Lyrics
On yonder hill, the darkness flew
Refers to a positive change, symbolized by the darkness fleeing on a distant hill, bringing light and renewal.
The morning broke in light and dew
Describes the dawn with light and dew breaking after a period of darkness.
When day had come again anew
Expresses the beginning of a new day after a dark period.
All we sinners sang
Highlights a collective expression of singing by sinners, suggesting a shared experience or acknowledgment.
In muck and mire our wretched souls
Portrays the sinful state of individuals with imagery of being in a state of filth and despair.
Had fallen to the depths below
Emphasizes the fallen and wretched state of souls, reaching depths below.
Hell deserved, but there was hope
Despite deserving hell, there is a glimmer of hope present.
All we sinners sang
Reiterates the collective singing of sinners, emphasizing a shared acknowledgment of their state.
Saved, we are saved
Declares salvation, with the gates of Heaven open and the keys to the grave metaphorically stolen, signifying victory over death.
The gates of Heaven wide open
-Saved, we are saved
-The keys to the grave have been stolen
-What could ever pay the cost?
Raises a rhetorical question about what could repay the cost of salvation.
On Calvary's hill there rose a cross
Refers to the crucifixion on Calvary's hill, symbolized by the rising cross.
And could it be that evil lost?
Contemplates the idea that evil may have been defeated through the sacrifice on the cross.
All we sinners sang and all we sinners sang
Reiterates the singing of sinners, emphasizing their participation in the redemptive event.
Saved, we are saved
Reaffirms salvation with repeated declarations of being saved and the imagery of the open gates of Heaven and stolen keys to the grave.
The gates of heaven wide open
-Saved, we are saved
-The keys to the grave have been stolen
-stolen
Specific mention of the keys being stolen, underscoring the triumph over death.
The crimson river, like a flood
Depicts the redemptive power of a metaphorical crimson river washing away sin and death, emphasizing the collective singing of sinners.
Came washing over all of us
-It swallowed sin and death right up
-And all we sinners sang
-Yeah, all we sinners sang
-Saved, we are saved
Reiterates the theme of salvation, emphasizing the wide-open gates of Heaven and the stolen keys to the grave.
The gates of heaven wide open
-Saved, we are saved
-The keys to the grave have been stolen
-Saved, we are saved
Continues the affirmation of salvation, repeating the imagery of open gates and stolen keys.
The gates of heaven wide open
-Saved, we are saved
-The keys to the grave have been stolen
-On yonder hill, where darkness flew
Mirrors the opening lines, creating a cyclical structure that reinforces the theme of renewal and salvation.
The morning breaks in light and dew
-Day has come again anew
-All we sinners sang
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