“Can’t Believe You Love Me, Too” (1999)
This is a jazz tune I wrote in July 1999 (revised March 2000). Take a look at the lead sheet (Acrobat Reader required).
Listen to a rather canine live performance (
hi-fi or lo-fi) I gave in 2003 at our church. (You’ll hear me abruptly stop near the beginning and start over; my microphone was sinking down toward the keys and I had to stabilize it.)
You’re always welcome to contact me with comments or questions.
About the song
This is a somewhat untraditional love song—a sinner’s address to his Savior.
| 1. |
How do You put up with me? |
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I haven’t any clue. |
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I do what I don’t want to do, |
(Ro 7:19) | |
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I don’t do what You want me to— |
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I’m pretty poor at love, don’t You agree? |
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| 2. |
“Let’s spend some time together, |
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Just the two of us,” You say. |
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But me: excuses every day |
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And ways of keeping you at bay |
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And all I do is talk about the weather. |
(Ro 8:26) | |
| Refrain: |
But You know that I love You; |
(Jn 21:15) |
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You can read it on my heart. |
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Your words, they light my eyes up |
(Ps 119:105) | |
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And they find me in the dark. |
(Heb 4:12f.; cf. Eph 5:8–13) | |
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In spite of me I love You— |
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Can’t believe You love me, too. |
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| 3. |
I love You ’cause You loved me first. |
(1Jn 4:19) |
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Yes, You made us a pair. |
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But there are other fish out there |
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Who’d make You happier, I dare |
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Say. How d’You stand me when I’m at my worst? |
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| Bridge: |
I come to You, my Love, on bended knee; |
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My wish is simply Your command, You see. |
(Ps 119:35) | |
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Command me as You wish, |
(St Augustine’s Confessions, 10.xxix) | |
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But You must grant what You command |
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And make a lover for Yourself of me. (refrain) |
(cf. John Donne’s Holy Sonnet XIV) | |
| Tag: |
Can’t believe You do: |
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Can’t believe You love me, too. |
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