Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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This classic anthem from 1977 tells the story of Jesus’ Resurrection from Simon Peter’s perspective. Beginning early on Sunday morning hidden in a secret room, we join Peter and John’s hopeful sprint to find the empty tomb. Peter navigates this mystery and the guilt of his own denial, until he comes face to face with the risen Lord, and experiences the wonder of Jesus’ forgiveness! I sang this song in church countless times as a child, and I'm thrilled to help keep it alive today!

SONGWRITER: Don Francisco

MUSICIANS:
Aaron Shust: Vocals
Nathan Nockels: Guitars, Bass, Piano, Vocals (John), Programming
Jonathan Dimmel: Drums and Percussion
Gideon Klein: Strings
Daniel Carson: Electric Guitars
Christy Nockels: Vocals (Mary and Gang Vocals)
Other Vocals: Daniel Shust, Annie Nockels

PRODUCTION: Nathan Nockels
MIXING: Ainslie Grosser
MASTERING: Mike Cervantes with The Foxboro

VIDEO PRODUCTION: Aaron Shust
VIDEO B-ROLL: Daniel Shust, Aaron Shust
CAMERA: iPhone 17

LYRICS
The gates and doors were barred and all the windows fastened down.
I spent the night in sleeplessness; rose at every sound.
Half in hopeless sorrow and half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breaking through to drag us all away.

Just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall.
The gate began to rattle and a voice began to call.
I hurried to the window and looked down into the street,
Expecting swords and torches and the sound of soldiers’ feet.

There was no one there but Mary, so I went down to let her in.
John stood there beside me as she told us where she’d been.
She said,
“They moved Him in the night and none of us knows where,
The stone’s been rolled away and now His body isn’t there.”

We both ran toward the garden, then John ran on ahead.
We found the stone and the empty tomb just the way that Mary said.
And the winding sheet they’d wrapped Him in was just an empty shell.
And how or where they’d taken Him was more than I could tell.

Well something strange had happened there but just what I didn’t know.
John believed a miracle but I just turned to go.
Circumstance and speculation couldn’t lift me very high,
‘cause I’d seen them crucify Him, and then I saw Him die.

Back inside the house again the guilt and anguish came.
Everything I’d promised Him just added to my shame.
When at last it came to choices I denied I knew His Name.
And even if He were alive, it wouldn’t be the same.

Suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume.
Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room.
Jesus stood before me with His arms held open wide.
And I fell down on my knees and I just clung to Him and cried.

He raised me to my feet and as I looked into His eyes,
Love was shining out of Him like sunlight from the skies.
Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release.
Every fear I’d ever had just melted into peace.

He’s alive! He’s alive!
He’s alive and I’m forgiven.
Heaven’s gates are open wide!