There I was on death row
Guilty in the first degree
Son of God hanging on a hill
Hell was my destiny
The crowd was shouting crucify
Could’ve come from these lips of mine
The dirty shame was killing me
It would take a miracle to wash me clean
Then I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
Felt like lightning hit my veins
My dead heart began to beat
Breath of God filled my lungs
And the Holy Ghost awakened me
Yeah, the Holy Ghost awakened me
When I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
For God so loved the whole wide world
Sent his only Son to die for me
Arms spread wide for the whole wide world
His arms spread wide where mine should be
Jesus changed my destiny
Thank You, God, for red letters
When the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
The prison walls started falling
And I am a free man today
Red Letters
Red Letters Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Crowder's song "Red Letters," released on October 30, 2018, is a powerful narrative of spiritual transformation and redemption. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of an individual's journey from a state of profound guilt and condemnation, likened to being on "death row," facing a destiny of separation from God. The initial verses place the listener squarely at the scene of the crucifixion, acknowledging personal culpability in the cry to "crucify," and describing the heavy burden of shame that felt crushing. This sets the stage for the dramatic shift that follows, highlighting the desperate need for a miracle to find cleansing and freedom.
The core of the song centers on the pivotal moment of encountering the "red letters." In many editions of the Bible, the words spoken by Jesus Christ are printed in red ink, making this phrase a common reference to His direct teachings and declarations. Reading or engaging with these words is depicted as a catalyst for a profound spiritual awakening. The lyrics describe this encounter as causing the ground to shake and prison walls to fall, powerful metaphors for breaking free from the bondage of sin and the consequences it brings. It signifies a liberation from spiritual death row, resulting in becoming a "free man."
This freedom is further elaborated as an internal, life-giving event. The song speaks of feeling like "lightning hit my veins," a sensation of sudden, vital energy. It describes a "dead heart" beginning to beat and the "breath of God" filling lungs, explicitly connecting this renewal to the work of the Holy Spirit who "awakened" the individual. This imagery aligns with biblical concepts of being made alive in Christ, receiving a new heart and spirit, and being indwelt by the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus. It is a transition from spiritual death to vibrant life.
The bridge of the song directly attributes this transformative experience to the immense love of God, referencing the well-known truth that God sent His Son to die for humanity. The image of Jesus with "arms spread wide" on the cross is presented as a substitutionary act, emphasizing that He took the place and punishment that the individual deserved. This act of sacrifice, rooted in divine love, fundamentally changed the destiny of the one who accepted it. The song concludes with an expression of gratitude for the "red letters" and the resulting freedom, confirming that the prison walls fell and the individual is now, in the present moment, a free man. The themes resonate deeply with scriptures such as John 3:16 on God's love, Romans 6:23 on the wages of sin and the gift of God, Romans 8:1-2 on freedom from condemnation through the Spirit, and Ephesians 2:4-5 on being made alive with Christ.
