Last night, I visited the wake of the grandfather of a good friend of mine. While there, I realized that life was indeed fleeting, and began to produce a set list – in my head, of course – for my own wake when the time comes. (This discussion pains my wife, so I’d much rather discuss it with you total strangers than she, LOL)
There are several great songs recommended in the “Looking For Songs for Funerals” category of GannsDeen.com here, but I also realized that my feature database was missing an absolute Christian essential: MercyMe’s 2001 #1 smash, I Can Only Imagine. The 2009 release of MercyMe’s greatest hits package, 10, saw a fresh take on the song, as the band takes another go at I Can Only Imagine, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra. I was reminded of this when I swung by Philippine Christian music retailer House of Praise (at its Panay Avenue branch, where I bought the 10 CD/DVD combo for Php149 (roughly US$3.75). (The sale was fabulous, by the way; more on that in a later post.)
I remember when I Can Only Imagine took off in the USA, peaking at #5 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, a chart not entirely known for shutting out Christian-themed music but certainly known for its preference for the old-fashioned and stoic. What a beautiful song it was then, and ten years later, it continues to wield an extraordinary presence. I believe that song is truly anointed.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE Lyrics
MercyMe with the London Symphony Orchestra
I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk By your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine When that day comes
And I find myself standing in the sun
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
i can only imagine
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
