The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hope of sorrow
And half in fear of the day
Find the soldiers breakin' through
To drag us all away
And just before the sunrise
I heard somethin' at the wall
The gate began to rattle
A voice began to call
I hurried to the window
And looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers' feet
But there was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told us where she'd been
She said, "They've moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where"
The Stone's been rolled away
I know His body isn't there
We both ran toward the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and the empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
The windin' sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
Who or where they'd taken Him
Was more than I could tell
Somethin' strange had happened here
What was I didn't know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn't lift me very high
'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him
And then I saw Him die
Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I'd promised Him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied, I knew His name
And even if He was alive
It wouldn't be the same
Suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove shadows from the room
Jesus stood before me
With His arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
I just clung to Him and cried
He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
Love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight in the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I'd ever had
Just melted into peace
He's alive, He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive, He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive, I said, He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive, He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive, yes, He's alive, He's alive