Sixpence None the Richer vocalist
Leigh Nash has one of the most recognized voices in all of music and her mega-hit song, “Kiss Me,” can still be heard on a regular basis just about anywhere. I have long been a fan of her songs and her vocals, especially “Breathe Your Name” and “There She Goes” with Sixpence.
Hymns and Sacred Songs by Leigh Nash offers an exceptional set of classic hymns, re-written with fresh new melodies and modern arrangements including "Blessed Redeemer", "Be Still My Soul", "Power of The Cross" and more. In the early 2000’s, Leigh recorded several worship songs for the City On A Hill collections, including “Precious Jesus”, “Beautiful Scandalous Night” and “With Every Breath”—which I’m still savoring many years later. If you have always enjoyed her vocals, then pick up this collection of worshipful songs immediately.
Leigh’s emotional vocal style is greatly displayed as she passionately sings her heart out on these songs. She clearly identified personally with the lyrics as you can hear her voices break as she proclaims these truths of the faith.
No song better displays Leigh’s emotional connection to these songs than the incredible modern hymn “Power of the Cross,” written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. Stuart and Keith have collaborated to write some of the most beloved songs for the church of the past decade, having also written “In Christ Alone” and “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us.”
If you like those songs, then you absolutely can’t miss Leigh’s deeply moving recording of “Power of the Cross,” my favorite song on this solid album. I had the great opportunity to interview Leigh Nash about her recording of the modern worship hymn “Power of the Cross.”
Please tell me the personal story behind recording this song.
My producer chose many of the songs, including this one. I came across this song and I was struck by the words. I’d heard the song before, but not a lot. The words are incredibly powerful and the song is beautiful. I didn’t know just how moving it would be to me until I went to record my vocals for the song. I had a hard time keeping it together when I sang the song. The words and melody just slay me. I’m so thankful this song is on my album. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a girl, but I’m a person with really deep feelings. It’s sometimes both a blessing and a curse. It’s hard for me to sing in church. Hearing all those voices together is so emotional.
Please tell me about any Bible verses that connect to the message of the song.
Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
What do you consider to be the takeaway message for listeners for this song and album?
That second verse is heartbreaking: “Oh, to see the pain, Written on Your face, Bearing the awesome weight of sin. Ev'ry bitter thought, ev'ry evil deed, crowning Your bloodstained brow.” It was very emotional to sing those words, and it is a breathtaking song in so many ways. The lyrics are relatable and are very close to my heart or any believer’s heart. For absolutely anyone who listens to my album, no matter how they come across it, I hope they find peace in these songs. People, including myself, need it more than ever these days. I hope this offers that comfort. The messages of encouragement and hope on the album are song to song.
I don’t usually record an album and then listen to it everyday, but with this album I have. I listen to it over and over again, for calming, and easing anxiety. As a listener, I don’t care who sang these songs; it’s been balm for my soul. I can only hope and pray this can do that for people. I’ve heard over the years that a lot of fans my voice calms people down and soothes them. I’m thankful for that. I didn’t do it; God gave me this voice. Paired with these awesome words and melodies, I hope that’s an uber-tool to help people through hard times.
Lyrics:
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Asbury’s Bible commentary: “Rarely would anyone die for a righteous person, though some may possibly dare to die for their benefactor. But surely no one would die for the enemy. Yet Christ died for us, ungodly sinners and God's enemies! God demonstrates his own love for us in this. The tenses of the verbs are noteworthy. The event of crucifixion was a past one, but the fact that it took place remains as a present proof of God's love for us. It is hard to die for one's enemy. It is much easier to save one's friend. When we were still sinners and God's enemies, Christ died for us in order to reconcile us to God and make us His friends. Since God has done this much harder thing, surely we can count on Him to do the much easier thing, to save us, His friends, from His wrath in the future. Meanwhile we can now rejoice in God and in His present grace states, We are reconciled to Him through the death of His Son; and How much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!”
I love the sincerity and humility of this song. I sing it at the top of my lungs in praise and awe of my Savior and King, Jesus. When Leigh tenderly sings the last verse, “Oh to see my name, written in the wounds, for through Your suffering, I am free, death is crushed to death, life is mine to live, won through Your selfless love,” I can’t hold it together any longer and the tears stream down my face. Worship is really about submission and our roles as worshippers are really defined in this song, which is to just be amazed and in awe of the power of the Cross. All we can do is submit to Him and give everything we have to Him. "Power of The Cross" brings me to tears as I pray along with the compelling and moving lyrics. Thank you, Leigh, for this offering of praise to our Savior and for blessing us with your voice.
