[Verse 1]
The morning breaks — hope rises with the light,
Your presence paints the shadows with Your sight.
Through every valley, Your mercy finds the trail,
You lift the weak, You lift the frail.
[Pre-Chorus]
Chains are broken — I am free (Choir: Free!),
Joy like a river rolling over me.
Standing on what You promised, true and real,
In Your grace my steps prevail, I feel.
[Chorus]
Grace that lifts me higher, on faith’s unshakable wings (Choir: Higher!),
Joy like a river — hear how forever it sings (Choir: Forever!),
Light in the darkness, You lead me through the days,
God’s love never failing — I will lift my praise.
[Verse 2]
When doubts surround like thunder in the night,
Your voice becomes the beacon, Your truth the light.
You turn my trembling into steady praise,
From whispered prayers to full-throated days.
[Pre-Chorus — Call & Response]
Chains are broken — I am free (Leader: Chains are broken; Choir: Free!),
Joy like a river washes over me.
I stand on promises that will not fail,
In Your grace my steps prevail.
[Chorus — Variation]
Grace that lifts me higher, on faith’s unshakable wings (Choir: On faith! On wings!),
Joy like a river — washing over everything (Choir: Over all!),
You’re the light in the darkness, guiding all my ways,
God’s love never failing — forever, I will raise.
[Verse 3 — Testimony]
When the storm stole my sight and fear had claimed the night,
You came like morning thunder, You brought the dawn and light.
My debts, my chains, my lonely fight — You turned to victory,
A scar became a story of Your boundless mercy.
[Pre-Bridge — Instrumental lift]
(Piano/organ swell; choir hums under lead vocal)
[Bridge — Turning Point]
Chains fell down, fears undone — now I sing, the war is won (Choir: Won!),
Mountains bowed, the night gave way — Your Kingdom has begun.
Storms may roar, but I stand sure; Your truth has set me free,
All my shame is traded for Your crown — now I sing in victory!
[Key Change Note]
(Key change up a whole step here — lift everything for the final push)
[Final Chorus — Climactic]
Grace that lifts me higher, on faith’s unshakable wings (Choir: Lift us higher!),
Joy like a river — louder now, how heaven sings (Choir: Sing it out!),
You are light in the darkness, guiding every day,
God’s love never failing — forever we will praise.
[Outro / Vamp]
(Leader) Forever I’ll praise, forever I’ll praise — (Choir) Forever we’ll praise!
(Ad-libs: “Hallelujah”, runs, repeats and call-and-response)
[Arrangement & Performance Notes]
- Lead: Female gospel soloist with strong belt and intimate verse delivery.
- Choir: Full SATB call-and-response on Pre-Chorus and Chorus; layered harmonies on climactic sections.
- Instruments: Piano and Hammond organ anchor; punchy drums, upright bass, bright horns for lifts, handclaps on backbeat, light acoustic guitar comping.
- Dynamics: Start intimate (verse), swell into full band/choir by Chorus; build through Verse 3 and Bridge to a key-change final Chorus.
- Ad-libs: Leave space afte
