I was invited to lead worship at a Divisional Men’s Camp in November of 2010 and they had asked for me to write a theme song for the weekend. I immediately told them it was “highly unlikely” and explained that I wasn’t “that kind of composer.” If somehow I found the time or inspiration I would give it a try but most songs I write tend to form organically over long periods of time.
Well, I gave it a try. Brett Tolcher and I met during our Territorial Music Camp and we started putting together a simple melody for this potential theme song. The only lyrics I had at written at that time were for the chorus and bridge. We worked over one afternoon and then nothing happened for months.
One Sunday my Corps Officer preached about being a contagious Church and it sparked the verses for the song. I started to think about how the truth of the Gospel—that God is love—is Good News for everyone. This love is contagious and that Good News manifests itself through salvation from sin and freedom in Christ. “Good News” was completed shortly after that sermon.
We never initially intended to release this song on the album. But after a few rehearsals it felt fitting to celebrate the Gospel after the two songs about the resurrection. It sums up the entire theme of Holy Week, that “Our God is Love.”
lyrics
Good News
Words by Eric Himes; Music by: Eric Himes and Brett Tolcher
VERSE 1:
The Good News is He lives,
He overcame the grave—
To free us from our sin,
Relieve us of our shame.
CHORUS:
Good News, Good News for us all.
That our God, our God is Love.
VERSE 2:
The Good News is He saves,
And gives eternal life.
Now we rest in this hope
Through faith in Jesus Christ.
CHORUS:
Good News, Good News for us all.
That our God, our God is Love.
BRIDGE:
Every knee will bend,
Every tongue confess,
That Jesus Christ is Lord.
VERSE 3:
The Good News is in death
My Savior set me free.
For I no longer live,
It’s Christ who lives in me.
CHORUS:
Good News, Good News for us all.
That our God, our God is Love.
BRIDGE:
Every knee will bend,
Every tongue confess,
That Jesus Christ is Lord.
FINAL CHORUS:
Good News, Good News for us all.
That our God, our God is Love.
Good News, Good News for us all.
That our God, our God is Love.
credits
from Holy Week,
released April 8, 2011
Words by Eric Himes; Music by: Eric Himes and Brett Tolcher
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