A Time-Warp Hymn

"Before a Word was said, God had our ear"

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Fred Kaan
Tune Name: SUMMERLAND

Lyrics as Poetry

Before a Word was said,
God had our ear;
before the world was made,
Jesus was here.
Ahead of Abraham,
God was, I am.Before the Word assumed
our flesh and blood,
Jesus among us roomed
and with us stood.
Ahead of Abraham,
God was, I am.God, Span of future past,
our present Tense,
your Word is first and last,
eternal Sense.
Ahead of Abraham,
you are – I am.


Words by
Fred KaanCopyright © 1999 by Hope Publishing Company
(Carol Stream, Illinois) for USA and CanadaCopyright © 1999 by Stainer & Bell Limited
(London, England) for all other territories

Comments About Song

Author Fred Kaan, from his book
THE ONLY EARTH WE KNOW (page 4):

“[This text was] written for Central (Ecumenical) Church, Swindon, in 1987 in connection with a series of worship services focused on the I AM sayings of Jesus. The words ‘Before Abraham was, I am’ have always particularly fascinated me. Could it be that the ‘present tense’ and the ‘here and now’ deserve more emphasis and commitment?”

NOTE: The seven “I AM” sayings are found in
John 6:35, John 8:12, John 10:9, John 10:11, John 11:25, John 14:6, and John 15:1. The specific reference to “Before Abraham was,
I am” is from John 8:58.


The Only Earth We Know
(Hymn Texts by Fred Kaan)
is co-published by:Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, IL USA
(for USA and Canada)Stainer & Bell, Limited
London, England
(for all other countries)

                                                    Audio Sample for
"A Time-Warp Hymn"


One verse played on piano

Scripture Reference

  • John 8:58

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • Abraham
  • Humanity
  • Word

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