Hosanna – In 1988, I was working on a new Sequencer with my Yamaha DX7 keyboard and I stumbled on a progression, that became “Hosanna”. By 1989, I had finished a rough of the words and the melody. In 1993, working on recording the tune for the first time, I changed the instruments around (from synth sounds to more classical strings), created a regal intro (so “Star Wars”-like). As we were recording the guitars, I stood next to Tim and told him the chords to play as we were recording. Definitely unrehearsed… My vocal version was more like “Pink Floyd” than what I envisioned….So, Kevin Martin came in to salvage the song. Later, I sang low background vocals (just to add something to the performance of the song) and Mosa (I never knew her last name) came in to finish the high harmony. She was remarkable, coming in without ever hearing the song and knocking out the harmony parts in less than 2 hours. There is, also, one part at the end of the first chorus, where she holds a high note (her idea) right into the guitar lick….Top marks.
Visions of hope having swept the masses,
Seizing the time before it passes,
Now,
Vowing devotion as you reverently bow.
Locked in the quest of your own survival,
Longing to share in the king’s arrival,
Wait,
Rushing to meet Him as they pass through the gate.
Kingdom pressed to fit the mold,
Riding a colt foretold of old,
Anxious to see Messiah’s wrath,
Laying branches in His path.
Chorus:
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Wind driven fire roaring on the fringes,
Determined to see that the King avenges,
The land,
From the clutches of tyranny’s hand.
His coming you did not recognize,
And now it is hidden from your eyes,
Feeling betrayed,
With all those plans that you made.
Proclaiming the King has come to die,
A truth you hearts will not apply,
Hearing the babbling of a fool,
You will not have this man to rule.
Chorus:
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Herb Williams 1989