Gaither Vocal Band - O Come Angel Band Lyrics
Lyrics
My latest sun is sinking fast
My race is nearly run
My strongest trials now are past
My triumph is begun
I know I'm nearing holy ranks
Of friends and kindred dear
And I brush the dune on Jordan's banks
The crossing must be near
O come, angel band
Come and around me stand
Oh, bear me away on your snowy wings
To my immortal home
Oh, bear me away on your snowy wings
To my immortal home
I've almost gained my heavenly home
My spirit loudly sings
The holy ones, behold they come
I hear the noise of wings
Oh, bear my longing heart to Him
Who bled and died for me
Whose blood now cleanses from all sin
And gives me victory
O come, angel band
Come and around me stand
Oh, bear me away on your snowy wings
To my immortal home
Oh, bear me away on your snowy wings
To my immortal home
Oh, bear me away on your snowy wings
To my immortal home
Video
O Come, Angel Band [Live]
Meaning & Inspiration
The Gaither Vocal Band’s rendition of "O Come Angel Band," released on their profound 1991 album *Homecoming*, stands as a timeless beacon of hope and spiritual affirmation. This track isn't merely a song; it's a deeply resonant meditation on the transition from earthly life to eternal glory, painted with vivid imagery and unwavering faith. It speaks from the perspective of a soul at the very threshold of eternity, ready to shed the temporal for the everlasting, a theme central to Christian eschatology.
The lyrical journey begins with an immediate sense of life's culmination, as the opening lines describe a "sun sinking fast" and a "race nearly run." This powerful imagery immediately calls to mind the Apostle Paul’s triumphant declaration in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." It reflects a life well-lived in dedication to Christ, where earthly struggles ("strongest trials now are past") give way to an assured victory. The individual in the song expresses a profound certainty of approaching "holy ranks" and dear departed friends, echoing the blessed assurance found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, which comforts believers with the knowledge that those who have "fallen asleep in Jesus" will God bring with Him. The poetic reference to brushing "the dune on Jordan's banks" vividly symbolizes the crossing from mortal life to the spiritual Promised Land, a metaphor deeply rooted in the biblical account of Israel crossing the Jordan River into Canaan, signifying passage into a divine inheritance (Joshua 3).
The heart of the song, the repeated plea, "O come, angel band, Come and around me stand, Oh, bear me away on your snowy wings, To my immortal home," is a beautiful and serene request for divine escort. This vision of angels guiding a soul to heaven finds a parallel in Luke 16:22, where Lazarus is "carried by the angels to Abraham's side," offering immense comfort to those who contemplate their own mortality or grieve the passing of loved ones. The anticipation swells as the spirit "loudly sings" upon hearing the "noise of wings," signifying the imminent arrival of heavenly beings. Most poignantly, the song articulates a longing for "Him Who bled and died for me, Whose blood now cleanses from all sin And gives me victory." This central declaration powerfully anchors the entire message in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It’s a direct reference to the core Gospel truth of salvation by grace through faith, emphasizing Christ’s sacrifice as the sole source of atonement and eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 John 1:7). The mention of victory through Christ’s blood resonates deeply with 1 Corinthians 15:57, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
The Gaither Vocal Band's delivery of "O Come Angel Band" elevates this message from mere lyrics to a profound spiritual experience. Their combined voices imbue the song with an authentic weight and a tangible sense of longing, yet simultaneously convey immense peace and resolute faith. The arrangement serves to magnify the hope inherent in the Christian perspective on death—not as a fearful end, but as a glorious homecoming. This song doesn’t merely suggest hope; it proclaims it with conviction, offering solace to those grappling with grief and inspiring those on their own journey of faith to look forward to their ultimate destination. It encourages a thoughtful introspection on one's own spiritual readiness, reinforcing the vital truth that through Christ, the sting of death is overcome. As a part of the *Homecoming* album, this particular track perfectly encapsulates the overarching theme: the joyful anticipation of returning to our eternal dwelling place prepared for us by our Lord, as promised in John 14:2-3. It’s a powerful affirmation of faith, reminding all who hear it of the ultimate triumph awaiting believers in their immortal home.