Crowder - Come As You Are Lyrics
Lyrics
Come out of sadness
From wherever you've been
Come broken hearted
Let rescue begin
Come find your mercy
Oh sinner come kneel
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't heal
So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You're not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
There's hope for the hopeless
And all those who've strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There's rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't cure
So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You're not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
Fall in his arms
Come as you are
There's joy for the morning
Oh sinner be still
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't heal
So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You're not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
Come as you are
Video
Crowder - Come As You Are (Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Crowder's "Come As You Are," released on January 1, 2014, as part of the *Neon Steeple (Deluxe Edition)* album, stands as a profoundly moving invitation to a weary and broken world. This composition isn't merely a catchy tune; it’s a direct, spirit-led appeal, echoing ancient scriptural truths with a modern resonance, urging individuals to shed their pretenses and find rest in divine grace.
The core message of "Come As You Are" is one of radical welcome and unconditional love, extended to everyone regardless of their past or current state. Crowder paints a vivid picture of a compassionate God who doesn't demand perfection before extending an embrace, but rather meets us precisely where we are—in our sadness, brokenness, and sin. The lyrics "Come out of sadness / From wherever you've been / Come broken hearted / Let rescue begin" set the tone, directly addressing those burdened by life's difficulties. This resonates deeply with the spirit of Matthew 11:28, where Jesus Himself declares, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." It’s an open-ended call for authenticity, promising not judgment, but the beginning of profound healing.
The song then ventures into a poignant depiction of divine remedy, asserting, "Earth has no sorrow / That heaven can't heal" and later, "That heaven can't cure." This declaration serves as a powerful anchor, reminding us of the ultimate hope found in the eternal. It draws parallels to biblical assurances such as Revelation 21:4, which speaks of a time when God "will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." This isn't a dismissal of earthly pain but a profound assurance that sorrow, no matter how deep, is not the final word. Every hurt, every regret, every injustice finds its eventual balm in the divine presence.
The chorus serves as the song's central command and comfort: "So lay down your burdens / Lay down your shame / All who are broken / Lift up your face." This powerful imagery evokes the release from self-imposed and externally inflicted weight. The shame that so often keeps people isolated is specifically addressed, inviting a casting off that echoes 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." It's a call to abandon the heavy baggage of guilt and past mistakes, understanding that God's grace is more expansive than any human failing. The invitation to "lift up your face" suggests a restoration of dignity and hope, moving from a posture of defeat to one of hopeful anticipation.
Further amplifying this invitation, the song reaches out to the "Oh wanderer come home / You're not too far." This line beautifully encapsulates the narrative of the prodigal son in Luke 15, where the father eagerly awaits and runs to meet his returning child, irrespective of how far they've strayed. It speaks to the relentless pursuit of God’s love, assuring those who feel lost or distant that reconnection is always possible and never out of reach. There’s a tender urgency in this call, a profound reassurance that no journey has taken one too far from the path back to grace.
The bridge reinforces the boundless nature of this divine welcome: "There's hope for the hopeless / And all those who've strayed / Come sit at the table / Come taste the grace." This imagery of sitting at a table together speaks volumes about fellowship, intimacy, and acceptance. It’s reminiscent of Jesus’s own practice of eating with sinners and tax collectors, extending grace and belonging to those often marginalized. It highlights the inclusive nature of God’s love, where every person is invited to partake in the spiritual feast of His mercy, experiencing firsthand the transformative power of His unmerited favor, just as Ephesians 2:8 reminds us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith." There is also "rest for the weary / Rest that endures," a direct echo of Christ's promise to give rest, not just temporary relief, but an abiding peace that truly lasts.
Finally, the repetition of "Come as you are / Fall in his arms" offers a tangible image of surrender and protection. It's a surrender not to defeat, but to the overwhelming love and safety found in a divine embrace. This parallels the father's embrace of the prodigal, a picture of unconditional acceptance that washes away all shame and doubt. The song closes with the comforting thought, "There's joy for the morning," recalling Psalm 30:5, "weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." This promise encapsulates the transformative journey the song encourages—from sadness to joy, from brokenness to healing, from wandering to home. Crowder’s "Come As You Are" is more than a song; it's a spiritual lifeline, a melodic testament to God’s unwavering call for humanity to return, whole or broken, and find everything needed for rescue and restoration. It serves as a powerful reminder that regardless of our state, the divine arms are always open, ready to receive and heal.