Kirk Franklin – It Is Well (Live)

Many Nigerian Christians grew up with that phrase in the hymnbook, sung at funerals, Sunday services and moments of grief. It tells the story of a person who found peace in the middle of terrible loss, and that backstory is why it has lasted so long. When you hear those three words, you do not need a sermon to understand what they mean.

Placing it in a live setting makes sense. A hymn like this feels different with people singing together, because the meaning grows when a crowd decides to believe it at the same time. It is hard to fake that kind of moment, and congregations tend to hold on to it long after the service ends.

I will not describe the arrangement or the crowd response, because I cannot vouch for the details. What I can say is that the choice of such a famous title says something about the project, a willingness to honour old songs while still being current.

It belongs in the hours when life is hard and a person decides to be at peace anyway.

Download MP3