“Faith of My Fathers”

Words and Music by Joel Michael Herbert
Executive Producer: Michael Ehrhart
Mix Engineer: Brown Mix and Master
Mastering: Tuf Francis
All Instruments by Steve Brown, Joel Michael Herbert, Deion Patterson
Lead Vocals: Joel Michael Herbert, Dani Rocca, Flamy Grant
BGVs/Choir: Bethany McCade, Kagan Parker (Multi), Dani Rocca, Joel Michael Herbert

Verse 1
I don’t want the faith of my fathers
That bombs, segregates, and enslaves
That uses scripture as a weapon
If you’re a woman, immigrant, or gay
I don’t want the faith of my mothers
Silent while men hang from a tree
I see in Christ a clear reflection
A love beyond our wildest dreams

Pre-Chorus
Do justly
Love mercy
Walk humbly with your God

Chorus 1
I want the Faith of Moses
The Kind that sets the captives free
I want the faith of Naomi
Lifting the ones who are weak
I want the Faith of Mary
Holding the mystery deep inside
But most of all I want the faith
Of Jesus and his grace
Turning darkness into light

Verse 2
Down through the ages we’ve seen it
Religion turning into hate
Becoming a partner for violence
To war and steal and take and take
But when I read of the God of love
Who rescues even enemies
There’s something in me that rises up
Come be that hope in me

Chorus 2
I want the faith of Joseph
Forgiving those who do me wrong
I want the faith of Hannah
Turning my grieving into song
I  want the faith of Deborah
Leading a nation out of shame
But most of all I wanna run
To see your kingdom come
Rolling the stone of death away

Bridge
Do justly
Love mercy
Walk humbly with your God

Chorus 3
I want the faith of Esther
Confronting hate, not backing down
I want the faith of Tamar
The Courage to speak the  truth to power
I want the faith of Hagar
Naming the God who sees and hears
But Most of all I want to be
Like the one who died for me
The Love that’s casting out all fear

Chorus 4
I want the faith of Martin
Naming the Dream as though it was
I may not get there with you
But I know that we shall overcome
I want the faith of Malcolm and Mamie
That demands we face and see the truth
But most of all I want to be
Like Jesus was for me
The hope that’s making all things new

Tag
But most of all I want to be
Like the One who died for me
The Love that’s making all things new

“Faith of My Fathers” PDF Chord Chart

“Faith of My Fathers” full SATB Choral Score

Please feel free to use these charts as much as you want to. I believe this song has the potential to change the world if congregations start singing it and internalizing the message. It is also on CCLI, so if your church has a subscription, please make sure to report your usage of the song and request a CCLI chart to be made. That’s how CCLI works, and how they do payout to songwriters. Thank you for your love and support!