Luke 9:23 — "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
Crypt to Cross: The Backstory
Every song has a story. This song was two years in the making. I needed to get the sound and tempo right where I envisioned it should be.
FROM A SEASON TO A SONG
I have written and professionally produced several songs (leavingmeinpieces.com, goingbrokesavingmoney.com, and onebootoff.com). My latest song is titled, "Crypt to Cross." It's a fast-paced worship song that is born out of more than two decades of doing street ministry in the U.S. and overseas as missionaries.
This season of my life in full-time ministry has been full of ups and downs and peaks and valleys. "Crypt to Cross" tries to capture some of that tension and beauty. I hope you enjoy it. ~ Dr. Philip William Calvert
*Note to artists and worship teams: I produced this version to show the potential of the song. If you would like to record it, contact me at phil@shapedbygrace.org
"CRYPT TO CROSS" official Lyrics
Philip William Calvert © 2024 - 2026
*Verse 1* Y'all cut down the tree, say you comin' for me Got wood for the crypt, gas in the V Six feet deep, yeah that's where I'd be Hammer and nails, say "R.I.P." But I heard Heaven call, said "That ain't the end" You diggin' a grave, but I'm born again What you meant for death, He turned to win Now I'm back on fire, let the praise begin
*Pre-Chorus* I got news for you He ain't finished yet I got news for you This ain't over yet
*Chorus* The wood for the crypt is now wood for my cross! What you meant for death, He already tossed! I was lost, now I'm found, yeah I've been bought By the blood of the Lamb — I've been redeemed at the cross! He flipped it! Turned my grave to glory! He flipped it! Now I tell the story! The wood for the crypt is now wood for my cross!
*Verse 2* Yeah, you comin' for me — but He came first You aiming at me — but He broke the curse Thought I ran, thought I hid — but I stand in truth Now I live full proof of the risen truth I was lost in the streets, now I'm under grace Had a price on my head, now I've seen His face Not ashamed of the name, I'll proclaim it loud From the back to the front, let me hear it now!
*Bridge* You came for me But He died for me What was meant for death Brought new life to me They tried to box me in, put a lock on it Stone cold grave with a rock on it But the stone rolled back, put a shock on 'em Now I walk in freedom with the cross on me Yeah I been through death, now I testify Every breath I got, He'll be magnified King Jesus reigns, yeah He's glorified From the grave to the sky — watch Him come alive!
*Final Chorus* The wood for the crypt is now wood for my cross! Every chain broke loose when I counted the cost! I was dead, now I'm alive — no longer lost Jesus paid it all — victory at the cross! He flipped it! Turned my grave into His glory! He flipped it! Now I tell it boldly! He flipped it!
*Outro* Crypt to cross! Crypt to cross! He turned it — He flipped it — He won it — I'm His!