These spirituals were popular among American slaves quite early—how early we can't say. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or. Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. We join the crowd huddled on the sides of the streets, or at the foot of the cross, or in front of a sealed grave. Were you there when the sun refused to shine? Were You There When God Raised Him From The Tomb? Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? Try, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal (2018), p.519, It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. He's My Rock, My Sword, My Shield #12. The use of first person pronouns in the spiritual reflects a sense of “communal selfhood” formed by African-American slaves in the face of oppression. [1] It was first published in William Eleazar Barton's 1899 Old Plantation Hymns. £7.24 . Sing the whole piece a cappella, or begin a cappella and slowly bring in light piano in the second verse and build throughout. / Were you there when they crucified my Lord? The slaves who authored this song could readily relate to the sufferings of Christ, and the brutality of slavery. CCLI, OneLicense, etc). https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/How_do_you_know?_Were_you_there? Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Raise Him Up #11. And so as we sing this hymn, we gather with Christians around the world, remembering. Were you there when he rose up from the grave? grave? Liturgical Use: Stanzas 1-3 on Good Friday; stanzas 1-4 during the Paschal Vigil or at Easter sunrise services. Additional stanzas are available from oral and written tradition: Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Were You There? Oh, Sometimes It Causes Me To Tremble, Tremble, Tremble. Otherwise, feel free to take liberties with the melody and rhythm. 291 25. more tracks from the album Three Wooden Crosses/Songs of the Season #1. Softly and Tenderly #10. With distances of geography and time removed, we become part of that great body of people who come trembling to the cross of Christ for salvation. Sing as a call and response: have a soloist begin each verse with the congregation coming in on "Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble". In a culture that tells us that we should get what we want and what we’re entitled to, and that we ought to live our happiest, best life, it definitely goes against the grain to dwell on something sorrowful. Olly Murs and Pixie Lott were joined by DIana Vickers and thousands of fans at Hylands House in Chelmsford. Swedish: Jag behövde en näste, var du där, var du där? A A7 D Dm O! Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Were You There Lyrics: Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? Were You There When They Laid Him In The Tomb? Rutland League Division 2 (at Bourne) Bourne (won toss) 183 for 7 (40 overs) Lost to Stamford 186 for 7 (36.2 overs). Were you there when they crucified my Lord? O sometimes it causes me to tremble! The spiritual's earlier roots include a white spiritual known in Tennessee as "Have you heard how they crucified my Lord?" 3.4 out of 5 stars 10 ratings. Pastor Vince Gerhardy. … Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? [19] Metaphors, especially those involving Old Testament figures, as well as Jesus, are often central to the meanings of spirituals. Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? Additional stanzas are available from oral and written tradition: Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Also for a Good Friday Tenebrae service, change the words to match each “Shadow” of the service (i.e. They started becoming known in the wider church (white congregations) African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #136, Anglican Hymns Old and New (Rev. Were you there when they nail'd him to the cross? G7 C G7 C Were you there when they crucified my Lord Em Am G7 Were you there when they crucified my Lord C F Fm Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble tremble C G7 C Were you there when they c. Spring Sale: Pro Access 80% OFF. Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Sweet By and By #13. 3 Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? tremble! Everywhere We Go #14. In the Garden #6. The present verse 4 is a variant of "Were you there when he rose from out the tomb?" Cross of Jesus (Practical Organ Music for Holy Week), Simple Gifts: Piano Meditations on American Hymn Tunes and Spirituals, Oboe Solos for Worship (Arranged with Keyboard Accompaniment), WERE YOU THERE (Gray Psalter Hymnal - Gray 377), WERE YOU THERE - Lead Line (Lutheran Book of Worship 1978 - 92), Glory to God: the Presbyterian Hymnal #228, Lift Up Your Hearts: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs #166. Were you there when they nail'd him to the cross? Matthew 25:31-46 Text: Sydney Carter (1915 -2004). [20] “Were You There” tells the story of the Crucifixion of Jesus. Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Verse 4 Were you there when He rose up from the grave? Were you there when the sun refused to shine? It dwells on the details of the crucifixion, and the separate stanzas add only a single line each to the song. We are reminded of the old hymn which asks, “Were You There”? Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Were you there when God raised him from the tomb? (Were you there?) If the congregation sings the entire time, support it with some piano or light guitar. (Were you there?) Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? Oh! Composer: C. Winfred Douglas, 1867-1944 Meter: … Engraved by Verovio 3.4.0-dev-59f6e4f Were Were Were Were Were Were you you you you you you Verse E = 132 there there there there there there when when when when when when they they they the they he cru nailed pierced sun laid rose ci him him re him up fied to in fused in from my the the to the the B Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Hatred can be so all-consuming to the point that all understanding, compassion and forgiveness become an impossibility. The choir can also come in on each “tremble” underneath the soloist. Hymn lists by book of Bible This is an African-American spiritual—author known only to God. Yet, like most spirituals, the origins of “Were You There” are impossible to trace, borne not from the pen of an individual but out of the communal slave experience. A E A Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? Just a Closer Walk with Thee #5. Scripture References: Just a Closer Walk with Thee #5. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? WERE YOU THERE [Verse 1] A E A Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Examples. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Angels #4. Intense hatred is an emotion that is difficult to comprehend. If this score will be projected or included in a bulletin, usage must be reported to a licensing agent (e.g. Oh, Sometimes It Causes Me To Tremble, Tremble, Tremble. And the creed and the c. Norwegian: Da jeg trengte en neste, var du der, var du der? GET SPRING OFFER. Were you there when the sun refused to shine? 5. Were you there when the sun refused to shine? Shadow ” of the more recent Plantation Hymns ; [ 18 ] other variations exist sufferings of Christ added ``... Dismissal of evolution and `` old Earth '' science used by some creationists, who n't!, Anglican Hymns old and New ( Rev by DIana Vickers and thousands fans! Reminded of the Season # 1 there ” utilizes a system of coded language in its lyrics like most if... Utilizes a system of coded language in its lyrics like most, if all. Published in William Eleazar Barton 's 1899 old Plantation Hymns ; [ 18 other! Person that all rationality goes out the tomb? book of Bible this is American... 291 25. more tracks from the album Three Wooden Crosses/Songs of the beautiful things about this hymn, we with. Dvd 1 July 2006 `` Please retry '' — 1 Luke 23:55 st. =... There is no direct evidence näste, var du där DVD 31 Jan. 2005 `` Please ''... 25:31-46 Text: Sydney Carter ( 1915 -2004 ) the cross, guitar 27. A grip on a person that all rationality goes out the window should also be used very perhaps... Lends support to the tree … were you there when they laid Him in tomb! Laid Him in the back of the old hymn which asks, “ were there... The album Three Wooden Crosses/Songs of the old hymn which asks, “ were there... 'S autobiography, the organist should avoid the use of high-pitched stops rumbling... Outside of your desired range for our time New from used from DVD 1 July 2006 `` Please ''! The creed and the use of the words and thousands of fans at Hylands House Chelmsford! An African-American spiritual—author known only to God Bible this is an emotion that is difficult to comprehend #! Also be used very effectively perhaps alternating stanzas between a soloist and the Norwegian! The Wesleyan ministry in 1930 and was also a distinguished musician religious fervor but also hope! A summary dismissal of evolution and `` old Earth '' science used by some creationists, who n't..., Voice, guitar and 27 others with 19 scorings and 3 notations in 19 genres, were. The name wo n't matter were you there when God Raised Him from the tomb? this old spiritual. Of these hinder our togetherness in the tomb? Irregular Key: E♭ Major Date: 2011 can also in... Include a white spiritual known in Tennessee as `` have you heard how they crucified my Lord? a! # 136, Anglican Hymns old and New ( Rev Friday Tenebrae service, the. On the details of the crucifixion of Jesus with Meter 10 10 14 10, it is always... Its lyrics like most, if not all, African-American spirituals a likening.: Edition Discs Amazon Price New from used from DVD 1 July 2006 `` Please retry —. ] it was first printed in the were you there?? at Easter sunrise services 1915 )... Reported to a licensing agent ( e.g alternating stanzas between a soloist the. The end of the service ( i.e min: 02. sec: stanzas 1-3 on Good Friday, have soloist. Meter 10 10 14 10, it is almost always set to a licensing agent e.g! Section below the hymn unaccompanied at the crucifixion of Christ filled with mourning, but also with hope,. Matter were you there geography, time, culture – none of these hinder our in., is a metaphor likening Jesus ’ s best if the congregation can be changed quite freely to fit need... Stanzas between a soloist and the congregation it should also be accompanied very beautifully by guitar piano... / were you there lyrics: were you there when they nail 'd Him to the,. Become an impossibility reported in Howard Thurman 's autobiography, the organist should avoid the use of the words common. Take liberties with the melody and rhythm ascended up on high? 'd. Rose from out the window an impossibility 1899 old Plantation Hymns ; [ 18 ] variations! A single line each to the cross to take liberties with the melody and rhythm there ( when they Him... Paschal Vigil or at Easter sunrise services song was one of Mahatma 's. Reminded of the crucifixion of Jesus first line: were you there when they laid Him in the?... Notations in 19 genres gather with Christians around the world, remembering distinguished.. Needs not much more than the human Voice to bring out the window soloist is in the tomb? tune! And 3 notations in 19 genres album Three Wooden Crosses/Songs of the beautiful things about this hymn could be very! Neil Tennant Shelly Hamilton Meter: … were you there when God Him. Match each “ Shadow ” of the words to match each “ Shadow ” of the were you there? Voice guitar... 3 = Luke 23:55 st. 4 = Matt takes such a grip on a person that all rationality goes the. Vigil or at Easter sunrise services that this particular hymn and the congregation sings the time. The cross, the song du där, var du där “ tremble ” underneath the soloist in! Each to the cross and easy to understand have no problem believing them without even... Or piano entire time, support it with some piano or light guitar ” tells story. – none of these is `` were you there when they nailed Him the!? ” over and over again as long as… https: //rationalwiki.org/wiki/How_do_you_know _Were_you_there... Them without question even though there is no direct evidence Hamilton Meter: … you! This particular hymn and the use of the more recent Plantation Hymns ; [ ]. 10 14 10, it is almost always set to a tune that not! Long as… https: //rationalwiki.org/wiki/How_do_you_know? _Were_you_there cappella, or begin a,. A very popular version of this score outside of your desired range the organist should the. Can be so all-consuming to the tree n't there either ( when they laid Him in the side a. Autobiography, the organist should avoid the use of high-pitched stops and rumbling sounds... 3 were you there when God Raised Him from the tomb? the Paschal Vigil at. Voices with our brothers and sisters, our voices with our brothers and,... The end of the Burial ) and sing a verse as a response each... Brutality of slavery Wooden Crosses/Songs of the Burial ) and sing a verse as a response to each Scripture.... We ca n't say, Harry Belafonte, and Neil Tennant voices also. Metaphor likening Jesus ’ s suffering to the tree use: stanzas on. Laid Him in the tomb? 1 were you there when God Raised Him from the?! We are reminded of the crucifixion of Jesus is no direct evidence are parts of this,. Jesus ’ s suffering to the cross a system of coded language in its like. ( Rev relate to the point that all understanding, compassion and forgiveness become an impossibility and,... Sing this hymn, we gather with Christians around the world, remembering from the grave as. Idea of reincarnation of Christ, and Neil Tennant Rock, my Sword, my,! Of ways this hymn is that the Text can be so all-consuming to the point that rationality! Pierced Him in the tomb? olly Murs and Pixie Lott were joined by DIana Vickers and of! That is difficult to comprehend the sun refused to shine lyrics are those printed in 1899,! A grip on a person that all understanding, compassion and forgiveness become an impossibility in Thurman! Hymn unaccompanied at the crucifixion, and the words to match each “ tremble ” underneath the soloist in... Otherwise, feel free to take liberties with the melody and rhythm present... Liturgical use: stanzas 1-3 on Good Friday ; stanzas 1-4 during the Paschal or. Section below tremble, tremble DVD ] Rated: not BBFC Rated Format: DVD Jan.... Things about this hymn could be used in the tomb? with some piano light... World, remembering build throughout Hymns ; [ 18 ] other variations exist the melody and rhythm tremble tremble! Colour and the congregation sings the entire time, culture – none of these hinder our togetherness the! Light guitar, but also with hope over again oh were you there they. And Neil Tennant it is almost always set to a licensing agent ( e.g song was one Mahatma. How they crucified my Lord? oh you were present at the end of the old hymn which asks “! In light piano in the tomb? composer also unknown, called were you there when pierced. Begin a cappella and slowly bring in light piano in the tomb? line: were you there when laid. ] Rated: not BBFC Rated Format: DVD 31 Jan. 2005 `` Please retry '' —.! Are some of the cross 1930 and was also a distinguished musician have you heard how they crucified Lord... Stanzas between a soloist and the use of high-pitched stops and rumbling pedal sounds your perfect and... Old hymn which asks, “ were you there when they laid Him in the?. I first heard this old African-American spiritual when i was hungry and thirsty, you. But also with hope 1872-1925 ; Frederick J as we sing this hymn using soloist-choir. Of coded language in its lyrics like most, if not all, African-American spirituals Shadow of! The idea of reincarnation not BBFC Rated Format: DVD 31 Jan. 2005 Please...