Tempo: 74 BPM (Driving 6/8 feel)
Instrumentation: Aggressive acoustic guitar strumming, atmospheric pads, heavy kick drum (Lion-style), gang vocals.
(Intro)
(Starts with a fast, percussive acoustic guitar strumming pattern—pure Josiah Queen style. It’s raw and unpolished.)
(Verse 1)
(Josiah Queen style - fast delivery, slightly gritty)
I know the grain of the cedar, I know the scent of the pine
I know how to hammer a nail into a crooked line
I’m just a man with some calluses, dust on my clothes
Living a life that nobody knows
But now the stars are all shifting, the angels came down
And told me the glimmer of Glory is found in this town
Now I’m staring at a manger, shaking in fear
wondering how in the world did we end up here?
(Pre-Chorus)
(Music drops out for a split second, then swells—Brandon Lake style)
I’m looking at hands that created the stars
Now they’re tiny and helpless and wrapped in my arms
(Chorus)
(Full Band kicks in - Brandon Lake anthemic style - Big, soaring vocals)
Oh, the Humble King, the Lowly One
The Father of creation is now the Son
You left the throne for a bed of hay
To wash all the filth of the world away
Glory to God in the lowest place
I’m staring into my Savior’s face
Oh, the Humble King.
(Verse 2)
(Drums keep a heartbeat rhythm. Acoustic guitar pulls back. Vocals are intimate.)
I’m supposed to be "father," I’m supposed to be strong
But how do I raise up the God who has been here all along?
I’ll teach Him to work, yeah, I’ll teach Him to walk
But He is the Word who taught mankind to talk
It’s a mystery so deep that I can’t understand
Why the Architect chose to be raised by a carpenter’s hand.
(Chorus)
(High energy, crashing cymbals)
Oh, the Humble King, the Lowly One
The Father of creation is now the Son
You left the throne for a bed of hay
To wash all the filth of the world away
Glory to God in the lowest place
I’m staring into my Savior’s face
Oh, the Humble King.
(Bridge)
(Music drops to a brooding synth pad and a singular kick drum. Builds slowly, repetition increasing in intensity—Classic Brandon Lake "Gratitude" build)
You came down low (to bring us up high)
You came down low (to bring us up high)
From the wood of the crib (to the wood of the cross)
You came to ransom the ones that were lost!
(Vocals get gritty and loud)
Yeah, You came down low (to bring us up high!)
You came down low (to bring us up high!)
You’re the God of the heavens (fitting in my hands!)
This was always the beautiful plan!
(Guitar Solo / Instrumental Break)
(High energy, folk-rock shouting)
WHOA! WHOA!
(Verse 3)
(Abrupt drop. Just acoustic guitar again. Josiah Queen style—quiet and tender)
Sleep now, little baby, don't You cry
I don't know the future, I don't know the "why"
But as long as I’m breathing, I’ll give You my best
Even though You are the one giving me rest.
(Outro)
(Soft fade)
The Architect... raised by the carpenter.
My son.
My King.
(Final chord strum)
AdamL
