There have been two bands known as The Choir:

1) The Choir were a ro… Read Full Bio ↴There have been two bands known as The Choir:

1) The Choir were a rock band in the mid-1960s from Cleveland Ohio, best known for the oft-covered song "It's Cold Outside". With the addition of singer Eric Carmen, they became The Raspberries in 1970. The band consisted of Dann Klawon on rhythm guitar, Dave Smalley on vocals & rhythm guitar, Wally Bryson on vocals, lead guitar, & bass, and Jim Bonfanti on vocals & drums.

2) The Choir (originally The Youth Choir) is an atmospheric alternative Christian rock band, led by Derri Daugherty on guitar and vocals, Steve Hindalong on drums -- who also writes most of the band's lyrics -- and Dan Michaels on lyricon, electric flute and saxophone. Originally formed in Southern California in the early 1980s, the band members moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area in the 1990s. Past members include guitarist Marc Byrd and bass guitarists Michael Sauerbrey, Robin Spurs, Bill Batstone, and the late Tim Chandler.

Each band member also has a depth of musical history outside of The Choir. Hindalong produced four successful City On A Hill albums, writing the well-known song "God of Wonders" with Marc Byrd. Daugherty has been a member of the Christian-alterna-pop-supergroup The Lost Dogs since it started in 1991, and Hindalong joined the group in 2006. Chandler was the bass player for years for Daniel Amos and that band's alter egos The Swirling Eddies, and passed away in 2018. Byrd was a member of Common Children, recorded with his wife Christine Glass as Glassbyrd, and is currently half of the post-rock duo Hammock. Michaels has been a Senior Vice President of Fair Trade Services (formerly INO Records) since 2000.

I'm Going Home
The Choir Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In sin, I was living
No thought was I giving of dying, or where I would go
I was looking and buying, so hard was I trying
To gain all this world had to hold
But no peace and no pleasure could I even measure
With all I tried to gain
I repented and prayed; God saved me that day
Now I've got something to say

I'm not going to Hell
I met the Savior, what a story I tell
I'm saved and forgiven, set free all is well
I'm not going to Hell, no, I'm not going to Hell
Now my life's worth living since I've been forgiven
Christ made a real change in me
And I'm no longer crying when I think about dying
'Cause Heaven is waiting for me
Now Satan's still lying, and he's always trying to lead you down the wrong way
Just call on Christ's name, He'll save you today
Then look back to Satan and say
I'm not going to Hell
I met the Savior, what a story I tell
I'm saved and forgiven, set free all is well
I'm not going to Hell, no, I'm not going to Hell
I'm not going to Hell
I met the Savior, what a story I tell
I'm saved and forgiven, set free all is well

I'm not going to Hell, no, I'm not going to Hell
No, I'm not going to Hell

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Choir's song "I'm Going Home" convey a powerful message of personal redemption and salvation. It begins by describing the singer's previous state of sin and worldly pursuits. The repetition of the phrase "I'm not going to Hell" serves as an affirmation of the singer's newfound faith and assurance of eternal life. The lyrics emphasize the transformative power of encountering Jesus Christ and the profound impact it has on one's perspective and actions.

The song explores the contrast between a life of emptiness and striving for worldly gain, and the fulfillment and freedom that comes from being saved and forgiven. The line "No peace and no pleasure could I even measure with all I tried to gain" reflects the futility and dissatisfaction that accompanies a life driven by material pursuits. The singer's repentance and acceptance of God's salvation lead to a profound change, described as "Christ made a real change in me." This change brings a sense of purpose and peace, eradicating the fear of death and replacing it with hope for an eternal reward in heaven.

The lyrics also address the continuing influence of Satan, who seeks to deceive and lead people astray. However, the singer asserts the power of Christ's name, encouraging others to turn away from the false promises of the enemy. The final lines of the song serve as a declaration of faith and an affirmation of the singer's eternal destination, asserting with conviction, "I'm not going to Hell."

Overall, "I'm Going Home" celebrates the transformative power of salvation, the freedom found in being forgiven, and the assurance of a life beyond this earthly realm.

Line by Line Meaning

In sin, I was living
I was living a life full of sinful actions and behavior.

No thought was I giving of dying, or where I would go
I never considered the consequences of my actions or what would happen after my death.

I was looking and buying, so hard was I trying to gain all this world had to hold
I was constantly seeking material possessions and worldly pleasures, relentlessly striving to accumulate everything the world had to offer.

But no peace and no pleasure could I even measure with all I tried to gain
Despite all my efforts to find happiness and satisfaction through worldly means, I could not find true peace or lasting joy.

I repented and prayed; God saved me that day, now I've got something to say
I acknowledged my sins, turned away from them, and sought God's forgiveness. On that day, God saved me from my sinful life, and now I have a testimony to share.

I'm not going to Hell, I met the Savior, what a story I tell
Because I have encountered and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, I am assured that I will not face eternal damnation in Hell. This is a remarkable story I can share with others.

I'm saved and forgiven, set free all is well
I have been redeemed and pardoned from my sins, experiencing freedom from their burden. Everything is now in a state of well-being for me.

Now my life's worth living since I've been forgiven, Christ made a real change in me
After receiving forgiveness, my life has gained new purpose and value. The transformation brought about by Christ is tangible and significant in my life.

And I'm no longer crying when I think about dying, 'cause Heaven is waiting for me
The fear and sadness that used to accompany thoughts of death have disappeared because I now have the assurance of eternal life in Heaven.

Now Satan's still lying, and he's always trying to lead you down the wrong way
Satan, the embodiment of evil, continues to deceive and tempt others, constantly attempting to divert them from the path of righteousness.

Just call on Christ's name, He'll save you today, then look back to Satan and say
By simply invoking the name of Jesus Christ and seeking His salvation, one can experience deliverance from sin. In doing so, you can confidently reject Satan's influence and proclaim your victory over him.

No, I'm not going to Hell
I want to emphatically declare that I have been saved from the fate of Hell.

Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Foothills Fellowship Inc

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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