Sanctus Real – Lead Me

Forming in 1996, Ohio-based Christian rock band Sanctus Real has left their mark in American homes.  They independently released three albums: All This Talk of Aliens (1998), Message for the Masses (1999), and Nothing to Lose (2001) before signing with Sparrow Records.  Under Sparrow, they released:

• Say It Loud (2002)
• Fight the Tide (2004)
• The Face of Love (2006)
• We Need Each Other (2008)
• Pieces of a Real Heart (2010)
• Pieces of Our Past: The Sanctus Real Anthology (2010)
• Run (2013)
• The Dream (2014)

In 2016, they independently released their EP This Is Love and switched to Framework/Fair Trade for Changed (2018) and Unstoppable God (2019).

Though Sanctus Real was nominated for several GMA and two Grammy Awards, they won a GMA Award in 2005 for “Modern Rock Album of the Year” for Fight the Tide.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Sanctus-real-lead-me-lyrics.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

Though on the outside, Sanctus Real appears to have the picture-perfect family, they have intimate knowledge of familial struggle.  Sanctus Real asks the Father to help them strongly lead their wives and children with kindness, compassion, and love.

It’s possible that “Father” can refer to any number of deities that contain a Father.  It doesn’t take away much from Sanctus Real’s overall message.

Score: 9/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

All lyrics align with the Bible.

While I am tempted to utilize a two-point penalty, I can’t think of many people who would think Father refers to someone other than the Christian God.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-4: This is part of a larger prayer, contextualized in the Bridge. Loosely describes the difference between outward appearance and one’s own inner-thoughts (1 Samuel 16:7).

[Hook]

Line 1-8: Describes the wife’s submission to the authority of her husband and, in turn, the husband’s role to lead, strengthen, comfort, and sacrificially love his wife (Genesis 3:16, 1 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Ephesians 5:22-33, Philippians 2:1-8, and 1 Peter 3:1-7).

In its second iteration, the subject shifts to children based on content in Verse 2.  Fathers lead children by example, take care of familial needs, discipline, and comfort them (Proverbs 3:11-12, Proverbs 6:23, Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 19:18, Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 23:13-14, Proverbs 29:15-17, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Ephesians 6:4, Philippians 2:1-8, Colossians 3:21, 1 Timothy 5:8, Hebrews 12:4-11).

The final iteration of Hook is re-contextualized again, shifting the focus from others to monologue and containing all the Scriptures previously stated in this section and additional Scripture stated in Bridge.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-4: See commentary on Verse 1, lines 1-4.

[Bridge]

Lines 1-3: Contextualizes the entire song as a prayer to the Father, that He shows the way to lead others (Psalm 5:8, Psalm 25:4, Psalm 27:11, Psalm 86:11, Psalm 119:27, and Isaiah 2:3).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Sanctus Real uses everyday language to communicate the thrust of their message described in section 1. They offer practical advice, not unlike the writings of Solomon (and others) in Proverbs. Unbelievers will likely see this as prayer unless they are unaware that “Father” Refers to God.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify

It glorifies God through its common sense message that everyone can use.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Sanctus Real’s Lead Me is a great song.  Though the word “Father” is not exclusively shown to be Christian, it offers sound advice for familial relations, glorifying God.

This is not a worship song and should not be used as such.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Lead Me (listen to the song)

Artist: Sanctus Real

Album: Pieces Of A Real Heart

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2010

Duration: 3:48

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Updates:

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.