Petra - The Coloring Song Lyrics
Lyrics
Red is the color of the blood that flowed
Down the face of someone who loved us so
He's the perfect man, He's the Lord's own son
He's the lamb of God, He's the only one
That can give us life, that can make us grow
That can make the love between us flow
Blue is the color of a heart so cold
That will not bend when the story's told
Of the love of God for a sinful race
Of the blood that flowed down Jesus face
That can give us life, that can make us grow
That can keep our hearts from growing cold
Gold is the color of the morning sun
that shines so freely on everyone
It's the sun above that keeps us warm
It's the Son of Love that calms the storm
That can give us life, that can make us grow
That can turn our mornings into gold
Brown is the color of the autumn leaves
When the winter comes to the barren trees
There is birth, there death, there is a plan
And there's just one God and there's just one man
That can give us life, that can make us grow
That can make our sins as white as snow
That can give us life, that can make us grow
That can turn our mornings into gold
That can give us life that can make us grow
That can keep our hearts from growing cold
That can give us life that can make us grow
That can make the love between us flow
Video
Petra - The Coloring Song
Meaning & Inspiration
Petra’s "The Coloring Song," released in 1994 on the album *Never Say Die / Washes Whiter Than*, stands as a brilliant testament to the power of simple metaphor to convey profound spiritual truths. This track isn't merely a collection of verses; it's a vibrant, paint-by-numbers journey through the foundational tenets of Christian faith, utilizing everyday colors to make complex theological concepts accessible and deeply meaningful. The song, while musically engaging, truly shines in its lyrical depth, inviting reflection on the character of God and the redemption offered through Christ.
The narrative begins by painting "Red is the color of the blood that flowed / Down the face of someone who loved us so." This stark imagery immediately draws our minds to the ultimate sacrifice, invoking the crimson of Jesus's blood shed for humanity. It speaks to the brutal reality of His crucifixion, a painful yet necessary act of divine love. We are reminded that this "perfect man, the Lord's own Son," as the lyrics describe, is the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29), the unique mediator who offers eternal life and spiritual growth. His blood, symbolizing His atoning work, cleanses us from sin, echoing Ephesians 1:7, which states, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." This red is not just about sacrifice, but about the overwhelming love that compelled it, as Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This sacrificial love is the very source of our spiritual vitality and the catalyst for true relational warmth, making "the love between us flow."
In sharp contrast, the song then introduces "Blue is the color of a heart so cold / That will not bend when the story's told." This blue represents spiritual apathy and resistance, a heart hardened against the tender call of God’s grace. It speaks to the human condition of often turning away from the truth, even when confronted with the overwhelming "love of God for a sinful race" and the undeniable evidence of "the blood that flowed down Jesus face." This coldness, left unchecked, leads to spiritual stagnation and separation from God. The Bible often refers to a "heart of stone" (Ezekiel 36:26), which prevents genuine repentance and transformation. Petra's imagery serves as a poignant reminder that while God's love is freely offered, our reception of it can be hindered by an unyielding spirit. Yet, the same power that gives life and growth is capable of softening even the coldest heart, preserving it from spiritual frostbite.
"Gold is the color of the morning sun / that shines so freely on everyone," a beautiful metaphor for God’s universal grace and the advent of hope. The transition from cold blue to radiant gold signifies a divine intervention, where despair gives way to the dawning of a new day. This "sun above" that warms us physically mirrors the "Son of Love" who spiritually "calms the storm" within our souls. Jesus Himself proclaimed, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Just as the morning sun dispels the night, Christ, the "Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4:2), banishes fear, anxiety, and the shadows of sin, replacing them with His peace. This golden light promises new beginnings and the transformative power to turn our darkest "mornings into gold," signifying joy and divine presence.
Finally, the song delves into "Brown is the color of the autumn leaves / When the winter comes to the barren trees." This imagery evokes the cyclical nature of life and death, reflecting the transient reality of our earthly existence and the consequences of sin. There is a sobering acknowledgment of "birth, there death, there is a plan" – a divine design that encompasses all of life's seasons, even the barrenness of winter. In this context, the song powerfully asserts that "there's just one God and there's just one man" who can intervene in this cycle of mortality and sin. This points directly to 1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." It is through this singular divine-human mediator that the miraculous transformation occurs: He "can make our sins as white as snow." This echoes Isaiah 1:18, where God promises, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." The brown of decay is thus superseded by a purity that transcends the natural world, a spiritual rebirth possible only through Christ's redemptive power.
The recurring lines throughout the song—"That can give us life, that can make us grow / That can make the love between us flow / That can keep our hearts from growing cold / That can turn our mornings into gold / That can make our sins as white as snow"—serve as a powerful, unifying chorus. They encapsulate the comprehensive work of Jesus Christ, affirming His multifaceted role as the giver of life (John 10:10), the sustainer of spiritual growth (2 Peter 3:18), the fount of agape love among believers (John 13:34-35), the guardian against spiritual apathy, the bringer of hope, and the ultimate purifier. "The Coloring Song" is a beautifully constructed lyrical sermon, an artistic declaration that through Christ, every aspect of our spiritual landscape can be restored, transformed, and illuminated. It's an enduring call to embrace the vibrant truths of the Gospel, inviting all to experience the life-changing power of the One who makes all things new.