B.J. Thomas - Bridge of Love Lyrics
Lyrics
There's a gap in the world
Only love can fill
And we can bridge that gap
If we have the will
No it won't be easy
We'll need help from above
But if everybody pitches in
We can build a bridge of love
Let's build a bridge of love
Across the sea of hate
From nation to nation
Standing through each generation
Let's build a bridge of love
Across the sea of hate
Hand in Hand
Side by side
That's what it's gonna take
Then one day we'll cross that
Bridge to a better life
And we'll leave behind us
That old world of strife
When we reach our new world
Hate we'll never fear
And I bet if we could see God's face
He'd be smiling from ear to ear
Let's build a bridge of love
Across the sea of hate
From nation to nation
Standing through each generation
Let's build a bridge of love
Across the sea of hate
Hand in Hand
Side by side
That's what it's gonna take
Let's build a bridge of love
Across the sea of hate
From nation to nation
Standing through each generation
Let's build a bridge of love
Across the sea of hate
Hand in Hand
Side by side
That's what it's gonna take
Let's build a bridge of love
Across the sea of hate
From nation to nation
Standing through each generation
Let's build a bridge of love
Video
B J Thomas - Bridge of Love
Meaning & Inspiration
B.J. Thomas's "Bridge of Love," released on July 15, 1978, as part of the album *Happy Man*, presents a profound and enduring message rooted deeply in spiritual principles. The song transcends mere melody to offer a powerful call to action, envisioning a world transformed by unified human effort, guided by divine love. Its central metaphor is the construction of a "bridge of love" to span the "sea of hate," a concept that resonates with scriptural teachings on overcoming division and fostering reconciliation. The lyrics directly address the human capacity for both separation and connection, stating, "There's a gap in the world only love can fill," echoing the Psalmist's lament about the pervasiveness of sin and brokenness, yet simultaneously offering hope found in God's unifying power. The song acknowledges the difficulty inherent in such an undertaking, recognizing that "it won't be easy," and crucially, that "we'll need help from above." This plea for divine assistance is a cornerstone of Christian belief, aligning with verses like James 1:5, which promises wisdom and guidance to those who ask God. The vision of collective action, where "everybody pitches in," directly mirrors the New Testament's emphasis on the body of Christ working in harmony, as described in 1 Corinthians 12, where each part is essential for the whole to function.
The chorus powerfully reiterates this vision, urging the building of this bridge "Across the sea of hate" and extending its reach "From nation to nation," a desire for global peace and understanding that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's command to love one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31). The aspiration for this bridge to stand "Through each generation" speaks to the enduring nature of love and its capacity to shape future societies, much like the enduring covenant God established with humanity. The repeated emphasis on "Hand in Hand, Side by Side" underscores the importance of communal endeavor and mutual support in this sacred mission, reflecting the biblical call to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). The song paints a hopeful picture of the future, a "better life" achieved by leaving behind "that old world of strife," where "hate we'll never fear." This prophetic outlook aligns with the eschatological hope found in Revelation 21:4, which promises a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. The poignant image of God "smiling from ear to ear" upon witnessing such a unified, loving creation is a beautiful personification of divine pleasure in humanity's embrace of His highest commandments. "Bridge of Love" is not simply a song; it is a spiritual anthem, a musical sermon that exhorts listeners to participate in the divine work of bridging divides through the transformative power of love, a message as relevant today as it was upon its release.