Were You There?
The third of our weekly musical reflections from the “Vigil Project” is a rendition of a well-known hymn, which asks the question “Were you there?”. Originally an African-American Spiritual, this song invites us to take a journey through the last days and hours of Christ’s life.
But, rather than drawing us into the sorrowful, the line about trembling at the thought of what took place should help us to stir within us a spirit of thankfulness at everything Jesus went through and a greater appreciation of why he had to die.
Maybe, as we listen, it is an opportunity for us to think about how we can share in Christ’s suffering, by bearing any struggles we may be currently facing, with courage. May we also take time, through our prayers, to become evermore present to the Lord, who loves us and who gave His life for us.
Lyrics
Were you there when they crucified
my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified
my Lord?
Ohh, sometimes it causes me to tremble,
tremble, tremble
Were you there when they crucified
my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed Him
to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed Him
to the tree?
Ohh, sometimes it causes me to tremble,
tremble, tremble
Were you there when they nailed Him
to the tree?
Were you there when they laid Him
in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid Him
in the tomb?
Ohh, sometimes it causes me to tremble,
tremble, tremble
Were you there when they laid Him
in the tomb?
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying for us. Thank you for sacrificing your life, that we may experience the hope of new life.
As we journey through Lent to Holy Week, may we meditate on the price you paid to bring us to wholeness.
Fill us with gratitude for the many blessings we experience daily.
Amen
These musical reflections are courtesy of the Vigil Project. VIGIL is a multimedia resource for deep prayer and authentic encounter with God, produced by a community of artists, musicians, and filmmakers