You’ve probably heard it. That driving 6/8 rhythm, the swells of acoustic guitar, and that one line that seems to make every room go still: "It’s Your breath in our lungs." It feels like Great Are You Lord has just always existed, doesn’t it? Like it was unearthed rather than written.
Honestly, it’s rare for a song to jump from a small church in Tennessee to the top of the CCLI charts—where it sat at #3 alongside giants like Chris Tomlin—but that’s exactly what happened. The track, originally released by the duo All Sons & Daughters, basically redefined what a "modern classic" looks like. It isn't flashy. It doesn't have a bridge with fifty words you can't remember. It’s just raw.
Where Great Are You Lord Actually Came From
It started in 2012. David Leonard and Leslie Jordan, the core of All Sons & Daughters, were serving at Journey Church in Franklin. They weren't trying to write a radio hit. David actually wanted something his home congregation could "lean into." He wanted a song that was easy to sing but carried enough weight to stay with you on a Tuesday morning when life feels like a wreck.
They brought in Jason Ingram, a powerhouse songwriter who has worked with everyone from Lauren Daigle to Chris Tomlin. Jason had a specific line rattling around in his head: "It’s Your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise."
That line changed everything.
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The Louie Giglio Connection
Here is a bit of trivia most people miss. While they were recording the song, the band went to the Passion 2013 conference. They heard pastor Louie Giglio give a talk they hadn't expected. He said, "Worship is when we give God His breath back."
Leslie and David were floored. They had just written those exact words. It felt like a "punctuation mark" from the universe. They realized they weren't just writing a melody; they were capturing a physiological truth about what it means to be alive and grateful.
Why the Lyrics Hit So Hard
The song is structurally simple, but theologically, it’s a heavyweight. It opens with "You give life, You are love, You bring light to the darkness." That's not just fluff. It’s a direct nod to 1 John 1:5 and 2 Corinthians 4:6.
But the bridge is where the real drama happens.
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"And all the earth will shout Your praise / Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing / Great are You, Lord."
If those "bones" lines feel a little haunting, it's because they’re ripped straight out of Ezekiel 37. You know the story—the valley of dry bones. It’s about dead things coming back to life. For a lot of people, singing those words isn't just about music; it’s about a personal comeback.
A Quick Breakdown of the Song’s Vibe:
- The Rhythm: It uses a 6/8 time signature. This gives it a "swing" or a "waltz" feel that feels more like a heartbeat than a standard pop song.
- The Chords: It’s incredibly easy to play. Three or four chords, tops. That’s why you’ll hear it in a 5,000-seat auditorium and a tiny youth group basement on the same night.
- The Covers: Since its release, it has been covered by Michael W. Smith, Leeland, Passion, and countless others. It’s a universal language at this point.
The Controversy You Might Not Know
Believe it or not, not everyone loves this song. Some critics—the "theology purists"—have argued that the lyrics are a bit too "me-centric." They point out that the song focuses a lot on our lungs, our hearts, and our praise rather than a deep dive into specific doctrines like the atonement or justification.
Basically, the argument is that it’s more "emotional" than "educational."
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But fans of the song argue that's exactly why it works. It doesn't feel like a lecture. It feels like a conversation. It acknowledges that people come into a room "broken" (another key lyric) and need to be reminded that the very air they're breathing is a gift.
The Impact Today
All Sons & Daughters officially ended their "season" as a band in 2018. David and Leslie moved on to other projects (David Leonard has had a massive solo career since). But Great Are You Lord didn't stop.
It has stayed in the top tier of worship songs for over a decade. In an industry where songs have the shelf life of an avocado, that’s almost unheard of. It ranks right up there with "10,000 Reasons" or "How Great Is Our God."
The song works because it is honest. It doesn't pretend that life is perfect. It starts with the darkness and the brokenness and then moves toward the light.
How to Use This Song (Beyond Just Listening)
If you're a musician or just someone who wants to engage with the track more deeply, here are a few ways to really "get" the song:
- Read Ezekiel 37 first. Before you listen to the bridge, read the passage about the dry bones. It gives the "bones will sing" line a completely different weight.
- Focus on the breathing. The song is designed to be rhythmic. If you’re feeling stressed, use the chorus as a centering prayer. Breathe in on "It's Your breath," and breathe out on "praise."
- Check out the "Live" version. The studio version is great, but the live recording from their 2013 album Live captures the raw, unpolished energy that made the duo famous in the first place.
Whether you're singing it in a crowd of thousands or just humming it in your car, the message stays the same. It’s a reminder that as long as you have breath in your lungs, you have a reason to keep going.