Introduction
George Strait’s “You’ll Be There” is a deeply moving country ballad written by Cory Mayo and released on March 28, 2005, as the lead single from the album Somewhere Down in Texas . The song resonated widely, peaking at number 4 on Billboard’s Hot Country chart and reaching number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100.
While not originally crafted explicitly for his daughter, Jenifer Lyn Strait—who tragically died in a 1986 car accident at age 13—the song took on a deeply personal meaning for George. Strait later acknowledged that its themes of love, loss, and eternal reunion mirrored his enduring faith in seeing Jenifer again “on the other side” . Jenifer’s memory profoundly affected his life and career, prompting him to avoid media for years while leaning on his music to express grief .
Musically, “You’ll Be There” embodies Strait’s signature neotraditional country style: a gentle acoustic arrangement, unobtrusive percussion, and his warm, reassuring vocals. Critics praised it as a standout track—Ray Waddell of Billboard lauded its “languid big‑picture ballad” feel, while others noted its lyrical ambition and emotional restraint .
Beyond its chart success, the song placed a spotlight on Strait’s personal journey—transforming private grief into a universally resonant message. As he once expressed, “I honestly believe we will see each other in heaven someday,” revealing both his faith and hope . Over time, “You’ll Be There” became a staple in his live shows, offering a moment of quiet reflection for audiences .
In sum, “You’ll Be There” stands as a testament to George Strait’s ability to translate intimate sorrow into a song that provides comfort and connection. Its enduring appeal lies not just in its musical quality, but in its honest portrayal of love that transcends life and loss.
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Lyrics
Hope is an anchor and love is a ship
Time is the ocean and life is a trip
You don’t know where you’re going
‘Til you know where you’re at
And if you can’t read the stars
Well, you better have a map
A compass and a conscience
So you don’t get lost at sea
Or on some on lonely island
Where no one wants to be
From the beginning of creation
I think our maker had a plan
For us to leave these shores
And sail beyond the sand
And let the good light guide us
Through the waves and the wind
To the beaches in the world
Where we have never been
And we’ll climb up on the mountain
Y’all we’ll let our voices ring
And those who’ve never tried it
They’ll be the first to sing
Whoa, my, my
I’ll see you on the other side
If I make it
And it might be a long hard ride
But I’m gonna take it
Sometimes it seems that I don’t have a prayer
I let the weather take me anywhere
But I know that I wanna go
Where the streets are gold
‘Cause you’ll be there
Oh, my, my
You don’t bring nothing with you here
And you can’t take nothing back
I ain’t never seen a hearse with a luggage rack
So I’ve torn my knees up prayin’
Scarred my back from fallin’ down
Spent so much time flying high
‘Til I’m face first in the ground
So if you’re up there watchin’ me
Would you talk to God and say
Tell him, I might need a hand
To see you both someday
Whoa, my, my
So I’ll see you on the other side
If I make it
And it might be a long hard ride
But I wanna take it
Sometimes it seems that I don’t have a prayer
I let the weather take me anywhere
But I know that I wanna go
Where the streets are gold
‘Cause you’ll be there (you’ll be there)
Oh, my, my
‘Cause you’ll be there (you’ll be there)
Oh, my, my