Walking on the road to Jerusalem,
The time had come to sacrifice again,
My two small sons,
They walked beside me on the road,
The reason that they came was to watch the lamb.
"Daddy, daddy, What will see there,
There's so much that we don't understand",
So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham,
Then I said "dear children watch the lamb".
"There will be so many in Jerusalem today,
We must be sure the lamb doesn't run away",
And I told them of Moses and Father Abraham,
Then I said "dear children watch the lamb".
When we reached the city,
I knew something must be wrong,
There were no joyful worshipers,
No joyful worship songs,
I stood there with my children
in the midst of angry men,
Then I heard the crowd cry out
"Crucify Him".
We tried to leave the city but
we could not get away,
Forced to play in this drama
a part I did not wish to play,
"Why upon this day were men condemned to die?,
Why were we standing here, Where soon they would pass by?".
I looked and said, "even now they come",
The first one cried for mercy,
The people gave him none,
The second one was violent, He was arrogant and loud,
I still can hear his angry voice
screaming at the crowd,
Then someone said "there's Jesus",
I could scarce believe my eyes,
A man so badly beaten,
He barely looked alive,
Blood poured from His body,
From the thorns upon His brow,
Running down the cross, Falling to the ground.
I watched Him as He struggled,
I watched Him as He fell,
The cross came down upon His back,
The crowd began to yell,
In that moment I felt such agony,
In that moment I felt such loss,
Till a Roman soldier grabbed my arm
and screamed, "you, carry His cross".
At first I tried to resist him,
Then his hand reached for his sword,
So I knelt and took the cross from the Lord,
I placed it on my shoulder,
And started down the street,
The blood that he'd been shedding
was running down my cheek.
They led us to Golgotha,
They drove nails deep in His feet and hands,
Yet upon the cross I heard Him pray
"Father, forgive them".
Oh, never have I seen such love in any other eyes,
"Into thy hands I commit my spirit"
He prayed and then He died,
I stood for what seemed like years,
I'd lost all sense of time until
I felt two tiny hands holding tight to mine,
My children stood there weeping,
I heard the oldest say,
"Father please forgive us, the lamb ran away".
"Daddy, daddy, What have we seen here?,
There's so much that we don't understand",
So I took them in my arms,
And we turned and faced the cross,
Then I said "dear children watch the lamb"
Watch The Lamb
Watch The Lamb Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Ray Boltz’s enduring song, “Watch The Lamb,” released on November 4, 2012, immediately immerses us in one of history’s most pivotal moments, viewed through the eyes of a simple observer. The song unfolds as a narrative account from a man compelled by the scene unfolding on a hill outside the city, drawn into the chaotic atmosphere surrounding the crucifixion. He recounts the scorn of the crowd, the political sign above the figure on the cross declaring him 'King of the Jews,' a detail found in the Gospel accounts (John 19:19-22). Yet, amidst the turmoil, the man’s attention is continually drawn to the unexpected perspective of a Roman centurion, who seems focused on something far deeper than the political spectacle. This focus is encapsulated in the recurring command, "Watch the Lamb!"
This directive to "Watch the Lamb" serves as the song's central metaphor and its most powerful invitation. It shifts the perspective from the external chaos and earthly judgment to the divine significance of the event. The title "Lamb of God" is first used by John the Baptist to identify Jesus (John 1:29), pointing towards His ultimate purpose as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, echoing the Passover lamb whose blood protected Israel (Exodus 12). Isaiah prophesied this suffering servant who would be "led like a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7). The song masterfully contrasts the crowd's mocking cry of "King!" – a title of earthly power and perceived threat – with the centurion's recognition of Him as "the Lamb," a title signifying sacrifice, innocence, and redemption. The centurion's gaze penetrates the superficial layer of political execution to grasp the spiritual reality unfolding.
Analyzing the song's structure reveals its effective build-up of tension and understanding. The initial verses paint a vivid picture of the crucifixion site – the noise, the anger, the religious leaders, the soldiers casting lots (a detail mentioned in Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, and John 19:23-24). This sets a human, historical scene. The interjection of the centurion’s repeated instruction acts as a spiritual anchor, pulling the focus back to the divine plan. It suggests that while many saw a criminal or a failed king, this one soldier saw something fundamentally different, something sacrificial and pure. This aligns powerfully with the Gospel accounts where a centurion, witnessing the events surrounding Jesus' death, declares, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39) or "Certainly this man was innocent!" (Luke 23:47). The song doesn't just recount the crucifixion; it guides the listener to see it through the eyes of someone who recognized its redemptive purpose.
The song's strength lies in its ability to take a familiar, solemn event and offer a fresh viewpoint, underscored by profound biblical truth. It encourages contemplation not merely on the suffering of the cross, but on the identity of the one suffering – the Lamb, whose voluntary sacrifice cleanses sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). The musical arrangement complements this, building emotional weight as the story progresses towards the centurion's final, powerful declaration. It underscores the song's ultimate message: the significance of the crucifixion is found not in the political or historical narrative alone, but in the spiritual truth that the one dying was the sacrificial Lamb of God, fulfilling prophecy and offering salvation. This perspective transforms a scene of death into a source of life and hope, a theme powerfully present throughout the New Testament, particularly in the book of Revelation, where the Lamb is central to worship and redemption (Revelation 5:12-13). "Watch The Lamb" serves as a timeless reminder to look beyond the surface, focusing on the divine nature of the sacrifice that stands at the heart of the Christian faith.
