Adam Young, best known as the pop sensation Owl City, was … recording a cover of the modern hymn, “In Christ Alone,” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. Young said it wasn’t for any particular album or project: “Not for anything special, just for fun.”

“Something about this song makes me bawl like a baby,” Young wrote. “If I were to count on one hand, the number of songs that have ever deeply moved me, this one would take the cake. Last night I probably spent more time actually crying at the piano than I did recording it. Such are the secret confessions of a shy boy from Minnesota . . .

“As I’m so often reminded what a priceless gift my life is, I ache with everything in me to make it count, so that when I finally cross the finish line, I’ll hear the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.'”

Young also noted that the spiritual meat of the song is not “intended to be ‘crammed down the throat,’ if you will. That is not my intention. This is what I wholeheartedly believe, and to that belief, I remain steadfast until He returns or calls me home.” –  christianitytoday