Lyrics
Verse 1
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms,
In the arms of Christ my Savior,
Oh, there are ten thousand charms!
Chorus (Repeat)
It's shouting time in heaven
A sinner once lost is found
It's shouting time in heaven
Salvation has been brought down
No wonder the angels rejoice to know
My sins have been covered by the crimson flow
And now I'm feeling fine
I'm walking on the highway with my Lord
My name is written down in courts above
It's shouting time in heaven,
Oh yes, it's shouting time.
Verse 2
Come, ye weary, heavy laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all!
Chorus (Repeat x5)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"It's Shouting Time in Heaven" pictures heaven's reaction to a single conversion, describing angels rejoicing over one sinner found rather than treating salvation as a private, unremarked event. Its chorus repeats that celebration directly, tying the singer's personal assurance, sins covered and a name recorded above, to a joy shared by the heavenly court itself.
The opening verse draws on the language of the prodigal son's return, describing arising to go toward Jesus and being embraced rather than rejected. The second verse quotes a well-known invitation hymn nearly word for word, warning that waiting to become worthy before coming to Christ means never coming at all, insisting that the invitation applies now rather than after self-improvement.
Rooted in Southern gospel tradition, the song functions as celebratory testimony, treating personal salvation as an occasion for heaven's own rejoicing rather than a quiet transaction. Its repeated chorus keeps the focus on that shared joy, closing repeatedly on the same declaration that heaven itself responds with shouting to salvation received.
Related Scripture
- Luke 15:7 Describes joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, directly echoed in the song's picture of angels rejoicing.
- Luke 15:20 Describes a father running to embrace a returning son, echoed in the song's opening image of arising to go to Jesus and being embraced.