"Great Day!"

Our adult choir sang this great spiritual this morning in worship and it was stunning both times. What a perfect match for an All Saints emphasis and a communion Sunday. I just wish that the whole church later sang it in response to the sermon/worship as we ended the hour!

Once you start looking around you may find a few variations of the song and some different musical arrangements. See one set of lyrics below and then a couple of YouTube offerings. I think you'll find this worth using in your worship as it's theologically strong and an upbeat piece that should still be a church favorite.

GREAT DAY
Traditional Negro Spiritual

REFRAIN:
Great day! Great day, the righteous marching;
Great day! God's going to build up Zion's walls.

The chariot rode on the mountain top
God's going to build up Zion's walls
My God He spoke and the chariot stopped
God's going to build up Zion's walls

Great day! Great day, the righteous marching;
Great day! God's going to build up Zion's walls.

This is the day of Jubilee
God's going to build up Zion's walls
The Lord has set His people free
God's going to build up Zion's walls

Great day! Great day, the righteous marching;
Great day! God's going to build up Zion's walls.

Going to take my breastplates, sword in hand
God's going to build up Zion's walls
And march out boldly into the land
God's going to build up Zion's walls

Great day! Great day, the righteous marching;
Great day! God's going to build up Zion's walls.

We want no cowards in our band
God's going to build up Zion's walls
We call for valiant-hearted men
God's going to build up Zion's walls

Great day! Great day, the righteous marching;
Great day! God's going to build up Zion's walls.

Bethune Cookman

Howard University