Lyrics Page

Be With You

By Rich Mullins

1,109 views Oct 13, 2026 updated Verified editorial review

Song Meaning

Rich Mullins wrote “Be With You” as a plain-spoken prayer about mortality and the hope of heaven. It begins with the observation that everybody is going to die eventually, which is no more or less anyone's fault than it is their destiny. From there he turns to the Lord asking only for grace and admitting the empty dreams he chased.

The first chorus-like passage pictures his body lying in the ruins of the lies that nearly ruined him and asks whether God will pick up the pieces that were pure and true, breathe his life into them and set them free. He then asks if, when God starts the world over again from scratch, he will make him new out of the stuff that lasts, purer than gold and clearer than glass. Each stanza ends with the same question: can I be with you? The second verse says everyone must learn to walk beneath mercy, and describes wrestling in the dark with angels no one can see and moving on with scars. The last section imagines the cosmos blasted to kingdom come, the mountains he loves gone and thousands of suns falling into the sea, and still asks to be with God. Mullins' voice is rough and quiet, and the acoustic setting suits the honesty of the words. It is a good song for funerals and for times of reflection, since it faces death without avoiding it.

Making all things new is Revelation 21:5. God remembering that we are dust is Psalm 103:14, and Jacob wrestling through the night is Genesis 32:24.

Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team

Everybody each and all

We're gonna die eventually

It's no more or less our faults

Than it is our destiny

So now Lord I come to you

Asking only for Your grace

You know what I've put myself through

All those empty dreams I chased


And when my body lies in the ruins

Of the lies that nearly ruined me

Will You pick up the pieces

That were pure and true

And breathe Your life into them

And set them free?


And when You start this world over

Again from scratch

Will You make me anew

Out of the stuff that lasts?

Stuff that's purer than gold is

And clearer than glass could ever be

Can I be with You?

Can I be with You?


And everybody all and each

From the day that we are born

We have to learn to walk beneath

Those mercies by which we're drawn

And now we wrestle in the dark

With these angels that we can't see

We will move on although with scars

Oh Lord, move inside of me


And when my body lies in the ruins

Of the lies that nearly ruined me

Will You pick up the pieces

That were pure and true

And breathe Your life into them

And set them free?


And when You blast this cosmos

To kingdom come

When those jagged-edged mountains

I love are gone

When the sky is crossed with the tears

Of a thousand falling suns

As they crash into the sea

Can I be with you?

Can I be with you?

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