[Instrumental Intro] [Organ chords swell with a slow tremolo, muted trumpet answers in short phrases, soft snare drum rolls under it. Bass guitar slides in, joined by handclaps and tambourine. Horn section swells into a rising fanfare as the vocals begin.] [Verse 1] I’m down on my knees in the midnight rain, [Bass plucks heavy, organ holds] Carryin’ the weight of sorrow and pain. [Trumpet plays a bluesy fill] My hands are shakin’, my heart’s run dry, [Choir whispers] “oh Lord” Oh Lord, don’t you pass me by. [Pre-Chorus] I’ve stumbled, I’ve fallen, I’ve wandered astray, [Horns punctuate “stumbled” / “fallen”] But I’m callin’ your name at the break of day. [Choir echoes faint:] “callin’ your name” [Chorus] Lord, don’t pass me by, hear my cry tonight, [Full choir joins, claps on 2 and 4] Shine your mercy down, let me see the light. [Trumpet answers the vocal line with a rising riff] I’m broken but I’m reachin’ to the sky, [Lead ad-lib:] “to the sky!” Oh Lord, don’t you pass me by. [Choir repeats:] “don’t pass me by” [Instrumental Break] [Horns trade short riffs back and forth with the organ. Tambourine and handclaps drive the rhythm, with the drummer adding quick snare fills. Bass walks up, choir hums softly in the background.] [Verse 2] The river is deep, and the night is long, [Trumpet and sax fill with mournful notes] But I’ll hold to faith, I’ll be strong. [Choir echoes] “be strong” When shadows whisper, when hope runs dry, [Bass drop, organ swell] Oh Lord, don’t you pass me by. [Pre-Chorus] I’ve been lost in the darkness, I’ve paid my dues, [Guitar strums with tremolo, horns stab on “paid”] Now I’m beggin’ your love, I’ve nothing to lose. [Choir repeats softly:] “nothin’ to lose…” [Chorus] Lord, don’t pass me by, hear my cry tonight, [Drummer adds rolling fills, horns punch in accents] Shine your mercy down, let me see the light. [Choir lifts:] “see the light!” I’m broken but I’m reachin’ to the sky, [Lead ad-lib:] “reachin’, reachin’” Oh Lord, don’t you pass me by. [Choir repeats:] “don’t pass me by” [Instrumental Before Bridge] [Trumpet solo rises, climbing into a powerful, emotional peak. Organ swells, saxophone joins with a warm counter-melody. Drums pick up intensity, tambourine shakes furiously. Horn section hits a bold chord to cue the bridge.] [Bridge] When the heavens open, let me walk inside, [Choir echoes:] “walk inside” Don’t leave me standin’ on the other side. [Lead ad-lib:] “don’t leave me Lord…” Lift me higher, Lord, I’ll testify, [Horns swell, organ glissando] But don’t, don’t pass me by. [Choir shouts:] “don’t pass me by!” [Final Chorus] Lord, don’t pass me by, hear my cry tonight, [Full choir, horns and drums in unison, powerful delivery] Shine your mercy down, let me see the light. [Horn section echoes: “see the light!”] I’m broken but I’m reachin’ to the sky, [Lead ad-lib:] “to the sky, Lord!” Oh Lord, don’t you pass me by. [Choir repeats:] “don’t pass me by” [Outro] [Choir gently repeats]“Don’t pass me by… Don’t pass me by…” [with soft harmonies.] [Organ plays a slow, fading vamp, trumpet plays a plaintive final riff.] [Snare taps like a heartbeat slowing down.] [Instrumental Outro] [Soulful organ fades with tremolo, horns give one last swell, choir hums the melody as the music drifts into silence.]
