The 40 Days Project: 40 Days: Resurrection to Ascension
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Rock Opera composed using music from "Only Golden Fingers Could Play So Heavy," with new lyrics by Roger D. Linder (with some suggestions by Bethany Carlson.) Additional songs added for FAWM 2022. Original lyrics for "40 Days" written in January-April 2001.
- Holy Week Overture
- Carrying The Spices
- Burying Our Sorrow
- Who Will Roll Away The Stone?
- Shaken
- Report Of The Guards
- Where Have They Taken Him?
- If It Wasn't For You (40 Days Version)
- Rabboni!
- A Most Amazing Man
- Peter and John
- Road To Emmaus
- Fear
- Peace Beyond All Understanding
- Jesus Is In The House
- Breath of the Spirit
- We Have Seen The Lord
- I Can't Believe It
- Fish Story
- Breakfast of Fish
- The Holy Spirit
- Do You Love Me?
- The Favorite
- On The Mountain
- The Great Commission
- The Ascension
- The Pentecost
Crowd
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest
Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest
Angel
Roll the stone, a-, roll the stone away
Women
What do we do now, since our Lord has died?
What do we do now, after we have cried?
What do we do now, when our tears have dried?
What do we do now, who will be our guide?
We are purchasing the spices
Purchasing the spices
To preserve the body of our Lord
We are purchasing the spices
Purchasing the spices
To honor the life of our Lord
What do we do now, since we’ve bought the spice?
What do we do now, will it still suffice?
What do we do now, since he paid the price?
What do we do now, is he in Paradise?
We are readying the spices
Readying the spices
To preserve the body of our Lord
We are readying the spices
Readying the spices
To honor the life of our Lord
What will we do now that the day has dawned?
What will we do now, how can we respond?
What will we do now, in the days beyond?
What will we do now, for him we have a bond?
We are carrying the spices
Carrying the spices
To preserve the body of our Lord
We are carrying the spices
Carrying the spices
To honor the life of our Lord
The Men
We are burying our sorrow
Waiting ‘til tomorrow
To avoid the breaking of the law
Laws that are unjust, he was quick to break
Laws that he discussed, measures he would take
Nothing would be lost, to his quickened mind
All but for what cost, now that he has died?
We are hiding here in sorrow
Focusing on our woe
When we should be thinking of our Lord
Where do we begin, how do we react?
While we look within, his death is a fact
Questioning our faith, he would scold us so
Is he but a wraith, urging us to go?
We are pondering our exit
Sabbath day prevents it
We cannot go out to mourn our Lord
Women
We are just but women three, with the spices and perfume
But the path which we must take is blocked by stone to the entombed
No one dares to come with us for fear that they will be arrested
All we’re guilty of is words our Lord himself attested.
Will they be at our behest
To open up this dreadful chest?
May we treat him with our best?
Who will roll away the stone?
Our sorrow raw, our feet are sore
No Earthly power can open that door
Our hopes are dimmed, outlook is poor
Who will roll away the stone?
We have arrived, the stone aside
We dare not even look inside
A body’s theft, cannot abide
Who has rolled away the stone?
Guards
The earth is quaking, we’re all so shaken
Our lives are flashing, we’re so forsaken
The end is near, our lives are lost
We must stay here, but what a cost
We can’t stay here longer or we’ll die
We must flee now, time to say goodbye.
The sky is dark now, the lightning’s flashing
The wind is blowing, the trees are thrashing
A man appears right here before us
He’s white as snow, he won’t ignore us
We can’t stay here longer or we’ll die
We can’t see now, this is our goodbye.
Angel
I am here to move the stone
You’re not alone, don’t lie there prone
As he told you, he lives once more
Forevermore, a life restored
Guards
We still are shaken, that he awakened
Too much to witness, too much to take in
Our lives are forfeit if we speak of it
And to the truth we must not admit
We can’t stay here longer or we’ll die
We must find a tale we can stand by
Guards
It’s a tale, too strange to tell
With lightning, to the ground we fell
An angel of God, he moved the stone
We feared so much, our lives were done
Priests
A tale for sure, it has no fact
You cannot share, we’ll make a pact
A sum of riches, yours to spend
Keep quiet or it will be your end
Guards
A mighty feat like this to view
A fearful sight, we’re telling you
A story that cannot be shared
A truth that must be undeclared
Priests
But a mere fable, it is true
No one will know, what you once knew
Forevermore you must relate
That this was false, that is your fate
The followers came through the dark
They took the body, left no mark
This is the tale that you will tell
Now go away, you’ve been paid well.
Mary Magdalene
Where have they taken him?
Let us ask this man.
Did he rise again?
Wasn't that his plan?
Joanna
What have they done with him?
Has he gone away?
Where is he today?
Tell us right away!
Angel
The one you seek has left here
There's no reason to remain.
He told you he'd return to you.
And now he's not in pain.
Look where they had lain him, all you see are bloody clothes
Time is now to be rejoicing, gone are all your woes!
Go, now, tell all what you've seen, remind them what he said.
This is the fulfilled prophecy: he is no longer dead.
Mary Magdalene
It's a miracle! Can it be true?
Is this the thing he told us he would do?
I would rejoice! I'd raise my voice, out loud I'd shout!
Believe? But, yes, I must confess there is doubt.
Yet you ask me to accept this story.
I'm still uncertain, can't be sure.
When will I see and once more hold my Lord?
What to do? I'm so confused!
The words you're saying must be refused!
Mary Magdalene & Joanna
Where have they taken him?
Has he gone away?
Where is he today?
I must know right away!
Mary Magdalene
Everything I've loved has now been taken away.
You were there all along, now for your return I pray.
If it wasn't for you
I know I couldn't make it through my life
If it wasn't for you
If it wasn't for you
You had a love that was true
And I know you've helped me through my strife
You had a love that was true
You had a love that was true
You were my hope, my joy, my song,
I gave you my affection.
You gave me strength to carry on
You gave my life direction.
I need someone and that someone's got to be you.
Though you've been there all along you're just like a prayer come true.
If it wasn't for you
I know I couldn't make it through my life
If it wasn't for you
If it wasn't for you
You had a love that was true
And I know you've helped me through my strife
You had a love that was true
You had a love that was true
I said that I would never leave
But now you've left me.
Was I a fool? Was I naive?
I need to know, please tell me.
If it wasn't for you
I know I couldn't make it through my life
If it wasn't for you
If it wasn't for you
You had a love that was true
And I know you've helped me through my strife
You had a love that was true
You had a love that was true
Jesus
Peace be with you, Mary my child
Let God in your heart
A new life to start
Peace be with you, understand
You need to be strong
You need to belong
Jesus
Woman, why is it that you weep?
Who are you looking for?
He who once lay here fast asleep
Is resting here no more.
Mary Magdalene
Sir, have you taken my Lord away?
Please tell me where he can be.
As you tended your gardens here today,
Did you see anyone, did you see?
Jesus
Mary, it is I. I've returned here today.
Mary Magdalene
Rabboni! Can it be, are you really alive?
Jesus
Do not cling to me, I have yet to ascend
Tell my brothers, all, that you have seen the Lord.
Peter
Wasn't he a most amazing man?
Disciples
Wasn't he a most amazing man?
John
He was there at the top of it all
Disciples
We were glad when we answered his call
John
Why this fate to us now should befall?
Peter
What a most amazing man!
Disciples
He was a most amazing man!
Peter
Wasn't he a most amazing man?
Disciples
Wasn't he a most amazing man?
John
Had he fought, he could have been a king.
Disciples
Of his victory we would all sing.
John
We would not have to suffer death's sting.
Peter
A most amazing man!
Disciples
A most amazing man!
Mary Magdalene
My friends, I have seen! Our Lord is alive!
I just came from him!
Cower no more, he is soon to arrive.
Do not be so grim.
How can you not be joyful?
Peter
Wasn't he a most amazing man?
Disciples
Wasn't he a most amazing man?
John
Now you tell us that life has prevailed?
Disciples
But we saw on the cross he was nailed,
John
And with his death our hopes have failed
Peter
He was a most amazing man.
Disciples
Just a most amazing man.
Peter
How can we believe them?
John
How can we not?
Peter
He told us he would come back.
John
What did he mean?
Peter
If Jesus is alive now...
John
How could that be?
Peter
It's exactly as Mary said
The tomb is an empty cave
See the cloth that covered his head
He is gone, how can we be saved?
Luke
We were walking towards town, sharing recents events
Cleopas
We were trav'ling our usual route,
Luke & Cleopas
When a man came nearby and he asked us
Jesus
"My friends, what are you so worked up about?"
Cleopas
"Have you not heard all the gossip?
Have you been long from this place?
Our Lord, Jesus from Naz'reth
Has died on the cross, a disgrace!"
Luke
"We had hoped for a king, a redeemer for all
But he lost, we are lost, cannot cope
And some women tell us now his body is gone
That he lives, we should not give up hope."
Cleopas
"But how can we believe it?
The stories they tell can't be true"
Luke
"The facts and figures just don't fit
All hope is now lost for the Jews."
Jesus
"You are fools, can't you see what the scriptures reveal?
Don't you know what the prophets foretold?
That the Christ would be tortured and suffer 'til death?
But the power of death would not hold?"
Luke
We then came to our village
We urged him to stay as our guest
Cleopas
"The day is almost over,
Please stop here, give your feet a rest"
Vocal Descant
Take this bread, my body is given for you
Take this cup, my blood is shed for you
Luke & Cleopas
So we ate, he took bread, he gave thanks as he broke
And at once Jesus we recognized
And as quickly he left, but we knew him as Lord
The man was no longer disguised.
Luke
So heed what we are saying
The Lord is risen today!
His words burned in our bodies
As he spoke to us along the way
Disciples
Who has taken him away, who of us will get the blame?
Who would think to steal the dead? Heaven knows we’re not the same.
Fear has fallen on our lives, trembling now under the weight
Lives are forfeit, end of times, and here we know we cannot wait
Let us go to Galilee, as the women said we must
Let us go away from here, we stay here we will be crushed
Let us hide ourselves away
Never see the light of day
Let us find what we have lost
Forget we ever saw the cross
But we promised we would serve
Tell the truth and spread the word
We cannot just flee the scene
We can’t leave, it was foreseen
He told us all to meet him there
He told us all to brave the tide
He told us he would come again
He told us that before he died
But we could not believe him then
We could not even understand
He told us but we did not hear
And now we live our lives in fear.
Jesus
Peace beyond all understanding
Heav’nly bliss awaits for you
No more fear, no more demanding
The life you know will soon be through
When the Father greets his children
When he welcomes one and all
A new age will start rebuilding
Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall
Point no fingers
Share no blame
Find your joy in
He who came
Care for others
That’s your call
Treat them equal
Big and small
Live a life that’s worth reliving
Live a life you’d care to share
Be the person that’s forgiving
Fill your life with daily prayer
Peace beyond all understanding
It’s a lesson we can share
Live in happiness expanding
Live a life that’s full of care
Jesus
Peace be with you tonight!
Don't stand there all in fright.
Look at me, come and touch... I won't bite!
You're not seeing a ghost.
Hear the sound of the heavenly host.
We are here to celebrate, let's make it the most.
I will send you out to the crowds.
Preach the good news all over town.
Why do you doubt?
Can't you see what this all is about?
The time is now to get up and shout
As it was foretold
Through the law and the prophets of old
Is now fulfilled before you. Behold!
I will send you out to the crowds.
Preach the good news all over town.
Give me something to eat
A piece of fish, a slice of meat.
So you will know of death's defeat.
Jerusalem awaits
The pow'r of demons Son and Spirit negates
The Heav'nly Father gives us his mandates
I will send you out to the crowds.
Preach the good news all over town.
Jesus
Go unto all the earth, preach good news, bring rebirth;
I will send you.
I am with you today, soon I must go away;
My days are few.
You will live to forgive. In my name, you'll proclaim:
The Son of Man will come once more.
The sick will be healed, they'll share in my meal.
Blessings will be on the poor.
There's no reason to fear it, here's the breath of the Spirit;
Its music will be your life
It will take you away, from it you'll never stray;
The Spirit will be your life.
I am sending you out, you shall no longer doubt;
Breathe the Spirit.
Those whose sins you forgive will be destined to live
In the Spirit.
Breath is sweet, life's complete, take your fill of God's will;
The spirit will guide you along.
Those you will save will be kept from the grave.
The weak will become the strong.
Gathered Group
We have seen the Lord, there is no longer fear
Did you hear what he has said?
As he promised us, the end of death is here
He has risen from the dead!
There is no doubting now
He has returned somehow
And our hearts are no longer heavy
For the word of God has never been so steady
Sin and death can harm no more
For life has won victory for the poor
No more sitt'n 'round being grievers
We have seen the Lord! We are all believers!
We have seen the Lord, he has honored us
We have touched, he ate, we knew
He came, he left, we made such a fuss
All that he said is true!
We must tell the world
We must shout out loud
That our hearts now know the victory
It's clear to us that we are making history!
Sin and death can harm no more
For life has won victory for the poor
No more sitt'n 'round being grievers
We have seen the Lord! We are all believers!
The road won't always be easy
Sometimes, some damage will be done
But if we have our way
All hearts will be opened for the Son.
We have seen the Lord, there is no longer fear
Did you hear what he has said?
As he promised us, the end of death is here
He has risen from the dead!
There is no doubting now
He has returned somehow
And our hearts are no longer heavy
For the word of God has never been so steady
Sin and death can harm no more
For life has won victory for the poor
No more sitt'n 'round being grievers
We have seen the Lord! We are all believers!
Thomas
You are telling me that you've seen the Lord.
Are you asking me to take you at your word?
Until I see the nail marks on his hands
Until I touch the spear wounds on the man
I will not believe
That he lives and breathes.
I cannot believe!
What a tale you weave!
Jesus
Peace I bring to you, brothers all here today
Thomas, I have heard you doubt what they say.
Put your finger here, put your hand in my side.
I am fully here, it cannot be denied.
Do you now believe
That I live and breathe?
Blessed are those who believe
Without having seen!
Thomas
Yes, I do believe!
Lord, I do believe!
Yes, I do believe!
Lord, I do believe!
Peter
Pull out the nets, I'm going fishing.
Can't stay here, waiting, wishing
For a sign of what we're trying to do.
The sea! Calling me!
Pull in the nets, looks like it useless.
There's no fish, it's all pointless.
The sea is barren, nothing is there, and I'm through!
The sea! Cheating me!
Jesus
Have you had any luck?
Peter
Not a single bite!
Jesus
Don't give up and get stuck;
Throw your nets to the right.
Peter
Pull in the nets! They are brimming!
John
It is the Lord!
Peter
I am swimming
Back to meet him, back to greet him now!
The sea! Feeding me!
Jesus
Here’s a fire ignited
Here’s a basket of bread
Bring me some of those fishes
Sit down for a big spread.
Eat your fill and
Tell me your all your tales
They’re incredible!
Peter
We were out on the water
Having nary a bite
Almost ready to give up
When you came into sight
We believed and
Rolled up our sleeves
And the net filled!
And now we’re once more
Eating with the Lord!
The fire is warming us
Our faith once more restored!
We just couldn’t be silent
When we saw it was you
None of us needed
To ask “Who are you?”
You are the Lord and
Life is our reward
No longer skeptical
Jesus
Now that we all have fed, let’s take a moment’s rest
And talk about the things you all must do
You are my chosen, and we are not through
It’s a pretty simple task, I don’t think too much to ask
Just stay in town, await the gift to come
As my Father promised to Jerusalem.
You know of John the Baptist, the methods he practiced
He used water to immerse
Now in just a few days, we’re practicing new ways
A Spirit, a new vital force.
It’s everything you’ve hoped, this Spirit sent by God.
It’s nothing like you’ve ever seen before.
It will provide you new ways to explore.
It is not for you to know, time and date for it to show
But you will get the pow’r to spread the word
My witnesses you’ll be, and you’ll be heard!
In Judea, Samaria, and all ‘round the area
You’ll testify with many tongues
It won’t matter your language, your status, your village
The word will be spoken as one.
Jesus
Simon, do you love me? More than the others do?
Peter
I love you Lord, you know that I do.
Jesus
Feed my lambs.
Simon, son of John, do you love me?
Peter
I do, Lord, yes, you know that I do.
Jesus
Tend my sheep.
Simon, do you love me?
Peter
Lord, you know all, you know I love you.
Jesus
Feed my sheep.
When you were young, you cared for yourself, and you went your own way
But when you are old, you will hold out your hands, and you'll be led away
Follow me!
Peter
What about him?
Jesus
Why should you care? What is that to you?
If I want him to stay alive, what else can you do?
You must follow me, my commandments
You must feed my sheep
You will find that, should you falter
You won't fall asleep
Peter
So he won’t die?
Jesus
Did not say that, just you nevermind
He will tell our tales to the world, he’s the one assigned.
Were they written down in volumes
All the pages filled
There would not be room enough for
Prophecies fulfilled
Peter
Will you guide us?
Jesus
I won’t need to. You will guide yourselves.
But the spirit I will send you, will be something else!
Just a nudging, that you’re feeling,
You may hear a call
Answer swiftly, hesitate none
Don’t let the movement stall!
Peter
Let us go up to the mountain, by the town of Galilee
There we’ll meet him, as he told us, at the mountain by the Sea
His disciples, his commandment, not just for us but all of them
A great return, with the five hundred, women, children and the men.
Some believers, many doubters, they will see with their own eyes
None will doubt us, sight delivers, no one left to call it lies
There in the distance, see him standing, see him shining like the sun!
Fall down and worship, he is risen, he is yet the Holy One!
What words of wisdom shall be spoken, here upon this holy mount?
Open all your ears and listen, write it down, the full account!
Jesus
I leave my peace with you, friends
A peace the world can't give
Spread the news to earth's ends:
"Follow me, choose to live"
Share my spirit, share my word, tell all who I am
Baptize all who come to you believing in God's lamb.
Peter
But we are merely men
How can we go out again,
Ill-equipped to see this through?
Will we be all alone,
Traveling where we're unknown?
Who will guide us? Who?
Jesus
The Father, Son, and Spirit
Will fit you for the task
If you should find it lacking
You only need to ask
Your prayers will sound on Heaven's bell
Your songs forever sung
I am with you always, 'til the end of the age has rung
All authority is mine
Until the end of time
All shall follow in The Way
Make disciples for the cause
Free the people from the laws
My commandments to obey
I leave my peace with you, friends
A peace the world can't give
Spread the news to earth's ends:
"Follow me, choose to live"
Jesus
Back together again
We are back together again
When we pray people say we will win
Back together again
Disciples
Back together again
We are back together again
When we pray people say we will win
Back together again
Jesus
I will bless you, but you soon will find
That the Spirit will be on your mind
Time and date are not for you to know
To the ends of the earth you must go
And now my time has come
To step out of the light
But watch for my return
A beacon in the night
My time on Earth is through
But I will come again
My love will carry on
And goodwill it will send
Angels
Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky?
Jesus, Son of God, will soon return, he'll send his Spirit from on high.
Luke
On Pentecost, a wind came up while they were meeting
A fire was lit atop each head, the Lord's own greeting
And they knew now the Spirit had entered their lives.
Group
All the wonders of our God
Were spoken in all tongues
Though the men were Galileans
Understood by everyone
Peter
You wonder how this may be, "must be the wine," you say
I tell you now, listen to me, it's still early in the day.
What you hear is the Spirit speaking though men.
Group
All the wonders of our God
Were spoken in all tongues
Though the men were Galileans
Understood by everyone
Glory to God the Father
Glory to the Son
Glory to the Holy Spirit
God, the Three In One
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Alle, Alleluia
Other References
Roger D. Linder Song and Lyrics Archives (as of 2026)
Lyrics v. 2.9.0
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