Artist of the Week

Artist: Bluetree
Album: God of This City
Song: When I Survey

I really like to listen to artists who have accents. I have always liked the Newsboys and Rebecca St. James with their Australian accents. Then there is Matt Redman and Delirious from the UK. But perhaps the coolest accent of all is the Irish accent. The mainstream band U2 is a lot of fun to listen to, and this week’s Artist of the Week is from Ireland as well. Bluetree has just recently been hitting the Christian radio stations in the US with their new worship song, God of This City. Bluetree is a band that has been around since 2004 and has been active in the UK since then. The band was actually born out of frustration of the idea that worship is only from the heart. Here is what the lead singer Aaron Boyd has to say: “We are Jesus’ hands and feet in the world. Let’s not just ask God to change everything, but let’s be a blessing and speak words of life into people’s difficult circumstances.” I totally agree with the frustration that brought this band into existence. Worship is not just from our heart and our attitude towards God, it is our life. If we want to truly worship God, we need to worship Him with all of our lives. This album is filled with genuine worship songs that inspire us to live for God. One of the songs on the album is an old hymn, which is this week’s song. When I Survey is Bluetree’s version of When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.

I give Bluetree 5 out of 5 dundies for lyrical content, as their songs are wonderfully written worship songs that truly inspire you to bow and worship God. I also give them 5 out of 5 on musical style and talent. They are gifted in voice and instrument and they are using that for the glory of God. One really awesome thing about Bluetree is that when you buy their album on DiGSTATION for $7.99, they will donate $2 of each album sold to help end child trafficking.

Here are the lyrics to the song. Click on Artist of the Week to see a video on YouTube of the song put to a slideshow of pictures. Enjoy!

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all