The Church Triumphant

Hey (let the church be the church), oh

Let the church be the church, let the people rejoice
For we've settled the question, we've made our choice
Let the anthems ring out, songs of victory swell
For the church triumphant is alive and well

You know, this whole ship's been through battles before
The storms and the tempests and all the rocks up on the shore
Tho' the hull may be battered, inside it's safe and dry
Who's gonna carry its cargo to the port in the sky

God has always had a people
Many a foolish conqueror has made the mistake of thinking
That because he had forced the church of Jesus Christ out of site
He had stilled its voice and snuffed out its life
But God has always had a people
The powerful current of a rushing river
Is not diminished because it's forced to flow underground
Now the purest water is the stream that burst crystal clear
Into the sunlight after it has forced its way through solid rock

There have been charlatans who like Simon The Magician sought to barter
On the open market, that power which cannot be bought or sold
But God has always had a people
Men who could not be bought and women who were beyond purchase
God has always had a people
There have been times of affluence and prosperity
When the church's message has been nearly deluded into oblivion
By those who sought to make it socially attractive, neatly organized
Financially profitable, but God has always had a people

Yes, it's been gold platted, draped in purple and encrusted with jewels
It has been misrepresented, ridiculed, lauded and scorned
But God has always had a people
And these followers of Jesus Christ have been
According to the whim of the times
Elevated sacred leaders and modern heretics
Yet through it all, their march is on that powerful army of the meek
God's chosen people who cannot be bought, blabbered, murdered or stilled
On through the ages they march, the church! God's church triumphant

Let the church be the church, let the people rejoice (rejoice)
For we've settled the question, we've made our choice
Let the anthems ring out, songs of victory swell
For the church triumphant is alive

Listen, child of God, it's alive (it's alive)
Discouraged pastor, it's His church, and it's still alive (it's alive)
Lonely missionary, sow that seed with confidence (it's alive), the church is still alive
Old saint, you're not alone (it's alive) or forgotten, the church is still alive (it's alive)
It's alive, my broken-hearted friend (it's alive), it's still alive

Busy mothers, just keep trusting in Jesus, the church is alive (the church)
You're not alone out there, so can you all be understood (it's alive)
Just keep looking to Jesus, the church is alive
And faithful fathers (the church), there's rest in the Lord, God's church is still alive (it's alive)
So family of God lift your hands, lift your hands and praise the Lord (alive and well)
The church, God's church triumphant is alive, it's alive my friends (the church)
Alive and well (alive and well)