I am the Resurrection and the Life - Repp

This folk-rock style hymn about Jesus as resurrection was written by American social justice advocate and at-the-time Roman Catholic seminarian, Ray Repp (1942-2020), and his friend Dave (ref). The refrain is based on John 11:25.

The song is set to an unnamed tune, also by Repp. This has a ₵ time signature. In the key of Em the first few notes are E E E G GGGGG E_ E G.

It was published in the 1965 Folk Hymnal for Young Christians, Volume 2 It was included in the 1967 recording "Come Alive" which was released by Friends of English in the Liturgy (FEL). Copyright was registered in 1967 by Repp's company, Otter Creek Music. Later, it was included in Glory and Praise, 3rd edition. Second hand copies of these books are the only known source of sheet music for the song today.

The song has had varied uses: In the 1960s, it was used in funeral liturgies of some American soldiers who died in Vietnam (ref Keep the Fire Burning, p 102). In the 1970 / 90s, it appears to have been adopted as an energetic bible-camp song - even though the theology it expresses is a lot more complex than many songs that are used at camps and similar youth events. More recently, YouTube shows it being used liturgically.

three crosses in blue light against a sunset - I Am the resurrection, And the Life; He who believes in Me Will never die! I Am the resurrection, And the Life; He who believes in Me Will live a new life. 1 I have come to bring the Truth. I have come to bring you Life. If you believe then you shall live! 2 In My Word all men shall come to know It is Love which makes the Spirit grow. If you believe then you shall live! 3 Keep in mind the things which I have said. Remember Me in the breaking of the bread. If you believe then you shall live!

Downloads

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Examples

Original recording, small group with guitar:

Solo singer, self-accompanied on guitar:

Bible-camp style:

Choir with keyboard backing, recorded live in a church-service:

Small group with guitars:

Singer self-accompaned with midi-keyboard

Church service performance, with guitar-led band backing track:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
I am the resurrection, and the Life;
He who believes in Me will never die!
I Am the resurrection, and the Life;
He who believes in Me will live a new life.

1 I have come to bring the Truth.
... If you believe then you shall live!

2 In My Word all men shall come to know ...

3 Keep in mind the things which I have said ...