Kristene DiMarco - St. Francis Lyrics
Lyrics
There is a love hidden inside your borders
Just waiting to be free, just waiting to be free
There is a hope hidden inside your borders
Just waiting to be realized, just waiting to be realized
So keep hoping Saint Francis, you'll be a free man yet
You'll see the sun shine again over your city streets
There is a love hidden inside your borders
Just waiting to be free, just waiting to be free
There is a hope hidden inside your borders
Just waiting to be realized, just waiting to be realized
So keep hoping Saint Francis, you'll be a free man yet
You'll see the sun shine again over your city streets
Keep hoping Saint Francis, you'll be a free man yet
Though darkness covers your sleeping love, it won't last
Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength
I know, those who wait upon the Lord will not be put to shame
Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength
I know, I know, those who wait upon the Lord will not be put to shame
And so we wait, so we wait for the sun to shine
And so we wait, so we wait for You to come
Keep hoping Saint Francis, you'll be a free man yet
You'll see the sun shine again over your city streets
Video
St. Francis
Meaning & Inspiration
Kristene DiMarco’s "St. Francis," released on November 6, 2014, immediately invites contemplation, presenting a profound message wrapped in accessible language. The song functions as a poignant plea and a prophetic assurance, painting a vivid picture of resilience and divine promise. While the identity of "Saint Francis" is not explicitly defined, the lyrics speak of "borders," "city streets," and "sleeping love," strongly suggesting a place—a city, a nation, or perhaps even a collective people—wrestling with internal struggles and external darkness. This personification of a collective entity as a weary saint creates a powerful metaphor for any community or individual yearning for freedom and renewal, waiting for light to break through entrenched despair. The core of the song is an unwavering declaration that hidden love and hope exist within these boundaries, poised for release and realization, despite present circumstances.
The heart of "St. Francis" beats with an extraordinary hope, continually urging perseverance against the backdrop of hardship. The repeated counsel, "Keep hoping Saint Francis, you'll be a free man yet / You'll see the sun shine again over your city streets," is more than mere encouragement; it is a declaration of impending restoration. This echoes the enduring promise found throughout Scripture, where moments of profound darkness are consistently followed by divine light. We are reminded of passages like Isaiah 60:1-2, which proclaims, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you." Similarly, Psalm 30:5 assures us that "weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." DiMarco captures this biblical rhythm of lament and eventual triumph, offering a vision where even a "sleeping love" overshadowed by darkness is promised a swift and certain awakening, a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness in turning mourning into dancing.
The song’s spiritual anchor is found in its direct reference to Isaiah 40:31: "Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength / I know, those who wait upon the Lord will not be put to shame." This isn't just a casual citation; it's the very bedrock of the song's theological framework. To "wait upon the Lord" is not passive idleness but an active, expectant posture of trust and surrender. It implies a confident reliance on God’s timing and power, knowing that He strengthens the weary and increases the power of the weak. The assurance that those who wait "will not be put to shame" is deeply significant, resonating with Psalm 25:3, which states, "No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame." This promise speaks to God's vindication of His people, His commitment to upholding those who trust Him, even when circumstances seem to mock their faith. It transforms waiting from a burden into a pathway for renewed vigor and ultimate triumph.
As the song progresses, the perspective broadens from addressing "Saint Francis" to a collective "we," declaring, "And so we wait, so we wait for the sun to shine / And so we wait, so we wait for You to come." This collective act of waiting signifies a communal yearning for divine intervention. "The sun to shine" beautifully evokes images of spiritual awakening and revival, aligning with Malachi 4:2, which speaks of the "sun of righteousness" rising "with healing in its rays." This is a profound longing for God’s manifest presence to break through, to heal, and to illuminate every corner that darkness has claimed. The ultimate expression of this waiting, however, is the anticipation of "You to come"—a clear and fervent prayer for the return of Christ, or for a deeper, more tangible outpouring of His Spirit. It echoes the church's ancient cry, "Maranatha" ("Come, Lord Jesus"), articulated in Revelation 22:20, expressing a deep spiritual hunger for the full realization of God's kingdom on Earth. "St. Francis" is, at its core, a powerful anthem for anyone standing in the gap, believing for transformation, and actively waiting for the God of all hope to make good on every one of His eternal promises.