“Because He Lives,” penned by Bill and Gloria Gaither in 1971, started as a simple hymn and became a beacon of hope for millions worldwide. This inspirational song, though newer than many traditional hymns, found its place in 38 hymnals. The Gospel Music Association and ASCAP recognized its impact by awarding it Gospel Song of the Year in 1974.

The powerful lyrics “because he lives I can face tomorrow” emerged when America faced social turmoil in the late 1960s. People found solace in these words during times of drug abuse, racial tensions, and uncertainty. Bill and Gloria Gaither’s creative partnership has produced over 700 songs, and they wrote these timeless words during their personal faith journey. The song’s message strikes a chord with each new generation. Matt Maher’s modern interpretation, “Because He Lives (Amen),” quickly drew hundreds of thousands of online views. This remarkable story shows how simple words of faith continue to touch lives decades after their creation.

The Story Behind ‘Because He Lives’

Bill and Gloria Gaither’s creative partnership started in the hallways of Alexandria High School in Indiana. They met as teachers in the early 1960s. Bill taught English, literature, and journalism while Gloria taught French and English. Their Christian faith and matching talents became the foundation for a romantic relationship and songwriting partnership that would touch generations.

How the Gaithers met and began writing music

Bill Gaither came from a musical family and fell in love with gospel music as a child. He started music lessons very young. Gloria Sickal grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan, where her father served as a pastor. She loved literature and writing from an early age. Their paths crossed at Alexandria High School where they found they had both personal chemistry and creative compatibility.

The couple married in 1962 and started writing songs together for fun. Their creative process worked well – Gloria wrote lyrics while Bill created melodies. They approached most songs together as a team. Their passion for music grew so strong that by 1967, they left teaching to become full-time recording and performing artists.

Gloria was hesitant about performing at first but joined Bill and his sister Mary Ann in a new version of the Gaither Trio in 1963. Their hobby grew into a ministry that created over 700 songs. Songs like “The Longer I Serve Him,” “Something Beautiful,” and “He Touched Me” became staples in Christian worship.

The emotional and spiritual crisis of the late 1960s

The Gaithers faced big personal challenges despite their success in Christian music during the troubled late 1960s. The social scene was full of unrest – civil rights tensions, the Watts riots, and mixed reactions to the Vietnam War created fear and uncertainty.

Bill’s health took a hit when he got mononucleosis. They also dealt with family pain when Bill’s sister went through a divorce – the first in either family and quite risky at the time. Gloria worried about bringing their third child into such a chaotic world.

These personal struggles and social upheaval stopped their creative flow. Gloria later said, “We had written a lot of songs, but we were just in a dry spell”. They found it hard to write uplifting music while going through their own crisis.

The moment of peace that inspired the lyrics

Everything changed when their friend Sid Guillen visited. He saw their spiritual struggle and prayed over them, saying, “This is an imposition of Satan – this is not just circumstantial”. Their situation stayed the same, but something changed spiritually after his visit.

Gloria felt what she called “a gentle, calming peace” while sitting in their living room on New Year’s Eve. She described it as if her “heavenly Father, like an attentive mother bending over her baby, saw his child and came to her rescue”. Her worries melted away as she trusted God with their future.

Benjamin’s birth on July 19, 1970, gave the Gaithers new confidence and clarity. The resurrection truth became real to them – “life wins”. This spiritual awakening led them to write “Because He Lives” in 1971. The song’s message rings true even today – “because He lives, I can face tomorrow” whatever life brings.

Writing the Song: From Fear to Faith

The story behind “Because He Lives” shows how personal struggles can become powerful musical testimonies. This beloved hymn started with its second verse, born from the Gaithers’ fears as parents. Their anxiety turned into a message of hope that still touches hearts today.

Bill and Gloria’s songwriting process

The Gaithers made a perfect creative team. Gloria wrote the poetic lyrics while Bill created the melodies. This teamwork helped them create more than 600 songs together. Bill found the writing process natural – “Writing isn’t difficult for me; otherwise I wouldn’t do it,” he said. He believed “the inspiration is the God part” while “the crafting part I sometimes have to hammer out”.

Their approach to writing songs changed as they grew older. “I think when you’re younger, you write everything you think,” Bill said. “As you get older, you concentrate on those things you have learned to be of lasting value”. He knew lasting songs needed “some eternal view” instead of chasing quick popularity.

Because He Lives

The birth of their child and the message of hope

Gloria’s worries grew as she approached the end of her pregnancy with their third child, Benjamin, in 1970. She kept asking herself: “Who in their right mind would bring a child into a world like this?”

The moment Benjamin arrived on July 19, 1970, everything changed. Like most parents, their baby’s first embrace washed away their fears. This precious moment became the heart of the song’s second verse: “How sweet to hold our newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives; But greater still the calm assurance, This child can face uncertain days because He lives”.

The original lyrics and their meaning

The song tells its story through three verses. Jesus’s resurrection sets the foundation in verse one. The second verse – written first – brings this truth into their lives as parents. The third verse paints a picture of heaven where believers will “see the lights of glory”.

The chorus touched millions worldwide: “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!”

The Gaithers lived these words daily. Gloria explained it simply: “This child can face uncertain days not because the world is stable, but because the resurrection is true”. She saw the resurrection as “a principle for all time that life wins”.

Bill called it “a song of hope” – a message that continues to touch people of all generations.

The Message in the Music

“Because He Lives” carries a powerful declaration of faith that turned a personal experience into a universal message of hope. The song’s lasting popularity comes from knowing how to express deep theological truth through simple, relatable language.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

“Because He Lives” has a chorus with a simple yet profound declaration that struck a chord with millions: “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone”. Bill and Gloria Gaither’s personal victory over anxiety sparked this central message. Bill Gaither explained, “Children of God are not meant to live in paralyzing fear. God did not mean for us to live in fear. We are people of faith, not people of fear”.

The song’s message tackles our shared human battle with uncertainty. These lyrics go beyond positive thinking and root hope in Christ’s resurrection as a historical fact. Gloria Gaither believed that “the resurrection is not a one-time event, it is a principle for all time that life wins”. This insight serves as the foundation for the entire song.

Breaking down the chorus and verses

The song takes listeners on a trip through time:

  • First verse: Establishes the historical foundation—”God sent His son, they called Him Jesus… An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives”
  • Second verse: Connects theology to everyday life—”How sweet to hold a newborn baby… But greater still the calm assurance, this child can face uncertain days because He lives”
  • Third verse: Looks forward to eternity—”And then one day I’ll cross the river… And then as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives”

The chorus weaves these elements together and moves from abstract theology to real-life meaning: “Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives”.

Why the lyrics still strike a chord today

The song creates a bridge between musical traditions. Craig Adams, Lifeway Worship’s director of creative development, noted that “Because He Lives” helped connect traditional hymns with modern contemporary Christian music. The song’s versatility makes it “just as beautiful played with a piano and large choir, or with an acoustic guitar and small group of believers”.

The message surpasses time itself. Bill Gaither asked a simple question: “When has the world been stable?”. This recognition that uncertainty remains a constant human condition keeps the lyrics relevant today.

Letters to the Gaithers consistently showed how people found strength through tough times, especially connecting with the line about facing tomorrow. Someone even adapted it to “because He lives, I’m excited about tomorrow.” The Gaithers understood that sometimes life simply means facing tomorrow when joy feels distant.

Cultural and Global Impact

“Because He Lives” started as a simple hymn in the American Midwest and grew faster into a global phenomenon that touched hearts across continents, cultures, and Christian traditions. This remarkable anthem’s growth from personal testimony to worldwide influence shows its deep cultural impact.

How the song spread across churches and denominations

The Gaither Trio first performed the song at their concerts, and it took off as audiences connected deeply with its message of hope. The song grew beyond its Southern gospel roots through live shows and recordings. Its simple melody and message about conquering fear through faith helped it reach churches of all denominations.

The influence of Bill and Gloria Gaither went beyond just writing songs. They worked with composer Fred Bock to edit the popular “Hymns for the Family of God” (1976). On top of that, their Gaither Studios helped many prominent Christian artists produce albums, including Michael W. Smith, Sandi Patty, and Rich Mullins, which expanded their impact throughout the industry.

Appearances in hymnals and worship services

You’ll find this hymn in at least 38 different hymnals and songbooks, including major publications like:

  • Baptist Hymnal (1991 and 2008 editions)
  • The United Methodist Hymnal
  • Ambassador Hymnal
  • Complete Mission Praise
  • Worship and Rejoice

The song stays strong on CCLI’s Top 100 list of most-used worship songs, reaching #42 in 2022, #45 in 2021, and #48 in 2024. Craig Adams, Lifeway Worship’s director of creative development, says there’s “probably not a more widely recognizable song” in the last five decades.

Modern renditions like Matt Maher’s ‘Because He Lives (Amen)’

New artists have breathed fresh life into this classic hymn. Matt Maher’s “Because He Lives (Amen)” stands out as one of the most successful modern versions. Critics call it “a relevant and creative re-imagining of the Bill Gaither classic” that “introduces this timeless message to a new generation”. His version has got millions of views online.

Many major recording artists have made the song their own:

  • Carrie Underwood added it to her 2021 album “My Savior”
  • Harry Connick Jr. released his take on “Alone With My Faith” in 2021
  • David Crowder’s 2014 version featured Bill Gaither himself
  • Tori Kelly and Johnnyswim brought it to life at Passion City Church’s 2020 Easter service

Each unique version keeps the heart of the message alive: “because He lives, I can face tomorrow”.

Legacy in Faith and Music

The song “Because He Lives” has shaped faith communities worldwide for the past fifty years. Gaither Music Group celebrated this milestone in 2021 with yearlong performances that spanned platforms and genres to mark its 50th anniversary.

The song’s role in Easter celebrations

“Because He Lives” stands as the life-blood of Easter worship services in churches everywhere. Gloria Gaither remarked, “You can usually count on it to be a part of your Easter Sunday service!”. The hymn’s message about resurrection makes it deeply meaningful during this sacred time.

The song sparked several Easter broadcasts, including a TBN special “Because He Lives: An Easter Celebration” by the Gospel Music Association. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints created an Easter music video called “Because He Lives” in 2025. The video brought together singers from various faiths who celebrate Easter.

Its influence on Christian music and artists

The Gaithers’ musical legacy goes far beyond this single piece – their cooperative work has produced more than 700 beloved Gospel songs. Their music’s effect on the industry shows clearly through artists of all backgrounds, from Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith to Mark Lowry and Sandi Patty.

The Gospel Music Association and ASCAP named “Because He Lives” the Gospel Song of the Year in 1974. The hymn continues to inspire new artist generations. Country legend Reba McEntire performed the hymn and credited her Christian faith for her career success, saying: “It’s all God; He’s the reason for everything I do”.

Why it remains a timeless hymn

The song’s lasting appeal comes from its power to surpass genres and decades. Craig Adams, Lifeway Worship’s director of creative development, explains its brilliance: “The simple lyrics and musical structure allow for it to be just as beautiful played with a piano and large choir, or with an acoustic guitar and small group of believers”.

The universal message of hope amid uncertainty keeps touching people across generations. Adams notes, “It brings the Gospel down to the intimate places in our own lives and shows how the Gospel is transformational”. Gloria Gaither’s initial thoughts about the song reveal its unexpected reach: “It was so personal, I thought it might be just for us”.

Summing it all up

Fifty years after its creation, “Because He Lives” shows how personal trials can become a source of global inspiration. The simple yet profound message that emerged from the Gaithers’ own struggles continues to strike a chord with millions who face uncertain tomorrows. The hymn’s lasting appeal comes not just from its musical structure but from knowing how to express complex theological truth in clear, relatable language that speaks to universal human experiences.

The song’s remarkable experience from a family living room in Alexandria, Indiana, to churches worldwide showcases its versatility. Traditional congregations and contemporary worship services have embraced its message, while artists of all generations have interpreted its timeless truth. Matt Maher’s modern version “Because He Lives (Amen)” keeps the hymn relevant for new audiences, proving that authentic expressions of faith exceed cultural and generational boundaries.

The song’s core message remains equally powerful today as when it was written during America’s social upheaval of the late 1960s. People still live in uncertain times, which makes the declaration “because He lives, I can face tomorrow” as vital now as it was then. The Gaithers never imagined their personal testimony would become an anthem sung in dozens of languages across continents.

“Because He Lives” demonstrates how simple words born from genuine faith can provide lasting comfort to people facing life’s greatest challenges. Bill and Gloria Gaither’s creative partnership produced hundreds of songs, but this particular hymn—crafted during their darkest hour—ended up becoming their brightest light. Their story reminds believers that powerful testimonies often emerge not despite our struggles, but because of them.

Here are some FAQs about Because He Lives:

What is the history behind the song “Because He Lives”?

The beloved hymn “Because He Lives” was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither in 1971 during a time of personal uncertainty, as Gloria was pregnant with their third child. The song’s uplifting message—because he lives, I can face tomorrow—was inspired by their faith in Christ’s resurrection and its power to bring hope in difficult times. It quickly became a gospel classic, with its lyrics Because He Lives resonating deeply with believers worldwide.

Is “Because He Lives” a funeral song?

While “Because He Lives” is often sung at funerals due to its comforting message of eternal life, it was originally written as a song of hope for daily living. The lyrics Because He Lives emphasize Christ’s victory over death (because he lives, I can face tomorrow), making it fitting for both funeral services and Easter celebrations. Many find solace in its assurance of resurrection, especially when played with the Because He Lives chords on piano or guitar.

What is the history behind the hymn?

The hymn “Because He Lives” was born out of Bill and Gloria Gaither’s personal struggles, including health issues and societal unrest in the early 1970s. The Because He Lives lyrics reflect their trust in God’s sovereignty, with the famous line because he lives, I can face tomorrow becoming a declaration of faith. The song’s enduring popularity stems from its powerful blend of personal testimony and biblical truth, often accompanied by the Because He Lives chords in worship settings.

When did Gaither write “Because he lives”?

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote “Because He Lives” in 1971, during a period of uncertainty in their lives. The Because He Lives lyrics were inspired by their faith in Christ’s resurrection and the birth of their son Benjamin, symbolizing hope amid fear. The song’s timeless message—because he lives, I can face tomorrow—has made it a staple in hymnals, often played with the Because He Lives chords in churches worldwide.

What is the story behind the song he lives?

The story behind “Because He Lives” centers on the Gaithers’ faith during a tumultuous era, including the Vietnam War and personal challenges. The lyrics Because He Lives proclaim the hope found in Christ’s resurrection, encapsulated in the line because he lives, I can face tomorrow. Written as a lullaby for their newborn, the song’s profound message and the Because He Lives chords have since comforted millions.

What is the main message of Song of Songs?

While Song of Songs is a biblical book celebrating love and marriage, “Because He Lives” carries a different message—victory over death through Christ. The Because He Lives lyrics focus on resurrection hope (because he lives, I can face tomorrow), contrasting with Song of Songs’ romantic themes. Both, however, point to God’s faithfulness, with the hymn often shared through its Because He Lives chords in worship.

What is the scripture behind because he lives?

The hymn “Because He Lives” is rooted in John 14:19 (“Because I live, you also will live”) and 1 Corinthians 15:20 (Christ’s resurrection). The lyrics Because He Lives expand on this, declaring because he lives, I can face tomorrow—a direct reflection of Scripture’s promise. Many churches pair these verses with the Because He Lives chords during Easter services.

What is the famous funeral song called?

One of the most famous funeral songs is “Because He Lives”, cherished for its hope-filled lyrics Because He Lives. The line because he lives, I can face tomorrow offers comfort, assuring believers of life after death. Often performed with the Because He Lives chords, it’s a staple at Christian memorials, alongside hymns like “Amazing Grace.”

How many children did Bill and Gloria Gaither have?

Bill and Gloria Gaither had three children: Suzanne, Amy, and Benjamin, whose birth inspired “Because He Lives”. The Because He Lives lyrics (because he lives, I can face tomorrow) were penned as a lullaby for Benjamin during uncertain times. Today, the hymn, often played with Because He Lives chords, remains part of their family’s spiritual legacy.