I look the part
Blend in with the rest of the church crowd
I know the routine
I could list all the Bible studies in town
Watch Christian Tv I know all the preachers
And their cliches
I've been born again
And without doubt I know I'm saved
But sometimes I hurt
And sometimes I cry
And sometimes I can't get it right
No matter how hard that I seem to try
Sometimes I fall down and
I stumble over my own disguise
Well I try to look strong
As the whole world looks on
Sometimes alone I cry
I try to speak faith
Never give that old devil
No not even an inch to get in
I do worship and praise
Let everybody know
Just where that I stand
And on the back of my old four wheel drive chevy
Is a fish and a cross
For the world to see 'cause I know
My God is good all the time
Yes there's no doubt for me
But sometimes I hurt
And sometimes I cry
And sometimes I can't get it right
No matter how hard that I seem to try
Sometimes I fall down and
I stumble over my own disguise
But I try to look strong
As the whole world looks on
Sometimes alone I cry
Sometimes I fall down and
I stumble over my own disguise
Well I try to look strong
As the whole world looks on
Sometimes alone I cry
Well I try to look strong
As the whole world looks on
But the truth is Sometimes alone I cry
Sometimes I cry
Sometimes I cry Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The Gaither Vocal Band song "Sometimes I cry," with a video released on August 17, 2012, presents a deeply honest portrayal of the Christian experience that goes beyond superficial appearances. The lyrics begin by describing a person who outwardly fits the mold of a devout churchgoer – knowing the routine, familiar with Bible studies, watching Christian television, and professing certainty of salvation. This opening stanza establishes a common scenario within faith communities, highlighting the outward performance and adherence to expected behaviors and language. It sets the stage for the internal struggle that the song is truly about, creating a contrast between the external presentation and the inner reality.
The core message is powerfully delivered in the recurring chorus. It starkly contrasts the outward profession of faith with the internal pain, struggle, and imperfection. Phrases like "sometimes I hurt," "sometimes I cry," and "sometimes I can't get it right" articulate the often-hidden reality of the believer's life. The line, "Sometimes I fall down and I stumble over my own disguise," is particularly poignant, directly addressing the effort made to appear strong and put-together, which itself can become a barrier. The image of trying to look strong "as the whole world looks on" underscores the social pressure felt by many to project an image of unwavering faith, while the final line of the chorus, "Sometimes alone I cry," reveals the often solitary nature of these struggles.
The second verse reinforces the outward displays of faith mentioned in the first. The speaker describes actively speaking faith, resisting negativity, engaging in worship and praise, and clearly identifying their Christian stance through symbols like the fish and cross on their vehicle. This further emphasizes the deliberate effort to present a visible and vocal faith to the world, alongside an intellectual certainty ("no doubt for me," "My God is good all the time"). However, this outward demonstration does not negate the truth of the chorus, which immediately follows, reiterating that these external markers coexist with internal vulnerability, hurt, and the need for private moments of sorrow.
The repeated chorus and the final lines emphasize the central theme. The concluding variations, "Sometimes I fall down and I stumble over my own disguise... Well I try to look strong As the whole world looks on But the truth is Sometimes alone I cry," strip away any remaining pretense. They highlight that despite the best efforts to maintain a façade of strength for others, the reality for the individual includes moments of collapse, stumbling, and solitary weeping. The song validates the experience of those who may feel like they are failing if they are not constantly projecting joy and victory, suggesting that vulnerability and pain are also real parts of the journey.
Several scriptural themes resonate with the song's message. The tension between outward appearance and inner reality echoes passages like 1 Samuel 16:7, where God looks at the heart rather than the outward appearance, or Jesus' critique of the Pharisees' outward piety while neglecting internal matters in Matthew 23. The experience of suffering and crying out in pain is a common theme throughout the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 13, Psalm 42:3, Psalm 34:19). The New Testament also acknowledges the ongoing struggle with sin and imperfection even after conversion, as seen in Romans 7. By articulating the truth that believers still face hurt, failure, and sadness, the song offers a message of authenticity and acknowledges the human condition within the context of faith, potentially inspiring listeners to be more honest about their struggles and find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their experience, even when they cry alone.
