In a 2015 interview, Paul Brandt was asked about the highlight of his career. He says:
“Hard to pick just one for me, there have been so many fun times. While I love performing, I think I’m a songwriter at heart. I was asked to write a song for a music project which promoted the major motion picture “We Were Soldiers” by Mel Gibson. I wrote a song called “For You” with a great collaborator and friend of mine named Steve Rosen. We turned the song in at the deadline, and not only were we were selected for the project, our song was recorded by Dave Matthews, and Johnny Cash. My grandmother was still alive when that happened, and she was a great encouragement and supporter of mine. She used to mail order Johnny Cash music to the house so she could learn to play the guitar when she was younger, and was a huge fan of his. When she found out Johnny Cash had sung something I’d had a hand in writing… let’s just say that took her excitement with my career to a whole new level.”
https://canadianbeats.ca/2015/05/05/2-in-1-interview-dean-brody-paul-brandt/
As we reflect on the 75th anniversary of D-Day and on other heroic sacrifices throughout history let us soak in these lyrics and have a listen to the song below. As Jesus himself said: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
We have all personally received the blessings and freedom that came from that mighty sacrifice 75 years ago, may we also receive the blessings and freedom that come from the mightiest sacrifice over 2000 years ago. After all, it was for you...
For You
I will drink the cup,
The poison overflowing.
I will lift you up,
Watch over where you're going.
The first one in,
The last one gone,
I'll be the rock to stand upon,
For you,
For you.
My spirit aches,
And I can't stop this river flowing.
In fear I take
Each laboured breath I draw in, knowing
That this could be my life,
My final hour.
But faith and hope and love
Give me the power,
For you,
For you.
Interlude:
Yea, though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
You are with me.
I'll be your salvation,
Though the storm's surrounding.
There are no conditions,
Lay my body down.
In the wake abandon, willing sacrifice.
I'll walk through the canyon,
Bring the shadows light.
For you,
For you.
I will drink the cup,
The poison overflowing.
I will lift you up,
Watch over where you're going.
The first one in,
The last one gone,
I'll be the rock to stand upon.
The first one in,
The last one gone,
I'll be the rock to stand upon
For you
For you
For you
For you
For you
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Jesus (from the Gospel of John chapter 3)
