Lyrics
There was smoke in the rafters
And fire in the air
Voices from another country
Singing everywhere
The room was full of thunder
But nobody raised their voice
The foundations seemed to tremble
At a sound without a choice
I had carried words like lanterns
Through the darkness of the years
Till I stood before a brightness
That could see right through my fears
I came with unclean lips
And a pocket full of names
All the things I thought defined me
Could not stand before the flame
I came with unclean lips
And nothing left to prove
But mercy met me where I was
And grace would not be moved
I had spoken of the heavens
I had tried to tell their story
But standing in that presence
Every sentence lost its glory
Like leaves before a strong wind
All my careful words were gone
Only silence sat beside me
As the endless song rolled on
And I knew I was a stranger
To the man I thought I knew
When the light revealed the distance
Between what was said and true
I came with unclean lips
And a pocket full of names
All the things I thought defined me
Could not stand before the flame
I came with unclean lips
And nothing left to prove
But mercy met me where I was
And grace would not be moved
Then a coal from off the altar
Crossed the distance to my fear
No accusation
No condemnation
Only these words in my ear
Your burden’s lifted
Your guilt released
The weight I carried
Found its peace
I came with unclean lips
And a heart I could not hide
The Holy One who knew me best
Still stood there by my side
I came with unclean lips
But I did not leave the same
For mercy met me where I was
And grace called me by name
And when the question came at last
Floating through the quiet air
I found the only words I had
Were waiting for me there
Here am I