Josh Garrels - Farther Along Lyrics
Lyrics
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
So cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We'll understand this, all by and by
Tempted and tried, I wondered why
The good man dies, the bad man thrives
And Jesus cries because he loves em' both
We're all cast-aways in need of rope
Hangin' on by the last threads of our hope
In a house of mirrors full of smoke
Confusing illusions I've seen
Where did I go wrong, I sang along
To every chorus of the song
That the devil wrote like a piper at the gate
Leading mice and men down to their fate
But some will courageously escape
The seductive voice with a heart of faith
While walkin' the line back home
There's much more to life than we've been told
It's full of beauty that will unfold
And shine like you struck gold my wayward son
That deadweight burden weighs a ton
Go down to the river and let it run
And wash away all the things you've done
Forgiveness, alright
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
So cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We'll understand this, all by and by
But still I get hard pressed on every side
Between the rock and a compromise
Like truth and a pack of lies fightin' for my soul
And I've got no place left go
'Cause I got changed by what I've been shown
There's more glory than the world has known
Keeps me ramblin' on
Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall
I'm free to love once and for all
And even when I fall I'll get back up
For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levees and my bluffs
Let the flood wash me
And one day when the sky rolls back on us
Some rejoice and the others fuss
Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess
The son of God is forever blessed
His is the kingdom, and we're the guests
So put your voice up to the test
Sing Lord, come soon
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
So cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We'll understand this, all by and by
Video
Farther Along
Meaning & Inspiration
Josh Garrels’ "Farther Along," released on October 31, 2024, is a profound lyrical journey that unpacks the timeless human struggle with faith and doubt, ultimately landing on a hopeful surrender to divine understanding. The song is a rich tapestry of spiritual reflection, drawing deeply from a well of Christian theology and personal experience. It confronts the perplexing questions of suffering, injustice, and the pervasive nature of temptation, while steadily guiding the soul toward the unwavering promise of God’s grace and future revelation.
The song immediately establishes its core message with the comforting refrain, a clear echo of enduring trust in God's timing and wisdom. This sentiment, that "Farther along we'll know all about it, farther along we'll understand why," resonates with passages like 1 Corinthians 13:12, which speaks of seeing dimly now but fully in the future, and Romans 8:28, assuring us that God works all things for good for those who love Him. It's an invitation to lean into patience and hope, especially when the present feels shrouded in confusion. Garrels then dives into the raw reality of questioning divine justice, contemplating why the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper, a lament found throughout Scripture, notably in Psalm 73 and Job. This wrestle with apparent inequities, coupled with the recognition of universal human brokenness—"We're all cast-aways in need of rope"—powerfully underlines our shared fallen condition, aligning with Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. The imagery of a "house of mirrors full of smoke" vividly portrays the deceptive nature of the world and the spiritual confusion it breeds, a testament to the battle against spiritual forces described in Ephesians 6:12.
The narrative shifts to acknowledge the seductive power of sin, likening the devil to a "piper at the gate" whose tune leads many astray. This imagery harks back to biblical warnings about the enemy’s cunning and deceit, as seen in John 8:44 where Jesus calls the devil a liar and the father of lies. Yet, Garrels offers a powerful counter-narrative of resilience, celebrating those who, through "a heart of faith," courageously escape this spiritual snare. This journey of walking "the line back home" signifies a return to God, guided by steadfast belief, echoing James 4:7 to resist the devil and he will flee, and Hebrews 11:6 emphasizing that without faith, it is impossible to please God. The song then bursts forth with the revelation of life's deeper purpose and beauty, a divine reality far surpassing worldly understanding. "There's much more to life than we've been told" speaks to the abundant life promised in John 10:10, a spiritual richness that unfolds like struck gold for the "wayward son." The call to let go of "that deadweight burden" at the river's edge beautifully symbolizes repentance and the cleansing power of forgiveness, a theme central to Acts 2:38 and Isaiah 1:18, where God invites us to come and reason, though our sins be like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.
Despite these breakthroughs, the spiritual battle is depicted as an ongoing reality: "still I get hard pressed on every side," caught between truth and lies. This mirrors the Apostle Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 4:8, acknowledging the constant pressures faced by those committed to faith. However, this struggle is transformative; being "changed by what I've been shown" refers to a revelation of God’s glory that transcends earthly understanding, a taste of the divine majesty that keeps the believer "ramblin' on." This transformed perspective, the knowledge of "more glory than the world has known," becomes an anchor amidst the storm, consistent with 2 Corinthians 3:18, which describes being transformed into Christ’s image from glory to glory. The song then joyfully proclaims the freedom found in Christ, a "calf loosed from its stall," an image from Malachi 4:2, symbolizing complete liberation. This freedom allows for unconditional love and resilience, understanding that even in falling, one can "get back up" because of an overflowing joy and grace. The imagery of heaven filling one's cup to overflowing and breaking down "levees and bluffs" powerfully conveys God’s lavish and abundant provision, reminiscent of Psalm 23:5 and John 7:38, where rivers of living water flow from within those who believe.
Ultimately, "Farther Along" culminates in an anticipation of Christ's triumphant return and final judgment. The dramatic image of the "sky rolls back on us" immediately brings to mind Revelation 6:14, describing the cosmic signs of the end times. The assertion that "every knee must bow and tongue confess" is a direct quote from Philippians 2:10-11, a powerful declaration of Jesus' universal Lordship. The song positions believers as "guests" in His eternal kingdom, called to celebrate His reign and earnestly pray, "Lord, come soon," echoing the heartfelt plea of Revelation 22:20, "Come, Lord Jesus." Garrels masterfully crafts a narrative that navigates the depths of human questioning and spiritual warfare, ultimately arriving at a place of unwavering hope, profound forgiveness, and joyful anticipation of Christ’s ultimate victory. It’s a compelling anthem for anyone seeking to trust in a wisdom greater than their own, a song that beautifully affirms the enduring power of faith through life's complex journey.