Published February 4, 2026
April 2 | Audio Divina
Pastor Susan Heafner-Heun
The spiritual “Were You There?” is one of the most haunting and profound hymns of Holy Week. Rooted in the African American spiritual tradition, its simple, repetitive melody creates space for deep reflection, inviting us not merely to remember Christ’s crucifixion, but to enter the story ourselves. Each question—Were you there when they crucified my Lord?—draws us closer to the mystery of the cross, calling forth reverence, sorrow, and awe.
This hymn is especially powerful on Good Friday, as it asks us to stand at the foot of the cross and listen—not only with our ears, but with our hearts. The spaciousness of the tune allows silence to speak, making it an ideal offering for Audio Divina, or Divine Listening.
Audio Divina is a contemplative practice that invites us to tend to the Spirit’s work within us through listening. Like Lectio Divina (sacred reading) and Visio Divina (sacred seeing), Audio Divina creates space for God to speak—almost paradoxically—through sound and silence. Music, which so often carries memory and emotion, becomes a doorway into deeper awareness of God’s presence.
As you listen to “Were You There?”, allow the music to guide your reflection using the steps below.
Audio (Listening / Hearing)
Listen attentively to the music. Notice the melody, harmony, rhythm, pacing, and any silence between the phrases. Pay attention to what catches your attention—an emotion, memory, image, or physical response.
Meditatio (Meditation / Reflection)
Reflect on what the music stirs within you. Consider your current joys, sorrows, questions, or longings. How does this music connect with your own walk of faith, especially on this Good Friday?
Oratio (Prayer / Response)
Respond to God in prayer. This may be words of gratitude, lament, confession, or a simple honest response from the heart.
Use this space for your response
Contemplatio (Contemplation / Rest)
Rest quietly in God’s presence. Release the need to analyze or explain. Simply be still, trusting that God is at work in the silence.
Were You There | UMH 288
- Were you there when they crucified my Lord?(were you there)
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (were you there)
Oh! sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (were you there) - Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? (were you there)
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? (were you there)
Oh! sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? (were you there) - Were you there when they pierced him in the side? (were you there)
Were you there when they pierced him in the side? (were you there)
Oh! sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they pierced him in the side? (were you there) - Were you there when the sun refused to shine? (were you there)
Were you there when the sun refused to shine? ((were you there)
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when the sun refused to shine? (were you there) - Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? (were you there)
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? (were you there)
Oh! sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? (were you there)
