[Intro – Vocals over sparse Oud, low strings, distant city ambience] You said you knew My face. You swore you knew My name. But when I stood before you— You turned away just the same. [Verse 1 – intimate, restrained] I walked beneath the overpass, Sat down among the cold. You crossed the street to guard your peace, Set charity on hold. You hung My cross upon your neck, And sang what I once said— But when I asked you for your coat, You turned away instead. [Pre-Chorus – subtle tension] You looked for robes and burning skies, For trumpets in the air— But I walked quiet through your town, You never saw Me there. [Chorus – aching, not angry] You never knew Me. Though you knew the stories well. You spoke My name in crowded rooms, But could not hear when darkness fell. You never knew Me— Neither hunger, nor the plea. You loved the thought of who I was… But you did not quite know Me. [Verse 2 – gradual strength] I trimmed My beard and washed My face, Put on a tailored coat. I spoke where justice fled the room, Each careful word I wrote. I said that wrong was still called wrong, That truth was not for sale— And yet it seemed your welcome thinned, When praises turned to wails. [Pre-Chorus – rising] You asked Me to be merciful— But only on your terms. You asked for grace without the law, For comfort without burns. [Chorus – fuller instrumentation] You never knew Me. Only the sound of praise. But when My voice disturbed your peace, You turned away your gaze. You never knew Me— Not My justice, nor My flame. You liked the Man who fed the tales… Just not the One who came. [Bridge – stripped back, almost spoken] I cannot look on sin and smile. I bless those men despise. Love will treat the open wound— It cleans it, through the cries. I stand where curs'd are welcomed, I speak where few agree. And those who walk My narrow way— Will doubtless recognize Me. [Final Chorus – hopeful shift] But some of you have known Me. In quiet, subtle ways. Have known My voice before My face, And followed through unfazed. You've always seen Me— In the hungry and the least. And opened when I knocked at night… And set their table to feast. [Outro – soft resolve] When I come again in glory, No shadow will remain. But blessed are those who knew Me Before I came to reign [Instrumental]
