From Sam Cho:
Over the years that I have studied and listened to Gospel music, Andrae Crouch’s
“Soon and Very Soon” has consistently remained one of my favorite songs. This song
was released on his album This is Another Day in 1976, and since then this song has a
become a part of the liturgical tradition of the African-American Church.
The verses of the song seem to be based on the passage in Revelations 21.4, “[God]
will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying
or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Much of Crouch’s vision and hope
in this song is aimed towards the end when Christ makes all things right. This becomes
especially apparent in the bridge, where he writes, “Should there be any rivers we must
cross, Should there be any mountains we must climb, God will supply all the strength
that we need, Give us grace ’til we reach the other side.” Crouch evokes images and
themes that have long been part of the Christian tradition. All beings must find their true
home in God; all things find rest in their Creator. While on this earth, all Christians are
“pilgrims” wandering until they find rest in God. Even though this song harkens to
images that are a distinct part of the Church, Crouch’s language of suffering and relief
evoke the history of African-Americans.
Verse 1
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King,
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
We are going to see the King.
Verse 2
No more crying there,
We are going to see the King,
No more crying there,
We are going to see the King.
No more crying there,
We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
We are going to see the King.
Verse 3
No more dying there,
We are going to see the King,
No more dying there,
We are going to see the King.
No more dying there,
We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
We are going to see the King.
Bridge
Should there be any rivers we must cross,
Should there be any mountains we must climb,
God will supply all the strength that we need,
Give us grace ’til we reach the other side.
We have come from every nation,
God knows each of us by name.
Jesus took His blood and He washed our sins,
And He washed them all away.
Yes, there are some of us,
Who have laid down our lives,
But we all shall live again,
On the other side.