Mark Bishop - I Got Here As Fast As I Could Lyrics
Lyrics
A long time ago, two twin brothers,
Always fought but loved each other.
Grew up close. Playin' in the yard.
Sickness came and hit'em both hard.
One brother lived. One brother died.
Eight years old and for weeks he cried,
But time has a way of drying the tears.
Weeks turned to months, months into years...
He graduated. He got married.
They were expecting. She miscarried.
They both lived to a ripe old age,
With him by her side the morning she passed away.
Two years later, one December evening,
Laid on the couch and he stopped breathing...
He woke up on the other side,
There stood his brother, arms open wide.
"I've been waiting to see you again.
What took you so long? Where have you been?"
Chorus:
I got here as fast as I could.
I never dreamed I'd feel so good.
I feel happy, I feel numb.
I feel like crying but the tears won't come.
My how I missed you? Couldn't you see me?
There were some lessons He had to teach me.
Finally I understood.
Everyone leaves when they should.
I'm a slow learner,
I got here as fast as I could.
Bridge:
Suddenly out of the light...
There stood the woman he'd loved all his life.
"Say hello to your dad."
She was holding the baby that they never had.
Chorus repeat
Video
I Got Here As Fast As I Could
Meaning & Inspiration
Mark Bishop's poignant "I Got Here As Fast As I Could," released on March 16, 2004, as part of the album *Can I Pray for You?*, offers a profoundly moving reflection on life, loss, and the glorious hope of eternity. The song immediately draws us into a rich narrative, painting a vivid picture of a life lived through both profound joy and crushing sorrow. It traces the journey of a man from childhood, marked by the early loss of his twin brother, through the milestones of adulthood—marriage, the heartbreak of a miscarriage, and finally, old age where he witnesses his beloved wife's passing. This deeply human experience of enduring life's full spectrum culminates in his own peaceful departure, setting the stage for the song's powerful message of ultimate reunion and divine understanding.
The true essence of the song unfolds as the protagonist awakens "on the other side," met by his long-lost brother with arms open wide, a scene that beautifully encapsulates the comfort promised in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where we are assured of being "caught up together... to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord." The brother’s question, "What took you so long? Where have you been?" is met with the protagonist's tender, almost apologetic reply: "I got here as fast as I could." This response, delivered with a mix of exhilaration and profound peace, hints at the transformative realization that accompanies the transition from earthly struggle to heavenly rest. The declaration, "I never dreamed I'd feel so good," vividly echoes the apostle Paul's sentiment in Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," suggesting a profound gain in departing this world for the next. The mention of feeling "happy" yet "numb," with tears that "won't come," speaks to a state where all former sorrow has been wiped away, fulfilling the prophecy of Revelation 21:4 that God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore."
Central to the song’s profound spiritual depth is the recognition that "there were some lessons He had to teach me." This line masterfully encapsulates the Christian understanding that our earthly lives, with all their trials and triumphs, are part of God's perfect plan for our growth and sanctification. It resonates deeply with passages like James 1:2-4, which encourages us to "count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness," leading to completeness. The protagonist’s candid admission, "I'm a slow learner," only strengthens the relatable humanity of the message, acknowledging that spiritual growth is a lifelong process, often marked by stumbling blocks and delayed understanding. Yet, through it all, divine wisdom prevails, as he finally comprehends that "everyone leaves when they should," a powerful affirmation of God's sovereign timing, beautifully articulated in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die." This understanding brings peace to the heart, knowing that our times are indeed "in Your hand," as Psalm 31:15 declares.
The bridge of the song elevates this spiritual journey to an even more breathtaking height, introducing the ultimate reunion. "Suddenly out of the light... There stood the woman he'd loved all his life," a moment of pure bliss for anyone who has loved and lost. But the scene doesn't stop there; with her, she holds "the baby that they never had," urging him to "Say hello to your dad." This tender inclusion of the miscarried child is a profound testament to the sanctity of all life and the hope that, in God's eternal embrace, no love is ever truly lost, and every precious soul is recognized and cherished. It speaks to the vastness of God’s redemptive love and the promise that in heaven, every broken piece is made whole. Bishop’s "I Got Here As Fast As I Could" is more than just a song; it's a beautifully crafted sermon set to music, a testament to enduring faith, the restorative power of God's love, and the glorious assurance of an eternal home where every tear is dried, and every longing heart is finally fulfilled. It encourages all to live their lives surrendered to God's purpose, knowing that no matter the earthly journey, the destination with Him is always worth the wait.