My soul is weak
My heart is numb
I cannot see
But still my hope is found in You
I’ll hold on tightly
You will never let me go
For Jesus, You will never fail
Jesus, You will never fail
Simply to the cross i cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as i am free
Jesus, You are all i need
Clinging to the cross
Even darkness is as light to You, my Lord
So light the way and lead me home
To that place where every tear is wiped away
For Jesus, You will never fail
Jesus, You will never fail
Simply to the cross i cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as i am free
Jesus, You are all i need
Clinging to the cross
What a Saviour, what a story
You were crucified but now You are alive
So amazing, such a mystery
You were crucified but now You are alive
Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
Clinging to the cross
Behind the Song:A friend of ours was leading a bible study at a small group my wife and I led. At one point she used this phrase, ‘Clinging to the cross.’ That really resonated with me. So often I feel like I’m ‘just about hanging on in there.’ As Paul said, ‘perplexed but not in despair.’ It brings such comfort and peace to know that I can come and cling to the cross of Christ. There I find forgiveness. There I find a second chance. There I find new life, a new day. There I find a Saviour.
For months these thoughts were brewing within. As often happens when I write, themes stir within for a period of time, before a song is eventually birthed. One morning before heading off to work I started singing out a few lines. I picked up the guitar and worked out the chords. It felt like a great start to a song. I had to leave it there and rush out to get to a meeting. My wife and I cycle to work, (very impressive I hear you say!) which I love. These times are wonderful to allow melodies to form in my head. I often hum and sing stuff out as I pedal away. As I cycled I began singing the verses to this song and then a chorus melody. When I had a chance I picked up the guitar and continued working on the melody.
A while later I met up with Martin Smith to look at some song ideas. I played him the song and he suggested some great melodic tweaks. It was actually in his studio hanging around that I wrote the lyrics for verse two. A good days work!
------Tim Hughes