As a Pastor going through lockdown, this song was written to encourage folks that God is still there.
Thoughts and comments.
Have you ever noticed when your alone in an empty church that the quietness and lack of activity somehow impresses you that this is holy ground. You think about all the spiritual business that has been conducted there. The prayers offered, the praises sung, the lives changed. Here is my radical idea for your song. Forget the Covid references in the first two verses, maybe just cut those verses. Make the third verse the first verse. Make the first chorus the second verse. The second chorus the main chorus. You’ve got some moving pictures of the empty church that I really like. The middle eight implies the the Covid situation. By the way, I just joined this group and your song was the first one I listened to and here I am shooting my mouth off. I wouldn’t say nothing if I didn’t like your song though.
October 23, 2020
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Dear Bob, I think my original feedback on your song was obnoxious and I apologize for it. Cut this, move this, etc. I am sorry. I’m not a professional songwriter. Please feel free to disregard anything I say. I got excited about the empty church/ empty tomb analogy in your song and started rewriting it in my head. I know the virus situation inspired your lyrics, but I think that too much emphasis on the virus, government etc., may detract from something more powerful and universal in your lyric. Good job and God bless. Tim
October 24, 2020
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The Church House Was Empty
© Strachan Music Ministries – 2020
The government said, “you can’t wander about
This virus is deadly, and we have no doubt
You’ve gotta stay home, and keep 6 feet away
And you can’t go to church, just stay home, and pray”
The pastors all scrambled to get their preaching online
We’re gathered together, in your house and mine
It don’t have to be Sunday to praise Jesus’ name
Though we can’t go to church, He’s still the same
[Chorus]
The choir robes are lifeless like the grave clothes were laid
Our hearts torn in two like the vail did that day
The offering plates lie still in the gloom
The Church house is empty but so was the tomb
The baptism water is still for a spell
But Christ’s living water still flows from the well
The choir loft is silent, but His praise still survives
And we don’t need a hymn book to know “He’s Alive”
[Chorus]
[Middle8]
Don’t be crippled with fear, let love cast it out
Have faith in the Saviour let there be no doubt
The doors may be shut but that can’t stop the LORD
And no sickness can silence the power of His word
Remember the martyrs who died for the cause
Remember old Paul and the trials he saw
Remember when Daniel prayed all night though
Remember that they had, the same GOD as you!
[Chorus]
[2nd Chorus]
God’s Spirit’s still moving, and He can be found
The grace of the Father, will always abound
No need to feel sorrow, for the morning comes soon
The Church house is empty but so was the tomb
0
While I think your melody and your voice sounds good, “The Church House is empty but so was The Tomb” paints the picture for me, that The Church House being empty compares to the Grave Jesus Resurrected from being empty!! Church Houses being empty is so very sad!! Oh but the Empty Tomb is why our Church Houses should NEVER be empty!! The government is definitely telling us what to do and we are definitely crippled with fear!!! My husband is a pastor too, and we haven’t missed a service yet!! We wish other Churches would follow suit!!
July 19, 2020
0
Have you ever noticed when your alone in an empty church that the quietness and lack of activity somehow impresses you that this is holy ground. You think about all the spiritual business that has been conducted there. The prayers offered, the praises sung, the lives changed. Here is my radical idea for your song. Forget the Covid references in the first two verses, maybe just cut those verses. Make the third verse the first verse. Make the first chorus the second verse. The second chorus the main chorus. You’ve got some moving pictures of the empty church that I really like. The middle eight implies the the Covid situation. By the way, I just joined this group and your song was the first one I listened to and here I am shooting my mouth off. I wouldn’t say nothing if I didn’t like your song though.
October 23, 2020
0
Dear Bob, I think my original feedback on your song was obnoxious and I apologize for it. Cut this, move this, etc. I am sorry. I’m not a professional songwriter. Please feel free to disregard anything I say. I got excited about the empty church/ empty tomb analogy in your song and started rewriting it in my head. I know the virus situation inspired your lyrics, but I think that too much emphasis on the virus, government etc., may detract from something more powerful and universal in your lyric. Good job and God bless. Tim
October 24, 2020
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Lora Stamps
While I think your melody and your voice sounds good, “The Church House is empty but so was The Tomb” paints the picture for me, that The Church House being empty compares to the Grave Jesus Resurrected from being empty!! Church Houses being empty is so very sad!! Oh but the Empty Tomb is why our Church Houses should NEVER be empty!! The government is definitely telling us what to do and we are definitely crippled with fear!!! My husband is a pastor too, and we haven’t missed a service yet!! We wish other Churches would follow suit!!
July 19, 2020
No members have liked this comment.