Performance Directions:
Tempo: 150 BPM — Up-tempo / driving gospel groove.
Feel: Bright, energetic, rhythmic; tight kick/snare on 2 & 4, syncopated claps, Hammond organ stabs, punchy electric bass, bright horns for stabs. Choir in tight harmony for call-and-response. Short instrumental fills between lines; build to a double-time final chorus.
Vocal Notes: Percussive lead delivery in verses, harmonized chorus repeats, shouted ad-libs (leader: “Praise the Lord!” — choir: “All my soul!”). Minimal lead reverb, energetic choir comping. Consider a key change up a whole step for final chorus.
(Intro)
Leader (spoken, rhythmically): Come on — lift it up!
Choir (stabs): Oh!
Hammond stab — kick in — clap, clap
(Verse 1)
Rise with the morning, heart on the run,
Feet on the floor, but the race is won.
Every burden lifted, every chain undone,
I feel Your fire, Lord, I feel Your Sun.
(Pre-Chorus)
Hands move quick, voice cuts through the night,
Truth like thunder — turning dark to light.
(Chorus)
praise the Lord all my soul, praise the Lord all my soul , I won't be crying my God is alive I won't be crying my God is alive
(Post-Chorus — Call & Response, quick)
Leader: Praise the Lord!
Choir: All my soul!
Leader (punch): I won't be crying!
Choir (answer): My God is alive!
(Verse 2)
Heartbeat syncopates with the shout of grace,
Joy in motion, can't hide this face.
Step to the rhythm of redemption's song,
We move together — bold and strong.
(Pre-Chorus)
Turn it up now, let the rafters ring,
Every shadow trembles when the people sing.
(Chorus)
praise the Lord all my soul, praise the Lord all my soul , I won't be crying my God is alive I won't be crying my God is alive
(Bridge — faster, more percussive)
Leader (half-time then double-time): In the storm You steady me — (double-time) steady me!
Choir: You steady us!
Leader: Through the fire You refine — (double-time) refine!
Choir: You refine us!
Horns punctuate — organ swells — short electric guitar fills.
(Breakdown — shouted ad-libs)
Leader: Come on!
Choir: Praise!
Leader: Lift it higher!
Choir: All my soul!
Leader (staccato): I won't be crying —
Choir (harmonized): My God is alive!
(Final Chorus — key up, full band, double-time feel)
praise the Lord all my soul, praise the Lord all my soul , I won't be crying my God is alive I won't be crying my God is alive
(Repeat immediately)
praise the Lord all my soul, praise the Lord all my soul , I won't be crying my God is alive I won't be crying my God is alive
(Outro)
Choir (soft, layered): With every breath — we sing and we hold —
Leader (spoken): Praise, praise, praise!
Final tag (fade): praise the Lord all my soul, praise the Lord all my soul , I won't be crying my God is alive I won't be crying my God is alive
Arrangement Tips (production):
- Tight tempo map at 150 BPM; quantize drums but keep human groove in organ/horns.
- Short instrument hits between vocal lines to keep momentum (8th-note stabs).
- Lead vocal slightly forward, minimal reverb; choir with
