I was There
Nathan Tasker Lyrics


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I'd like to think if I was there
In the garden as You prayed and cried
I would have stayed awake for You
So You were not alone at that time

But in truth I can see
That although I stand here now
A part of me...

Was there in the garden, asleep on the ground
And You needed companions, there was no one around
And I'm sorry I left you, to the anguish and pain
And but for the grace of God, I'd fall asleep again

I'd like to think if I was there
As the crowd demanded, 'Crucify'
I would have been a louder voice
Calling out to them 'What is His crime'

But in truth I can see
That although I stand here now
A part of me...

Was there in the rabble, when the crime was declared
And I cried out for Your blood, 'Let Barabbas be spared'
And I'm sorry I left you, to the mocking and scorn
And but for the grace of God, I hear my angry voice

Where you there
When they crucified The Lord
Where you there
When they crucified The Lord

I'd like to think if I was there
Watching as You took Your final breath
I would have known You'd rise again
I'd have remembered all the words You'd said

But in truth I can see
That although I stand here now
A part of me...

Was scared and embarrassed as I watched You die
I believed You were King but You did not even fight
And I'm sorry I forgot all You'd said and done
And but for the grace of God, I'd turn away and run

I'd turn away and run




I was there, when they crucified my Lord
I was there, when they crucified my Lord

Overall Meaning

The song "I Was There" by Nathan Tasker is a reflection on the actions and responses of the singer if he were present at Christ's crucifixion. The lyrics focus on three specific scenarios: the Garden of Gethsemane, the crowd demanding Jesus' crucifixion, and Christ's death on the cross.


In the first verse, the singer expresses the desire to stay awake with Jesus in the garden during his time of prayer and agony, but acknowledges that part of him would have been asleep like the disciples. In the second verse, the singer regrets not being a louder voice for justice and mercy when the crowd demanded Jesus' crucifixion, admitting that he would have been part of the angry mob. In the final verse, the singer reflects on his fear and doubt during Jesus' crucifixion, admitting that he would have turned away from the scene and renounced Jesus.


The overall message of the song is that despite our flaws and shortcomings, God's grace allows us to be forgiven and reconciled to Him. The singer implies that he is not worthy to stand with Christ in his suffering and death, but recognizes that God's grace and mercy are the only things that enable him to overcome his weakness.


Line by Line Meaning

I'd like to think if I was there
If I were present during those events in the past


In the garden as You prayed and cried
When Jesus was praying in the garden and shedding tears


I would have stayed awake for You
I would not have fallen asleep and abandoned Jesus


So You were not alone at that time
To keep Jesus company in the garden when he was in distress and needed someone by his side


But in truth I can see
However, looking back, I realize


That although I stand here now
Though I am here alive and standing


A part of me...
A part of me as a follower of Christ


Was there in the garden, asleep on the ground
Was present in the garden sleeping when Jesus needed someone to be there for him


And You needed companions, there was no one around
Jesus needed someone to be there for him, but no one was with him


And I'm sorry I left you, to the anguish and pain
I am remorseful for leaving Jesus alone to suffer and feel pain


And but for the grace of God, I'd fall asleep again
Without the divine mercy of God, I would have fallen asleep again and abandoned Jesus


As the crowd demanded, 'Crucify'
When the people called out for Jesus to be crucified


I would have been a louder voice
I would have spoken out with a stronger voice


Calling out to them 'What is His crime'
Asking the people what crime Jesus had committed


Was there in the rabble, when the crime was declared
Was present among the crowd when Jesus was accused of wrongdoing


And I cried out for Your blood, 'Let Barabbas be spared'
I even called for Jesus' blood and requested that a criminal, Barabbas, be released instead of him


'Where you there. When they crucified The Lord. Where you there.'
A repetition of questioning if you were there during Jesus' crucifixion


Watching as You took Your final breath
Observing as Jesus took his last breath


I would have known You'd rise again
I would have understood that Jesus would resurrect from the dead


I'd have remembered all the words You'd said
I would have kept in mind all the teachings and proclamations of Jesus


Was scared and embarrassed as I watched You die
As Jesus was dying, I was frightened and embarrassed


I believed You were King but You did not even fight
Although I knew Jesus was a king, I was surprised that he did not defend himself


And I'm sorry I forgot all You'd said and done
I apologize for forgetting all that Jesus had accomplished and taught


I'd turn away and run
I would have turned away and fled


I was there, when they crucified my Lord
I was present during the time when Jesus was crucified




Contributed by Kylie V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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