Golden Bells - Sing Me A Song About Calvary Lyrics
Lyrics
CHORUS
Sing me a song about Calvary,
Show me Its' suffering in love
Tell it till each part of my soul sublimes
Thank God for the old rugged Cross.
There's an empty tomb in Jerusalem today,
That plainly to us testifies,
That He who slept there no longer is dead
But liveth and reigneth on high.
And just as sure as He came below
To suffer and die for my sins;
Just as sure what I feel in my heart;
Makes me know He's soon coming again.
CHORUS
Sing me a song about Calvary,
Show me Its' suffering in love
Tell it till each part of my soul sublimes
Thank God for the old rugged Cross.
They say soon each mountain and each lofty place,
Will be brought down by God's will
Yet in my heart for ever will stand,
The vision of Golgotha hill.
Cos that's where Jesus my Saviour and Lord
Gladly the sacrifice made
So when I repented and came to His Throne
There I found sins debt already was paid.
CHORUS
Sing me a song about Calvary,
Show me Its' suffering in love
Tell it till each part of my soul sublimes
Thank God for the old rugged Cross.
Video
I Remember Calvary
Meaning & Inspiration
Golden Bells' "Sing Me A Song About Calvary," released on September 2, 2013, serves as a deeply moving and persistent call to remember the central event of Christian faith. Far from a mere hymn, this song functions as a spiritual petition, inviting a profound reflection on the sacrificial love displayed at Calvary. The core message is an earnest yearning for the truth of Christ's suffering, resurrection, and return to be so vividly present that it transforms the very fabric of one's being, culminating in an unshakeable gratitude for the cross.
The chorus, a recurring anchor throughout the piece, immediately sets this tone. When the song implores, "Sing me a song about Calvary, Show me Its' suffering in love," it's not a request for a new melody but a plea for the timeless narrative to be retold with fresh eyes and renewed understanding. It speaks to a desire for a visceral encounter with the truth of God's immense love, a love so profound that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us," as affirmed in Romans 5:8. The subsequent line, "Tell it till each part of my soul sublimes," suggests a transformative process, a spiritual purification or elevation where every aspect of one's inner self is refined and brought into alignment with the divine. This echoes the sentiment found in Galatians 2:20, where Paul speaks of being crucified with Christ and living by faith in the Son of God. The ultimate response, "Thank God for the old rugged Cross," isn't a casual expression but a deep, resonant declaration of thankfulness for the instrument of salvation, as Paul himself declared in Galatians 6:14, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The first verse then builds upon this foundation by moving from the historical fact to its enduring implications. "There's an empty tomb in Jerusalem today, That plainly to us testifies, That He who slept there no longer is dead But liveth and reigneth on high." This powerful imagery points directly to the core of the Gospel message: Christ's resurrection. The empty tomb, as described in Matthew 28:6, is not merely an archaeological curiosity but a living testimony to Jesus' triumph over death, confirming His divine identity and ongoing reign at the right hand of God, as articulated in Romans 8:34. This factual anchor grounds the believer's hope. The verse continues, connecting Christ's first coming with the promise of His second: "And just as sure as He came below To suffer and die for my sins; Just as sure what I feel in my heart; Makes me know He's soon coming again." This parallel emphasizes the reliability of God's promises. Just as His suffering and death for our sins, central to passages like 1 Peter 2:24, are undeniable, so too is the future certainty of His return. The "feeling in my heart" speaks to the conviction brought by the Holy Spirit, which bears witness with our spirit, confirming our faith and anticipating the day when "He will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven," as promised in Acts 1:11 and reiterated in Revelation 1:7.
The second verse further solidifies the eternal significance of Calvary against the backdrop of a changing world. "They say soon each mountain and each lofty place, Will be brought down by God's will Yet in my heart for ever will stand, The vision of Golgotha hill." While earthly structures and even geography may shift and crumble, a spiritual truth transcends physical decay. The prophetic words of Isaiah 40:4, often speaking of preparing the way for the Lord, are here contrasted with the unshakeable memorial of Golgotha, the place where Christ was crucified. This hill, though historically located, becomes an internal, ever-present vision for the believer, a constant reminder of ultimate redemption. The reason for this enduring significance is clear: "Cos that's where Jesus my Saviour and Lord Gladly the sacrifice made." This line highlights Christ's willing submission to His Father's will, not as a reluctant victim but as a sovereign Lord who "humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross," as Philippians 2:8 describes. His joy in fulfilling this mission (Hebrews 12:2) underscores the depth of His love. The verse culminates in the personal experience of salvation: "So when I repented and came to His Throne There I found sins debt already was paid." This describes the moment of conversion, turning from sin, a concept found throughout Scripture (e.g., Acts 3:19), and approaching God's "throne of grace with confidence" (Hebrews 4:16). At this throne, one discovers the astounding truth that the insurmountable debt of sin, which brings death (Romans 6:23), has been completely canceled and nailed to the cross by Christ, as celebrated in Colossians 2:13-14.
"Sing Me A Song About Calvary" is more than a contemplative piece; it is an active engagement with the core tenets of Christianity, drawing the listener into a deeper appreciation for Christ's sacrifice, resurrection, and ultimate return. It encourages a living faith, rooted in historical fact yet reaching forward to future hope, all while finding its continuous source of gratitude in the enduring power of the cross. The song effectively acts as a spiritual reset, urging the believer to revisit and internalize the transforming narrative of Calvary until it resonates in every fiber of their being, inspiring worship and unwavering conviction.