"What's a Gospel Christmas song?" I asked my piano teacher, because it was my first Christmas at a multicultural church, and I wanted the Gospel choir to sing something special.
And this wasn't just any piano teacher. After a few months at my first multicultural church, the First Lady (senior pastor's wife) sponsored me to take 8 Gospel-style piano lessons with a teacher she knew in Rogers Park (a north neighborhood of Chicago). This teacher held two bachelors degrees in music (education and piano performance) from Jackson State. And he was teaching me my first piano lesson in 10 years.
My teacher told about the song "Take Me To The King," performed by Tamela Mann. Different than most Christmas songs, the lyrics detail a felt brokenness in approaching the baby Jesus. It could be a solo or a solo/choir song, and it could actually be sung anytime during the year. Video is below.
Take me to the King I don't have much to bring My heart is torn in pieces It's my offering Take me to the King
Truth is I'm tired Options are few I'm trying to pray But where are you? I'm all churched out
Hurt and abused I can't fake What's left to do?
Truth is I'm weak
No strength to fight No tears to cry Even if I tried But still my soul
Refuses to die One touch-will change-my life
Take me to the King I don't have much to bring
My heart's torn into pieces It's my offering Lay me at the throne
Leave me there alone To gaze upon Your glory And sing to You this song Please take me to the King
Truth is it's time
To stop playing these games We need a word For the people's pain So Lord speak right now Let it fall like rain We're desperate We're chasing after you No rules, no religion I've made my decision
To run to You The healer that I need
Take me to the King I don't have much to bring My heart's torn to pieces It's my offering Lay me at the throne
Leave me there alone To gaze upon Your glory And to sing to You this song Take me to the King
Lord we're in the way We keep making mistakes Glory is not for us Its all for You
Take me to the King I don't have much to bring My heart's torn to pieces It's my offering Lay me at the throne Leave me there alone To gaze upon Your glory And sing to You this song Take me to the King Take me to the King Take me to the King