

As he left the studio that day, John received the suggestion to ‘take it home and personalize it.’”Īs a result, the composer adapted a completed work into a new form-the result of which was one of the most popular hymns written in the late 20th century. The lyrics were on target, but not the music. When the media team met to put the music with the video for the first time, it became obvious that the dance-like beat and fast rhythm of the music did not match the gentle scenes being depicted on the screen. His Web site states: “John began work on the song before any footage for the video had been shot.
#One of us is crying lyrics series
Ylvisaker was asked to prepare a series on baptism called “Reflections” for the ALC. The composition of “Borning Cry” began in 1985, when Mr. Ylvisaker’s copyright covers more than 1,000 songs, and he is in high demand for performances and as a worship leader. He also produced SCAN, a weekly radio broadcast for the ELCA, and has received five Gabriel Awards for his broadcasting endeavors. Much of his original music has been composed for the Lutheran Vespers radio broadcasts and videos for the ELCA. Ylvisaker has been president of New Generation Publishers, a platform from which his compositions have appeared in hundreds of worship resources.Īn early work of note was his Mass for a Secular City (1967) followed by 11 recordings of his work between 19. Louis Park, Minn.ĭuring this time the composer also worked in the communications division of the American Lutheran Church (ALC), the predecessor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Ylvisaker served as the music director for the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in St. Cloud State College, he worked as a voice teacher from 1971-75 in Buffalo, Minn. Paul, the University of Minnesota and St. He studied at Concordia College in Minnesota, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1959.įollowing further studies at Luther Northwestern Seminary (now Luther Seminary) in St. The author and composer is John Carl Ylvisaker (b. The spirit of “Borning Cry” is one of a God who loved us from the beginning of time and continues to love us throughout the seasons of our life. Many hymns address God from the human perspective, but few address humanity from God’s point of view. A love song it is-between God and the singer. The ballad style of the music lends itself to a feeling of a love song. “Borning Cry” is one of the most popular songs in recent hymnals.
