Unfortunate souls will often say
We need to cling to yesterday
An evil there or light to see
Gives of hope of what might be
Faith gathered from once was
Hope gathered from once was
Peace gathered from once was
Love gathered from once was
I dream the past, the burning bridges
Old photographs, discarded pages
Unanswered prayers, the childhood endings
The bitter tears, the new beginnings
The life and times of a child alone
Searching for love in the cold unknown
Soul beat and scarred with the truth in sight
The lessons he's learned in the darkest night
I dream of youth and unrequited love
There lies the truth, in what once was
And through it all I see at last
The Saviour's hand and all that's past
Faith gathered from once was
Hope gathered from once was
Peace gathered from once was
Love gathered from once was
Memory is clear, Saviour drawing near
Feel my heart embraced, see desire's face
Here my soul will rest
I dream the past, the burning bridges
Old photographs, discarded pages
Faith gathered from once was
Hope gathered from once was
Peace gathered from once was
Love gathered from once was
The answered prayers, the childhood endings
The bitter tears, the new beginnings
The new beginnings
From Once Was
From Once Was Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The song "From Once Was" by Deliverance, with its accompanying video released on 2009-06-25, offers a deeply reflective exploration of the past and its impact on the present. The lyrics begin by acknowledging a common human tendency to cling to yesterday, seeking hope in either the difficult or positive aspects of what has transpired. This sets the stage for the song's central theme: drawing faith, hope, peace, and love from the experiences of "once was." The repetition of this phrase throughout the song underscores its significance as a source of strength and understanding.
The narrative delves into specific, often poignant, memories associated with the past. Imagery such as "burning bridges," "old photographs," "discarded pages," "unanswered prayers," and "childhood endings" evokes a sense of loss, pain, and experiences that shaped the individual. The focus on "the life and times of a child alone" searching for love and bearing a "soul beat and scarred" highlights a journey through difficult, "darkest night" periods where significant lessons were learned. These lines paint a picture of vulnerability and hardship endured in youth.
A pivotal moment in the song arrives with the realization, "And through it all I see at last / The Saviour's hand and all that's past." This line introduces a spiritual perspective, suggesting that the difficult journey through the past, the very things "once was," can be viewed through the lens of divine presence and guidance. This shift in perspective appears to lead to a profound sense of peace and acceptance, described as "Memory is clear, Saviour drawing near," feeling the "heart embraced," and finding a place where the soul can "rest." It implies that understanding or seeing the Saviour's involvement transforms the perception and weight of past struggles.
The themes presented in "From Once Was" resonate with various scriptural concepts. The idea of drawing positive virtues like faith, hope, and love from difficult experiences aligns with passages such as Romans 5:3-5, which speaks of suffering producing perseverance, character, and hope. The mention of "new beginnings" after navigating past pain mirrors the transformative message of 2 Corinthians 5:17, describing a new creation in Christ where the old is gone and the new has come. Furthermore, recognizing the "Saviour's hand" in the midst of life's journey and past trials reflects the biblical assurance of God's closeness to the brokenhearted and His role as strength and salvation found in verses like Psalm 34:18 or Psalm 73:26.
Ultimately, "From Once Was" is a song about confronting and reconciling with the past, not by erasing it, but by understanding its role in shaping who one has become and finding spiritual redemption within its narrative. It conveys a powerful message of drawing essential virtues from life's experiences, both good and bad, and discovering peace and the promise of new beginnings through a relationship with the Saviour. The journey depicted moves from painful reflection to spiritual revelation and hopeful resolution.
