The Imperials - Big Ball Turning Lyrics
Lyrics
Seasons come and seasons go
But still the world she be turnin'
I often stop and wonder
How long will God
Keep the fire burnin'
Sometimes it seems the world's gone mad
But i know there's hope for our children
'Cause Jesus told us what to do
And i know now's not the time to give in
Long as we have breath
Let's keep pushing
Fighting to the death
Stop at nothing
His never ending flame
Keep it burning Ooh
Long as the big ball
Long as the big ball is turning
Time to feed the hungry heart
That's never tasted compassion
It's the time to spread the word
Hey there's a love that is everlasting
Yellow line down an upon road
Don't say where she's going
Still we follow just the same
Oh, there is hope of a new horizon
Long as we have breath
Let's keep pushing
Fighting to the death
Stop at nothing
His never ending flame
Keep it burning Ooh
Long as the big ball
Long as the big ball is turning
Round and roud and round it goes
But God is in control
He knows just where we're going
Yes the future's in His hands
I don't know when we will land
Oh no
But i'll keep right on trustingin the Master's plan
Long as we have breath
Let's keep pushing
Fighting to the death
Stop at nothing
His never ending flame
Keep it burning Ooh
Long as the big ball
Long as the big ball is turning
Video
Big Ball Turning
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on July 2, 2015, The Imperials’ "Big Ball Turning" stands as a stirring anthem of enduring faith and unwavering commitment in a world often marked by confusion and despair. The song immediately establishes itself not just as a piece of music, but as a robust theological statement, inviting anyone who hears it into a deeper reflection on life's purpose and God's enduring presence. It’s a message that resonates with the core human experience of navigating uncertainty while clinging to an unshakeable hope.
The heart of "Big Ball Turning" lies in its profound call to perseverance, framed by the steadfast reality of God's sovereignty. The opening lines acknowledge the cyclical nature of time—"Seasons come and seasons go, But still the world she be turnin’"—a simple yet powerful metaphor for the constancy of creation even as humanity grapples with change and the unknown. This serves as a backdrop for the poignant question of how long God's patience endures, a spiritual pondering that leads directly into the recognition of a world that "seems gone mad." Yet, amidst this chaos, the song refuses to yield to cynicism, declaring a firm belief in "hope for our children" because "Jesus told us what to do." This isn't just a vague sentiment; it's a direct reference to the clear directives found in Scripture, echoing passages like Matthew 22:37-39, where Jesus summarizes the law with love for God and neighbor, and Matthew 28:19-20, commissioning believers to make disciples. It’s a powerful reminder that divine instruction provides clarity when earthly paths are muddled, urging us not to "give in" but to press on.
The repeated chorus is a vibrant charge to action, a battle cry for the spirit: "Long as we have breath, Let's keep pushing, Fighting to the death, Stop at nothing." This imagery conjures the spiritual warfare described in Ephesians 6, where believers are called to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. The "never ending flame" that we are urged to keep burning can be understood as the Holy Spirit within us, as cautioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 not to quench the Spirit, or the enduring light of our witness for Christ, a flame ignited by God's eternal love (Romans 8:38-39). The metaphor of the "big ball turning" becomes more than just a description of the Earth; it represents the ongoing journey of life itself, implying that as long as there is life and opportunity, our mission persists. This ties into the biblical principle of enduring to the end, as highlighted in Matthew 24:13, where perseverance is crucial for salvation.
The song then shifts its focus to outward action, emphasizing the urgency to "feed the hungry heart that's never tasted compassion" and to "spread the word" of an "everlasting love." This resonates deeply with Christ's teachings in Matthew 25:35-40, where serving others is equated with serving Him, and the Great Commission in Mark 16:15, urging us to carry the Gospel message to all corners of the Earth. The imagery of a "yellow line down an upon road" that "don't say where she's going" perfectly captures the human experience of navigating life's journey without full knowledge of the future. Yet, the song insists, "Still we follow just the same, Oh, there is hope of a new horizon." This embodies the essence of faith—trusting God's leading even when the path ahead is unclear, knowing that He has a future and a hope for us (Jeremiah 29:11). It's a testament to the fact that our ultimate destination, our "new horizon," is secure in His promise, regardless of immediate circumstances.
Ultimately, "Big Ball Turning" culminates in a powerful declaration of God’s ultimate control: "Round and round and round it goes, But God is in control." This profound truth, affirmed in Psalm 103:19 that the Lord has established His throne and rules over all, offers immense comfort and strength. It reinforces that despite the world's perceived madness and our limited understanding—"I don't know when we will land"—our future rests securely in His hands. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that while we may plan our course, it is the Lord who establishes our steps. The song concludes with a reaffirmation of unwavering trust in the "Master's plan," a surrender of our limited understanding to His infinite wisdom, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." "Big Ball Turning" is more than just a song; it's a spiritual anchor, a steadfast declaration that as long as the world continues its rotation, believers are called to live with purpose, compassion, and unyielding faith in the unchanging power and presence of God.