If You Only Knew
Randy Travis Lyrics


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By my grandfather's bed, my mother is reading
Psalm 62, God is our refuge
And my grandfather stirs, could it be
He is waking one final time
He has something to say

If you only knew what lies awaiting
If you could only see what I can see
If you could only hear the music playing
The angels singing sweet victory
Oh, if you only knew, if you only knew
How much He loves you

By my grandfather's bed, my mother is broken
Psalm 17, O God, I call on You
She doesn't want to hear any words about leaving
My grandfather says, "Fear not, this is my time
And into His presence I'll fly"

If you only knew what lies awaiting
If you could only see what I can see
If you could only hear the music playing
The angels singing sweet victory
Oh, if you only knew, if you only knew
How much He loves you





If you only knew, if you only knew
How much He loves you

Overall Meaning

The song "If You Only Knew" by Randy Travis is a poignant representation of the end of life and the afterlife. The lyrics depict a scene at the bedside of the singer's grandfather, who is likely dying. As his mother reads from the Bible, the grandfather stirs, indicating his awareness of what is happening. In the final moments of his life, the grandfather has something to say, hinting at a revelation he has received that he would like to share. The song then repeats the phrase "If you only knew" several times, indicating that there is something significant to be understood.


The second half of the song switches to the perspective of the singer's mother, who is understandably emotional as her father passes away. She reads from Psalm 17, asking for God's help and protection. The grandfather seems at peace, telling his daughter not to worry and that he is going to a better place. The song ends with the repeated phrase "How much He loves you," perhaps a comforting message intended for the surviving family members.


Overall, "If You Only Knew" is a moving reflection on mortality and the afterlife. The song encourages listeners to consider what lies beyond this life and to embrace the idea that there is a greater love waiting for them.


Line by Line Meaning

By my grandfather's bed, my mother is reading
My mother is reading Psalm 62 as my grandfather lies in bed.


Psalm 62, God is our refuge
The Psalm my mother is reading talks about how God is our place of safety.


And my grandfather stirs, could it be
My grandfather moves slightly and my mother wonders if he's waking up.


He is waking one final time
My grandfather is waking up one last time before passing away.


He has something to say
My grandfather wants to say something before he passes away.


If you only knew what lies awaiting
There are wonderful things awaiting us after we die.


If you could only see what I can see
If only you could experience what I'm experiencing now.


If you could only hear the music playing
If only you could hear the beautiful music that's playing right now.


The angels singing sweet victory
The angels are singing about my grandfather's victory over death.


Oh, if you only knew, if you only knew
If only people knew what awaited them after death.


How much He loves you
God loves us all deeply and completely.


By my grandfather's bed, my mother is broken
My mother is feeling overwhelmed and sad.


Psalm 17, O God, I call on You
My mother is reciting Psalm 17, asking for God's help.


She doesn't want to hear any words about leaving
My mother doesn't want to hear anyone talk about my grandfather leaving this world.


My grandfather says, "Fear not, this is my time
My grandfather tells my mother not to be afraid because it's his time to go.


And into His presence I'll fly"
My grandfather believes he's going to fly into the presence of God.


If you only knew, if you only knew
If only people knew what awaited them after death.


How much He loves you
God loves us all deeply and completely.


If you only knew, if you only knew
If only people knew what awaited them after death.


How much He loves you
God loves us all deeply and completely.




Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: PHIL L. NAISH, ROBERT MATHES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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