I’ve loved the song ‘Heaven Came Down’ since I was a kid.
Our church had a gestetner spirit duplicated song book that featured hymns from the Sankey tradition. It was really only used when we were away on our church camps, so once a year we got to bang these sorts of songs out, usually with piano accompaniment.
Written and composed by John W. Peterson in the mid-twentieth century it is a good example of popular hymn-writing before praise chorus style music came to dominate contemporary songs.
Here’s the lyrics:
1.
O what a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget
After I’d wandered in darkness away
Jesus my Savior I met
O what a tender compassionate friend
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart
[Chorus]
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
When at the cross the Savior made me whole
My sins were washed away
And my nights were turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
2.
Born of the Spirit with life from above
Into God’s family divine
Justified fully thru Calvary’s love
O what a standing is mine
And the transaction so quickly was made
When as a sinner I came
Took of the offer of grace He did proffer
He saved me O praise His dear name
[Repeat chorus]
3.
Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure
After the passing of time
I have a future in heaven for sure
There in those mansions sublime
And it’s because of that wonderful day
When at the cross I believed
Riches eternal and blessings supernal
[Repeat chorus]
From His precious hand I received
Copyright 1961, 1967 John W. Peterson.
Here’s a men’s choir giving the song a classic rendition.
For you contemporary fans, here’s David Crowder Band giving the song the treatment.
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