The gates and doors were barred
All the windows fastened down
The night was spent in sleeplessness
And we rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
Half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breaking through
To drag us all away

Just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gates began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
And looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers' feet

There was no one there
No one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood beside me
As she told us where she'd been
"They've moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where
The stone's been rolled away
And now His body isn't there"
We both ran toward the garden
Then John ran on ahead
And we found the stone and the 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 have taken Him
Was more, more than I could tell

Something strange had happened there
But just what I didn't 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, the anguish came
Everything we'd promised Him
Just added to our shame
When, at last, it came to choices
I denied I knew His name
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 just clung to Him and cried

Then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
Love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
Every fear I'd ever had
Just melted into peace

He's alive! 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 and I'm forgiven!
Heaven's gates are open wide!
He's alive! 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 and I'm forgiven!
Heaven's gates are open wide!

He's alive! He's alive!
He's alive! He's alive!