Rich Mullins - Cry The Name Lyrics
Lyrics
I cannot hide this longing that grows
In this temple of silence and stars
But a thief in the night stole in and broke
Every chain that had bound up my heart
I cannot cling to shadows again
So here on this altar tonight
I lay every dream I've ever dreamt
To burn in the fire He lights
I cry the Name of the One who loves me
The Name of the One on whom I call
'Til it roars like thunder
Rolling down these canyon walls
I cry the Name of the One who loves me
The Name of the One on whom I call
'Til it roars like thunder
Rolling down these canyon walls
Every breath I've ever breathed
Was sent as a gift from on high
And with all that is left of all that is me
Up to the Heavens I cry
The Name of the One who loves me
The Name of the One on whom I call
'Til it roars like thunder
Rolling down these canyon walls
I cry the Name of the One who loves me
The Name of the One on whom I call
'Til it roars like thunder
Rolling down these canyon walls
The Name of the One who loves me
Name of the One on whom I call
'Til it roars like thunder
Rolling down these canyon walls
I cry the Name of the One who loves me
The Name of the One on whom I call
Down these canyon walls
I cry out Your name
I cry Your name out
'Til it roars like thunder
Rolling down these canyon walls
The Name of the One on whom I call
'Til it roars like thunder
Rolling down these canyon walls
Down these canyon walls
Video
Cry The Name
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on January 8, 1995, as part of the profound collection known as "Brother's Keeper," Rich Mullins' "Cry The Name" emerges as a powerful declaration of radical devotion and divine liberation. This song, like much of Mullins' work, bypasses superficial sentimentality to delve into the raw, honest landscape of a soul wrestling with and ultimately surrendering to its Creator. It speaks to an innate human yearning for something beyond the tangible, articulated in the opening lines about a "longing that grows in this temple of silence and stars." This inherent desire for the divine, a recognition that God has "put eternity into man's heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11), forms the foundation upon which the narrative is built. It’s a profound acknowledgment of the spiritual hunger that no earthly satisfaction can truly quell, beckoning the soul toward its ultimate source.
The song then pivots dramatically with the image of a "thief in the night" who "stole in and broke every chain that had bound up my heart." This unconventional portrayal of a thief, traditionally a symbol of loss, here represents a sudden, unexpected divine intervention that brings freedom. It beautifully illustrates the liberating power of Christ, who proclaimed, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). The chains symbolize sin, fear, worldly attachments, or past traumas that hold the spirit captive. This sudden rupture signifies a spiritual awakening, a moment of grace that shatters bondage and ushers in an era of newfound liberty in Christ. With this freedom comes a resolute turning away from former ways: "I cannot cling to shadows again." This line encapsulates the transformative power of light dispelling darkness, echoing passages like John 1:5, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." It marks a decisive break from anything that obscures the truth or hinders spiritual growth.
The heart of the song’s message lies in the subsequent act of total surrender: "here on this altar tonight, I lay every dream I've ever dreamt to burn in the fire He lights." This is a poignant imagery of consecration, an offering of one's entire life, ambitions, and self-will to God. It calls to mind Romans 12:1, which exhorts believers to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." It’s an embrace of the refining fire of God, not as destruction, but as a purification that consumes what is impure and shapes what is eternal, much like the potter's fire mentioned in Jeremiah 18:6. This act of laying down personal desires allows for God's divine purpose to take precedence, fostering a life truly yielded to His will.
The powerful chorus then bursts forth as the song's central declaration: "I cry the Name of the One who loves me, the Name of the One on whom I call, 'Til it roars like thunder rolling down these canyon walls." This is not a casual utterance but a passionate, desperate, and all-consuming invocation of God's name. It emphasizes an intimate, personal relationship, acknowledging God as "the One who loves me," a truth affirmed throughout Scripture, especially in 1 John 4:8, "God is love." To "cry the Name" suggests profound reliance, reverence, and an earnest seeking of His presence and power. The imagery of it "roaring like thunder" evokes the majesty and awesome power of God (Psalm 29:3-4) and the reverberating impact of fervent prayer. It suggests that such a declaration, born from a surrendered heart, does not remain confined but echoes powerfully, making its presence known and felt far beyond the individual, reflecting the unstoppable nature of God’s Spirit.
Further deepening this commitment, the song articulates, "Every breath I've ever breathed was sent as a gift from on high, and with all that is left of all that is me, up to the Heavens I cry." This is a humble acknowledgment of life itself as a divine endowment, a concept found in Acts 17:25, which states that God "gives to all life and breath and everything." This gratitude fuels a complete and utter offering of one's entire being, holding nothing back. It signifies worship that encompasses every fiber of one's existence, a profound act of praise where the whole self becomes an instrument of devotion. "Cry The Name" serves as an enduring anthem for the believer, encouraging an unreserved, passionate pursuit of God, reminding us that in laying down our lives, we truly find them, and in crying out His Name, we encounter His boundless love and transformative power. It stands as a testament to the profound beauty of a life fully abandoned to the Creator, a powerful call to embrace the thunderous echo of His presence in our lives.