Gaither Gospel Hour

Gene McDonald: Forgiven and Free | Gaither Gospel Hour

September 21, 2025 | 59:0

Gaither Gospel shares joy through heartfelt stories and inspiration through powerful music.

#Singer/Songwriter #Music #Musician #Praise #Worship #Inspirational #PersonalStory

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Gaither Gospel Hour | Gene McDonald: Forgiven and Free | Gaither Gospel Hour | September 21, 2025

- ♪ then sings my soul ♪
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Bill: gene mcdonald has been
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One of our most recognizable bass voices
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In our gaither homecoming family
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For more than 30 years now.
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- ♪ this could be the dawning ♪
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Bill: but long before that,
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Gene got his start singing tenor--
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That's right, tenor--
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Touring with his family in his early years
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And then with jack campbell and the ambassadors.
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- ♪ than to be the king ♪
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Bill: as time went on,
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His voice found a deeper register
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And a rich, resonant tone
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That would become his signature sound.
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His passion for music took him
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To the ben speer's stamps-baxter school of music,
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Where he met one of his heroes, ben speer,
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A meeting that helped shape his path
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As a career bass singer.
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- ♪ even at home ♪
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Bill: from his very first session
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With the gaither video series in 1994
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To touring ten years with the florida boys
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As their bass, gene has brought depth
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And heart to every song he's sung.
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- ♪ o love of god ♪
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Bill: he's not just a great bass singer--
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Or as i like to say, he's a wonderful singer
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Who just happens to have some bass notes--
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But he's a dear friend and a beloved part
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Of the homecoming family.
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- ♪ he said, child, you're ♪
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Bill: today his voice takes center stage
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In a brand-new way
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In a project produced by our own kevin williams.
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Gaither music group is pleased to present
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"gene mcdonald: forgiven and free."
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[gentle music]
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- ♪ shackled by a heavy burden ♪
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♪ neath a load of guilt and shame ♪
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♪ then the hand of jesus touched me ♪
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♪ and now i am no longer the same ♪
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♪ he touched me ♪
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♪ oh, he touched me ♪
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♪ and, oh, the joy that floods my soul ♪
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♪ something happened, and now i know ♪
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♪ he touched me and made me whole ♪
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♪ since i've met this blessed savior ♪
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♪ since he cleansed and made me whole ♪
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♪ i will never cease to praise him ♪
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♪ i'll shout it while eternity rolls ♪
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♪ he touched me ♪
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♪ oh, he touched me ♪
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- ♪ he touched me ♪
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- ♪ and, oh, the joy that floods my soul ♪
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♪ something happened, and now i know ♪
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♪ he touched me and made me whole ♪
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♪ something happened, and now i know ♪
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♪ he touched me and made me whole ♪
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[applause]
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- you've been here how many times in this studio?
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- this--i walked in, you know, and it brings tears to my eyes,
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'cause 30 years ago april is the first time
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That i walked in here and was just absolutely amazed.
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And all my heroes were sitting all in the same room,
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And i was the little kid wanting
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To be everybody's best friend.
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- but you are a good example of what i have said so many times.
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You're probably tired of hearing me saying this,
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But i say it to a crowd.
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I said, i don't know what you call gene.
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There are a lot of great bass singers in this field,
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And i think you're a wonderful bass singer,
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But to me, you are a wonderful singer who, like george younce,
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Happens to have some low notes.
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- oh, i'm very humbled.
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That's--you know, all i ever wanted to do was sing.
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And i think probably my childhood
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Helped develop a lead voice
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Or something else besides a bass voice
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Or just paying attention to singing as low as i could
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All the time.
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- well, we're honored to have you.
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And gloria and i are especially honored
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Because you're singing quite a few of our songs,
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Starting with "he touched me."
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It's one of our earlier songs that you're gonna do now,
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And i love the way you do it--
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"this could be the dawning of that day."
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- such a great song.
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[light music]
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♪ a parade ♪
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♪ began at calvary ♪
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♪ the saints of all the ages ♪
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♪ fill its ranks ♪
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♪ o'er the sands of time they're marching ♪
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♪ to their king's great coronation ♪
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♪ and this could be the dawning ♪
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♪ of that day ♪
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♪ this could be the dawning ♪
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♪ of that grand and glorious day ♪
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♪ when the face of jesus ♪
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♪ we'll behold ♪
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♪ dreams and hopes of all the ages ♪
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♪ are awaiting his returning ♪
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♪ and this could be the dawning ♪
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♪ of that day ♪
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♪ all the saints ♪
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♪ are getting restless ♪
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♪ they're not bound by shackles ♪
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♪ forged of earthly gold ♪
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♪ since that day they knelt at calvary ♪
00:08:10.336 --> 00:08:15.575
♪ they've been pilgrims ever wandering ♪
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♪ just looking for a place ♪
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♪ to rest their souls ♪
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♪ this could be the dawning ♪
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♪ of that grand and glorious day ♪
00:08:34.961 --> 00:08:40.933
♪ when the face of jesus ♪
00:08:40.933 --> 00:08:44.537
♪ we'll behold ♪
00:08:44.537 --> 00:08:49.508
♪ dreams and hopes of all the ages ♪
00:08:49.508 --> 00:08:54.880
♪ are awaiting his returning ♪
00:08:54.880 --> 00:08:59.986
♪ and this could be the dawning ♪
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♪ of that day ♪
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♪ this could be the dawning ♪
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♪ of that day ♪
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♪ ♪
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Bill: to you folks who are maybe getting
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Acquainted with this fine man for the first time,
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Probably one of the few singers who majored in voice
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And went to college.
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Where--
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- i went to arkansas state university
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For a education degree with an opera minor.
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- so you can sing that tough stuff.
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- if i have to.
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- and i've heard you sing it.
00:09:53.773 --> 00:09:55.074
- if i have to. yes, sir.
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Don't give me french.
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I can't speak french, can't sing french,
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Don't want to do it.
00:10:02.615 --> 00:10:03.883
But you give me a little italian or a little german,
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I can rattle a little bit.
00:10:06.719 --> 00:10:09.155
- well, it sure helps on a great gospel classic like this,
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"how great thou art."
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[gentle music]
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♪ ♪
00:10:18.998 --> 00:10:23.302
- ♪ o lord, my god ♪
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♪ when i, in awesome wonder ♪
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♪ consider all ♪
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♪ the world thy hands hath made ♪
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♪ i see the stars ♪
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♪ i hear the rolling thunder ♪
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♪ thy power throughout ♪
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♪ the universe displayed ♪
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♪ then sings my soul ♪
00:11:16.188 --> 00:11:20.826
♪ my savior god, to thee ♪
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♪ how great thou art ♪
00:11:28.334 --> 00:11:34.807
♪ how great thou art ♪
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♪ then sings my soul ♪
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♪ my savior god, to thee ♪
00:11:45.584 --> 00:11:53.359
♪ how great thou art ♪
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♪ how great thou art ♪
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♪ when christ shall come ♪
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♪ with shout of acclamation ♪
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♪ and take me home ♪
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♪ oh, what joy shall fill ♪
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♪ my heart ♪
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♪ then i shall bow ♪
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♪ in humble adoration ♪
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♪ and there proclaim ♪
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♪ my god ♪
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♪ how great thou art ♪
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♪ then sings my soul ♪
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♪ my savior god, to thee ♪
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♪ how great thou art ♪
00:13:22.748 --> 00:13:29.121
♪ how great thou art ♪
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♪ then sings my soul ♪
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♪ my savior god, to thee ♪
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♪ how great thou art ♪
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♪ how great thou art ♪
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♪ how great thou art ♪
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♪ how great ♪
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♪ thou art ♪
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Bill: yeah. gene: it's a great song.
00:15:23.035 --> 00:15:23.936
[gentle music]
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♪ the love of god is greater far ♪
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♪ than tongue or pen can ever tell ♪
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♪ it goes beyond the highest star ♪
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♪ and reaches to the lowest hell ♪
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♪ the guilty pair, bowed down with care ♪
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♪ god gave his son to win ♪
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♪ his erring child he reconciled ♪
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♪ and pardoned from his sin ♪
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♪ o love of god ♪
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♪ how rich and pure ♪
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♪ how measureless and strong ♪
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♪ it shall forevermore endure ♪
00:16:41.547 --> 00:16:49.121
♪ the saints' and angels' song ♪
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♪ ♪
00:16:57.863 --> 00:17:00.399
♪ could we with ink the ocean fill ♪
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♪ and were the skies of parchment made ♪
00:17:07.873 --> 00:17:15.280
♪ were every stalk on earth a quill ♪
00:17:15.280 --> 00:17:22.955
♪ and every man a scribe by trade ♪
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♪ to write the love of god above ♪
00:17:30.462 --> 00:17:37.769
♪ would drain the ocean dry ♪
00:17:37.769 --> 00:17:45.477
♪ nor could the scroll contain the whole ♪
00:17:45.477 --> 00:17:52.851
♪ though stretched from sky ♪
00:17:52.851 --> 00:17:57.322
♪ to sky ♪
00:17:57.322 --> 00:18:04.096
♪ o love of god ♪
00:18:04.096 --> 00:18:08.033
♪ how rich and pure ♪
00:18:08.033 --> 00:18:11.670
♪ how measureless and strong ♪
00:18:11.670 --> 00:18:19.178
♪ it shall forevermore endure ♪
00:18:19.178 --> 00:18:26.652
♪ the saints' and angels' song ♪
00:18:26.652 --> 00:18:33.625
♪ the saints' and angels' ♪
00:18:33.625 --> 00:18:45.304
♪ song ♪
00:18:45.304 --> 00:18:57.783
♪ ♪
00:18:57.783 --> 00:19:00.252
[applause]
00:19:00.252 --> 00:19:02.788
- you know, the people who follow what we do
00:19:02.788 --> 00:19:04.456
Are very, very kind.
00:19:04.456 --> 00:19:06.592
And many times, they have us up on a pedestal that i question.
00:19:06.592 --> 00:19:12.030
[laughs]
00:19:12.030 --> 00:19:13.098
- right, right.
00:19:13.098 --> 00:19:14.366
- and gloria and i wrote this song
00:19:14.366 --> 00:19:16.535
Because we wanted to kind of get it in perspective,
00:19:16.535 --> 00:19:20.739
To simply say, hey, i'm so grateful that our songs
00:19:20.739 --> 00:19:26.511
Have been meaningful to you.
00:19:26.511 --> 00:19:28.380
But, "if you could see what i once was..."
00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:33.318
- "if you could go with me back to where i started from,
00:19:33.318 --> 00:19:39.191
Then i know that you would see."
00:19:39.191 --> 00:19:42.861
And it really is a miracle that brought me to this place.
00:19:42.861 --> 00:19:49.101
You know, i am just an old sinner saved by grace.
00:19:49.101 --> 00:19:53.438
[soft music]
00:19:53.438 --> 00:19:56.441
♪ ♪
00:19:56.441 --> 00:20:00.279
♪ if you could see what i once was ♪
00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:06.785
♪ if you could go with me ♪
00:20:06.785 --> 00:20:12.991
♪ back to where i started from ♪
00:20:12.991 --> 00:20:20.032
♪ then i know you would see ♪
00:20:20.032 --> 00:20:26.571
♪ a miracle of love that put me ♪
00:20:26.571 --> 00:20:33.111
♪ in its sweet embrace ♪
00:20:33.111 --> 00:20:39.017
♪ and made me what i am today ♪
00:20:39.017 --> 00:20:46.958
♪ i'm just an old sinner ♪
00:20:46.958 --> 00:20:49.628
♪ saved by grace ♪
00:20:49.628 --> 00:20:58.003
♪ i'm just a sinner ♪
00:20:58.003 --> 00:21:04.643
♪ saved by grace ♪
00:21:04.643 --> 00:21:11.350
♪ when i stood condemned to death ♪
00:21:11.350 --> 00:21:17.489
♪ he took my place ♪
00:21:17.489 --> 00:21:24.329
♪ now i live and breathe in freedom ♪
00:21:24.329 --> 00:21:32.104
♪ with each breath of life i take ♪
00:21:32.104 --> 00:21:37.642
♪ loved and forgiven ♪
00:21:37.642 --> 00:21:44.383
♪ backed with a living ♪
00:21:44.383 --> 00:21:51.356
♪ i'm just a sinner ♪
00:21:51.356 --> 00:21:56.261
♪ saved by grace ♪
00:21:56.261 --> 00:22:05.303
♪ ♪
00:22:05.303 --> 00:22:13.779
♪ how could i boast of anything ♪
00:22:13.845 --> 00:22:20.018
♪ i've ever seen or done ♪
00:22:20.018 --> 00:22:25.924
♪ how could i dare to claim as mine ♪
00:22:25.924 --> 00:22:33.398
♪ the victory god has won ♪
00:22:33.398 --> 00:22:39.738
♪ where would i be had god not brought me ♪
00:22:39.738 --> 00:22:46.678
♪ gently to this place ♪
00:22:46.678 --> 00:22:51.817
♪ listen, i'm here to say ♪
00:22:51.817 --> 00:22:56.488
♪ i'm nothing but a sinner ♪
00:22:56.488 --> 00:23:02.527
♪ saved by grace ♪
00:23:02.527 --> 00:23:11.403
♪ i'm just a sinner ♪
00:23:11.403 --> 00:23:17.976
♪ saved by grace ♪
00:23:17.976 --> 00:23:24.583
♪ when i stood condemned to death ♪
00:23:24.583 --> 00:23:31.389
♪ he took my place ♪
00:23:31.389 --> 00:23:37.929
♪ now i live and breathe in freedom ♪
00:23:37.929 --> 00:23:45.136
♪ with each breath of life i take ♪
00:23:45.136 --> 00:23:51.042
♪ i'm loved and forgiven ♪
00:23:51.042 --> 00:23:57.782
♪ i'm backed with a living ♪
00:23:57.782 --> 00:24:04.689
♪ i'm just a sinner ♪
00:24:04.689 --> 00:24:09.694
♪ saved by grace ♪
00:24:09.694 --> 00:24:18.003
♪ now i live and breathe in freedom ♪
00:24:18.003 --> 00:24:25.343
♪ with each breath of life i take ♪
00:24:25.343 --> 00:24:30.749
♪ i'm loved and forgiven ♪
00:24:30.749 --> 00:24:37.589
♪ backed with a living ♪
00:24:37.589 --> 00:24:45.096
♪ i'm just a sinner ♪
00:24:45.096 --> 00:24:49.601
♪ saved by ♪
00:24:49.601 --> 00:24:56.174
♪ grace ♪
00:24:56.174 --> 00:25:07.552
[applause]
00:25:07.552 --> 00:25:10.922
- on purpose, on this project, you did three songs
00:25:10.922 --> 00:25:15.660
To honor george beverly shea.
00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:17.963
- yes, sir.
00:25:17.963 --> 00:25:19.397
- for a real reason--
00:25:19.397 --> 00:25:21.533
The impact he has had on music
00:25:21.533 --> 00:25:24.436
Not only with his songs he sang but the life that he had.
00:25:24.436 --> 00:25:30.508
Lived to be 102
00:25:30.508 --> 00:25:33.845
And got a grammy when he was 101 years old.
00:25:33.845 --> 00:25:38.416
- that's pretty good.
00:25:38.416 --> 00:25:40.218
- pretty amazing.
00:25:40.218 --> 00:25:41.286
And became a wonderful friend
00:25:41.286 --> 00:25:43.121
To all of the homecoming people.
00:25:43.121 --> 00:25:45.657
And just the opportunity to get to know this great man
00:25:45.657 --> 00:25:48.593
And his humble spirit was pretty amazing.
00:25:48.593 --> 00:25:52.797
- just to see the smile, you know, to see the heart,
00:25:52.797 --> 00:25:57.335
To see the joy, and that they were
00:25:57.335 --> 00:26:01.406
Just as big of cheerleaders as we were, you know,
00:26:01.406 --> 00:26:04.876
It was phenomenal.
00:26:04.876 --> 00:26:05.944
- i can remember when i interviewed him,
00:26:05.944 --> 00:26:09.814
And he told me the story of one of his great classic--
00:26:09.814 --> 00:26:15.353
He wrote the music.
00:26:15.353 --> 00:26:17.489
But his mother, i think, had put
00:26:17.489 --> 00:26:21.026
The lyric on the piano
00:26:21.026 --> 00:26:23.361
Or a poem that this lady had written.
00:26:23.361 --> 00:26:27.599
- really? - yeah.
00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:29.467
- isn't that cool?
00:26:29.467 --> 00:26:30.869
- i love to play the piano in the morning.
00:26:30.869 --> 00:26:32.570
I even went to work over in downtown new york.
00:26:32.570 --> 00:26:36.274
And on a sunday morning, it was.
00:26:36.274 --> 00:26:39.077
Around 7:30, i'm down there,
00:26:39.077 --> 00:26:41.446
And there's a cardboard with mother's handwriting
00:26:41.446 --> 00:26:45.250
In big letters like this.
00:26:45.250 --> 00:26:46.818
"i'd rather have jesus than silver or gold,"
00:26:46.818 --> 00:26:49.921
Written by rhea f. miller, a pastor's wife.
00:26:49.921 --> 00:26:52.724
Way back in 1922, the words were written.
00:26:52.724 --> 00:26:56.361
But i was 23, sitting at that piano,
00:26:56.361 --> 00:27:00.098
Looking at those words.
00:27:00.098 --> 00:27:01.533
And there were choices to be made by somebody 23, you know.
00:27:01.533 --> 00:27:06.271
- important choices of life. - yes.
00:27:06.271 --> 00:27:08.640
And i saw those words, and i just got in b-flat and went...
00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:12.010
♪ i'd rather have jesus than silver or gold ♪
00:27:12.010 --> 00:27:17.182
And i got to the chorus,
00:27:17.182 --> 00:27:18.950
"than to be the king of a vast domain."
00:27:18.950 --> 00:27:22.120
And when i ended it, mother had tears in her eyes.
00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:25.457
It was having the intended effect.
00:27:25.457 --> 00:27:28.093
[laughter]
00:27:28.093 --> 00:27:30.528
- and here again, if you ever turned in
00:27:30.528 --> 00:27:32.163
A billy graham classic broadcast
00:27:32.163 --> 00:27:36.201
About their crusades, you're gonna hear bev sing.
00:27:36.201 --> 00:27:39.604
- yes, sir.
00:27:39.604 --> 00:27:40.939
- but he'd be proud the way you did it.
00:27:40.939 --> 00:27:42.607
- yeah.
00:27:42.607 --> 00:27:43.842
[laughs] very kind.
00:27:43.842 --> 00:27:46.644
[gentle music]
00:27:46.644 --> 00:27:49.647
♪ ♪
00:27:49.647 --> 00:27:51.316
♪ i'd rather have jesus ♪
00:27:51.316 --> 00:27:56.187
♪ than silver or gold ♪
00:27:56.187 --> 00:28:00.859
♪ i'd rather be his ♪
00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:05.697
♪ than have riches untold ♪
00:28:05.697 --> 00:28:10.702
♪ i'd rather have jesus ♪
00:28:10.702 --> 00:28:15.540
♪ than houses or land ♪
00:28:15.540 --> 00:28:20.445
♪ i'd rather be led ♪
00:28:20.445 --> 00:28:24.816
♪ by his nail-pierced hand ♪
00:28:24.816 --> 00:28:29.788
♪ than to be the king ♪
00:28:29.788 --> 00:28:35.093
♪ of a vast domain ♪
00:28:35.093 --> 00:28:39.497
♪ or be held in sin's ♪
00:28:39.497 --> 00:28:44.435
♪ dread sway ♪
00:28:44.435 --> 00:28:50.508
♪ i'd rather have jesus ♪
00:28:50.508 --> 00:28:54.412
♪ than anything ♪
00:28:54.412 --> 00:28:59.350
♪ this world affords ♪
00:28:59.350 --> 00:29:04.389
♪ today ♪
00:29:04.389 --> 00:29:09.994
♪ i'd rather have jesus ♪
00:29:09.994 --> 00:29:14.032
♪ than men's applause ♪
00:29:14.032 --> 00:29:18.970
♪ i'd rather be faithful ♪
00:29:18.970 --> 00:29:23.741
♪ to his dear cause ♪
00:29:23.741 --> 00:29:28.513
♪ i'd rather have jesus ♪
00:29:28.513 --> 00:29:33.251
♪ than worldwide fame ♪
00:29:33.251 --> 00:29:38.323
♪ i'd rather be true ♪
00:29:38.323 --> 00:29:42.727
♪ to his holy name ♪
00:29:42.727 --> 00:29:47.732
♪ than to be the king ♪
00:29:47.732 --> 00:29:52.670
♪ of a vast domain ♪
00:29:52.670 --> 00:29:57.375
♪ or be held in sin's ♪
00:29:57.375 --> 00:30:02.180
♪ dread sway ♪
00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:07.552
♪ i'd rather have jesus ♪
00:30:07.552 --> 00:30:12.090
♪ than anything ♪
00:30:12.090 --> 00:30:16.928
♪ this world affords ♪
00:30:16.928 --> 00:30:21.799
♪ today ♪
00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:26.204
♪ than to be the king ♪
00:30:26.204 --> 00:30:31.175
♪ of a vast domain ♪
00:30:31.175 --> 00:30:36.347
♪ or be held in sin's ♪
00:30:36.347 --> 00:30:41.419
♪ dread sway ♪
00:30:41.419 --> 00:30:48.960
♪ i'd rather have jesus ♪
00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:56.534
♪ than anything ♪
00:30:56.534 --> 00:31:03.708
♪ this world affords ♪
00:31:03.708 --> 00:31:14.185
♪ today ♪
00:31:14.185 --> 00:31:20.625
♪ ♪
00:31:20.625 --> 00:31:30.301
- gloria and i wrote this song,
00:31:30.368 --> 00:31:33.771
I think, primarily with george younce
00:31:33.771 --> 00:31:36.975
And mine and his story
00:31:36.975 --> 00:31:39.677
And maybe a little bit of doug oldham too.
00:31:39.677 --> 00:31:41.779
You know, we just-- we're songwriters.
00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:44.382
So if you're gonna tell us much when you're around us,
00:31:44.382 --> 00:31:47.318
We're gonna absorb what you're saying.
00:31:47.318 --> 00:31:49.087
- right.
00:31:49.087 --> 00:31:52.657
- oh, and, you know, the cathedrals
00:31:52.657 --> 00:31:54.425
Sang it all over.
00:31:54.425 --> 00:31:56.427
But on any given night on a gaither concert,
00:31:56.427 --> 00:32:00.331
It's good to look over at you and say, gene,
00:32:00.331 --> 00:32:03.935
Sing that second verse,
00:32:03.935 --> 00:32:06.704
"i went back to the house where i used to live."
00:32:06.704 --> 00:32:11.042
Now, that may not have been your personal story.
00:32:11.042 --> 00:32:14.078
But as fathers, we've done enough crazy things...
00:32:14.078 --> 00:32:16.981
- oh, yeah.
00:32:16.981 --> 00:32:17.982
- to scare our kids.
00:32:17.982 --> 00:32:20.018
And that's not the image
00:32:20.018 --> 00:32:22.887
That god wants us to have with our kids.
00:32:22.887 --> 00:32:25.656
- i think the imperfections,
00:32:25.656 --> 00:32:28.659
Sometimes we're afraid
00:32:28.659 --> 00:32:30.028
That they're gonna rub off on our kids.
00:32:30.028 --> 00:32:32.130
- [laughs]
00:32:32.130 --> 00:32:33.464
- you know? - yeah.
00:32:33.464 --> 00:32:34.999
- so i think sometimes when we yell,
00:32:34.999 --> 00:32:39.137
It's 'cause we're trying to scare them out of being us.
00:32:39.137 --> 00:32:43.374
And nathan, my baby boy, is--
00:32:43.374 --> 00:32:49.380
He's a good young man in spite of me.
00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:53.351
You know, i wasn't a bad dad...
00:32:57.055 --> 00:32:59.257
- yeah.
00:32:59.257 --> 00:33:00.358
- but i could have been a lot better dad.
00:33:00.358 --> 00:33:02.060
- yeah.
00:33:02.060 --> 00:33:03.227
- you know, i think that we, in retrospect,
00:33:03.227 --> 00:33:07.865
Pick out the things that we could have done better,
00:33:07.865 --> 00:33:11.369
That we didn't do enough of.
00:33:11.369 --> 00:33:13.538
You know, i could have pitched ball with him a little more.
00:33:13.538 --> 00:33:16.607
Could have been home on the weekends maybe a little more.
00:33:16.607 --> 00:33:19.444
- could have been at a few more ball games
00:33:19.444 --> 00:33:20.812
Where he was playing.
00:33:20.812 --> 00:33:21.913
- right.
00:33:21.913 --> 00:33:23.181
And seeing--seeing that they still love you...
00:33:23.181 --> 00:33:28.753
- uh-huh.
00:33:28.753 --> 00:33:32.356
- in spite of your failures.
00:33:32.356 --> 00:33:35.226
- yeah.
00:33:35.226 --> 00:33:36.461
- you know, and i tell these kids now--
00:33:36.461 --> 00:33:38.763
I said, you know, it's good to go to disney,
00:33:38.763 --> 00:33:42.033
And it's good to go to all these large--
00:33:42.033 --> 00:33:44.035
Six flags, all these large things.
00:33:44.035 --> 00:33:47.371
I said, but 9 times out of 10, your child is gonna say,
00:33:47.371 --> 00:33:51.109
Dad, do you remember when you let me jump in that mud hole...
00:33:51.109 --> 00:33:55.646
- yeah.
00:33:55.646 --> 00:33:57.115
- and you didn't get mad at me because i was muddy?
00:33:57.115 --> 00:34:00.985
- [laughs]
00:34:00.985 --> 00:34:02.420
- you know, or you didn't get on to me
00:34:02.420 --> 00:34:04.589
Because i fell into the pond.
00:34:04.589 --> 00:34:08.292
You know, it's the little things.
00:34:08.292 --> 00:34:11.696
It's not the huge, gigantic things
00:34:11.696 --> 00:34:13.798
That they remember a lot of.
00:34:13.798 --> 00:34:16.167
It's the everyday, i got away with it,
00:34:16.167 --> 00:34:19.770
You know, those type of things.
00:34:19.770 --> 00:34:22.106
[light music]
00:34:22.106 --> 00:34:25.109
♪ ♪
00:34:25.109 --> 00:34:28.546
♪ today i went back to the place ♪
00:34:28.546 --> 00:34:35.086
♪ where i used to go ♪
00:34:35.086 --> 00:34:40.525
♪ today i saw that same old crowd ♪
00:34:40.525 --> 00:34:46.430
♪ i knew before ♪
00:34:46.430 --> 00:34:52.937
♪ when they asked me what had happened ♪
00:34:52.937 --> 00:34:57.775
♪ i tried to tell them ♪
00:34:57.775 --> 00:35:04.115
♪ thanks to calvary ♪
00:35:04.115 --> 00:35:07.919
♪ i don't come here anymore ♪
00:35:07.919 --> 00:35:16.127
♪ thanks to calvary ♪
00:35:16.127 --> 00:35:19.597
♪ i am not the man that i used to be ♪
00:35:19.597 --> 00:35:27.705
♪ thanks to calvary ♪
00:35:27.705 --> 00:35:31.442
♪ things are different than before ♪
00:35:31.442 --> 00:35:40.518
♪ while the tears ran down my face ♪
00:35:40.518 --> 00:35:45.556
♪ i tried to tell them ♪
00:35:45.556 --> 00:35:52.096
♪ thanks to calvary ♪
00:35:52.096 --> 00:35:56.067
♪ i don't come here anymore ♪
00:35:56.067 --> 00:36:05.243
♪ then we went back to the house ♪
00:36:05.243 --> 00:36:10.481
♪ where we used to live ♪
00:36:10.481 --> 00:36:15.753
♪ my little boy, he ran and hid ♪
00:36:15.753 --> 00:36:22.526
♪ behind the door ♪
00:36:22.526 --> 00:36:30.835
♪ and i said, son, don't be afraid ♪
00:36:30.835 --> 00:36:37.074
♪ you've got a brand-new daddy now ♪
00:36:37.074 --> 00:36:40.111
♪ thanks to calvary ♪
00:36:40.111 --> 00:36:44.048
♪ we don't live here anymore ♪
00:36:44.048 --> 00:36:52.123
♪ thanks to calvary, i am not ♪
00:36:52.123 --> 00:36:57.628
♪ the dad that i used to be ♪
00:36:57.628 --> 00:37:03.934
♪ thanks to calvary ♪
00:37:03.934 --> 00:37:07.471
♪ things are different than before ♪
00:37:07.471 --> 00:37:16.547
♪ while the tears ran down my face ♪
00:37:16.547 --> 00:37:21.719
♪ i tried to tell them ♪
00:37:21.719 --> 00:37:28.326
♪ thanks to calvary ♪
00:37:28.326 --> 00:37:33.798
♪ we don't live here ♪
00:37:33.798 --> 00:37:39.370
♪ anymore ♪
00:37:39.370 --> 00:38:48.906
Gene: my hardest thing is, is getting up in the morning
00:38:50.274 --> 00:38:51.509
And saying, lord, thank you for taking all of my problems
00:38:51.509 --> 00:38:54.378
Away from me. - yeah.
00:38:54.378 --> 00:38:56.046
- and then at the end of the night,
00:38:56.046 --> 00:38:58.382
When i'm laying down, saying, lord,
00:38:58.382 --> 00:38:59.917
Please forgive me for taking the things
00:38:59.917 --> 00:39:02.853
That i thought that i could control,
00:39:02.853 --> 00:39:04.822
That i know that you can, but i didn't want
00:39:04.822 --> 00:39:07.158
To bother you too much with it.
00:39:07.158 --> 00:39:09.160
Thank god we're forgiven. - yeah.
00:39:09.160 --> 00:39:11.362
- i mean, thank the lord that he loved us enough
00:39:11.362 --> 00:39:16.200
To send his son to forgive me,
00:39:16.200 --> 00:39:19.904
To be my sacrifice.
00:39:19.904 --> 00:39:22.039
- so that we're not frightened about tomorrow.
00:39:22.039 --> 00:39:25.009
- that's right.
00:39:25.009 --> 00:39:26.243
And we can have joy, and if we work on today,
00:39:26.243 --> 00:39:32.349
Tomorrow's gonna be all right.
00:39:32.349 --> 00:39:33.517
- it's gonna be all right. - that's right.
00:39:33.517 --> 00:39:35.152
- we're in good hands. - we're in good hands.
00:39:35.152 --> 00:39:37.455
That's good.
00:39:37.455 --> 00:39:38.789
[reverent music]
00:39:38.789 --> 00:39:41.992
♪ i came to jesus ♪
00:39:41.992 --> 00:39:47.264
♪ i took my stand ♪
00:39:47.264 --> 00:39:52.203
♪ but what i'd surrendered ♪
00:39:52.203 --> 00:39:56.540
♪ was back in my hand ♪
00:39:56.540 --> 00:40:02.213
♪ defeated by failures ♪
00:40:02.213 --> 00:40:07.418
♪ haunted by fears ♪
00:40:07.418 --> 00:40:12.590
♪ i cried out in anguish ♪
00:40:12.590 --> 00:40:17.361
♪ my god, are you here ♪
00:40:17.361 --> 00:40:24.201
♪ he said, child, you're forgiven ♪
00:40:24.201 --> 00:40:30.741
♪ forgiven and free ♪
00:40:30.741 --> 00:40:35.613
♪ he said it ♪
00:40:35.613 --> 00:40:38.649
♪ i heard it ♪
00:40:38.649 --> 00:40:41.619
♪ sweet victory ♪
00:40:41.619 --> 00:40:46.590
♪ the future can never ♪
00:40:46.590 --> 00:40:51.762
♪ intimidate me ♪
00:40:51.762 --> 00:40:56.901
♪ since i've been forgiven ♪
00:40:56.901 --> 00:41:01.272
♪ forgiven and free ♪
00:41:01.272 --> 00:41:09.146
♪ ♪
00:41:09.146 --> 00:41:15.352
♪ i'm resting and growing ♪
00:41:15.352 --> 00:41:20.891
♪ in his strong embrace ♪
00:41:20.891 --> 00:41:25.529
♪ i've traded performance ♪
00:41:25.529 --> 00:41:30.134
♪ for amazing grace ♪
00:41:30.134 --> 00:41:35.839
♪ my soul is at rest ♪
00:41:35.839 --> 00:41:40.911
♪ but i still must rejoice ♪
00:41:40.911 --> 00:41:45.883
♪ when i think of the day ♪
00:41:45.883 --> 00:41:51.121
♪ that i heard his voice ♪
00:41:51.121 --> 00:41:57.161
♪ ♪
00:41:57.161 --> 00:42:00.097
♪ what a relief ♪
00:42:00.097 --> 00:42:03.601
[chuckles]
00:42:03.601 --> 00:42:05.269
♪ i can't, i can't earn my way ♪
00:42:05.269 --> 00:42:10.341
♪ when i come up empty ♪
00:42:10.341 --> 00:42:15.746
♪ my father pays ♪
00:42:15.746 --> 00:42:20.117
♪ i'm learning to live ♪
00:42:20.117 --> 00:42:25.222
♪ and i'm learning to die ♪
00:42:25.222 --> 00:42:30.995
♪ and one of these days ♪
00:42:30.995 --> 00:42:35.032
♪ i'll be learning to fly ♪
00:42:35.032 --> 00:42:42.406
♪ he said, child, you're forgiven ♪
00:42:42.406 --> 00:42:48.946
♪ forgiven and free ♪
00:42:48.946 --> 00:42:54.251
♪ he said it ♪
00:42:54.251 --> 00:42:56.754
♪ i heard it ♪
00:42:56.754 --> 00:42:59.690
♪ sweet victory ♪
00:42:59.690 --> 00:43:05.195
♪ the future can never ♪
00:43:05.195 --> 00:43:09.600
♪ intimidate me ♪
00:43:09.600 --> 00:43:15.139
♪ since i've been forgiven ♪
00:43:15.139 --> 00:43:20.310
♪ i've been forgiven ♪
00:43:20.310 --> 00:43:25.816
♪ i've been forgiven ♪
00:43:25.816 --> 00:43:30.587
♪ forgiven ♪
00:43:30.587 --> 00:43:35.626
♪ and free ♪
00:43:35.626 --> 00:43:40.931
♪ forgiven and free ♪
00:43:40.931 --> 00:43:52.476
[laughs]
00:43:52.476 --> 00:43:53.677
- yeah, gene.
00:43:53.677 --> 00:43:55.379
[cheers and applause]
00:43:55.379 --> 00:43:58.382
- and god is the only thing that can forgive it.
00:43:58.382 --> 00:44:03.320
And god is the only thing that can pat you on the back
00:44:03.320 --> 00:44:07.958
And say, son, you're gonna make it.
00:44:07.958 --> 00:44:10.994
- "oh, what a difference..."
00:44:10.994 --> 00:44:12.896
- "since jesus passed by."
00:44:12.896 --> 00:44:18.335
I wouldn't be anything if he hadn't passed by.
00:44:18.402 --> 00:44:23.474
And, you know, he helped a marriage,
00:44:27.044 --> 00:44:33.150
My marriage.
00:44:33.150 --> 00:44:34.885
He helped me be a dad.
00:44:34.885 --> 00:44:37.688
He helped me listen more
00:44:37.688 --> 00:44:43.994
Instead of just rattling.
00:44:43.994 --> 00:44:45.863
[light music]
00:44:45.863 --> 00:44:49.233
- ♪ oh, what a difference ♪
00:44:49.233 --> 00:44:53.604
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:44:53.604 --> 00:45:00.878
- ♪ like a blind man, i wandered ♪
00:45:00.878 --> 00:45:06.817
♪ so lost and undone ♪
00:45:06.817 --> 00:45:12.055
♪ a beggar so helpless ♪
00:45:12.055 --> 00:45:16.727
♪ without god or his son ♪
00:45:16.727 --> 00:45:21.498
♪ then my savior in mercy ♪
00:45:21.498 --> 00:45:26.603
♪ heard and answered my cry ♪
00:45:26.603 --> 00:45:31.942
♪ and, oh, what a difference ♪
00:45:31.942 --> 00:45:37.014
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:45:37.014 --> 00:45:44.321
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:45:44.321 --> 00:45:49.459
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:45:49.459 --> 00:45:54.865
♪ oh, what a difference ♪
00:45:54.865 --> 00:45:59.536
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:45:59.536 --> 00:46:05.542
♪ i can't explain it ♪
00:46:05.542 --> 00:46:09.780
♪ and i cannot tell you why ♪
00:46:09.780 --> 00:46:14.918
♪ but, oh, what a difference ♪
00:46:14.918 --> 00:46:19.556
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:46:19.556 --> 00:46:27.097
♪ all my yesterdays are buried ♪
00:46:27.097 --> 00:46:32.870
♪ in the deepest of the sea ♪
00:46:32.870 --> 00:46:38.108
♪ that old load of guilt i carried is all gone ♪
00:46:38.108 --> 00:46:44.581
♪ praise god, i'm free ♪
00:46:44.581 --> 00:46:47.985
♪ looking for that bright tomorrow ♪
00:46:47.985 --> 00:46:52.222
♪ where no tears will dim the eye ♪
00:46:52.222 --> 00:46:58.228
♪ and, oh, what a difference ♪
00:46:58.228 --> 00:47:02.699
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:47:02.699 --> 00:47:11.008
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:47:11.008 --> 00:47:15.679
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:47:15.679 --> 00:47:21.585
♪ oh, what a difference ♪
00:47:21.585 --> 00:47:26.156
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:47:26.156 --> 00:47:31.495
♪ i can't explain it ♪
00:47:31.495 --> 00:47:35.599
♪ and i cannot tell you why ♪
00:47:35.599 --> 00:47:40.971
♪ but, oh, what a difference ♪
00:47:40.971 --> 00:47:46.043
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:47:46.043 --> 00:47:53.717
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:47:53.717 --> 00:47:58.555
♪ ♪
00:47:58.555 --> 00:48:04.695
♪ oh, what a difference ♪
00:48:04.695 --> 00:48:09.232
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:48:09.232 --> 00:48:14.871
♪ i can't explain it ♪
00:48:14.871 --> 00:48:19.476
♪ and i cannot tell you why ♪
00:48:19.476 --> 00:48:23.981
♪ but, oh, what a difference ♪
00:48:23.981 --> 00:48:29.987
♪ oh, what a difference ♪
00:48:29.987 --> 00:48:35.592
♪ oh, what a difference ♪
00:48:35.592 --> 00:48:38.895
♪ since jesus passed by ♪
00:48:38.895 --> 00:49:51.401
Bill: you like singing "going home" on the stage.
00:49:52.669 --> 00:49:54.071
Gene: i do.
00:49:54.071 --> 00:49:55.539
It's--i mean, i was a country boy,
00:49:55.539 --> 00:50:01.211
And we farmed, and...
00:50:01.211 --> 00:50:05.615
I can--you know, i can hear my father say,
00:50:05.615 --> 00:50:10.020
Come on, son, let's go home.
00:50:10.020 --> 00:50:13.890
- "now the twilight is fading."
00:50:13.890 --> 00:50:16.526
- "the day soon shall end.
00:50:16.526 --> 00:50:19.696
"i get homesick the farther i roam.
00:50:19.696 --> 00:50:23.100
"but my father has led me each step of the way.
00:50:23.100 --> 00:50:29.773
And now i'm going home."
00:50:29.773 --> 00:50:35.645
Bill: gene was a featured guest
00:50:35.712 --> 00:50:37.280
On our vocal band's latest project,
00:50:37.280 --> 00:50:39.816
And i asked him to sing this song.
00:50:39.816 --> 00:50:41.885
Wes and adam join him for this very special moment.
00:50:41.885 --> 00:50:46.523
- ♪ many times in my childhood ♪
00:50:46.523 --> 00:50:53.096
♪ we'd travel so far ♪
00:50:53.096 --> 00:50:57.868
♪ by nightfall ♪
00:50:57.868 --> 00:51:00.904
♪ how weary i'd grow ♪
00:51:00.904 --> 00:51:08.979
♪ father's arms would slip round me ♪
00:51:08.979 --> 00:51:15.418
♪ and gently he'd say ♪
00:51:15.418 --> 00:51:20.023
♪ my child ♪
00:51:20.023 --> 00:51:23.059
♪ we are going home ♪
00:51:23.059 --> 00:51:31.868
♪ going home ♪
00:51:31.868 --> 00:51:36.506
♪ i'm going home ♪
00:51:36.506 --> 00:51:41.945
♪ there is nothing ♪
00:51:41.945 --> 00:51:45.615
♪ to hold me here ♪
00:51:45.615 --> 00:51:54.457
♪ i've caught a glimpse ♪
00:51:54.457 --> 00:51:59.129
♪ of that heavenly land ♪
00:51:59.129 --> 00:52:04.701
♪ praise god ♪
00:52:04.701 --> 00:52:07.537
♪ i am going home ♪
00:52:07.537 --> 00:52:16.646
♪ now the twilight is fading ♪
00:52:16.646 --> 00:52:22.686
♪ the day soon shall end ♪
00:52:22.686 --> 00:52:27.457
♪ i get homesick ♪
00:52:27.457 --> 00:52:30.794
♪ the farther i roam ♪
00:52:30.794 --> 00:52:39.035
♪ but the father has led me ♪
00:52:39.035 --> 00:52:45.508
♪ each step of the way ♪
00:52:45.508 --> 00:52:49.546
♪ and i know ♪
00:52:49.546 --> 00:52:52.315
♪ he will lead me home ♪
00:52:52.315 --> 00:53:01.992
♪ going home ♪
00:53:01.992 --> 00:53:06.763
♪ i'm going home ♪
00:53:06.763 --> 00:53:12.335
♪ there is nothing ♪
00:53:12.335 --> 00:53:15.639
♪ to hold me here ♪
00:53:15.639 --> 00:53:23.046
- i caught a glimpse...
00:53:23.046 --> 00:53:24.681
- ♪ i've caught a glimpse ♪
00:53:24.681 --> 00:53:29.019
♪ of that heavenly land ♪
00:53:29.019 --> 00:53:34.858
♪ praise god ♪
00:53:34.858 --> 00:53:37.761
♪ i am going home ♪
00:53:37.761 --> 00:53:46.536
♪ ooh, ooh ♪
00:53:46.536 --> 00:53:50.774
♪ ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
00:53:50.774 --> 00:53:58.815
♪ ooh ♪
00:53:58.815 --> 00:54:07.190
[cheers and applause]
00:54:07.190 --> 00:54:12.228
- i love to hear you sing that.
00:54:15.932 --> 00:54:17.367
You know, i'd love to have your voice.
00:54:17.367 --> 00:54:20.136
[laughs]
00:54:20.136 --> 00:54:21.504
- you're very kind.
00:54:21.504 --> 00:54:22.739
- it's a great voice.
00:54:22.739 --> 00:54:24.641
- thank you. thank you.
00:54:24.641 --> 00:54:26.343
- well, gene, this has been a joy to share this with you.
00:54:26.343 --> 00:54:31.014
It's been a special joy to hear you sing these songs.
00:54:31.014 --> 00:54:34.951
- you're a hero.
00:54:34.951 --> 00:54:36.953
- you're kind.
00:54:36.953 --> 00:54:38.254
- no. i'm very honest.
00:54:38.254 --> 00:54:41.558
- what do you think, windsor?
00:54:41.558 --> 00:54:42.926
Has this been a good--
00:54:42.926 --> 00:54:44.194
Has this been a good time?
00:54:44.194 --> 00:54:45.695
You love old gene, don't you?
00:54:45.695 --> 00:54:47.530
- he's a good boy.
00:54:47.530 --> 00:54:49.432
- bus driver--not in this order--great singer,
00:54:49.432 --> 00:54:54.137
Wonderful dad, a good friend,
00:54:54.137 --> 00:54:58.274
A good conversationalist,
00:54:58.274 --> 00:55:00.310
Whether it's during the day or 3:00 in the morning
00:55:00.310 --> 00:55:02.979
On the jump seat of a bus.
00:55:02.979 --> 00:55:05.682
- that's right.
00:55:05.682 --> 00:55:07.751
- it's been a great life.
00:55:07.751 --> 00:55:09.152
Bless you, my friend.
00:55:09.152 --> 00:55:10.220
- love you, bill.
00:55:10.220 --> 00:55:11.221
- love you too.
00:55:11.221 --> 00:55:12.522
- ♪ oh, jesus, you're the center of my joy ♪
00:55:12.522 --> 00:55:22.465
♪ all that's good and perfect comes from you ♪
00:55:22.465 --> 00:55:31.508
♪ you're the heart of my contentment ♪
00:55:31.508 --> 00:55:36.212
♪ hope for all i do ♪
00:55:36.212 --> 00:55:40.316
♪ jesus, you are the center of my joy ♪
00:55:40.316 --> 00:55:48.892
- ♪ oh, jesus ♪
00:55:48.892 --> 00:55:50.493
- ♪ jesus, you are the center of my joy ♪
00:55:50.493 --> 00:55:58.435
♪ jesus, you are ♪
00:55:58.435 --> 00:56:02.906
♪ the center of my joy ♪
00:56:02.906 --> 00:56:14.417
♪ jesus, you're the center ♪
00:56:14.417 --> 00:56:22.058
♪ of my joy ♪
00:56:22.058 --> 00:56:22.058

Gene McDonald: Forgiven and Free | Gaither Gospel Hour

September 21, 2025 | 59:0

Closed captions

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