Casting Crowns - The Well Lyrics
Lyrics
When my troubles are a little too heavy
Who I can turn to, to share the weight?
When my mind is cluttered and cloudy
Who can I turn to, to clear the way
Who can I turn to, I turn to You
I won’t lean on
My own
Understanding
I will let go
Follow
Empty handed
You say Your yoke is easy
You say Your burden’s light
So I’ll let You
Lead me
For all my life
When my past is still trying to haunt me
Who can I turn to, to give me grace
When my future is a little uncertain
Who can I turn to, turn to today
Who can I turn to, I turn to You
I won’t lean on
My own
Understanding
I will let go
Follow
Empty handed
You say Your yoke is easy
You say Your burden’s light Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
I have what you need,
But you keep on searchin,
I've done all the work,
But you keep on workin,
When you're runnin on empty,
And you can't find the remedy,
Just come to the well.
You can spend your whole life,
Chasin what's missing,
But that empty inside,
It just ain't gonna listen.
When nothing can satisfy,
And the world leaves you high and dry,
Just come to the well
CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well
So bring me your heart
No matter how broken,
Just come as you are,
When your last prayer is spoken,
Just rest in my arms a while,
You'll feel the change my child,
When you come to the well
CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well
Yeah
Leave it all behind
The world will try, but it can never fill... leave it all behind
And now that you're full,
Of love beyond measure,
Your joy's gonna flow,
Like a stream in the desert,
Soon all the world will see that living water is found in me,
Cuz you came to the well
CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well
Outro: leave it all behind, leave it all behind... repeat
Video
Casting Crowns - The Well (with lyrics)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on November 17, 2011, Casting Crowns offered up "The Well," a song that immediately delves into the universal human experience of seeking satisfaction in places that ultimately leave us empty. It paints a picture of lives spent drawing from broken cisterns, mirroring the prophet Jeremiah's lament over a people who have forsaken the fountain of living waters for leaky vessels that hold nothing (Jeremiah 2:13). The song captures the essence of relentless searching, moving from one source of temporary fulfillment to the next – perhaps relationships, success, possessions, or fleeting pleasures – all of which offer a momentary sip but never quench the deeper thirst of the soul.
At its heart, the song is a musical interpretation of the profound encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John chapter 4. Just like the woman who had gone through multiple husbands, seeking identity and security in relationships that failed her, the song speaks to anyone who feels defined by their past failures or current struggles, carrying the weight of unmet needs and disappointments. It portrays the weariness that comes from repeatedly returning to the same insufficient sources, hoping for a different outcome, feeling known for our mistakes rather than seen for who we truly are.
The pivotal moment arrives when the narrative shifts from the relentless search to the discovery of an inexhaustible source. This is where the song introduces the concept of "The Well" – a clear reference to Jesus Christ, the source of living water He offered to the Samaritan woman. Jesus promises water that, once drunk, means one will never thirst again, because the water He gives will become a spring welling up to eternal life (John 4:10-14). The song beautifully conveys the transformative power of this encounter, where past regrets and present emptiness are met not with condemnation but with acceptance and the offer of true, lasting satisfaction. This living water isn't just a one-time drink; it establishes a perpetual spring within the person, enabling them to live a life overflowing with God's presence and power, as Jesus described in John 7:38: "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"
The song carries the message of hope found in Isaiah 55:1, "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters," inviting everyone who is weary and seeking peace to come to Christ. It underscores that coming to Jesus, "The Well," means finding forgiveness and freedom from the burden of the past, aligning with the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:17, that in Christ, the old has passed away; behold, the new has come. The satisfaction found here is not dependent on circumstances or achievements but is rooted in the unchanging nature of God's love and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This supernatural welling up addresses the deepest longings and provides a foundation of security and worth that no earthly source can provide.
Ultimately, "The Well" inspires a response akin to that of the Samaritan woman after her life-altering conversation with Jesus. Having found the living water, she left her physical water jar behind and went into town to tell everyone about the man who knew everything about her and yet offered her life (John 4:28-30). The song encourages people to similarly share the Good News, understanding that the living water is not meant to be contained but to flow out to others who are still thirsty, pointing them towards the true source of life and satisfaction in Jesus. It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter our past or present struggles, there is a well of unending grace and life available to us, and from that abundance, we are called to draw deeply and then freely give.