Easter - Forgive Them

[Intro | Instrumental] [Brooding piano chords + low, sorrowful string drones, subtle rain-like ambient – slow and heavy as a heart that breaks] [Verse 1] Whips tore open sacred skin Blood flowed freely for our sin Mocking voices filled the air Thorns were pressed upon His hair [Pre-Chorus 1] They forced the heavy cross on Him He fell beneath the weight of sin A stranger’s hands then shared the load Simon helped Him on that road [Chorus 1] “Forgive them, they don’t know what they do” He prayed while heaven’s mercy broke through Blood fell down as the heavens turned black Forgive them… as He hung there [Verse 2] Nails were driven through holy hands Two thieves were hanging on either side One cursed in anger, lost in night The other turned toward heaven’s light [Pre-Chorus 2] “Remember me when You come to reign” “Today with Me in Paradise remain” Darkness swallowed all the land The Son of God in sinners’ hands [Chorus 2] “Forgive them, they don’t know what they do” He whispered as His strength withdrew Love poured out in silent agony Forgive them… this was for me [Bridge] [Half-time, stripped back – solo piano + deep, weeping cello, vocal – vulnerable and full of awe] “It is finished,” rang through heaven’s gate His body taken down in quiet pain Stone rolled heavy across the tomb Disciples scattered, wrapped in gloom Mary wept where spices lay The world stood still in breathless gray No song, no light, no hope remained Just holy silence… on this night [Final Chorus] [Warm, swelling orchestral layers, soft male backing vocals – emotional but restrained] “Forgive them… they don’t know what they do” The cross stood bare against a wounded sky Body broken, laid in cold stone Infinite love… now sealed alone Forgive us… we know not what we do In this darkness… we wait with You [Outro] [Fading piano notes, distant strings, long contemplative ambient tail] Forgive them… They don’t know… We wait… In silence… With You…