Blood on the Hallelujah

There was blood on the hallelujah There was fire in the hymn There was a man at the edge of himself Trying to crawl back in

I had broken every promise I had polished every chain I had turned my pride to music Just to dance around the pain

There were angels in the bassline There were devils in the strings There was a choir in the alley Singing truth has heavier wings

Blood on the hallelujah Smoke around the prayer I was looking for forgiveness But forgiveness found me there

Blood on the hallelujah Light behind the bruise I had nothing left to offer So I offered up the truth

I had worn my shame like velvet I had called it being strong I had made a little palace From the places I was wrong

But the night became a witness And the walls began to breathe And every song I ever buried Started rising underneath

There was no clean resurrection There was no white shining road Just a man with empty pockets And a heart that almost broke

Blood on the hallelujah Smoke around the prayer I was looking for forgiveness But forgiveness found me there

Blood on the hallelujah Light behind the bruise I had nothing left to offer So I offered up the truth

Tell my mother I was frightened Tell my father I was proud Tell my lover I was lonely But I could not say it loud

Tell the children if they ask me Why the good men fall apart Sometimes God comes like a rhythm To break open the heart

Blood on the hallelujah But I’m singing anyway With my knees in the ashes And my hands above the flames

Blood on the hallelujah Let the old life come unglued I had nothing left to offer So I offered up the truth