Can you believe that In Christ Alone is twenty years old this year? This iconic modern hymn has been covered by so many artists over the years, and for good reason. The truth and solid theology in the lyrics written by Stuart Townend are complemented by the beautiful melody by Keith Getty.
You might wonder why it’s taken so long for me to do a video of this song. The reason is simple… I always look for a version that can be used in a worship setting especially while we’ve been in lockdown. This version does not lend itself naturally to that criteria, but it is unique in that there is a bit of praise and worship history here.
To explain… It originally appeared on the Spring Harvest Live Worship 2001 CD. However, it did not appear on the New Songs for 2001 CD which comes out a few months before the event which takes place every year over Easter. That tells me that the song was finished just before Spring Harvest that year, evidenced by the fact that the first verse is sung twice. The first time, it was being taught to the thousands who were there in the Big Top! Stuart Townend introduces the song and then (long time) fellow bandmate Louise Fellingham teaches the melody. I love to listen to a song performed by the songwriter themself.
The other thing you might notice is a guitar solo! Something you wouldn’t associate with a hymn especially one as reverent as In Christ Alone, but it works with the riff between verses, something cover versions struggle to get right.
For the real diehard fans who like to know who they are listening to, these are the musicians who made up the worship team for the week in Minehead that year:
Stuart Townend: Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Lou Fellingham: Vocals
Luke Fellingham: Bass Guitar
Nathan Fellingham: Drums
Rachel Fellingham: Vocals
Alan Rose: Electric Guitar
Mike Sandeman: Keyboards
Kate Simmonds: Vocals
I actually got to Spring Harvest in Minehead for just one day in 2001, but sadly, I wasn’t able to stay for the Big Top worship in the evening. I might have been able to say, “I was there!” Lastly, I copied the lyrics from the Songs of Fellowship CD and made the decision to leave the punctuation in.
#InChristAlone #StuartTownend #ExaltHIMvdo
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Lyrics
Lyrics by: Stuart Townend, Music by: Keith Getty
Copyright © 2001 Thankyou Music
IN CHRIST ALONE my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!
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I do not own the copyright to the song or the recording. Stock video footage is from pixabay.com. Thank you, Joe Hackney! 🙂
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