On That Friday We Call “Good” in BSL

On That Friday We Call “Good” translated into British Sign Language

On That Friday We Call “Good” video is available to download along with a lyric sheet and sheet music for you to use in your own church, school, choir, or band.

ACCESSIBILITY: The information sheet contains a written description of the music. Written for Deaf people who have an interest in music, it’s also perfect for schools and others who’d like to know more about how the music is used to complement the story told in the song. The sheet also includes the credits and more information about the writers and the band.

Key: C Major

On that Friday We Call “Good”
Signed by Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford
Translation consultant: Gill Behenna
Vocals by David Luke
Strings by Chris Orton
String Arrangement by John Wilson
Drums by Andy McGlasson
Music and lyrics by David Luke & John Wilson
Written in association with Tom Pearson
and with thanks to Brian Pearson and Gill Behenna
Recorded and produced by David Luke
Music and lyrics copyright: ChristianBSL.com 2021
Performance and recording copyright: ChristianBSL.com 2021
Video copyright: ChristianBSL.com 2021

ACCESSIBILITY: Written description of the music

We start the song stripped back and bare. The focus here is on the opening lyrics (John Wilson); allowing the song to breathe. The Conga drums represent Jesus’ steady and painful walk to Calvary. Reminiscent of a marching drum; the feeling of movement, a journey.

As the story progresses, we build to a crescendo, not just in volume but intensity, as we’re guided through the chapters of the story. 

Mary’s grief is echoed in the wailing solo violin that haunts verse three. The string arrangement (John Wilson) is performed by Chris Orton with sensitivity and intimacy. The violin is renowned for its singing tone. It can be delicate or abrupt, making it the perfect vehicle in story telling. The strings support, echo, and at times copy the melody line. Chris Orton layered 12 violins creating the feel of an orchestral string section. The only solo violin we hear is in verse three, the voice of Mary.

The middle eight: ‘Cause no-one else has loved me, has loved me quite the same…’ is an opportunity for worship and reflection. A simple phrase that allows us to meditate on what God/Jesus has done for us. The repetition gives the worshipper time to do that without being distracted by anything too busy. We take a moment here to summarise the song, both musically and lyrically. We pare back the instruments and gradually increase the momentum.

The drums build to spur us on, until by the last repeat, the drummer (Andy McGlasson) uses the tom-toms to reflect the march at the start of the song reminding us of the whole story, the journey we’ve just taken, the journey Jesus took. That Jesus is the alpha and omega. The beginning and the end.

John Wilson – Composer, arranger, performer, and a retired music educator with over 40 years’ experience.
Chris Orton – Has written six musicals, four plays, and toured with Sir Cliff Richard and The Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Andy McGlasson – Has played live/recorded with artists such as Lady Gaga, Beyonce, One Direction, Lionel Richie, Josh Groban, Seal, Dame Shirley Bassey, Michael Bublé, Jon Bon Jovi, The Bee Gees, Take That, Michael Bolton, Sir Cliff Richard, and many more.
David Luke – Singer, songwriter, musician and actor. Has toured the UK and Europe as backing vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Sir Cliff Richard.

_{Click/tap the play button on the player above to watch this video. You can download this video to include it in live-streamed/pre-recorded/in-building church services, Bible studies, school assemblies, workshops, and similar.}

_{We have commissioned exclusive musical and vocal arrangements, performances, and recordings and included a buy out in the contract thereby holding the rights to the arrangement, performance and recordings ourselves. We would like to bless those who download our music videos to use them without any additional music licences. However, please prayerfully consider making a donation towards our work.}

On that Friday we call “Good”,
The waving palms had gone!
And on that Friday we call “Good”,
There was no welcome song!
But to love the world, God knew the way:
And His precious Son, on that solemn day,
Went to the cross and saw it through…
Gave His life for me and you!

On that Friday we call “Good”,
Crowds mocked and soldiers jeered!
And on that Friday we call “Good”,
Friends hid and leaders sneered!
As the cross was raised, Christ took the strain,
(Yeah!) Yet it was our guilt that caused His pain!
Lord, You are the Way! You knew the cost…
When You came to save the lost!

I believe that You must really love me,
No one else has loved me quite the same.
For those who are Your friends
there is no greater love.
For those who are Your friends,
Your scars remain!

When His final words were said,
Our Lord and Saviour died!
And when they sealed His borrowed tomb,
Mary wept and sighed.
But the heavy stone was rolled away
(Oh oh!) And Almighty God, on that Easter Day,
…Dealt with death as only He can do…
Raised His Son to life anew.

So, I believe God, You must really love me.
And no one else has loved me quite the same.
Then, with Your Son, we will know

– Unreserved delight –
I’ll worship and adore
Your mighty Name!

Yeah! Your mighty Name!

‘Cause no one else has loved me – has loved me quite the same
I’ll worship and adore your mighty Name!
‘Cause no one else has loved me – has loved me quite the same
I’ll worship and adore your mighty Name!
(Yeah!)
‘Cause no one else has loved me – has loved me quite the same
I’ll worship and adore your mighty Name!

And I believe that You must truly love me.
To save me from my sin is why You came!
The cross is bitter-sweet,
Where death and mercy meet.
I am forgiven, yet…
Your scars remain!

So, I believe God, You must really love me.
And no one else has loved me quite the same.
Then, with Your Son, we will know

– Unreserved delight –
I’ll worship and adore
Your mighty Name!
Your mighty Name!