Genuine
come-to-Jesus moments make this a classic
Come to the Waters
(Collector’s Edition)
Artist: Children of
the Day
Label: Born Twice
Records (www.boonesoverstock.com)
Length: 9 tracks/38
minutes
Simple, diverse,
sincere, earnest, and wise. It’s all here and more on Come to
the Waters (originally released 1971) by Children of the Day.
It starts with the
pleasant, straightforward “New Life,” a welcome-to-the-family
song. A surprise follows.
The sound of a
flute, followed by some woodwinds, and then harpsichord. The
baroque-influenced melody and melancholy lyrics of “As a Child”
extend for six minutes. It laments a former childhood openness that
has disappeared.
“All Breathing
Life” is a cappella, sung in the style of Handel’s Messiah,
where parts of words are
elongated, and the verses sung in rounds by the four members.
A Jewish rhythm
animates the energetic “Children of the Day.” The combination of
male and female harmonies, a folk style with no electric guitar,
mainly acoustic instruments, electric bass and occasional drums
(courtesy of John Mehler – Love Song, Richie Furay Band), with
thoughtful, pointed lyrics, made Children of the Day a premier group.
It is unashamedly
about a relationship with God through Jesus. We live in a different
era. This kind of directness now might be considered preachy, but
this does not sound forced. It’s a natural overflow from hearts
that are full. It’s the desire to share treasure meant for
everyone.
Records like this
can remind Christians of their first devotion when God’s presence
seems so near. It’s easy to let that slip because of cares and
desires. Listening can actually rekindle lost aspirations.
Thanks to my mother,
who played early Jesus music records on a stereo that went through
our whole house, I had a soundtrack for my early experience just
before and then after coming to Christ. Before I ever heard Larry
Norman, Randy Stonehill, Phil Keaggy and 2nd Chapter of
Acts, my mom was playing The Way, The Joy Album, Let
it Shine by Suncast, Love Song, The Praise Album,
Come Together by Jimmy and Carol Owens, and others. The soft
rock and simple lyrics were memorable, calling me. I never forgot
some of those songs.
No doubt my mom had
heard, “For Those Tears I Died,” the closing track on this
record. It became one of the most popular songs of the period. It’s
a genuine, moving come-to-Jesus moment, composed by group member,
Marsha Stevens, who was only 16 when she wrote it. Mark Allan Powell
calls it “an absolute masterpiece … it expresses adolescent piety
better than any other Christian song ever written.”
New listeners may
not feel a sense of nostalgia, but they can appreciate the sincerity
and the primitive excellence.
Another classic
invitation, “Two Hands,” written by Chuck Girard (Love Song), is
elegantly covered here.
The song that
follows, “Jesus Lives,” features background vocals that echo the
female lead, all leading to an exuberant chorus that becomes euphoric
when they begin to sing, “because of his love.” At that point,
just when you think their voices can’t soar any higher, they do.
Paradoxically, it’s a joyous song about Christ’s suffering and
dying. It celebrates what that makes possible.
We have Born Twice
Records to thank for reproducing this classic. As they detail in the
liner notes, the masters were long gone, so they purchased a sealed
vinyl copy and converted it to digital. Most people won’t be able
to tell but those who pay attention to such things will notice. It
sounds fine, and if you are into vinyl, you can find this album where
used records are sold.
Born Twice Records
has produced other classic Christian albums from the 60s, 70s, and
occasionally the 80s. You can get the recordings at their website
(see the address on the “Label” line).
