I took a walk down to the river
A broken heart in my hands
Before the Taker and the Giver
To make my final stand

I waded out into the water
And I sank just like a stone
But I was lifted by the Angel
To never be alone

And I never knew
I could lay my burdens down
And I never knew
Redemption could be found
But I know now

I saw Your mercy in the morning
In the color of the sky
I let the Spirit wash me over
And the sun began to rise

I took a walk down to the river
And I laid my burdens down
Before the Taker and the Giver
And I am finally found


Written by Bebo Norman and Chad Cates / © 2006 Appstreet Music (ASCAP) / Upper Cates Music (ASCAP) / New Spring (ASCAP). All rights for the world on behalf of Appstreet Music (ASCAP) and Upper Cates Music (ASCAP) administered by New Spring (ASCAP).

Behind the Song:
“I love songs that are visual. And this one is very visual for me because it paints a perfect picture of exactly what I felt to finally come up from the water and realize that - even though I’d been told throughout my life that I could lay my burdens down - I never really knew that until now. I’ve had moments where I’ve gone to God and said, ‘You have to show up right now because I can’t do this anymore. I can’t believe anymore.’ And the beautiful thing is that in those moments God has never failed to show up for me. And that feeling when you come out on the other side of desperation, when you come up from underneath it, and you breathe in, and you let everything go, and you feel light and new again…that’s what this song is about.” - Bebo Norman