By Don Chapman
Easter’s coming up – a time when worship leaders are scrambling for meaningful music that connects both traditional and contemporary worshippers. My modern arrangement of Were You There might be just what you’re looking for. I’ve stripped away the complexity and created something that works beautifully with just piano and acoustic guitar, yet can be expanded for a full band setup. Especially for Good Friday services, sometimes simpler is better – letting the profound lyrics and melody speak to hearts without overproduction.
Hymnlink: Were You There blended with popular praise and worship songs
Were You There is an iconic church hymn that has been around for generations. Read more about the history of Were You There. It’s a powerful reminder of what Jesus went through on the cross and serves as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice He made for us. It’s also a great way to bring people together in worship, as it’s simple and easy to learn. Try ending a Good Friday or Communion service with Were You There and following it with any of these popular praise and worship songs that fit thematically:
“What A Beautiful Name” by Hillsong Worship
Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave
“In Christ Alone” by Keith & Kristyn Getty
There in the ground, His body lay
Light of the world, by darkness, slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave, He rose again
“The Stand” by Hillsong United
You stood before my failure
And carried the cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your Shoulders
My soul now to stand
“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” by Stuart Townend
Behold the Man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
“The Power of the Cross” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
This, the pow’r of the cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross
“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” by Chris Tomlin
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
Download Were You There:
Download sheet music, chord charts, tracks, multitracks and instrumental parts for Were You There exclusively with a hymncharts subscription. You won’t find this arrangement on any other website.
