Because He Lives

This early song from the contemporary Christian music genre was written by American singer/songwriters Gloria and William J. (Bill) Gaither - and has been performed by David Crowder, Matt Maher and others.

It is copyright © 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc and was awarded the GMA Dove Awards Song of the Year in 1974.

Sheet music is available from various sources - some links below.

With meter 9.8.9.11 with refrain, the tune is called RESURRECTION (Gaither).

Downloads

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Arranged for choir and soloist with orchestra by Jack Schrader, 8 pages

Downloadable lead-sheet music as performed by: Matt Maher, 3 pages

Examples

Performance by the Gaither band:

American church choir:

Singer with piano-led band, professional recording:

Contemporary / piano-led backing band:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website, presumably under license.

The song has three verses, each with four lines, and a four-line chorus which is repeated after each verse.   A rough outline is:

1 God sent His Son - they called Him Jesus ...

Chorus: Because He lives I can face tomorrow ... just because He lives.

2 How sweet to hold a newborn baby ...

3 And then one day I'll cross the river ...

See more ...

• Hymns about the Resurrection
• Hymns for Easter

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
1 God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives!

Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

2 How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

3 And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!