Lyrics
Every secret, every shame
Every fear, every pain
Live inside the dark
But that's not who we are
We are children of the day
So wake up sleeper, lift your head
We were meant for more than this
Fight the shadows conquer death
Make the most of the time we have left
We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
Let the light shine, let the light shine
We are called to the spread the news
Tell the world the simple truth
Jesus came to save, there's freedom in His Name
So let it all break through
We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
We Are describes Christian identity as a public calling rather than a private possession. Shame, fear, pain, and secrecy belong to darkness in the song’s opening contrast, while believers are named as children of the day. The command for the sleeper to wake echoes New Testament language about leaving spiritual darkness behind. Urgency follows that awakening: limited time should be used to confront death’s shadow and display the life Christ gives.
The central image comes directly from Jesus’ teaching about the light of the world and a city on a hill. Light is meant to be visible, so the repeated chorus links identity with witness. The final verse makes that mission explicit by calling for the good news to be spread and naming its content: Jesus saves and freedom is found in His name. The song therefore moves from hidden wounds to open proclamation. Its repeated appeal to let the light shine frames evangelism as the natural expression of a life changed by Christ.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus calls His followers the light of the world and a city on a hill.
- Ephesians 5:8-14 Paul calls believers children of light and tells the sleeper to awake.
- Acts 4:12 Peter proclaims salvation in the name of Jesus alone.