Despite not having released an album in 15 years, System of a Down have seen a sudden resurgence of relevance in recent months. From frontman Serj Tankian's forthcoming documentary about music and activism, to Soccer Mommy and SASAMI organizing a cover of "Toxicity" for their singles series, to that time a Nigerian wedding party went viral for throwing down to the same track — the band are truly seeing a renaissance in 2020.
The hallmark of their return has only now just occurred, so many years later, as the Armenian-American alt-rock group have just become the subject of a Christian worship cover band — formed by children and fronted by a rainbow-clad eight-year-old girl.
Backed by the O'Keefe Foundation, the five-piece Christian rock troupe have rewritten "Chop Suey!" to make it more Jesus-friendly, touting lyrics like "Wake up / I praise the Lord with every breath I take up / Forgive the sins I know I gotta make up / Like stealing all the cookies on the table / I try my best to do as I am able."
The O'Keefe Foundation's YouTube channel is filled with other Christian-rewrites of metal tracks from bands like Metallica, Pantera, White Zombie and more. You can check those out here — if that's your kind of thing.
Watch the kids' take on "Chop Suey!" below, where you'll also find the full lyrics as written by Diane O'Keefe.
Wake up
I praise the Lord with every breath I take up
Forgive the sins I know I gotta make up
Like stealing all the cookies on the table
I try my best to do as I am able
You wanted to
I praise the Lord with every breath I take up
You wanted to
Forgive the sins I know I gotta make up
You wanted to
Like stealing all the cookies on the table
That day on the mountainside
helpless and crucified.
Arms, wide, you took up your cross and died
That day on the mountainside
helpless and crucified.
Arms, wide, you took up your cross and died
you had, nobody on your side
Arms, wide, you took up your cross and died
Father, father, father, father
Father, father, father, father
Father into your hands, I commend my spirit
Father, into your hands…
Even though I'm not worthy
in your eyes you see through me
in my thoughts you cradle me
in my heart you're calling… me…
I find, myself climbing a mountainside
wings wide, where angels deserve to fly
you cried, helpless and crucified,
arms wide, you took up your cross and died
The hallmark of their return has only now just occurred, so many years later, as the Armenian-American alt-rock group have just become the subject of a Christian worship cover band — formed by children and fronted by a rainbow-clad eight-year-old girl.
Backed by the O'Keefe Foundation, the five-piece Christian rock troupe have rewritten "Chop Suey!" to make it more Jesus-friendly, touting lyrics like "Wake up / I praise the Lord with every breath I take up / Forgive the sins I know I gotta make up / Like stealing all the cookies on the table / I try my best to do as I am able."
The O'Keefe Foundation's YouTube channel is filled with other Christian-rewrites of metal tracks from bands like Metallica, Pantera, White Zombie and more. You can check those out here — if that's your kind of thing.
Watch the kids' take on "Chop Suey!" below, where you'll also find the full lyrics as written by Diane O'Keefe.
Wake up
I praise the Lord with every breath I take up
Forgive the sins I know I gotta make up
Like stealing all the cookies on the table
I try my best to do as I am able
You wanted to
I praise the Lord with every breath I take up
You wanted to
Forgive the sins I know I gotta make up
You wanted to
Like stealing all the cookies on the table
That day on the mountainside
helpless and crucified.
Arms, wide, you took up your cross and died
That day on the mountainside
helpless and crucified.
Arms, wide, you took up your cross and died
you had, nobody on your side
Arms, wide, you took up your cross and died
Father, father, father, father
Father, father, father, father
Father into your hands, I commend my spirit
Father, into your hands…
Even though I'm not worthy
in your eyes you see through me
in my thoughts you cradle me
in my heart you're calling… me…
I find, myself climbing a mountainside
wings wide, where angels deserve to fly
you cried, helpless and crucified,
arms wide, you took up your cross and died
