A Couple of Hoes (Songs of the Day)

Two "Songs of the Day" featured today, both named Hosanna. The first is by Andrew Peterson (big suprise). I've been thinking about this a little bit and this may be Andrew's best, most complete song yet. I'm basing this on a combination of songwriting, melody, and production. Before performing this live, Andrew likes to explain a little about the name Hosanna. "Hosanna" is both a shout of praise and a cry out meaning "save us!". When the Jews called Jesus "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday, during his arrival into Jerusalem, they were saying that a) they recognize their need to be saved and b) Jesus was the one that saves and that they were praising him for that. Listen here.

I am tangled up in contradiction.
I am strangled by my own two hands.
I am hunted by the hounds of addiction.
Hosanna!

I have lied to everyone who trusts me.
I have tried to fall when I could stand.
I have only loved the ones who loves me.
Hosanna!

O Hosanna!
See the long awaited king
come to set his people free.
We cry O Hosanna!
Come and tear the temple down.
Raise it up on holy ground.
Hosanna!

I have struggled to remove this raiment,
tried to hide every shimmering strand.
I contend with these ghosts and these hosts of bright angels.
Hosanna!
I have cursed the man that you have made me,
as I have nursed the beast that bays for my blood.
Oh, I have run from the one who would save me.
Save me, Hosanna!

O Hosanna!
See the long awaited king,
come to set his people free.
We cry O Hosanna!
Come and tear the temple down.
Raise it up on holy ground.
Hosanna!

You have crushed beneath your heel the vile serpent.
You have carried to the grave the black stain.
You have torn apart the temple’s holy curtain.
You have beaten Death at Death’s own game. Hosanna!

O Hosanna!
Hail the long awaited king,
come to set his people free.
We cry O Hosanna!
Won’t you tear this temple down,
raise it up on holy ground.
O Hosanna!
I will lift my voice and sing:
you have come and washed me clean.
Hosanna.

I you listened to this song in the link, you probably noticed the choir singing the "Oh Hosanna"s in the chorus. This choir consisted of 40 Andrew Peterson fans who came to Nashville for a weekend to be on the album. Andrew posted a notice on his blog that the first 40 people to respond would have the chance to come and be on the record. Pretty cool.

The second "Hosanna" was written by Brooke Fraser and is performed by herself and Hillsong United on All of the Above. Listen here.

I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes
Yeah

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from Earth into
Eternity

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

While the lyrics are pretty good in this song, it's the music that I love more. Hillsong is great at building up songs into huge crashing climaxes. By the time the bridge comes around (heal my heart and make it clean) I'm pregnant with excitement and literally can't wait to sing out.

Anyway, I hope yall enjoy these songs as much as I do.