While Easter cantatas are in their final stages of dress rehearsal all over America this week, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on my favorite songs that I feel symbolize the meaning of Holy Week for me—the songs that will certainly be playing on my iPod over the next few days. As always, it’s an eclectic mix of new and old, but I am always looking for new songs to add to my playlists, so be sure to leave your suggestions in the comment box below.
10. “The Bunny Song”: Yes, I believe a little levity is needed-even during Holy Week— and this is one of my all-time veggie tunes!
9. “The Lord’s Supper”: I know this isn’t a song, it’s a CD, but there is no way I can pick just one song off John Michael Talbot’s reflective masterpiece using the words from the Last Supper as inspiration for every song.
8. “Remember Me”: I have always liked Bryan Duncan’s creative look at Jesus’ final words to one of the thieves on the cross next to him.
7. ‘Via Dolorosa”: It’s a classic song that has been translated into several other languages for it’s reflection on the road of suffering. If you can’t deal with the Sandi Patti version, there are a couple of other covers of the song out there.
6.”El Shaddai”: Another classic song that has stood the test of time. I prefer the Michael Card version over the Amy Grant version, or the Michael W. Smith version, or any number of other renditions.
5. “By His Wounds”: Third Day singer Mac Powel joins Steven Curtis Chapman and others on one of the more memorable Easter worship songs of recent year as they sing this version of Isaiah 53.
4. “Carry My Cross”: One of the many hits by CCM group Third Day, this is one of my favorites, placing me at the site where Jesus carried my cross to Calvary.
3.”Sunday” : Tree 63′s popular song that puts a spin on the catch phrase, “It’ Friday, but Sunday is coming” but the lyrics have real depth underneath that fluffy pop sound.
2.”Liquid”: This is the first song I ever heard from Jars of Clay and it is still hauntingly beautiful in its depiction of the crucifixion.
1.”Pride (In the Name of Love)”: Of course, I have to give the top spot to the U2 hit—the best rock n’ roll anthem about Jesus ever written.
posted March 19, 2008 at 11:40 pm
And where is “The Old Rugged Cross” in this line-up? I would think it would be Number One.
posted March 20, 2008 at 11:00 am
I personally like “Were you There when they Crucified My Lord?” This one goes to the core.
posted March 20, 2008 at 11:02 am
I personally like “Were you There When They Crucified My Lord?” This one goes to the core.
Blessings to all!
posted March 20, 2008 at 11:46 am
How about He’s Alive by Dolly Parton and He Arose, these are great songs.
posted March 20, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Mannnn there are just toooo many songs to name the top 10… The Old Rugged Cross, Were You There, Amazing Grace, It is Finished, He Arose and that is not even into the Contemporary music!! Some of these were named by others and they are right!!! The old hymns are often forgotten but the words and meanings are soooo “right there” Well, as long as your heart sings at this time of year, whatever is your favorite and it glorifies God, it is OK
God bless you each one…
Happy Easter and YES, Sunday is coming…!!!
posted March 20, 2008 at 4:54 pm
My son has a new CD out “Out of the Shadow”, the song: Where Would I Be saids,On the cross for me you die, were would I be, who could I turn to, Lord I don’t known,if I didn’t have you in my life, where would I be? A young man talking like that! I know thats a blessing in it self.I love the old songs too, but God is still talking to us though the youth. May the Lord bless us all during this Easter Season.
posted March 20, 2008 at 7:09 pm
As for me the gratest all time Easter Music (besides Haendel’s Messiah)is without a doubt “He’s alive” by Don Francisco.
It’s been around for a long time and just recently there is a version by Dolly Parton that’s very good too. But the original by Don is still the best.
posted March 21, 2008 at 6:06 am
THE KING IS COMING by Bill and Gloria Gather – AWESOME
posted March 22, 2008 at 10:16 am
Happy Easter to everyone and God Bless and keep you all safe.
My favorite is Amazing Grace by just about anyone the song is just beautiful to me.
posted March 22, 2008 at 10:06 pm
THE BEST SONG EVER…..”THE KING IS COMING” I GET CHILLS EVERYTIME I HEAR IT.