There Was Jesus|By Zach Williams and Dolly Parton

By: Chuck Spangler

Grace Memorial Parishioner

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”  -Colossians 1:9-14

With the tumultuous and heart-wrenching calamities of the past two weeks, I thought it appropriate to share the following duet featuring Zach Williams and Dolly Parton.

Zach Williams, born in 1978, has been a popular Christian music artist since 2007, living in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He writes the majority of his music, which features his raspy baritone voice and country/acoustic style. He has won 5 Grammy and GMA Dove awards, including the 2021 Grammy for “There Was Jesus.” 
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Dolly Parton, who harmonizes with Zach on this cut, needs no introduction, except to mention that she hails from Sevierville, TN (close to Mother Liz’s youthful stomping grounds).

Cut: “There Was Jesus”
Artist: Zach Williams (accompanied by Dolly Parton)

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​Every time I tried to make it on my own.  Every time I tried to stand and start to fall.
All those lonely roads that I have travelled on…There was Jesus.
 
When the life I built came crashing to the ground.  When the friends I had were nowhere to be found.  I couldn't see it then but I can see it now…There was Jesus.
 
IN THE WAITING AND THE SEARCHING IN THE HEALING AND THE HURTING
LIKE A BLESSING BURIED IN THE BROKEN PIECES
EVERY MINUTE EVERY MOMENT OF WHERE I’VE BEEN AND WHERE I'M GOIN
EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW IT OR COULDN'T SEE IT…THERE WAS JESUS.
 
For this man who needs amazing kind of grace.  For forgiveness at a price I could not pay.
I’m not perfect so I thank God every day that There was Jesus.
 
IN THE WAITING AND THE SEARCHING IN THE HEALING AND THE HURTING
LIKE A BLESSING BURIED IN THE BROKEN PIECES
EVERY MINUTE EVERY MOMENT OF WHERE I’VE BEEN AND WHERE I'M GOIN
EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW IT OR COULDN'T SEE IT…THERE WAS JESUS
 
On the mountain, in the valleys (There was Jesus), In the shadows of the alleys (There was Jesus)
In the fire, in the flood (There was Jesus)…Always is and always was.
No I’ll never walk alone! (Never walk alone)…You were always there.
 
IN THE WORRY AND THE SEARCHING IN THE HEALING AND THE HURTING
LIKE A BLESSING BURIED IN THE BROKEN PIECES
EVERY MINUTE EVERY MOMENT OF WHERE I’VE BEEN AND WHERE I'M GOIN
EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW IT OR COULDN'T SEE IT…THERE WAS JESUS.