Music Review: ‘Awaken the Dawn’ by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Written by Paula K. Parker

With songs like “In Christ Alone” or “The Power of the Cross” over the past decade, Irish composer Keith Getty has led the modern hymns movement. After his marriage, his wife, Kristyn, joined him, adding her beautiful soprano to Keith’s rich piano arrangements. “Awaken the Dawn,” the Getty’s second project together, joins ancient hymns with new songs of faith for a lyrical journey that spans time.
 
All 13 cuts on the project are rich, evoking worship and mediation. Unique to this project, the liner notes explain the purposes the Getty’s vision for each song. Opening with a single, haunting violin, “Hear O Israel” is based upon the Jewish “Shema” and is a call to worship. It segues seamlessly into “Come, People of the Risen King,” an upbeat tune with the message of uniting with believers everywhere to praise and rejoice in the risen Lord. “Still, My Soul, Be Still” is a gentle reminder to calm our restless spirits and remember Who is in control of our lives. With her beautiful Irish lilt, Kristyn reads “Psalms 57” from which the title of the project comes.
 
“Awaken the Dawn” has an accompanying DVD that expounds on the stories behind the project’s songs. When contemplating writing “Behold the Lamb: Communion Hymn,” Keith and Kristyn explain that often we come to the Table of the Lord without even thinking of the significance of what is occurring. To counter this, they included an unusual rhythm in the song, to cause people to focus on what it represents. The final song on the project, “What Grace is Mine,” was taped at the Abbey Road Studios on St. Patrick’s Day and is appropriately set to the tune of “Londonderry Air.” The lyrics, which open, “What grace is mine that He who dwells in endless night/called through the night to find my distant soul” are stunning and leaves listeners pondering the greatness of the love that sent Christ to the cross…for us.

Paula K. Parker covers entertainment for LifeWay.com from her home in Middle Tennessee. Visit her online at www.wordcrafts.net.

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