Tenth Avenue North - Heaven's Sound Lyrics
Lyrics
From our darkest alleys
To our stained glass walls
However high we climb
No matter how many times we fall
From our greatest triumphs
To our deepest defeats
There is a song
Forever being sung by the redeemed
We can lift our voices
The strong, the weak, come on
WE WILL CRY, FILL THE SKY WITH A MELODY
'TIL OUR COURAGE SHAKES THE GROUND
WE ARE NOW, WE ARE LOVE FOR ALL ETERNITY
LET THIS BREATH JOIN HEAVEN'S SOUND
In our secret addictions
Let mercy flood in
And out of forgiveness
The power to break the chains begins
In our driest wheat fields
Let the brush fires burn
And out of the ashes
Beauty of love and life returns
And let us lift our voices
The strong, the weak come on
Heaven's sounds, like we're finally breathing
Heaven's sounds, let the guilty be clean
Heaven's sounds, like the rolling of thunder
Heaven's sounds, let prisoners free
Heaven's sounds, Heaven's sounds
Can you hear it now?
Video
Heaven's Sound - Tenth Avenue North (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on November 7, 2014, as part of their "Cathedrals (Deluxe Edition)" album, Tenth Avenue North’s "Heaven's Sound" immediately establishes itself as a profound exploration of human frailty and divine grace. Far from a simple worship track, this song delves into the messy reality of existence, painting a vivid picture of the human condition across its entire spectrum. It begins by acknowledging that whether we find ourselves in the "darkest alleys" of our failures or within the respectable confines of "stained glass walls," and through every triumph and defeat, there is a consistent, eternal melody being sung by those redeemed by grace. This underlying truth becomes the foundation upon which the entire song builds, presenting the "Heaven's Sound" not as a future hope alone, but as an ever-present reality that believers are invited to join.
The narrative of "Heaven's Sound" calls all people—the strong and the weak alike—to participate in this divine chorus, suggesting that our collective voices can create a ripple effect, a courageous anthem that reverberates deeply within the world. The lyrics boldly declare an identity rooted in eternal love and invite every breath to become part of this celestial symphony, a concept deeply resonant with biblical teachings. Revelation 5:9 speaks of a new song sung by the redeemed around the throne, celebrating God's act of purchasing people from every nation through His blood. Similarly, passages like Psalm 100 encourage all the earth to make a joyful noise to the Lord, worshipping Him with gladness and coming before Him with singing. The song posits that our earthly worship is not merely an echo, but an active, impactful contribution to this heavenly reality, capable of shaking the very ground beneath our feet, much like the prison walls that trembled for Paul and Silas when they praised God in Acts 16.
The song then shifts to specific areas of human brokenness, demonstrating how God's mercy and transformative power manifest in tangible ways. It addresses "secret addictions," invoking the idea of mercy flooding in to initiate forgiveness, which in turn unlocks the power to break chains. This speaks directly to the liberating truth found in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed," and aligns with Isaiah 61:1, where the Messiah is sent to proclaim freedom for captives and release for prisoners. Furthermore, the imagery of "driest wheat fields" experiencing "brush fires" and "out of the ashes" seeing "beauty of love and life return" is a powerful testament to spiritual renewal. This metaphor exquisitely reflects Isaiah 61:3, which promises beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. It also mirrors the restoration God promises in Joel 2:25, where He repays the years the locusts have eaten, bringing forth life and abundance from desolation.
The bridge serves as a powerful invocation, painting a multi-faceted picture of what "Heaven's Sound" truly brings. It is described as a moment of "finally breathing," symbolizing relief and new spiritual life, much like the breath of life God breathed into Adam in Genesis 2:7, or the Spirit Jesus breathed on His disciples in John 20:22. This divine sound makes "the guilty be clean," pointing directly to the atoning work of Christ, where through His blood, consciences are cleansed from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14). When the song describes Heaven's Sound as "like the rolling of thunder," it evokes the majestic, powerful, and undeniable presence of God, whose voice is frequently associated with thunder in Scripture, such as in Psalm 29 or Revelation 6:1. Ultimately, this heavenly sound is declared to "let prisoners free," reinforcing the theme of liberation and salvation that permeates the entire piece. The song's concluding question, "Can you hear it now?", acts as a direct, personal invitation, a challenge to open one's spiritual ears to the eternal melody of redemption, echoing Jesus' frequent call, "Whoever has ears, let them hear." "Heaven's Sound" is a profound declaration of God's redemptive work, urging all to find their voice within the unending chorus of His love and liberating power.