Lines
Lines
Lines is about how easily we can slip in to “othering” people in order to justify our own inaction, and lean out of love rather into it. We too often effortlessly slip into judgement and self righteousness rather than empathy, care, and the kind of action that dignifies others.
LINES
Written by Benjamin Hardesty (BMI), Andrew Huang (BMI), Tim Womble (ASCAP)
© 2022 Common Hymnal Digital (BMI), Benjo Darro Music Company (BMI), Mighty Boy Publishing (BMI), Common Hymnal Publishing (ASCAP), Tim Womble (ASCAP) (admin by IntegratedRights.com, for license requests please email LicensingUSA@integritymusic.com). CCLI 7213866.
VERSE 1
G
In the blue light midnight ritual
C
I find myself watching TV alone
G
There’s a man on the screen who’s about to snap
C
And I know that I would never act like that
CHORUS 1
Em D/B
I drew some lines
C G
Drew some lines in the sand
Em D/B
Reasons that I
C G
Am so different than them
Em D/B
If I could put miles
C G
Between me and their sins
A
I could convince myself
C
That they can’t be helped
VERSE 2
G
I’m at the gas station every other few days
C
With the 87 octane pumping away
G
When the woman at the counter asks the pump that I’m at
C
I’m always glad that I don’t have the job she has
VERSE 3
G
Then I heard of a man who once drew in the sand
C
With his robes in the dirt, he extended his hand
G
His hand touched the earth and he started to write
C
I don’t know what he drew, but it wasn’t a line
CHORUS 2
Em D/B
I’ve come to find
C G
Come to find in the end
Em D/B
The grace that I’ve found
C G
Is for me and for them
Em D/B
The lines that I’ve drawn
C G
Made me blind to my sin
A
Now I can tell
C
That we all need help
More Songs Written By Ben Hardesty
Just as “The Kingdom Is Yours” massaged out the ideas in the Beatitudes, so this song explores The Lord's Prayer.
Lines is a charge to lean into the selfless love of Jesus and to resist judgement and self righteousness and embrace empathy, care, and action that dignifies others.
This song is what happened when a seasoned theologian sat down with a crew of young songwriters, when gospel music sensibilities, Holy Spirit musings and gut level honesty collided.
”It almost sounds too simple to say aloud — ‘God is not abusive.’ Because no one ever should be.” (Brittney Spencer)
”An interesting fact: How Much Longer was conceived and written on a former plantation near a cemetery where slaves and Confederate soldiers were buried side by side." (Art Hooker)
“I’ve got the Joy” was influenced by my deep appreciation for the spirit-stirring, yet, simplicity of Black Gospel music and negro spirituals.” (Orlando Palmer)
”Those six hours of digging into the pain of sexual abuse and gathering words that truly convey that our stories aren’t over, will always be part of the lasting bond that drew us all closer to vulnerability, recovery and each other.” (Brittney Spencer)
“This song is about the dry spells, where we let our disbelief get the best of us, and then proclaim our belief about the comfort and strength that comes only from the Sprit of God.” (Ben Hardesty)