Born Again

Josh Garrels' song 'Born Again' is a profound exploration of personal transformation and redemption. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a tumultuous journey from darkness to light, symbolizing a spiritual rebirth. The opening lines, 'I came into the world, into the wild / No place for a child,' set the stage for a life marked by struggle and survival. The imagery of howling with the 'ghouls of night' and learning to 'get what I need / In the dark, empty' suggests a period of moral and spiritual desolation, where the protagonist is driven by primal instincts and a sense of emptiness.

As the song progresses, the protagonist acknowledges a loss of control over their body and soul, indicating a deep internal conflict. The line 'Savior and enemy are both trying / To take my soul' encapsulates the battle between good and evil, a common theme in spiritual and religious contexts. This struggle reaches a turning point when the protagonist 'stumble[s] out to the light' and encounters a gaze 'so full of love,' prompting a moment of self-realization and repentance. The plea, 'Lord, what have I done?' signifies a recognition of past wrongdoings and a desire for forgiveness.

The chorus, 'I’m my mother’s child / I’m my father’s son / It took me a while / But my time has come / To be born again,' underscores the theme of rebirth. It reflects a return to one's roots and a reclaiming of identity, suggesting that the journey of transformation is both a personal and ancestral process. The song concludes with a hopeful note, emphasizing that in the light of divine love, 'we can begin again.' This message of redemption and new beginnings resonates deeply, offering a sense of hope and renewal to listeners.