Bebo Norman - Angel Fire Lyrics
Lyrics
Quietly slipping away are the fertile ties
that have bound us.
Behind its subtle ways you know this world
can hide and surround us.
And living in a lonely room beneath the
tomb oh, of another sky
they tell me that it's a shame not a word
was spoken as the bottom line was broken,
but it's coming back again.
And after all this time
the stillness still can shake me
to the corners of my mind
where the Angel Fire
oh, the Angel Fire shines.
She held me like the rest and wore her
summer dress so full of flowers.
And just as if to stay we loved along the
way but the time was not ours.
And standing there beneath the sun
I watched the river run
oh, as the kids float by.
It was a father and a son who made a simple
turning into a permanent good-bye,
but let's give it one more try.
And after all this time
the stillness still can shake me
to the corners of my mind
where the Angel Fire
oh, the Angel Fire shines.
Well, she held us in her morning
this one last time and we will be gone.
And looking up we watched the angels
paint the sky.
And with the passion of a picture
we made our silent ride down
just happy with this portion of our lives
And after all this time
the stillness still can shake me
to the corners of my mind
where the Angel Fire,
oh, the Angel Fire shines.
Video
Bebo Norman "The Broken" Story
Meaning & Inspiration
Bebo Norman’s "Angel Fire," released on October 11, 2012, as part of "The Broken" album, is a profoundly moving exploration of spiritual awakening amidst the transient nature of life and the subtle distractions of the world. From its opening lines, the song draws us into a quiet contemplation of how quickly meaningful connections can unravel, observing the "fertile ties" that once bound us gently slipping away. Norman skillfully paints a picture of the world’s quiet yet powerful ability to "hide and surround us," pulling individuals into a "lonely room beneath the tomb of another sky," a potent metaphor for spiritual barrenness or a life lived disconnected from true purpose and divine light. This sense of loss is amplified by the observation that "not a word was spoken as the bottom line was broken," suggesting a breakdown of fundamental truths or relationships, yet a quiet resolve emerges with the hopeful declaration, "but it's coming back again." This initial struggle with the world's pervasive influence resonates deeply with passages like 1 John 2:15-17, which warns against loving the world and its fleeting desires, reminding us that its allure often leads to spiritual isolation.
The heart of the song pulses within its powerful chorus, where "after all this time the stillness still can shake me to the corners of my mind where the Angel Fire... shines." This imagery of stillness is profoundly biblical, echoing Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God," and the quiet voice Elijah heard after the wind, earthquake, and fire had passed (1 Kings 19:11-13). It is in these moments of quiet introspection that divine revelation often occurs. The "Angel Fire" itself is not a literal biblical phrase, but it evokes powerful scriptural allusions to God's presence, purification, and the Holy Spirit. It can represent the burning bush that revealed God to Moses (Exodus 3:2), the pillar of fire guiding the Israelites (Exodus 13:21), or the consuming fire of God's holiness and transforming power (Hebrews 12:29). It suggests an intense, purifying, and illuminating divine presence that reaches the deepest recesses of one's being, bringing clarity, conviction, and perhaps even comfort amidst past brokenness. This fire shining "to the corners of my mind" speaks to a profound intellectual and spiritual understanding, illuminating hidden truths and renewing purpose.
The second verse delves into the personal experience of earthly affections and farewells, recalling a relationship where "she held me like the rest and wore her summer dress so full of flowers." This speaks to the beauty and fleeting joy of human connection, yet acknowledges its transient nature with "the time was not ours." The poignant image of watching the "river run" and "kids float by" while witnessing "a father and a son who made a simple turning into a permanent good-bye" powerfully captures the universal experience of loss and the impermanence of earthly life. This reflects James 4:14, which reminds us that life is "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." However, even in the face of such finality, the resilient spirit proclaims, "but let's give it one more try," perhaps not in the context of that specific relationship, but as an enduring hope in perseverance, renewal, or trusting God’s plan, much like God's persistent invitation to His people to return to Him, as seen in Joel 2:12-13.
The bridge offers a sense of ultimate acceptance and divine peace: "Well, she held us in her morning this one last time and we will be gone. And looking up we watched the angels paint the sky." This evokes a final earthly embrace or a moment of grace before transition, perhaps even the moment of death, where worldly concerns fade. The vision of "angels paint the sky" is a breathtaking image of divine presence and comfort, a reminder that even in our most profound moments of transition or loss, God's hand is actively at work, overseeing and beautifying what we might perceive as an ending. Psalm 34:7 assures us that "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." The lyric "with the passion of a picture we made our silent ride down just happy with this portion of our lives" conveys a profound peace and contentment in God’s sovereign plan, finding fulfillment even in what might seem incomplete or challenging, echoing Philippians 4:11-13 about learning to be content in all circumstances through Christ's strength. Ultimately, "Angel Fire" is a testament to the Christian journey: navigating the world's pull, experiencing loss, but always returning to the transformative and comforting presence of God's holy fire, which illuminates the path and brings profound peace, even as life's seasons change and eventually draw to their close.