Hulvey - Matthew's Song Lyrics
Lyrics
Chorus
Make me a disciple, lead me to the way
Everything I lived for, is it all in vain?
If I, if I lose everything I gained
Will I, will I choose the road You paved?
Make me a disciple, lead me to the way (Woah-oh-oh)
Everything I lived for, is it all in vain? (Woah-oh-oh)
If I, if I lose everything I gained (Woah-oh-oh)
Will I, will I choose the road You paved? (Woah-oh-oh)
Make me a disciple, lead me to the way
'Cause everything I lived for, it was all in vain
It was all in vain
In vain, in vain
Verse
Back to the grind
Been panickin', look like mannequins standin' in the light
They waitin' for me, this a day in the life of my mine
I open the window, get a start and clock in at nine
Then I look out, scan the crowd, time to bring the books out, uh
But when I look in the mirror, it bring the crook out
I'm thirsty, I'm searchin' for somethin' to bring the brook out
I'm dry inside, feel like my whole spirit shook out, uh
Time and time and time again
They just throwin' stones at me, I just need a friend
Word 'round town, there's a Friend on the rise
Turns out He's next in line, He just looked in my eyes and said, "Follow Me"
Come follow Me
Have all of Me
Refrain
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
As I walk this road
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
This narrow road
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Video
Hulvey - Matthew's Song (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Hulvey’s "Matthew's Song," released on February 14, 2023, immediately captivates as a profound reflection on spiritual transformation and the radical call to discipleship. The very title of the song points directly to the biblical figure Matthew, also known as Levi, a tax collector who experienced a life-altering encounter with Jesus Christ. Hulvey masterfully crafts a narrative that mirrors Matthew’s journey, depicting a life that, though outwardly structured or even successful by worldly measures, felt inwardly empty and desperate for true purpose. The song beautifully articulates the internal struggle and the ultimate peace found in surrendering to a divine invitation.
The chorus of "Matthew's Song" serves as a heartfelt prayer and a profound declaration: "Make me a disciple, lead me to the way." This plea resonates with the core of Christian living, echoing the Great Commission from Matthew 28:19 to "make disciples" and acknowledging Jesus's own declaration in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." The subsequent question, "Everything I lived for, is it all in vain?" cuts to the heart of human experience, drawing parallels to the book of Ecclesiastes, where the Preacher repeatedly concludes that all worldly pursuits are "vanity" or "meaningless" apart from God (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The central conflict emerges with the lines, "If I, if I lose everything I gained / Will I, will I choose the road You paved?" This addresses the costly nature of discipleship, a theme Jesus frequently emphasized, assuring those who lose their life for His sake will find it (Matthew 16:25). The "road You paved" undoubtedly refers to the narrow path that leads to life, as described in Matthew 7:13-14. The chorus culminates in a powerful shift from questioning to absolute conviction: "Cause everything I lived for, it was all in vain," a liberating acknowledgment of the emptiness that precedes genuine spiritual awakening.
In the verse, Hulvey vividly paints a picture of a life consumed by routine and material focus. "Back to the grind / Been panickin', look like mannequins standin' in the light / They waitin' for me, this a day in the life of my mine," sets a scene of pressured, perhaps superficial, existence. The imagery of "clock in at nine" and "bring the books out" strongly evokes the daily life of a tax collector, mirroring Matthew's own profession. Yet, beneath this structured exterior lies deep internal turmoil. The stark admission, "But when I look in the mirror, it bring the crook out," speaks to a raw self-awareness of sin and fallenness, a universal truth affirmed in Romans 3:23. This internal revelation is followed by an expression of profound spiritual thirst: "I'm thirsty, I'm searchin' for somethin' to bring the brook out / I'm dry inside, feel like my whole spirit shook out." This echoes the psalmist's longing for God (Psalm 42:1) and Jesus's offer of living water to those who thirst (John 4:10-14). The feeling of isolation and judgment, "They just throwin' stones at me, I just need a friend," evokes compassion, reminding us of the human need for unconditional acceptance. This desolation, however, sets the stage for the pivotal moment: "Word 'round town, there's a Friend on the rise / Turns out He's next in line, He just looked in my eyes and said, 'Follow Me' / Come follow Me / Have all of Me." This directly parallels the biblical account of Jesus calling Matthew in Matthew 9:9, a simple yet profound invitation that demands everything—a full surrender to Christ.
The refrain serves as a meditative affirmation of the choice made. "As I walk this road / This narrow road" is a direct and powerful allusion to Jesus's teaching on the narrow gate and the difficult path that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). It signifies the commitment to a journey of discipleship, acknowledging that while it may not always be easy, it is the only path that leads to true fulfillment and eternal purpose. Hulvey's "Matthew's Song" is far more than a musical piece; it is a profound spiritual narrative that challenges listeners to evaluate their own lives, question their ultimate purpose, and respond to the enduring call of Christ. It masterfully conveys the struggle, the realization, and the liberating peace that accompany the decision to lay down all worldly pursuits and wholeheartedly follow the One who offers a road paved with eternal life.