You know that feeling when a song just stops you in your tracks? It’s not just the melody or the high notes. It’s the weight of the story. For a lot of folks in the Southern Gospel world, that song is Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Then Came the Morning.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a monster to perform. You’ve got these massive, cinematic shifts from the absolute despair of a Friday tomb to the explosive joy of an empty garden on Sunday. It isn't just a "nice" church song. It's an anthem that has basically defined the career trajectory of one of the most energetic quartets in the business.
The Evolution of a Resurrection Anthem
The song itself wasn't born with EHSS. It’s actually a classic from the legendary pens of Bill Gaither, Gloria Gaither, and Chris Christian, dating back to around 1982. Most old-school fans probably remember the Cathedrals' version—Ernie's old stomping grounds.
When Ernie Haase struck out on his own to form Signature Sound in 2003, he brought a specific kind of "Broadway meets Sunday Morning" energy. He didn't just want to sing the hits; he wanted to reimagine them.
What most people get wrong about their version
Some critics back in the day thought Ernie was too "flashy." They saw the spiked hair and the suits and thought the message might get lost. But if you listen to the arrangement of Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Then Came the Morning on their 2005 self-titled album or the more recent 2020 reimagining in Something Beautiful, you realize the flash is actually just fuel.
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They aren't just singing lyrics. They’re acting out a rescue mission.
The structure of the song is pretty wild. It starts in this low, somber place. The lyrics talk about the garden, the jail, the hammer, and the nail. You can almost feel the dust and the heat of that Friday afternoon. Then, the group pivots. They move from that tight, mourning harmony into a wall of sound that usually ends with Ernie hitting a tenor note that stays in the rafters for a week.
Breaking Down the Performance Dynamics
If you’ve ever watched them do this live—maybe on the Canadian Homecoming DVD or at one of their countless tour stops—you’ve seen the "moment."
- The Lead-In: Usually, the baritone and lead (traditionally Doug Anderson and Ryan Seaton or Devin McGlamery) ground the first verse. It’s gritty. It’s about the loss of a friend.
- The Shift: The piano starts to roll. It’s that classic Wayne Haun or Gordon Mote touch. The tempo doesn't necessarily speed up, but the intensity doubles.
- The Morning: When they hit the chorus, the bass singer (like Tim Duncan or Paul Harkey) provides this tectonic foundation.
Basically, the song mimics the Resurrection itself. It starts in the dark and ends in blinding light.
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Why "Then Came the Morning" Stayed Relevant for 20 Years
In 2020, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound released the album Something Beautiful, which was a tribute to the Gaither catalog. They included a fresh take on Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Then Came the Morning.
Why go back to the well?
Because the song is a "standard." In the music world, a standard is a song that is so well-written it can survive a hundred different arrangements. For EHSS, this song serves as the emotional anchor of their setlist. You can have the upbeat, "Get Away Jordan" style fun, but you need the "Then Came the Morning" gravitas to give the show its soul.
The group has undergone several lineup changes since 2003. Leads have come and gone. Bass singers have swapped. But the quartet’s version of this specific track remains a benchmark for Southern Gospel vocalists. It's sort of the "Bohemian Rhapsody" of the genre—long, dramatic, and technically demanding.
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Making the Most of the Experience
If you’re just discovering this track or looking to dive deeper into the Signature Sound discography, here is the best way to do it. Don't just listen to the studio version on Spotify. Go to YouTube and find the live performance from the Billy Graham Library or the Gaither Homecoming specials.
The facial expressions and the "blend" of the four voices in a live room are where the real magic happens. You’ll notice how Ernie manages his breathing to hit those soaring finales—it’s actually a masterclass in vocal technique.
Key Takeaways for the Fans
- The Writers: Give credit to Chris Christian and the Gaithers for the 1982 blueprint.
- The 2020 Version: Check out the Something Beautiful arrangement for a more polished, modern sound.
- The Narrative: Focus on the lyrical transition from "The garden, the jail" to "Shadows vanished." It's a masterclass in storytelling.
If you’re looking to add this to your collection, the Something Beautiful album is the easiest point of entry for modern high-fidelity audio. However, for that raw, 2000s energy that put the group on the map, the 2005 Ernie Haase & Signature Sound self-titled CD is the way to go.
Go listen to the final chorus with a good pair of headphones. You’ll hear harmonies you probably missed on a first listen. It’s not just music; it’s a whole mood.
Next Steps for Your Playlist:
To truly appreciate the vocal range of the group, listen to Then Came the Morning immediately followed by Oh, What a Savior. This pairing showcases the two pillars of Ernie Haase's career: the legacy of the Cathedrals and the innovation of Signature Sound. You can find both on the Something Beautiful project or most major streaming platforms.