Through the eyes of men it seems
There's so much we have lost
As we look down the road
Where all the prodigals have walked
One by one
The enemy has whispered lies
And led them off as slaves
But we know that you are God
Yours is the victory
We know there is more to come
That we may not yet see
So with the faith you've given us
We'll step into the valley unafraid, yeah
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones, come alive
God of endless mercy
God of unrelenting love
Rescue every daughter
Bring us back the wayward son
And By your spirit breathe upon them
Show the world that you alone can save
You alone can save
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones come alive
So breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe, oh breath of God
Breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe
Breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe, oh breath of God
Breathe, oh breath of God, now breathe
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones come alive, yeah
We call out to dry bones, come alive
Oh come alive
Come Alive (Dry Bones)
Come Alive (Dry Bones) Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on April 14, 2015, Lauren Daigle's song "Come Alive (Dry Bones)" is a powerful declaration rooted deeply in one of the most vivid and hope-filled narratives in all of Scripture. The song immediately transports the hearer to the scene described in Ezekiel chapter 37, where the prophet is shown a valley filled with bones that are not only dead but "very dry," signifying utter hopelessness and decay. God asks Ezekiel if these bones can live, a seemingly impossible question, before commanding him to prophesy life into them. Daigle captures the essence of this divine intervention, reflecting the truth that only God possesses the power to breathe life into situations that appear utterly beyond redemption.
The core of the song’s message is a plea and a proclamation: a desperate call for the life-giving Spirit of God to invade areas of death, despair, and spiritual barrenness. Just as God commanded breath (Hebrew: *ruach*, meaning spirit, wind, or breath) to enter the dry bones in Ezekiel 37:5, causing them to live and stand up as a vast army, the song calls for that same *ruach* to animate dormant faith, revitalize broken systems, or awaken hearts that feel lifeless. This mirrors the creation account in Genesis 2:7, where God breathed into Adam's nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. It’s a reminder that life, true life, originates from the divine breath.
Musically, "Come Alive (Dry Bones)" builds with intensity, moving from a quieter, searching opening to a soaring, anthemic chorus. This dynamic shift complements the narrative arc from the desolate valley of bones to the powerful standing army. Daigle's voice carries the weight of the song's theme, conveying both the initial lament over dryness and the triumphant faith in God's ability to restore. The arrangement emphasizes the grandeur of God's power, making the declaration "Come Alive!" feel like a command echoing across the impossible. This musical journey encourages a shift from despair to belief, illustrating that God’s power is not limited by the depth of decay we perceive.
Beyond the direct connection to Ezekiel 37, the song resonates with broader biblical themes of resurrection and spiritual rebirth. The New Testament speaks extensively about being "dead in trespasses and sins" and being "made alive together with Christ" by God's rich mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5). It echoes the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11, where Jesus simply called his friend’s name, and death had to relinquish its hold. Romans 4:17 tells us God "calls into existence the things that do not exist," a profound truth that underpins the song's central hope. "Come Alive (Dry Bones)" becomes a contemporary prayer drawing on these ancient wells of faith, asking God to step into our personal valleys of hopelessness, our struggles, our doubts, and bring His resurrecting life. It’s a powerful reminder that God sees our "unformed substance," as Psalm 139:16 puts it, and has the power to shape it into something new and living. For anyone feeling stuck, defeated, or spiritually weary, the song offers a vibrant reminder that the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead dwells in believers (Romans 8:11) and is capable of bringing any dead thing back to life for His glory. It calls us to lift our gaze from the dry bones of our circumstances to the God of impossible resurrection.
