Above All (Crucified)

This contemporary-Christian-music style worship song about Jesus' crucifixion.

It was written by American worship leader and song-writer Paul Baloche (b 1962) and musician , singer and composer Lenny LeBlanc (b 1951), and originally published in 1991 by LenSongs Publishing and Integrity's Hosanna Music.

The song has been recorded by many artists: Michael W Smith's version is particularly well-known, and the song is often - and incorrectly - attributed to him. Today it is used in a wide range of situations, including liturgical churches during Good Friday services.

It has been included in several song compilations, and a 4-part choral arrangement by has also been released by Hal Lenoard (link below). Hymn books it has been published in include:

The 2008 edition of Kevin Mayhew's Anglican Hymns Old and New
Praise y Adoración: a bilingual hymnal : un himnario bilingüe‎ published by Integrity's Hosanna Music in 2016.

It is set to an unnamed tune, which has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of A, the first few notes of the melody are C EA G GF F_.

Downloads

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Choir setting by Baloche, Le Blanc, St. James, Jernigan - arranged by Vicki Tucker Courtney

Downloadable sheet music for Piano and Voice; 4 pages

Examples

Official video - live performance with band

Worship team with praise band, and congregation

Professional recording, with on-screen lyrics

Instrumental - piano, with on-screen lyrics

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

1 Above all powers, above all kings ...

2 Above all kingdoms, above all thrones ...

Chorus:
Crucified, laid behind a stone
You lived to die, rejected and alone
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me, above all...

3 Like a rose, trampled on the ground ...