Gaither Vocal Band - When I Get Carried Away Lyrics

Lyrics

About the love that floods my soul
Well, I must confess, I can't express
The feelings deep inside me
But the things I know and cannot show
One day will overflow

I'm gonna let the glory roll when the
Roll is called in Glory
I'll gonna get beside myself when I get
Beside the King that day
I'm gonna have the time of my life
When the time of my life is over
I'm gonna get carried away when I get
Carried away

Oh, I'll pass the clouds and shout so
Loud it may sound like thunder
My tearful eyes may fill the skies until
It looks like rain
When I leave this world past the gates
Of pearl and stand before my Savior
I'll let my soul let the glory roll when
From the roll He calls my name

Music video by Ivan Parker, Gaither performing When I Get Carried Away

Video

Bill & Gloria Gaither - When I Get Carried Away [Live] ft. Ivan Parker

Meaning & Inspiration

"When I Get Carried Away," performed by the Gaither Vocal Band featuring Ivan Parker and released on November 9, 2012, is a profound declaration of future heavenly joy. This song articulates the Christian’s deep yearning and fervent expectation for eternity, giving voice to a hope that often feels too immense for words. It captures the anticipation of a believer who knows their earthly existence is but a prelude to an infinitely more glorious reality, painting a vivid picture of the sheer ecstasy awaiting those who stand in God's presence.

The core meaning of the song revolves around the inexpressible nature of divine love and the ultimate overflow of joy that will occur in heaven. The opening lines confess an inability to fully convey the profound feelings stirred by spiritual truth, yet confidently assert that these unspoken emotions will one day burst forth in unbridled celebration. This sentiment resonates deeply with the apostle Peter’s description of believers rejoicing "with joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8), highlighting a future where the constraints of human language and earthly limitations will vanish. The phrase "get carried away" acts as a joyful double entendre, signifying both being raptured into God’s presence and succumbing to overwhelming spiritual elation.

The song powerfully utilizes the imagery of a "roll call in Glory," referencing the biblical concept of names being written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 20:12, Luke 10:20). This evokes a sense of personal recognition and belonging, as each believer is individually known and welcomed into the divine assembly. The promise of getting "beside myself when I get beside the King that day" speaks to the overwhelming, almost dizzying joy of being in the immediate presence of Christ, a proximity that will transcend all earthly understanding. Psalm 16:11 promises "in Your presence there is fullness of joy," a perfect echo of the song's anticipation, where personal composure gives way to uninhibited adoration.

Further intensifying this future vision, the lyrics proclaim, "I’m gonna have the time of my life when the time of my life is over." This striking paradox encapsulates the Christian belief that true life, eternal and abundant, begins at the moment of passing from this world into the next. It speaks to the fulfillment found in Philippians 1:21, where Paul declares, "To live is Christ, and to die is gain." The song then paints vivid pictures of this transition, imagining passing through clouds, shouting with the sound of thunder, and tears of joy filling the skies. These powerful images culminate in standing "past the gates of pearl," a direct reference to the heavenly city described in Revelation 21:21, emphasizing the literal and tangible beauty of the promised home.

Ultimately, "When I Get Carried Away" is an anthem of ultimate hope and spiritual longing. It doesn't just describe heaven; it inspires a fervent desire for it, transforming abstract theological concepts into a tangible, exciting future. The song provides a profound sense of comfort and encouragement, reminding believers that their current struggles are temporary and that an eternal celebration awaits. By grounding its message in vivid imagery and scriptural promises, it strengthens faith and ignites a passion for the day when every soul will finally let the glory roll, fully and completely carried away in the presence of the King.