The Story Behind the Song — “Yes, I Know”

“Yes, I Know” comes from one of the most dramatic scenes in the Old Testament—the final journey of Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kings 2.

Elisha knew something extraordinary was about to happen. God was going to take Elijah away. And apparently, Elisha wasn't the only one who knew. As Elijah and Elisha traveled together, a company of prophets approached Elisha and asked if he knew that the Lord was going to take his master from him that very day.

Elisha's answer was remarkably simple:

“Yes, I know… so be quiet.”

That response became the heart of this song.

There is something deeply human in those words. Elisha knew what was coming, but he didn't need everyone reminding him. Elijah was still beside him. There would be time to deal with his departure soon enough. For now, Elisha simply wanted to keep walking with the man who had been his teacher, mentor, and friend.

And Elisha refused to leave him.

Three times Elijah told him to stay behind, and three times Elisha essentially answered, “I will not leave you.” He stayed beside Elijah all the way to the Jordan.

Then everything changed.

As the two men continued together, a chariot of fire and horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated them. Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a whirlwind as Elisha stood watching.

The song's image of the chariot “swinging low” gives a small musical nod to the old spiritual Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, while remaining rooted in the account of Elijah's departure.

But Elijah leaving isn't really the end of the story.

Elisha picked up the mantle Elijah had left behind and returned to the Jordan. He struck the water, calling upon “the LORD, the God of Elijah.” The waters parted again.

Elijah was gone.

But Elijah's God was not.

That's the deeper message behind “Yes, I Know.” People we love, respect, and depend upon eventually leave us. Seasons end. Teachers finish their work. Friends say goodbye. But the God who walked with them remains with us.

And sometimes, when we know a goodbye is coming, we don't need somebody to explain it.

We just want a little more time to walk beside them.

Key Scripture

2 Kings 2:3, 11

“Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?”

“Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”

As they were walking along and talking together, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

Reflection

There are moments when faith doesn't mean pretending that goodbye doesn't hurt. Elisha knew God's plan, yet he still stayed as close to Elijah as he could.

“Yes, I Know” is about that final walk—but it is also about what Elisha discovered afterward:

The servant of God may leave, but the God he served remains.