[Intro — fingerpicked acoustic guitar alone] [Verse 1 — Bubba, male] Lord, I came with my shoulders shaking, With a prayer I could barely say. There were things I could not untangle, There were stones I could not roll away. Lean down close to this tired confession, Be the shelter I cannot build. When the whole world pulls against me, Let me find You standing still. [Electric guitar enters — gentle answering phrases] [Verse 2 — Bubba, male] There’s a net laid out in the shadows, There are voices beyond my door. But You know every road I’ve traveled, And the weight I’ve been carrying, Lord. I won’t hand my hope to an empty promise, I won’t lean on a painted wall. You have seen me down in the valley; You have heard me through it all. [Bass and brushed drums enter] [Chorus — Bubba lead; Darlene, female harmony] My times are in Your hands, Every mile I cannot see. When the ground gives way beneath my plans, You’re still holding on to me. Let Your mercy be my morning, Let Your love teach me to stand. I can bring You all my trembling; My times are in Your hands. [Harmonica answers; Hammond organ enters] [Verse 3 — Darlene, female] Some days sorrow wears the daylight, And the night won’t let you rest. Even folks who used to know you Turn away from your distress. Like a broken cup left on the table, Like a name somebody lost, Still the Lord can hear a whisper When your voice is all worn off. [Verse 4 — Bubba, male] I have heard the talk around me, Felt the fear on every side. Watched a friend look down and leave me With no place I could hide. But I’ll say it here in the trouble, Before the trouble disappears: You are God, and I will trust You With my life and with my years. [Piano enters; fiddle rises behind the voices] [Chorus — full duet] My times are in Your hands, Every mile I cannot see. When the ground gives way beneath my plans, You’re still holding on to me. Let Your mercy be my morning, Let Your love teach me to stand. I can bring You all my trembling; My times are in Your hands. [Instrumental — electric guitar, then harmonica; tenor sax answers; banjo joins softly] [Bridge — stripped back to organ and voices] [Bubba, male] In my fear I said, “You’ve left me.” [Darlene, female] Still He heard you when you cried. [Bubba, male] I could only see the darkness. [Darlene, female] Still His mercy stayed beside. [Both] There is goodness held in keeping, There is shelter in His care. When the angry voices gather, We can bring our burdens there. [Band builds — drums open; piano rolls; sax and brass lift the melody] [Final chorus — powerful duet and choir] My times are in Your hands, Through the sorrow, through the song. When I haven’t got the strength to stand, To Your love I still belong. Let Your face shine through the morning, Let Your mercy help me stand. Every breath and all my waiting, My times are in Your hands. [Outro — joyful call and response] [Bubba, male] Take heart, all you who are waiting! [Darlene, female] Let your courage rise again! [Bubba, male] Love the Lord through every season! [Choir] Let your courage rise again! [Both] We can trust Him with tomorrow, We can trust Him where we stand. [Band falls away — acoustic guitar and organ] [Bubba, male, softly] Lord, I place my spirit in Your keeping. [Darlene, female, softly] My times are in Your hands. [Final warm organ chord]
