[Intro — acoustic guitar alone, slow and spacious] [Verse 1 — Bubba, male] Lord, I come without excuses, With no story dressed to shine. There’s a weight upon my shoulders That these hands can’t lift this time. Let Your mercy meet correction; Do not leave me to Your wrath. I have wandered into sorrow, And I need You on this path. [Electric guitar — one quiet answering phrase] [Verse 2 — Bubba, male] There’s an ache through every movement, There’s a heaviness in my bones. I have bowed beneath this burden, Walked the daylight with a groan. What I’ve done stands up before me; I can’t push it out of sight. Lord, I bring the truth before You In the middle of this night. [Bass and brushed drums enter] [Chorus — Bubba lead; Darlene, female harmony] Don’t be far from me, Lord, draw near and hear my plea. All my longing lies before You; There is nothing You don’t see. When my strength has nearly left me, When the words come painfully, You’re the One I’m waiting on. Don’t be far from me. [Hammond organ enters; piano answers softly] [Verse 3 — Darlene, female] There are days the heart keeps pounding, And the light seems faint and small. Even those who love you dearly Stand a distance from it all. There are things you cannot tell them, There are sighs they’ll never hear. But the Lord can know your longing; You can ask Him to come near. [Harmonica enters, low and mournful] [Verse 4 — Bubba, male] There are voices seeking trouble, There are plans beyond my door. I have heard their sharp accusations; I can’t answer anymore. Like a man who cannot hear them, Like a mouth that cannot speak, I will wait for You to answer; You can hear me when I’m weak. [Chorus — full duet, restrained] Don’t be far from me, Lord, draw near and hear my plea. All my longing lies before You; There is nothing You don’t see. When my strength has nearly left me, When the words come painfully, You’re the One I’m waiting on. Don’t be far from me. [Instrumental — electric guitar; harmonica answers; tender tenor sax; fiddle sustains beneath the melody] [Bridge — organ and voices] [Bubba, male] I am close enough to stumbling That I’m frightened where I stand. [Darlene, female] Bring that fear into His presence; Bring the truth with open hands. [Bubba, male] I confess the wrong I’ve carried; I am troubled by my sin. [Both] Lord, we cannot mend this sorrow Without mercy entering in. [Quiet drums return; piano builds gradually] [Verse 5 — Bubba, male] Some have answered care with hatred, Turned against the good I sought. You can judge the things between us; You know every deed and thought. As for me, I stand before You With my need and with my shame. Do not leave me here forgotten; Lord, my rescue bears Your name. [Final chorus — duet; soft brass and gospel harmonies] Don’t be far from me, Lord, draw near and hear my plea. All my longing lies before You; There is nothing You don’t see. When my strength has nearly left me, When the words come painfully, You’re the One I’m waiting on. Don’t be far from me. [Outro — instruments gradually fall away] [Bubba, male] Come and help me, Lord, my Savior. [Darlene, female] Hear this prayer we bring to You. [Bubba, male] I have nothing left to cover. [Darlene, female] You can hear the silence too. [Acoustic guitar and organ only] [Both, softly] You’re the One I’m waiting on. Don’t be far from me.
