The Lamps Broke First

Lyrics

Written by Carl Hicks Jr. / SESAC

[Chorus – Full Choir, Tight Unison]
The lamps broke first
The lamps broke first
Then the light came shining
And the whole camp heard

Three hundred standing
No army in sight
Just trumpets and vessels
And fire in the night

The lamps broke first
The lamps broke first
When Gideon gave the signal
The enemy turned

[Bridge – Warm Stacked Harmonies]
God cut the number
So no man could boast

Too many soldiers
For the Lord of Hosts

Three hundred chosen
Watching by the stream

What looked like weakness
Was heaven's strategy

Not by the crowd
Not by the count

God gets the glory
When the victory comes out

[Chorus – Choir Snaps, Unexpected Brass Hits]
The lamps broke first
The lamps broke first
Then every hidden flame
Lit up the darkness

Trumpets started sounding
Voices filled the night

"The sword of the Lord
And of Gideon!" they cried

The lamps broke first
The lamps broke first
When the light broke through
The enemy turned

[Bridge – Rhythmic Choir Changes]
Jar broke
Light showed

Horn blew
Fear rose

Camp shook
Men ran

God fought
For Gideon's band

No sword swinging
No battle line

God sent confusion
At the perfect time

Stand where He placed you
Do what He said

The enemy scattered
Before Israel stepped

[Repetitive Run – Deep Pocket Groove]
Break the jar
Show the light

Break the jar
Show the light

Blow the horn
Lift the cry

God is moving
In the night

Three hundred
Three hundred

That was all He chose

Three hundred
Three hundred

And the whole camp broke

Light up
Light up

Let the fire show

Sound off
Sound off

Let the trumpet blow

The sword of the Lord
The sword of the Lord

And Gideon
And Gideon

They ran
They ran

The enemy ran

God won
God won

With three hundred men

[Choir Run – Tight Vocal Changes]
Less men
More glory

Small band
Big story

Clay jars
Bright flame

One sound
One name

He cut it down
Then raised faith up

God made three hundred
More than enough

[Outro – Smooth Choir Resolution]
The jars were broken
The fire appeared

The trumpets sounded
The enemy feared

Gideon obeyed
And heaven confirmed

The lamps broke first
Then the whole camp turned

The lamps broke first
The lamps broke first

[Final Choir Hit]
Three hundred!