Whisnants - Burn The Boat Lyrics
Lyrics
V1:
The disciples watched one fateful night,
As the Lord gave in without a fight,
The soldiers came and all their hope was gone,
So confused and in such deep despair,
They took a boat they'd kept repaired,
They went back to fishing thinking they were all alone
V2:
A farmer known as a Godly man,
Was called to preach and leave his land,
And he followed God and served Him many years,
But later on he never saw the yield,
He used to see in his cotton field,
He went back to farming and he wept with bitter tears
Chorus:
Burn the boat, burn the plow,
So you won't ever turn around when God won't answer,
And your back's against the wall,
That old life you led before you left behind to serve the Lord,
Trust in Him and stay committed to His call,
Pray from deep inside, Lord I surrender all
Bridge:
The disciples saw the Risen Lord and rejoiced to hear His call,
And the farmer saw what they did,
Keep the faith and say Lord I surrender all,
I surrender all, I surrender all,
Repeat Chorus
Tag:
Pray from deep inside, Lord I surrender all
Video
Burn the Boat
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on October 27, 2016, The Whisnants' "Burn The Boat" delivers a powerful and unwavering call to absolute commitment in one's faith journey. The song masterfully interweaves two distinct narratives from both biblical and relatable human experience to illustrate the profound temptation to revert to comfort zones when faced with spiritual adversity or unanswered prayers, before ultimately presenting a definitive path forward. It’s a compelling exploration of surrender and steadfast trust, urging believers to eliminate all avenues of retreat once they have answered God's high calling.
The initial verse paints a poignant picture of the disciples following the crucifixion of Jesus. Witnessing the Lord's seemingly passive surrender, their hope shattered, they found themselves adrift in despair. Their immediate response, as depicted in the lyrics, was to return to their familiar trade, taking up their boat and nets once more, believing themselves abandoned and alone. This echoes the sentiment found in John 21:3, where Peter, after the resurrection but before a full understanding of its implications, declares, "I am going fishing," and others follow suit. It powerfully conveys the human inclination to retreat to what is known and comfortable when God's plan seems to unravel or when expectations are unmet. Their return to fishing wasn't a defiance of God, but a desperate search for security and purpose in the face of immense confusion and perceived failure, a common experience for those navigating difficult seasons of faith.
The second verse introduces another scenario, this time a godly farmer called to preach, leaving his land behind to serve the Lord for many years. However, when the visible "yield" he once saw in his cotton field diminished in his spiritual labors, a sense of futility set in, leading him to weep bitterly and return to farming. This narrative strikingly parallels the biblical account of Elisha, who, when called by Elijah to be his successor, burned his plowing equipment and slaughtered his oxen (1 Kings 19:19-21), signifying a complete and irreversible break from his old life. The farmer in the song, however, wavers, tempted by the tangible results of his previous occupation when the spiritual harvest seemed elusive. This resonates deeply with the struggles many face in ministry or service when immediate fruit isn’t evident, leading to discouragement and the desire to abandon the calling for something with more predictable outcomes.
The core message of the song erupts in the chorus: "Burn the boat, burn the plow." This is not a literal instruction but a potent metaphor for a decisive, irreversible commitment to God's path. It signifies cutting off all options for retreat, eliminating the temptation to turn back to the "old life" when the journey becomes arduous. The phrase directly challenges the inclination highlighted in the verses, urging believers not to waver "when God won't answer, and your back's against the wall." This speaks to the very essence of faith, defined in Hebrews 11:1 as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." It’s in these moments of profound difficulty, when divine silence feels deafening or circumstances seem insurmountable, that true commitment is tested. The chorus's powerful declaration to "Trust in Him and stay committed to His call, Pray from deep inside, Lord I surrender all" becomes the anthem for spiritual resilience, aligning with Romans 12:1-2, which calls believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, wholly devoted to God. It’s a profound act of self-denial and absolute trust, as Jesus instructed in Luke 9:23: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
The bridge offers the ultimate spiritual resolution to the initial dilemmas presented in the verses. It reveals that the disciples eventually "saw the Risen Lord and rejoiced to hear His call." Their despair and return to fishing were temporary detours, ultimately overshadowed by the glorious reality of the resurrection, which fundamentally changed their understanding and commitment (John 21, Acts 1-2). This pivotal moment underscores that God's plans often unfold in ways we don't immediately comprehend, and perceived endings are often new beginnings. The song then connects the farmer's experience to this revelation, imploring him to "Keep the faith and say Lord I surrender all." This echoes the sentiment that even when the "yield" isn't visible, and doubt tries to creep in, steadfast faith and total surrender are the responses God requires. It's a reminder that enduring through seasons of spiritual barrenness is part of the process, and that God’s faithfulness remains, even when our circumstances don't align with our immediate hopes. The repetition of "I surrender all" drives home the profound decision to give every aspect of life and will over to divine authority, echoing the deep spiritual truth that true freedom and purpose are found in submitting entirely to God's sovereign leading, rather than clinging to the familiar comforts of the past. "Burn The Boat" ultimately stands as an inspiring anthem for an unreserved, unwavering walk of faith, urging every believer to embrace a life fully committed to God, with no option for retreat.