Jesus, You Are All We Need

The story behind this song is in most ways rather unremarkable. I simply wondered why all of the music coming out of the contemporary church movement seems to be in 4/4 and 6/8 time signatures, with the exception of the occasional 3/4. I understand the challenge much of the western church would have in counting and feeling compound meter, but I couldn’t help wanting to try. So this song is that attempt. It’s written in 5/4 time, but most folks who have sung it haven’t seemed to notice. The surprise for me was the way in which the rhythm led me into the lyric that became the heart of the song.

All we have and all we hope for

All we are and long to be

Finds its fullness in you only

Jesus, you are all we need