Thank You For Being My Friend

Verse 1:

Good morning                  
Hey, could you go for a walk               
After the kids get dropped off
Cause I love to talk with you

You’ll listen
And you’ll point me back to the truth
And I’ll try to do the same for you
‘Cause I know you struggle too
We all do

Chorus:

And I don’t need to explain myself
I know you understand
Thank you, thank you for being my friend

Verse 2: 
I miss you 
I hate that we live far apart
But you’re still a kindred heart
I’d love to catch up soon

We’ve grown
The years they have made us more wise
But I still miss that college life
When I’d stay up half the night
Just talking to you

Chorus:
And I don’t need to explain myself
I know you understand
Thank you, thank you for being my friend

Bridge :     
Friendship: to be really known
And loved anyway
The kind of love                 
That won’t leave you the same
And it’s a heart
That is bound up with yours 
Enough to break

Verse 3:
It’s dark now
Could you come shine a light
Remind me the sun’s gonna rise
Would you sit with me tonight

And would you pray?
‘Cause I can’t find the words 
I see your tears, I know you know it hurts
I’m so glad you’re with me

Chorus 2:
And I don’t need to explain myself
I know you understand
Thank you, thank you
Thank you thank you
Thank you thank you
For being my friend

Written August-Sep 2023.
Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2024 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.

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Death, You Terrible Thing

Verse 1:
I remember the sounds in his hospital room
Saw his heart give out after what he’d been through
I remember the words when they said he was gone        
The way we cried, how it felt so wrong

Chorus:
Oh death, you terrible thing
I know in my bones it’s not
The way it’s supposed to be
But oh death, where is your sting?
‘Cause I have a God who knows
Who sits and weeps with me

And I have a steady hope
That all will be redeemed
But you’re a terrible thing

Verse 2:
I can see her crying on the bathroom floor
The baby they loved isn’t there anymore
In the ICU, in the highway crash
The chemo drip and the heart attack
In the gone too young, in the getting old      
The empty chair, the quiet home
Oh Lord, how long?

Chorus:

Oh death, you terrible thing
I know in my bones it’s not
The way it’s supposed to be
But oh death, where is your sting?
‘Cause I have a God who knows
Who sits and weeps with me
And I have a steady hope
That all will be redeemed
But you’re a terrible thing

Verse 3:
I can see Jesus hanging on that cross
His shallow breathing, his failing heart
I can see him weeping at his friend’s tomb
I know he’s weeping with me too
I can see him rising from the grave
I know he’ll wipe my tears away
But until then, we wait….

Chorus:

Oh death, you terrible thing
I know in my bones it’s not
The way it’s supposed to be
But oh death, where is your sting?
‘Cause I have a God who knows
Who sits and weeps with me
And I have a steady hope
That all will be redeemed
But you’re a terrible thing

Tag:
You terrible thing

Written October 2021, dad passed Sep 15, 2021
See 1 Corinthians 15:25-26, 54-58; John 11:33-35; Isaiah 25:8, Revelation 21:4.

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2022 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.

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Why They Call This Stuff Good News

Verse 1:

When I was a young girl
Things came pretty easy
I could make people like me
Do all the right things
To be good enough

But when I got older
Things didn’t come so easy
Too many people to please
Standards to meet
Or fall short of

Pre-chorus 1:
Grace started making sense
‘Cause oh how I needed it
To be true

Jesus and what he’s done
Covered all of my not enough
I started seeing why they call this stuff
Good news

Chorus:
Good, good news

Verse 2:
I’m over the hill now
But you know I’m still learning
I got nothing to prove
Nothing left to do
I’m already loved
I’m already loved

Pre-Chorus 2:
Grace is still making sense
‘Cause oh how I need it
To be true
Thank God that it’s true

Jesus and what he’s done
Covers all of my not enough
I still see why they call this stuff
Good news

Verse 3:
When I get older
Well, I hope I’m still singing
Maybe not on the stage
But in all of the ways
That matter the most

Still singing ‘bout good, good news
Still talking ‘bout good, good news
With all saints (good, good news)
‘Til we reach those gates (good, good news)

And on the last day
When I see his face
I’ll say “God, I want to thank you
Thank you for…”

Good, good news…

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Find Me In This Cave

Verse 1:
You said do not be anxious
And I’m trying not to be
But my body’s in a panic
And I’m struggling to breathe

My heart is beating faster
The worry’s getting loud
And I’m lost here in this darkness
Just praying to be found

Chorus 1:
Come find me in this darkness
Come find me in this cave
Come silence all the voices
Please take this thorn away                         
I know you’ll never leave me
I know the sun will rise
But I’m lost here in the darkness
Just looking for your light

Verse 2:

You said it’s in my weakness
Your power is displayed
And when Jacob wrestled with you
He was blessed, as he limped away

Oh how I cling to grace now                          
Oh how I know my need
And I’m trusting you won’t waste it
You will somehow use this thing

Still I’m praying for the morning 
And I’m begging for some peace
Oh Jesus come and find me
Oh Spirit groan for me

Chorus 2:
Come find me in the darkness
Come find me in this cave
Come silence all the voices
Please take this thorn away                         
I know you’ll never leave me
I know the sun will rise
But I’m lost here in the darkness
Still praying for your light

Verse 3:                              

Yes, I’m praying for my healing
But I want your presence more
So let this song be my surrender
To what You would have in store

I know a day is coming
When I will see your face
And you’ll wrap me in your light
And you’ll wipe these tears away
And you’ll tell me you were with me
You were right here in this cave
Still working in my darkness
No, you never went away                                      
You are with me in the darkness
You are with me in this cave

Written Oct 2022-March 2023.
See Philippians 4:4-7, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Genesis 32:22-32, Romans 8:26-27, Revelation 21:1-4.

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2024 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.

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A Teacher’s Prayer

Verse 1:

Help me love the little children
As you love them, bid them come
That on earth just as in heaven
In this work, your will be done

Verse 2:
Help me see them as you see them
Image-bearers, works of art
Every story, trait and color
Glimpses of Your beauty, God

Refrain:

May the seeds of love and mercy  
Every smile and prayer I sow
Bear a harvest of great beauty
For your glory, help them grow 

Verse 3:
Help me serve them as you serve them
Bending low in sacrifice
Daily clothe me with compassion 
And the strength that you provide

Verse 4:
Help me rest as I am working
Knowing you are working too
Grant me hope when I am weary
Every child I give to You

Started & finished April 2022.
Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2024 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.

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Burning Bushes Everywhere

Lyrics

Verse 1:
We’ve been asking for a sign
Looking for the missing piece
Manufacturing holy ground 
To see if God would speak
But every morning the sun rises
And every night it goes back down
Burning bushes everywhere
For those who would look around 

Verse 2:
You can feel it on a Sunday morning
When all the people sing
In the warmth of the children laughing
In a meal with your family 
Feelin small at the Grand Canyon 
When ya soar at the symphony 
Burning bushes everywhere
For those who have eyes to see 

Refrain 1:
Burning bushes 
Burning bushes

Verse 3:
We all know some good stories
About the power of selfless love
And the unlikely heroes 
Willing to give their lives up
For every dark dragon
There are those who would wield the light
Burning bushes everywhere 
Pushing back the night

Refrain 2:
Burning bushes 
Burning bushes
Can you feel the ember
Warm in your chest? 
Burning bushes

Verse 4:
I wonder if you feel it?
Because I know I do
I wonder if you push it away?
I know I do that too

But I don’t want to miss the mystery
The bright ache for eternal things
Lighting up all these fires in me 
Even though it hurts
What if we opened our eyes to see                
Burning bushes?

Tag:
Burning bushes
Do you feel it?
Burning bushes

Started October 2022, Finished February 2024.
Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2024 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.

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Video

Good To Give Thanks (Psalm 92)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
To make music in His name
And to sing a song of praise
It is good to give thanks to the Lord

Verse 2:
We will sing of His love in the morning
And His faithfulness in the night
On guitar and on the keys
Blow the horn and play the strings
It is good to give thanks to the Lord

Chorus:
Clap your hands, stomp your feet
Bang the drum, come on and sing!
Tell the world of His great love
It is good to give thanks to the Lord

Verse 3:
We are here to give thanks to the Lord
We are here to give thanks to the Lord
We are lifting up our hearts
All we have and all we are
‘Cause it is good to give thanks to the Lord

Chorus

Bridge (3x):
He has made us glad! He has made us glad!

Chorus

Outro:
Everybody!
Sing a song now!
I said hey! Hey! It’s good to give thanks! (everybody!)
I said hey! Hey! It’s good to give thanks!
It’s good (so good!) to give thanks (so good!)
So good to give thanks
It’s good to give thanks to the Lord
Come on, now

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith and Wendell Kimbrough. Copyright 2022 Wendell K Songs (BMI) and Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.
CCLI # 7212261. Key: G.
Started Nov 2018. Finished August 2022.
From Psalm 92:1-5.

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Like A Child With Its Mother (Psalm 131)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
My heart is not proud
My eyes are not lifted up too high
Knees on the ground
I’m looking to You now

Chorus:
And I have calmed and quieted my soul
Like a child with its mother
And I have calmed and quieted my soul
Like a child with its mother

Verse 2:
My heart is not proud
My eyes are not lifted up too high
Knees on the ground
I’m waiting for You now

Bridge:
I lay my head on Your chest
Like a child with its mother
I can be still and rest
Like a child with its mother
Held in Your steadfast love
Like a child with its mother
I know I can wait and trust
Like a child with its mother

Outro:
Children of God hope in the Lord
Beloved of God look to the Lord

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2022 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.
CCLI # 7212252. Key: Ab.
Started November 2021. Finished Feb 2022.
From Psalm 131.

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Better Than Life (Psalm 63)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
Oh God, You are my God
I seek for You in earnest
I know that You are worth it

My soul thirsts for You God
In a dry and weary place
My flesh for You it faints

Chorus:
Because Your steadfast love is better than life
I’ll open my lips now to praise You

Because Your steadfast love it satisfies
I’ll lift up my hands now to praise You, God

Verse 2:
Yes I will be satisfied
As with the richest food
I hunger now for You

And in the darkness of the night
I’m safe beneath Your wing
I’ll lift my voice and sing

Chorus

Bridge (2x):
I have seen Your power and Your glory, your glory
So I will cling to You as you uphold me, You hold me

Chorus

Outro:
Oh God, You are my God
I seek for You in earnest
I know that You are worth it

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2022 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.
CCLI # 7212254. Key: F.
Written March 2021.
From Psalm 63.

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Don’t Hide Your Face (Psalm 102)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
Oh Lord my God
Don’t hide your face
I am overwhelmed with sorrow
So please hear me when I pray

My heart is struck down
Withered like grass in the heat
I lie awake in bed
And I cannot sleep
But

Chorus:
You, You are on your throne
Help me to remember You
One day you will come
I know that You remember me
You hear and you remember me

Verse 2:
Ashes my food, tears are my drink
A fever burns deep in my bones
I’m forgetting to eat
Oh Lord, please look down!
Rise up! Have pity on me!
Oh let me praise you one day
For how you rescued me oh

Chorus

Turn

Bridge:
Oh my God
I know that you hear my groans
You will not leave me alone
You have said that You will come
When every tear you’ll wipe away
And everyone will fear your name
When all the earthly powers fade
You will still remain

Chorus

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith and Rachel Wilhelm. Copyright 2022 RachelWilhelmMusic (BMI) and Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.
CCLI # 7212260.
Written August 2022.
From Psalm 102; see also Revelation 21:3-5.

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No Place Better (Psalm 84)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
How lovely is your dwelling place
How wonderful your presence, Lord
How my soul longs to see your face
To come with joy into your courts

How blessed is the little sparrow
Who makes a nest inside your house
‘Cause I can think of no place better
To make a home and sing out loud

Chorus:
I want to be in your presence, I want to be near your heart
I want to know you’re close even when I’m feeling far
I don’t want what this world would offer, I want the living God
‘Cause there’s no place better than where you are

Verse 2:
We will go from strength to strength
Even in the wilderness
You are turning tears to desert springs
Leaving gardens in our footsteps

How blessed is the longing pilgrim
Whose heart is set on Zion’s hill
The one who knows there’s no place better
To bring our sorrows and be filled

Chorus

Bridge (x2):
One day with You is better than a thousand elsewhere
One word from You is better than silver or gold
I’d rather be a servant in Your house, Oh God
Than a king with all the riches I could hold

Chorus

Tag:
Oh there’s no place better than where you are
No place better!
No place better, oooh!

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith and Wendell Kimbrough. Copyright 2022 Wendell K Songs (BMI) and Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.
CCLI # 7211167. Key: A.
Written August 2022.
From Psalm 84. See also Psalm 19:10.

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My Refuge, My Fortress (Psalm 91)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
My refuge and my fortress strong
My God in whom I trust
With you, Most High, I make my home
I shelter in your love
You keep me like a mother bird
Beneath your gentle wing
You guard me as a shield in war
Your arms protecting me

Verse 2:
But God there is so much to fear
A threat on every side
The hunter’s trap, the deadly plague
The terror in the night
But even if a thousand fall
I’m held within your hand
Oh let your angels bear me up
And strengthen me to stand

Verse 3:
I know you’ll crush the enemy
The serpent underfoot
I know you’re working in all things
For your glory and my good
So I’m holding fast to you in love
I’m calling on your name
I trust your promise to be near
Your faithfulness to save

Tag:
I’m holding fast to you in love
I’m calling on your name
Until at last you raise me up
To everlasting Day

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2022 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.
CCLI # 7212257. Key: A.
Written February 2021.
From Psalm 91; see also Genesis 3:15, Romans 8:28-30, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26.

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Like A Tree (Psalm 1)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
Blessed is the one who loves your word
Your ways are his delight
Knows that he needs it
Eat, sleeps and breathes it
Thinkin’ on it day and night

Verse 2:
But sad for the one who walks away
Sits down with all the scoffers with all the scoffers
Building his kingdom
Callin’ it freedom
Chasing after what the world offers

Chorus:
I want to be like a tree by the river!
Oh plant me down by the deep, deep water
When the sun gets hot my leaves won’t wither!
Oh plant me down like a tree by your/the river
Oh plant me down by your deep, deep water

Verse 3:
I want to be like a mighty oak
Roots growing strong and deep
When the wind blows
The roots gonna hold
Cause you’re holding on to me
Yeah you’re holding on to me

Chorus

Bridge (4x):
Plant me, plant me, plant me by the river
Wash me, wash me, wash me with your water

Chorus

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2022 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.
CCLI # 7212255. Key: A.
Written Aug-Oct 2019.
From Psalm 1; see also Ephesians 5:26, Isaiah 61:3.

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I Love Your Word (Psalm 119)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
I love your Word
Because it speaks of You
Teach me, Oh Lord
And guide me in Your truth

Chorus:
Better than gold
Sweeter than honey to the taste
It brings me life
It’s my delight to seek your face
I love your Word
Because I love you Lord

Verse 2:
I love your Word
Because I long for You
Come lift my gaze
Incline my heart to You

Chorus:
Your law is my freedom
My light when I’ve lost my way
Like a treasure I will seek your wisdom
And my lips will pour out Your praise

Instrumental

Verse 3:
I love your Word
Because I trust in You
With my whole heart
I want to follow You

Chorus

Tag:
I love your Word
Because I love you Lord

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith and Anne-Claire Cummings. Copyright 2022 Anne Claire Cummings (ASCAP) and Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.
CCLI # 7212259. Key: C.
Written August-September 2022.
From Psalm 119.

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Have Mercy (Psalm 51)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
Have mercy on me, Oh God
Have mercy on me, Oh God
I am calling on your kindness
In accordance with your love
Have mercy on me, O God

Verse 2:
I know, God, that I have sinned
It’s You I have sinned against
Would you blot out my transgressions
Would you come now and forgive
I know, God, that I have sinned

Chorus:
Oh oh oh A broken, contrite heart you will not turn away
Oh oh oh Lord open up my lips that I might sing your praise

Verse 3:
God, wash me as white as snow
And carry your lost child home
Come create in me a clean heart
Come and break this heart of stone
God, wash me as white as snow

Chorus 2:
Oh oh oh A broken, contrite heart you will not turn away
Oh oh oh God open up my lips that I might sing your praise

Bridge (2x):
Restore to me the joy of my salvation
Renew in me a willing heart
And I will sing in praise of your redemption
And I will sing your mercy, God

Chorus

Outro:
Have mercy on me, Oh God
Have mercy on me, Oh God
I am calling on your kindness
In accordance with your love
Have mercy on me, O God

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2022 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.
CCLI # 7212253. Key: A.
Started March 2019. Finished May 2022.
From Psalm 51. See also Luke 15:11-32, Ezekiel 36:26.

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Shepherd, Walk Beside Me (Psalm 23)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
Oh Lord You’re my shepherd
And I am Your sheep
With You close beside me
Oh what could I need
You lead me to water
And pastures green
My soul is restored and
My heart at peace

Verse 2:
And even in the valley
Of shadow and death
My Shepherd, you’re with me
To love and protect
Your rod and Your staff are
A comfort to me
So even in valleys, I’ll trust Your lead

Chorus:
Oh Shepherd, walk beside me
Help me follow where You guide me
Til I dwell in Your house forever
With You, Shepherd
With my Shepherd

Verse 3:
Oh Jesus, Good Shepherd
You’d lay down your life
To find your lost lamb you would
Leave the ninety-nine
The thief comes to steal and
To kill and destroy
But you’ve come to raise us
To lasting joy

Chorus

Bridge (2x):
I know goodness and mercy
Will keep and come after me
As I keep to my Shepherd’s road
My cup it will overflow

Chorus

Tag:
With You, Shepherd

Words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith. Copyright 2022 Sing the Story Music (ASCAP), admin by Integrated Music Rights.
CCLI # 7212256. Key: C.
Written March-April 2019.
From Psalm 23; see also John 10:1-18.

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Come After Me

Lyrics

Verse 1:
If you would follow me
You must lay down your life
Take up your cross, and count as loss
Your glory and your pride

Verse 2:
The riches of this world
All power and human praise
Will slip like sand, right through your hands
But my love will remain

Chorus:
Come, come after me, come after me
Don’t lose your life trying to save it
I know it’s hard but it’s worth it, you’ll see
Come after me

Verse 3:
If you would follow me
My way leads first to death
But then to life, my risen life
To lasting joy and rest

I’m the treasure in the field
You must sell your all to buy
But the riches there, beyond compare
It makes the cost seem light

Chorus

Tag (5x):
If I am anything, I must be everything
Come after me

Words and music by Caroline Cobb (ASCAP). Copyright 2021 Caroline Cobb Smith.
CCLI # 7170105. Key: C. Tempo: 81.
Luke 9:23-25 (see Matt 16:24-26, Mark 8:34-38); Phil 3:7-11; Matt 13:44-46; 2 Cor 4:16-18

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Don’t Want to Miss Your Heart

Lyrics

Verse 1:
I don’t want to be the rich young man, Who went away sad
His knuckles white, from holding tight, 
To everything he had

I don’t want to be that Simon
With his pious air
Let me be the broken woman,
Washing your feet, 
With her tears and her hair

Chorus 1:
I don’t want to miss your heart
No, I don’t want to miss out on the main part
So many missed the good news
But I don’t want to miss out on the heart of you
No I don’t want to miss it... 
I don’t want to miss your heart

Verse 2:
Harsh words for the Pharisees,
Who kept the outside clean
Oh let me be the man in the temple, Beating his chest
Saying “Lord, have mercy on me”                                      

You said “Blessed are the poor in spirit, Blessed are the ones who mourn
Blessed are the pure and meek,
Who hunger for me
The kingdom is yours!”

Chorus

Bridge:
What good is gaining the world if I, Forfeit my very soul?
What good is money and name if I, Can’t take it when I go?
You don’t want my lip service, If my heart is far away
You want my all, my everything
Not a character I play

Chorus

Words and music by Caroline Cobb (ASCAP). Copyright 2021 Caroline Cobb Smith.
CCLI # 7159805. Key: C. Tempo: 80.
Matt 19:16-22; Luke 7:36-50; Matt 23:25-26; Luke 18:9-14; Matt 5:2-12, 16:24-26, 15:1-9

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Find Rest (Matthew 11)

Lyrics

Verse 1:
Are you weary? Are you wearing thin?
Are you tired beneath your heavy load?
Are you weighed down 
And at last convinced?
You cannot carry this burden on your own.

Chorus:
Find rest, find rest for your soul
I’ll walk beside you, you’re not alone
Find rest, find rest for your soul
Light and easy, come take my yoke

Verse 2:
Come to me now, lay your burdens here
Walk with me now, in quietness & trust
I am gentle, cast aside your fear
I’ll befriend you with my steadfast love

Chorus

Bridge:
All the work is done, it is finished
No, you’re not enough, but it is finished
I will lead you on, til at last your home          
Ever to sing this song, “It is finished”

Chorus

Words and music by Caroline Cobb (ASCAP). Copyright 2021 Caroline Cobb Smith.
CCLI # 7159811. Key: C. Tempo: 138.
Matthew 11:28-30, See Isaiah 30:15

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Video

Jesus, Full of Compassion

Lyrics

Verse 1:
I am the outcast leper
Falling helpless to my knees
You are the one who would touch me
Stretch out your hand, To make me clean

Verse 2:
I am the bleeding woman
Desperate reaching for your robes
You are the one who stops for me
You call me daughter, And make me whole

Chorus:
Jesus, full of compassion
With love for the broken
Beating in your heart, Beating in your heart 
(That we’d know the love of God)

Verse 3:
I am like Lazarus buried
While Martha and Mary grieve in pain
You are the one who weeps for me
Tells me to rise up, Come out of the grave

Chorus

Bridge:
I am the haunted man in the graveyard
I am the woman awaiting the stones
I am the prodigal son
You’re like the Father who runs
Wraps me in love and carries me home

I am the crowd that calls for Barabbas
I am Peter denying your name
You take my cross and my death
You give me life instead
Your mercy is speaking right into my shame

Chorus

Words and music by Caroline Cobb (ASCAP). Copyright 2021 Caroline Cobb Smith.
CCLI # 7170103. Key: Bb. Tempo: 62.
Mark 1:40-44 (see Matt 8:2-4, Lk 5:12-14); Mark 5:24-34 (see Lk 8:42-48, Matt 9:20-22); John 11:1-44; Mark 5:1-20 (see Matt 8:28-9:1, Lk 8:26-40); John 8:1-11; Lk 15:11-24; Matt 27:16-26; Matt 26:69-75

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