Kathryn Crosweller - I Watch The Sunrise Lyrics
Lyrics
I watch the sunrise lighting the sky,
Casting its shadows near
And on this morning bright though it be,
I feel those shadows near me
But you are always close to me
Following all my ways
May I be always close to you
Following all your ways, Lord
I watch the sunlight shine through the clouds,
Warming the earth below
And at the mid-day, life seems to say:
I feel your brightness near me
For you are always
Following all my ways
May I be always close to you
Following all your ways, Lord
I watch the sunset fading away,
Lighting the clouds with sleep
And as the evening closes its eyes,
I feel your presence near me
For you are always
Following all my ways
May I be always close to you
Following all your ways, Lord
I watch the moonlight guarding the night,
Waiting till morning comes
The air is silent, earth is at rest
Only your peace is near me
Yes, you are always
Following all my ways
May I be always close to you
Following all your ways, Lord
Video
I Watch the Sunrise
Meaning & Inspiration
Kathryn Crosweller’s "I Watch the Sunrise," released on March 25, 2011, offers a profound spiritual reflection, weaving the natural progression of a day into a timeless narrative of divine presence and human devotion. The song is a gentle, yet powerful, journey through sunrise, mid-day, sunset, and night, each phase serving as a metaphor for the varying seasons and moments of a life lived in faith. At its core, it speaks to the unwavering closeness of God and the believer’s earnest desire to mirror that steadfastness, following His path just as He attends to ours. It’s a beautifully crafted prayer, acknowledging God’s omnipresence through all circumstances, from the quiet anxieties of dawn to the profound peace of night.
The initial stanza, observing the sunrise “lighting the sky, Casting its shadows near,” and the feeling of “those shadows near me,” immediately sets a relatable human tone. Even as God's light breaks through, the dawn of a new day can still carry with it a sense of vulnerability or lingering concerns. This mirrors the spiritual truth that even in moments of spiritual awakening or renewed hope, we often still contend with our human struggles. Yet, the song quickly transitions to an affirmation of God’s constant proximity, as the recurring lines declare, "But you are always close to me / Following all my ways / May I be always close to you / Following all your ways, Lord." This echoes the comforting assurance found in Scripture, much like the Psalmist’s declaration in Psalm 139:3, “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways,” and the reciprocal call for a heart fully aligned with Him, as seen in Proverbs 3:6, "In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
As the song moves to "mid-day," when "sunlight shine through the clouds, Warming the earth below," there is a shift towards a tangible sense of brightness and warmth. The declaration, "life seems to say: I feel your brightness near me," beautifully captures those periods of clear spiritual understanding, joy, and undeniable blessing. This vibrant imagery speaks to the transformative power of God’s presence, bringing warmth and clarity, much like the promise in John 8:12, where Jesus proclaims, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." It is a recognition of divine illumination, making our paths visible and our hearts receptive to His truth.
The reflective mood continues into the "sunset fading away, Lighting the clouds with sleep," and "as the evening closes its eyes, I feel your presence near me." This evokes the quiet conclusion of a day, a time for rest, contemplation, or perhaps even weariness. Yet, even in this winding down, the presence of God remains palpable. It reminds us that our faith is not just for the peak moments of exhilaration but also for the gentle unwinding and the stillness that comes with closing chapters. This sentiment finds resonance in Psalm 4:8, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety," highlighting God’s guardianship over our rest and repose.
Finally, the song embraces the "moonlight guarding the night, Waiting till morning comes," where "The air is silent, earth is at rest," and "Only your peace is near me." This profound imagery represents the deepest quiet, the times of waiting, or even moments of solitude amidst darkness. It is here that God's peace becomes the sole, encompassing comfort, a peace that transcends earthly understanding. This speaks directly to the promise in Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The night, often symbolic of uncertainty or trial, becomes a canvas for the display of God's unwavering tranquility, assuring us that even in the quietest, darkest hours, His calm presence is our anchor. The repeating chorus, “Yes, you are always / Following all my ways / May I be always close to you / Following all your ways, Lord,” stitches these diurnal observations into a cohesive testimony of perpetual communion, a constant dialogue between the Creator and the created, rooted in the desire for a life fully aligned with His divine will, as encouraged in James 4:8, "Come near to God and he will come near to you."
"I Watch the Sunrise" is more than just a song; it's a meditative prayer set to the rhythm of creation, a spiritual journey through the ordinary passage of time that reveals the extraordinary constancy of God. It encourages a deeper awareness of His presence in every changing moment, transforming mundane observation into sacred encounter. For those seeking a deeper connection with the divine, Crosweller’s composition serves as a gentle invitation to pause, observe, and affirm the ever-present, guiding hand of God, inspiring a reciprocal commitment to follow His ways, every step of the day.