I don’t use ‘When It’s All Been Said And Done’ very often. As a song of consecration it is quite affecting, and the Christian life does look forward to that time when an account is given of our life responding to God’s grace.
Jim Cowan, the song’s composer is a Roman Catholic, and it would certainly be possible to take the third verse (for instance) and wonder if the righteousness of Christ was infused or imputed to us. For all of that, at least the song doesn’t descend into sentimentalism or triumphalism. Even in the face of our efforts at living for Christ, it is Christ’s mercy which is our source of hope.
The celtic style tune, which was a very popular style ten years ago is aging pretty well.
The music copyrighted to Integrity Music, so the song is well exposed to US evangelicalism, and was featured on a very popular album featuring Robin Mark, so it is probably well known on the other side of the Atlantic as well.
Here’s the lyrics.
1.
When it’s all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You
2.
When it’s all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I’ve done for love’s reward
Will stand the test of time.
3.
Lord Your mercy is so great
That You look beyond our Weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Making sinners into saints
4.
I will always sing Your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For You’ve shown me Heaven’s my true home
When it’s all been said and done
You’re my life when life is gone
The arrangement I use repeats the first verse and uses an additional last line.
5.
When it’s all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You
Lord I’ll live my life for You.
Written by Jim Cowan.
© 1999 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Here’s Robin Mark’s recording.
For some reason this arrangement always makes we think of the movie ‘Titanic’ and Kate Winslett saying ‘Jack, Jack, I’ll never let go.’
Maybe it’s just me.
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