Most of the music I have personally written/arranged has been for Advent and Christmas. But I deeply love the music of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. I think this is due mainly to the fact that I believe (as Robert Webber teaches) that music is all about doing God’s story- and that involves more than just singing about it and preaching it. Walking with Christ from the Upper Room to the Garden-from the Garden to the cross-from the cross to the grave, and from the grave to the empty tomb, and ultimately His ascension, It is all so powerful, unifying, and overwhelmingly exhilarating, to say the least, to retrace the steps of Christ and enact the story of our redemption; to identify with Christ in His death, burial, and Resurrection. Maybe this is why the early church longed to be baptized on Resurrection Sunday.
So, with that said, here are some of the songs I am choosing to sing this Good Friday and Easter:
Good Friday – For years, I have been doing one version or another of a service I created back in 2001, entitled The Cup, the Cross, and the Crown. The service structure is simple: silence, Scripture, and song. Not only are passages from the Passion read, but verses that speak of the significance of Christ’s atoning work. The song selections vary from year to year; here are some of the songs we will use for 2025.
Here is Love: this has been a favorite of mine for a few decades now, and the latest version by the Gettys and Matt Boswell raises it to even greater heights. I love the humble folkiness and the ancientness evoked by the use of Celtic sounds and devices.
And Can it Be (Amazing Love): I love the timeless version of the hymn by Charles Wesley and Thomas Campbell, but I am drawn most to the arrangement by Dan Forrest. This choral setting is my Good Friday equivalent to O Holy Night at Christmas. I love the orchestral accompaniment but am partial to the choir and piano setting.
The Holy Heart: This song was written and recorded by the original members of Maranatha Music’s Praise Band. A little pitch as well…I prepared a choral arrangement for this piece, which includes wind and string parts. Hit me up if interested!
Now for Easter…
On Christmas Eve, one of the main expectations people have is they will get to sing some of the most well-known, classic, timeless songs of Christmas in an unfiltered, unedited manner. To a degree, I think the same applies to Easter. My church family will sing hymns such as Christ the Lord is Risen Today and Crown Him with Many Crowns, but we will also mix in two current, powerful, heroic anthems of the church.
Death was Arrested: some compelling modern songs help your worshippers enter into the story and feel the power of the Resurrection and the triumph of the ages. This is the song if you have a good rock-y, gospel-y or even a slightly country-fied (not fried), gritty male lead voice. The song’s lyrics point us to Acts 2:24 and I Cor. 15:55-57. Again, this song inspires us to identify with Christ in his death and resurrection.
Oh, we’re free, free
Forever we’re free
Come join the song
Of all the redeemed
Yes, we’re free free
Forever amen
When death was arrested and my life began
Christ My King: This one was written by my son-in-law, Nick Johnson. Another song in 6/8-I am thinking of somehow trimming Death was Arrested, and tagging onto the end of this piece. The lyrics express a heartfelt doxology of Christ’s saving works over death and sin.
Whatever you choose to be the “soundtrack” for the story of redemption this Eastertide, please take some time to make sure the lyrics strike a balance between sound doctrine and poetic inspiration: use songs that speak to the head and the heart. May you enter into the story of grace and glory this Good Friday and Easter, and be transformed.
He is risen, He is risen indeed!
Hook