[Intro: dawn at the garden tomb, soft weeping turning into breath] Magdalene... I never left... I never left... [Verse 1: intimate rhythmic testimony] You all ran when they nailed Him to the tree Peter denied, Thomas doubted, you fled from me But I stayed at the cross, held His mother's hand Brought myrrh and my oil when no one else could stand They said He was gone, they said He was dead But love knows when love is not ended Three days in the tomb, I didn't leave the gate I wept, I waited, I kept faith [Pre-Chorus: rising, intimate and mysterious] He kissed my mouth, He taught me mysteries Not whore, apostle — they rewrote me [Chorus: anthemic, holy, reclaiming apostle] I never left, I never left When all His brothers ran, I wept and wept First to see Him rise, because I never left They call me whore to hide that I was first I never left, I never left I held the cross, I brought the oil, I kept If love is heresy, then let me be cursed I never left... [Verse 2: sharper theological flow, personal and defiant] Pope Gregory stood in five-ninety-one, said, "She is whore" Seven demons, harlot — a lie to hide me more Gnostic pages buried underneath the desert sand Nag Hammadi found my voice; I rose again to stand Seven demons were seven powers I healed Seven veils, seven mysteries revealed You anointed kings, Luna, in your kitchen too Magdalene in your hands when you stirred your stew Nana was Magdalene beside your fevered bed When you were sick and frightened, when the church said possessed [Bridge: sparse, whispered call and response] [Whispered] Mary... why do you weep? [Soft Magdalene] They've taken Him... [Whispered] Mary... [Magdalene, gasp] Rabboni... Teacher... You... [Chills, whispered] First word after death was her name [Breakdown: oil dripping, heartbeat, tomb silence] I never left... so I was first to see I never left... that's why He came to me [Final Chorus: full female apostle choir, resurrection power] I never left, I never left When all His brothers ran, I wept and wept First to see Him rise, because I never left They call me whore to hide that I was first I never left (we never left) I never left (we never left) We hold the cross, we bring the oil, we stay We never left, and we will never go away [Outro: dawn light, soft oil pouring, Magdalene smiling through tears] I never left... I never left... Magdalene... Rabboni...
