[Intro — Solo Hohner Comet harmonica, quiet piano, no drums] [Bubba — spoken, male, close to microphone] You ever have a night so long you wondered if morning would ever come? David knew that kind of night. But listen to how his song ends. [Verse 1 — Bubba, male, slow 6/8] I lift You high, Lord, You lifted me, When I was sinking where I couldn't see. You didn't let my enemies sing my defeat; You pulled me from the pit beneath my feet. I cried for help, and You heard my plea, You brought me back when the dark covered me. So I will praise You while I've got breath; Your mercy met me in the shadow of death. [Pre-Chorus — Darlene, female, tender] Sing, all you saints, to His holy name; Thank Him for the grace that remains. [Chorus — Bubba and Darlene, duet, band begins to rise] Weeping may stay for the night, But joy comes in the morning light! His anger is brief; His favor goes on, There's a new song waiting at the edge of dawn. Let the tears fall down, let the old heart sing; Joy comes in the morning, joy comes in the morning! [Verse 2 — Darlene, unmistakably female, soulful] When the road was easy, I said, "I'm strong; These mountains around me will stand all along." But my strength was a gift, not a crown of my own; When Your face seemed hidden, I felt alone. Then I called Your name through the falling rain, "Lord, hear my voice; be my help again!" What song can the dust sing down in the grave? So I asked for mercy, and mercy came. [Chorus — Darlene lead, Bubba harmony, drums enter] Weeping may stay for the night, But joy comes in the morning light! His anger is brief; His favor goes on, There's a new song waiting at the edge of dawn. Let the tears fall down, let the old heart sing; Joy comes in the morning, joy comes in the morning! [Instrumental — Tempo lifts to 120 BPM jump-blues shuffle] [Fiery blues guitar trades phrases with Darlene's tenor sax] [Boogie piano, Hohner Comet harmonica, Hammond B3, horns] [Bridge — Drop to piano and organ, prayerful] [Bubba — male] You heard me when I had no words left to say. You turned my mourning and took the sackcloth away. [Darlene — female, rising] You dressed my soul in gladness, taught my feet to dance, Put a song where sorrow stood, gave my heart another chance. [Bubba — male, spoken] That doesn't mean the road was easy. [Darlene — female, sung] It means the Lord was worthy of praise along the way! [Build — Foot stomps and handclaps; choir enters] [Choir] No more silence! Lift your voice! Let the whole house rise and rejoice! [Final Chorus — Full Holler Shakers and gospel choir] Weeping may stay for the night, But joy comes in the morning light! His anger is brief; His favor goes on, There's a new song waiting at the edge of dawn! You turned our mourning into dancing again, So let every voice say amen, amen! Let the Hammond roll and the church bells ring; Joy comes in the morning! Let the whole world sing! [Call and Response — Bubba, Darlene, choir] [Bubba — male] Who lifted me up? [Darlene — female] The Lord my God! [Bubba — male] Who heard my cry? [Choir] The Lord my God! [Darlene — female] What comes after the night? [Choir] Joy in the morning! [Bubba and Darlene] And we'll thank Him forevermore! [Outro — Band stops; one soft acoustic guitar chord] [Bubba — male, spoken] Lord my God, I'll give You thanks forever. [Darlene — female, unaccompanied, softly] Joy comes in the morning. [End — Gentle harmonica resolves]
