Dolly Parton

(Don Francisco)
The gates and doors were barred and all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow and half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin' through to drag us all away.
And 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 looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches and the sound of soldiers' feet.
But there was no one there but Mary so I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me as she told me where she'd been
She said they've moved Him in the night and none of us know where
The stone's been rolled away and now His body isn't there.
We both ran towards the garden then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in was just an empty shell
And how or where they'd taken Him was more than I could tell.
Oh, something strange had happened there just what I did not 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 then I saw Him die.
Back inside the house again the guilt and anguish came
Everything I'd promised Him aust added to my shame
When at last it came to choices I denied I knew His name
And even if He was alive it wouldn't be the same.
But suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room
And 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.
Then He raised me to my feet and as I looked into His eyes
The love was shining out from Him like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I ever had just melted into peace.
He's alive, yes, He's alive, yes, He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide, He's alive, yes, He's alive
Oh He's alive and I'm forgiven, Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive He's alive, Hallelujah, He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven, Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive He's alive He's alive, I believe it, He's alive
Sweet Jesus...