Gaither Vocal Band - Great Day Lyrics
Lyrics
When you're down and out
Lift up your head and shout
There's gonna be a great day
Angels in the sky
Promise that by and by
There's gonna be a great day
Gabriel will warn you
Some early morn
You will hear his horn (root e tootin')
It's not far away
Lift up your head and say
There's gonna be a great day
Great day
(Repeat 2 times)
There's gonna be a great day
Video
Great Day [Live]
Meaning & Inspiration
The Gaither Vocal Band’s “Great Day,” released on January 1, 2007, as part of their album *Together*, stands as a powerful declaration of eschatological hope, deeply rooted in Christian doctrine. From its initial notes, the song bypasses any introductory pleasantries, diving directly into its core message: an unwavering anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming. It serves as a spiritual rallying cry, designed to uplift and remind believers of the ultimate promise awaiting them, transforming present struggles into moments of steadfast faith.
The song’s narrative unfolds as a comforting assurance for those experiencing hardship, echoing the psalmist’s encouragement to hope in God when one's soul is downcast (Psalm 42:5). The opening lines, "When you're down and out, Lift up your head and shout, There's gonna be a great day," are not merely optimistic platitudes but a divine command to shift focus from earthly troubles to heavenly realities. This instruction to "lift up your head" resonates deeply with Luke 21:28, where Jesus tells His disciples, "When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." The "great day" the Gaither Vocal Band proclaims is unequivocally the day of Christ's return, a pivotal event in biblical prophecy.
The lyrics further solidify this interpretation by referencing celestial beings and divine promises: "Angels in the sky, Promise that by and by, There's gonna be a great day." This directly recalls the scene of Jesus' ascension in Acts 1:10-11, where two men in white apparel, identified as angels, told the disciples gazing heavenward, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." The song thus connects the historical event of the ascension with the future promise of the advent, grounding its message in a foundational truth of the Christian faith. The phrase "by and by" emphasizes the certainty of this event, regardless of its timing.
A significant prophetic image in "Great Day" is the mention of "Gabriel will warn you, Some early morn, You will hear his horn." While the angel Gabriel is renowned for announcing crucial events like the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1), the specific trumpet call signaling Christ's return is broadly mentioned in Scripture. First Thessalonians 4:16 states, "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." Similarly, 1 Corinthians 15:52 speaks of the resurrection occurring "at the last trumpet." The inclusion of the "root e tootin'" sound effect lightens the gravity of the subject just enough to make it universally accessible, yet it firmly reinforces the distinct and unmistakable nature of this divine alarm. It’s a call to readiness, a reminder that this world is not our final home.
The song culminates with a sense of urgent expectation: "It's not far away, Lift up your head and say, There's gonna be a great day." This isn't about setting dates, which the Bible explicitly warns against (Matthew 24:36), but about living in a constant state of readiness and hopeful anticipation. It encourages believers to declare this truth boldly, not just inwardly believe it. This active proclamation serves as both a personal encouragement and a witness to others, embodying the prayer "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" from Revelation 22:20. The repeated affirmation "Great day, there's gonna be a great day" acts as a profound anchor for the soul, drawing strength from future glory to navigate present challenges. Ultimately, "Great Day" is an enduring anthem of hope, a poignant reminder to keep our eyes fixed on eternity, drawing courage from the unfailing promises of God concerning the triumphant return of His Son.