Riley Clemmons - Man Named Jesus Lyrics
Lyrics
I was stumbling down the broken road
Of mistakes that I made in my life
I was trying to fill an empty soul
From the wells that would all run dry
I met all kinds of guilt and judgment
All the ways that a heart can break
I met hope nearly gone
And lonely along the way
But
Then I met a man named Jesus
Then I met amazing grace
Introduced to a new kind of freedom
And I said goodbye to all the old chains
Left my burdens down in the water
I walk a little lighter these days
Something holy must have happened
When met a man named Jesus
‘Cause I’ve never been the same
I’ve never been the same
And ever since I found the living water
I’ll never have to thirst again
And ever since I’ve been forgiven
I don’t have to wear the shame of where I’ve been
I met all of His peace and kindness
All the ways that a heart can heal
Just when I’d given up
On finding a love that’s real
I’m telling everybody
All my friends
How my life got changed
I’m born again
Telling everybody
That I meet
That a man named Jesus
Is all you need
Video
Riley Clemmons - Man Named Jesus (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Riley Clemmons' powerful single, "A Man Named Jesus," released on September 22, 2023, as part of her album *Church Pew*, offers a profound testimony of transformation. The song vividly paints a picture of a life adrift, characterized by the weight of past mistakes and the hollow pursuit of temporary solutions. Clemmons articulates a relatable struggle with the emptiness that can plague the human soul, a searching for something that the world’s wells can never truly satisfy. This initial state of weariness, marked by guilt, judgment, and the near extinguishing of hope, sets the stage for the radical shift that the song proclaims.
The narrative then pivots dramatically with the introduction of "a man named Jesus." This encounter isn't merely intellectual; it's described as a meeting with "amazing grace," an introduction to a "new kind of freedom" that liberates from the "old chains." This echoes the liberating truth found in Galatians 5:1, which declares, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery." The imagery of leaving burdens behind "in the water" speaks to the cleansing and renewal that comes through faith, reminiscent of the baptismal imagery and the washing away of sins referenced in passages like 1 Peter 3:21. The profound impact of this encounter is captured in the declaration that she has "never been the same," a sentiment that resonates with the Apostle Paul's assertion in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!"
Further elaborating on this newfound liberty, Clemmons sings of the "living water" that eradicates all thirst, a direct allusion to Jesus' promise to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:14: "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The burden of shame is lifted because of forgiveness, a central tenet of the Gospel, articulated in Isaiah 43:25: "I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake and will not remember your sins." The song beautifully contrasts the brokenness of the past with the healing peace and kindness found in Christ, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6, which speaks of Jesus as the "Prince of Peace." This encounter is portrayed as a divine intervention, a source of genuine love sought after in desperation. The song culminates in an urgent, personal testimony, a desire to share this life-altering truth with everyone, proclaiming that Jesus is indeed "all you need," a powerful echo of Jesus' own words in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."