We’re wondering which version of “As You Go” to put on our next album, The Gathering:Live From WorshipGod11, due out November 15. This will be the last song on the album.
Version 1 edits out a spoken benediction from Jude 24-25. Version 2 includes the benediction. If you have 8 minutes to watch the video below, let us know which version you think should go on the album. I’ve included the full lyrics below.
Thanks!
As you go may you know the love of Christ
How deep and long, how high and wide
As you leave may you seek to win the prize
And find his death to be Your life
May you go in the love of Your Father God
May you go in the grace of Christ
May you go in the power of the Spirit now
To bring Him glory with your life
As you go may you know the pow’r of grace
His very strength for what’s to come
As you leave may you feel His mighty hand
Guiding your steps in the race you run
As you go may you show His heart to bless
The ones with less, the blind and lost
As you leave may you be the light of Christ
And show our hope is in the cross
By Mark Altrogge
129 Responses
Hey Brother, both are great. However, I believe that version 2 (with benediction) brings much relevancy to the song. Also, being a live recording, I would not consider taking out the benediction. People who enjoy live albums, especially worship albums, seem to listen for and remember those little things that set a recorded live song apart from a studio song. At least I know I do.
I would include with benediction on the album, and offer both versions on Itunes
In Christ,
Jared Risner
I like version 2.
I think we (worship leaders) should include more scripture and exhortation in the songs we sing, not just after or before. It disengages our song singing auto pilot and helps us pay attention to the content of the song.
Version 2 and I love the drummer!
Would go with version 2. The scripture is not too long, fits well and is a great short encouragement for a final song, album or live.
The one with the benediction!
Love the song! Version 2
Hi Bob,
Thanks for that – great words in a powerful arrangement.
…and I felt the spoken benediction added authority to the whole.
Ken
wo benediction. Seems to break flow.
I definitely prefer the 2nd version! Looking forward to the new album!
The one with the benediction, Bob!
Benediction = YES, please. It fits as the end of the album.
And this way my kids will have that Scripture memorized.
Version 2: Benediction!
I listened to it with my wife and my five year old and they both liked version 2 as well. So there’s three votes!
By the way I was there and I am so pumped for the new album. Very exciting!
Version 2. The benediction sounds great, but it also models how Scripture can be used as we sing. Good song too.
Bob,
Version 2!
We like the idea of finishing the CD with a benediction song. The Verses make the song more powerful. It was also inspiring to hear the crowd cheering behind the spoken word in celebration. The benediction makes a huge difference for us!
I like version 2 best. Maybe it will inspire more people to combine song with Scripture-reading as the Spirit leads.
LOVED being a part of this!
Both me and my wife vote for no.2. We like the benediction in there.
Agree with those above – loved the scripture and it will help us ALL memorize that passage! The energy coming out of that benediction makes the final chorus HUGE! I say keep it!
Version 2
Version 2!!! It’s a live album and I would expect some spoken words. It also makes us feel good to hear everyone cheering for our great and glorious God! Wonderful words, beautifully spoken. Very encouraging.
I definatley think the second one because it proclaims an awesome truth and gives the glory to God!!! This song sounds so cool!!!
Absolutely got chills when I heard the benediction! It adds to the sense of being a live album, it’s thrilling when the audience begins to cheer, and it contributes to the “this is the end of the service, now go and live for Christ” feeling of wrapping it all up, and wrapping it up with Scripture. I think #2 would make a perfect end to the album! (and I can hardly wait for it…)
Bob,
The conference was awesome and the worship set that night was such a delight to our hearts!
I would go with version 2 and include the benediction… it fits the song perfectly, especially as the last one on the album.
Thankful for you and the others at SG Music!
John
I love hearing the Word sung and spoken. Version 2 gets my vote. The drummer gets my vote as well.
I like the second version.
Oh Bob,
I bet you’re probably the only one in the production process who raised this question about the song because you were thinking “oh, I’ve heard enough of my voice on this record already…” or something like that. :)
The benediction is an integral and amazing part of this song! Almost all of the comments above, and the ones still to come, will agree: Version 2!
With “Benny” is better.
Version 2 for sure!
With benediction. Great song!
version 2!!!
version 1 as bonus track?
Version 2! No doubt at all.
Version 2. No question.
2
Bob,
I think you should go with version 2! The electric guitar sound and tone is great underneath your reading of the text, it also makes feel more live, and it brings a direct biblical reference to the text of the song. In general, the mix sounds great! Can’t wait for the CD!
Best,
Andrew
Version 2!! Can’t wait till the CD comes out!
2!
No question– with benediction.
I do like the benediction, but it sounds like it could be cleaned up a bit- is this the finalized mix, or is it still being worked on?
I don’t know if my comment is going to help sway your vote, but I am with most everyone here 2,Yes 2. Oh did I tell you that Version two is better than Version, oh what I might want to tell you is that Version 1 is not as good as Version 2, Blah , blah, blah. LOL. IUt has been good to hear form you again, Blessing on a Safe Trip to the Land downunder.
Definitely version 2. It is a live recording and it concludes the journey through the songs in a very appropriate way. The Word of God puts the song in great context and it is very appropriate. I really like it with the benediction!
Version 2!
It was a great experience to sing on that album and I am eagerly anticipating November 15th!
I was there and version two was my favorite then. It still is. Love the quotation of Scripture rising out of worship!
Bob, Based on the responses so far I think you know already what version you’re going to put in but just for the record – make it #2! That benediction was perfect and really enhanced the song! In fact I may even do it when we get around to teaching this song at our church. Thanks for the outstanding material you all produce! I praise God for how he has used you all to serve his people!
In Christ
Dave
PS – being a drummer myself I also enjoyed the drummer!
Definitely 2. Loved the benediction! So excited about the CD.
Version #2!
Cannot wait to hear the rest of the album
My wife and I both vote for number 2. Your voice sounds a little weary initially (it was a long night…), but the strength of the verses and the joy of the worshipers as they receive those words makes it a definite keeper.
I vote for version 2 with the benediction.
The Jude verses give great biblical context to the song words, so Version 2 for me.
Looking forward to meeting you in OZ this week.
Hi Bob,
I would go with ver 2 because I love scripture being read during worship. It brings back focus to why we sing.
You could also put the benediction on a separate track making it skippable for those whe want to listening to it without?
SDG
Shane
Love it!
version 2.
1 Timothy 4:13…
Version 2 with out a doubt. I love scripture in a song!
I cannot wait for the album. I am so excited. I was there and really miss oll of these songs.
Version 2…It brings power to the words of the song through the direct Word of God.
version 2 without a doubt! It was such a blast being a part of that recording!
with benediction! it will help our hearts to remember the power of what Christ did for us in the cross and the way it should mark our daily life.
i can’t wait to hear all the CD!
Thanks for your heart to serve all of us!
Jesus thank you,
Maryfer H.
Bob,
Version #2, not just for the benediction, which I think adds context to the song, but I also found the lead vocals to be clearer in the second version. Looking forward to hearing the entire “album.”
I like better the second one
Sheesh, Bob. This isn’t even a contest. Version 2 by a mile.
SO excited about this album!
Kyle
Hello Mr. Kauflin,
I like both but I agree with them. The 2nd one!
God Bless and see you later!
Version 2. You can feel how the Scripture informs the congregation’s worship and encourages us to sing out even more!
Version with the benediction…definitely!!!
Leave the benediction, for sure!!
Version 2! The verse adds power and the right emphasis to the words of the song.
Both are great, I love the inclusion of Scripture in version 2. We can never include too much Scripture in our musical albums.
Definitely version 2
Version 2. The reprise of the chorus at the climax of the benediction is the highlight for me.
2nd version !!!
I like the second one
I was going to say version 2, but then when I heard it I wasn’t sure. (Going by the above responses though – as well as the audible response on the recording – that may have been because I wasn’t there.) Either way, I loved it, so it’s win-win.
2
version 2!
Love the second one. I can’t wait for the new album to get out!
Version 2
#2
Bob,
Since the 2nd version is the way it was done, and this is a “live” album, would go with the benediction – There have been many other good reasons given above as well
I choose the second version with the benediction. If it’s live, keep it live! It would have spoken to people then, it will speak to people still.
I would only have taken it out if you felt it was too long, or never appropriate – neither of which are the case. So keep it in (in my opinion).
Definitely WITH benediction…cannot wait till it comes out!!!!
Ok, I love the benediction in the song, but for an album, I think it feels just a little out of place. For a worship service it is very fitting, but when you have a playlist going, or want to put a song on repeat to work through it or because it’s ministering to you, I’m not sure the benediction goes as much.
Just my thoughts. I’m sure whatever you guys decide it will be a great encouragement to all who here it.
Thanks,
Joey
Hey I agree with the rest of the posts and say version 2 is where its at. I was there and the 2nd version definitely took me back to singing this tune… I do love the “rawness” factor of it.
Version 2!!!
Version 2 – It grounds the song in scripture. Maybe it will help us memorize this passage from God’s Word!
Apparently, if you love the Bible, you vote Version 2. Ha ha.
Please include the Jude benediction. On one level, I can understand the question – the first really flows, musically speaking. But the second adds the power of the Word to the close of a meeting (as it did the night this was recorded), and I’ll take that over the matter of flow.
If someone wants to cut it for whatever reason, it would be musically easy to do so – go right back into the chorus, or repeat a verse, whatever the need may be without the benediction. Having it there gives us the option. If it’s not there, then no one other than WG11 attendees would know that there was a Scripture there. This way, it’s kind of a two-fer.
The intro with Dave Zimmer and Ryan Foglesong is off the chain.
And many thanks to the Lord for Mark Altrogge. Ticket Boy has written another great song!
In sum, Version 2. Can’t wait for the album.
Barry Joslin
Version 2
Version #2, definitively!
Bob,
Can we ever have too much Scripture? The spoken word brings the listener back to the reality of Scripture infusing/influencing/affecting all areas of life (at least we should be affected that way!). Please leave the Jude verses in the recording. Thank you so much!
I think the comments above are definit. I agree:
Would prefer Ver 2 – but i’d make Ver 1 available as well!
Definitely version 2. When I remember that entire night, and especially this song, that benediction was the climax for me. If it wasn’t included, then I would definitely be disappointed.
I like version 2!
I vote for version two with the benediction! Such powerful words. Thanks for the preview, can’t wait to hear this album!
1. the song sounds great and I can’t wait to hear the others, I’ve been listening to the WG11 demos a lot!
2. definitely #2, the Jude passage was great!
Options are always benficial!
the song is a great Benediction with or without the spoken word.
Another option would be to bring scripture before the song.
I would go with version 2. What is the purpose of a benediction in a recording if you are not going to put it in the album?
Since nobody has done it yet… I vote for number 2! ;)
Blessings from Spain!
With the spoken benediction!
Prefer to vote Version two. Love that.
Definitely Version 2… the benediction brings it home! Thanks for asking… can’t wait to get my copy!
Version 2 exemplifies the way leaders should speak the Word to their people. It is a great example of what good worship leading is. Therefore, I think #2 should go on your album. Great work! God bless!
Definitely with the benediction!
Version 2! Great encouragement and context for the song!
The second one is the best, I love the benediction.
Second version
I love this song and can not wait to teach this to our congregation..I love version two.
Thanks everyone for your participation. The answer seems pretty clear…
Wow, brought me back to that night! Got excited all over again! VERSION 2 without a doubt! Scripture all the way!
Version 2…we need more of God’s word on our worship times.
i think i like version 1 best.
i love the idea of speaking the scripture, and i might want to add that scripture if we did the song on Sundays,
but i don’t think the guy’s voice recorded that well…doesn’t sound that clear.
would you consider re-recording the scripture part?
I was listening to them just as Bob made the decision… And for me it was most definitely version 2 as well.
Bob, thanks for the wonderful experience of participating in this album (I was one of many there that night :)), as well as helping in some way with your production decision. Really cool!
I liked version two – just sounded better to me.
Great ending to the album Bob! It would fall short without the benediction. Definitely version 2.
Version 2 absolutely
This is a great crowd to be part of! Version 2 – with God’s Word so boldly proclaimed!!
I’ll agree with the majority, I like version 2 with the benediction.
A vote for Version 2 thanks. Good job on this. Lovin it.
I think you already have your answer, but I, also, vote for #2!
Version 2!!!
Version 2. since the album is live, it’s nice to keep live elements within.
Definitely 2!
Forgive me in advance for splitting hairs:
Technically the words from Jude are an ascription, not a benediction. (For those that are unfamiliar, an ascription is directed to God while a benediction is directed toward God’s people.)
The song as a whole functions as a charge with elements of benediction.
With that said, I like version 2.
Version 2!
(By the way, a rich blessed time I remember with joy!)
Version 2 all the way! Can’t wait for the album release!!!
Use version 1, but put the scripture reference in the liner notes.
If you do use version 2, add more of the crowd into the track so the listener really gets a sense of the crowd reacting to the scripture reading.
It’s a wonder you got a spoken word out at all after 2 hours of GREAT singing. Such a great night.
No doubt – version 2 !
I think the masses have spoken. I agree. Version 2 connects what we’re singing with the Word in a very powerful way.
Ver. 2!
Bob,
Version 2 for sure.
Not only is it powerful scripture that is alive and actively teaching and transforming us, but it also is a teaching moment for us as worship leaders and worshipers. The benediction connects the song to the scriptures in a powerful way.
Thanks for serving all of us in our churches through your teaching and modeling of Biblical worship. Appreciate you immensely.
I’d go with Version 2 as well. Looks like you’ve gotta go with that one with all these votes :)
version 2
Version 2 gets my vote! There’s just something about reading that scripture that is exciting, encouraging, and is reminding me of God’s greatness.
I liked version 2
Version 2 please!
Hey!
Love the song…not big on the benediction being read that way and in that spot. i would move it to another spot. It seems to kill the flow of the song. Read it at the beginning of the tune. Until then. I like version 1
Sorry, Joel. We ended up with using the spoken benediction. Or ascription, as it should rightly be called…