Story Behind The Song

Inspiration strikes at the oddest moments. I was driving in my car one day on my way to yet another appointment. At the time American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson had just released her "Unbreakable" CD. I was listening to one of her songs that had a 6/8 beat to it. I then turned off the CD player and started humming my own melody to 6/8 beat. When I returned home, I grabbed my Macbook and started playing out the chorus of "Emmanuel". It took me a few days to complete the verse.

Song Description

Inspired by the greatest story ever told - the Christmas story that is shared all year round! (Okay, maybe the second greatest story...after all, He got up on the third day!). I performed the song one Christmas at church and the team LOVED it! I remember thinking, "it's too bad I have to wait 'a-whole-nother' year to do it." But something weird happened after Christmas - EVERYONE kept asking, "when are we gonna do that 'Emmanuel' song again." My response was, "next Christmas!" Despite the requests, I couldn't bring myself to doing the song because in my head I wrote it as a seasonal song; people would think that I'm losing my mind is all I could think. So, when getting ready to record the"Surrender" project, I showed the song to the recording engineer just for fun but first prefacing it with, "...but I'm not gonna record this one although I wish that I could." After hearing it and with an inquisitive look on his face he asked, "why can't you record that one?" "Because it's a Christmas song!" I responded. Apparently it took until that moment for the light switch to turn on in my one-tracked brain that I was the only one convinced that the song wouldn't go over as a regular worship song. So there ya have it - MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone (all year round)! Don't stop now:)

Lyrics

EMMANUEL
CCLI #5003839
Email sandiegomusic@gmail.com for lead sheet or chord chart

Verse 1:
Hear the angels
Hear them singing
Listen to the hosts proclaim
Earth and heaven
Joined together
Celebrate the Savior's fame

Verse 2:
From a manger
Far from wonder
Could this be the Chosen One?
Sent to rescue
Souls from danger
To become the Lamb of God

Chorus:
Emmanuel
God with us

Chorus:
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel

Verse 3:
Hear the nations
Hear them calling
Crying Holy is the Lamb

Sent to earth from
Heaven's glory
To be crowned the "Great I Am"

Bridge:
God is with us
Yes He is near us
Able to hear us when we call

Chorus:
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

PERFORMANCE CREDITS:
Hammond B3: Brett Shew
Acoustic guitar: Philip Bardowell
Electric guitar & Strings: Theo Goytsidis
Drums: Enrique Platas
Piano: Eric Lige
Bass: John Osmon
BGVs: Leonard Patton, Lisa Hanke, Emily Minamizono, Veverly Anderson, and Janelle Terrell