If You Only Knew – This song was born out of a biblical class at my church in 1999. One of the compelling thoughts to consider was God’s love in the midst of our imperfection and wayward tendencies. Working closely with others during this project drew me close to many who co-labored and sacrificed to help the dream become real. I often wondered how they would feel if they really knew me. That thought expanded into every relationship is extremely humbling. So this is a very personal song.
Locked within the heart of me,
There’s a part of me that’s cold,
Frozen in the emptiness,
Are wounds and fears so old,
Sanctum fortified,
Iron gates to hold and hide,
You’d be grieved inside,
If you only knew.
Corridors within my mind,
Ring echoes from the past,
Teardrops from my heartless words,
And deeds,
Resolved to last,
Framed upon the walls,
Accomplishments of skills and scrawls,
You would be appalled,
If you only knew.
Chorus:
But I’m forgiven and I don’t understand,
How you wiped the slate clean,
With the touch of your nail-pierced hand,
A love so undeserved,
Boundless and free,
You’d receive it just like me,
If you only knew.
Drifting on the open sea,
Where passions surge and roam,
Soon familiar bearings change,
And I feel so far from home,
Penitent the cries,
Torn between the lures and lies,
You would be surprised,
If you only knew.
Bridge:
Lashing out in anger,
When a kind word would appeal,
Holding back the gentleness to heal.
Herb Williams 1999