Well, I was standing in the shadows
At the breaking of the bread,
As He touched the cup in silence
At the bowing of his head,
And Judas stole out silently
As hushed the prayers were said.
I knew this was Jesus
at the breaking of the bread
Well, I was standing in the shadows
Of the cool Gethsemane,
Trying hard to disbelieve
What my weary eyes could clearly see.
The lights, the cries, the flash of steel,
In the shadow of an outstretched tree
I knew this was Jesus
But I could not foresee.
Well, I was standing in the shadows
As the prisoner was led,
Trying not to tremble
At the turning of his head
Trying not to notice
At the breaking of His heart.
I knew this was Jesus
and soon He will be dead.
Well, I was standing in the shadows
At the throwing of the dice,
Wishing I was twenty thousand men,
Man I would take that soldier's life.
But Jesus looked down quietly,
Forgiveness in his eyes.
I knew that this was Jesus
Such love comes as a surprise.
Well, I was standing in the shadows,
Man I wished I'd not been born,
Rubbing shoulders with the soldier boys
Who laughed and mocked to scorn my Lord.
I could hardly recognise His face,
His body was so torn
I knew this was Jesus
and soon He will be dead.
At the breaking of the dawn
I stood and watched the place
Where they had laid His body down
But on the stone bed, where they laid him dead,
No body could be found.
Then a man in white, a dazzling sight
With a voice of triumph said:
'He is alive! He is alive!
He is alive! He is alive