Barnabas - Playin' For Him Lyrics
Lyrics
Before I came to the Lord, I played in a rock and roll band
We were out on the road, and played a lot of one night stands
Well, the Lord said "Don't stop, but now I want you playing for Me
"Get out and make joyful noise, and sing about Christ from Galilee"
"Marshalls and drums, cymbals and bass
Get out and blow 'em away; playin' for Me
You'll be playin' for me"
Mybe you think this is a funny thing for Christians to do
But we love Jesus, and we would like to show Him to you
God sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins
We'll make all the noise we can, so you'll believe in Him
Marshalls and drums, cymbals and bass
Get out and blow 'em away; playin' for Him
Christ Jesus the Lord, you know He's coming back pretty soon
And if you reject Him, you know you've sealed your own doom
The Lord Jesus, he wants to stand by your side
He's giving you heaven; if you say "no", hell opens wide
Marshalls and drums, cymbals and bass
We're up here making all of this noise
To tell you of Him
We want you to know Him
We're gonna sing about Him
Video
6. Playin' for Him (Barnabas: Hear the Light [1980])
Meaning & Inspiration
Barnabas’s "Playin' For Him," first released on the 1980 album *Hear the Light* and experiencing a digital re-emergence on February 13, 2019, stands as a potent declaration of redirected purpose and fervent evangelism through music. This song isn't merely a nostalgic track; it’s a timeless testament to how God can transform human passion and talent for His glory, embodying a message that resonates deeply with anyone grappling with their calling. It immediately dives into a personal narrative, recounting a past life in a secular rock and roll band, "out on the road, and played a lot of one night stands." This backdrop sets the stage for a profound spiritual intervention. The lyrics describe the Lord’s direct command: "Don't stop, but now I want you playing for Me," a compelling call to consecrate musical gifts previously used for worldly pursuits. This isn't about abandoning one's craft but rather reorienting its direction and ultimate audience. The directive to "Get out and make joyful noise, and sing about Christ from Galilee" powerfully echoes Scripture's consistent call to praise and worship, such as in Psalm 100:1-2, which urges all the earth to "make a joyful noise to the Lord!" The transformation of "Marshalls and drums, cymbals and bass" from instruments of secular entertainment to tools for divine proclamation illustrates the biblical principle of offering our whole selves, including our talents, as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2), using them to "blow 'em away" for God’s kingdom.
The song then bravely confronts potential skepticism, acknowledging, "Maybe you think this is a funny thing for Christians to do." This direct address positions the band not just as performers but as messengers, clarifying their ultimate motivation: "we love Jesus, and we would like to show Him to you." This transitions seamlessly into the core of the Gospel message, stating unequivocally, "God sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins." Here, the "noise" created by their instruments becomes a deliberate, intentional sound designed to cut through the din of the world, aiming to help others "believe in Him." This commitment to proclaiming the truth of Christ's atonement aligns perfectly with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, which compels believers to go and make disciples, and with Romans 10:14, questioning how people can believe if they haven't heard the message. Their act of playing isn't just entertainment; it's an urgent, audible witness, leveraging the very power of rock music to draw attention to the most significant truth of salvation.
Finally, "Playin' For Him" intensifies its message with a sobering urgency, focusing on the future and eternal consequences. It declares, "Christ Jesus the Lord, you know He's coming back pretty soon," a fundamental Christian belief underscored throughout the New Testament, notably in Revelation 22:12 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. The song doesn't shy away from the stark reality of choice: "if you reject Him, you know you've sealed your own doom." This powerful statement, though direct, is framed within God’s profound desire for reconciliation, emphasizing that "The Lord Jesus, he wants to stand by your side" and is "giving you heaven." The counterpoint is equally clear: "if you say 'no,' hell opens wide." This is not a message of condemnation for its own sake, but a loving warning, mirroring verses like John 3:18 and Matthew 25:46, which speak of the eternal destinies. The renewed declaration of "Marshalls and drums, cymbals and bass" then brings the purpose full circle, revealing that "We're up here making all of this noise / To tell you of Him / We want you to know Him / We're gonna sing about Him." This final crescendo of purpose encapsulates the song's entire essence: music as a powerful, unavoidable instrument for evangelism, urgently proclaiming the grace of God and the choice set before humanity. The song’s passion for both the medium and the message creates an inspiring call for believers to use every gift, every talent, and every platform to loudly and clearly sing about Christ, making His name known with unwavering fervor.