Sometimes we feel so afraid
Sometimes we feel so lonely
Sometimes we feel confused
Sometimes we feel so helpless
And we don't know what to do
(it's) so hard to believe it
if we never heard it
the voice of our father said our name
You're not alone
You're not alone
I'll never leave you
I'll never leave you (2x)
oh Lord...
Sometimes
we're sitting in the middle of the dark at night
sitting on the piano playing right on
Sometime just sing till the seal come
sing it oh...
I'm not alone
I'm not alone
You never leave me
You never leave me (4x)
Oh Lord...
Martin Luther King
one night was sitting at his kitchen table
all by himself
his family had already gone to bed
and all of a sudden he receives this phone call
and this man said:
"Martin if you don't stop preaching what you're preaching
we're gonna take the life of your family and we're gonna take your life
we're gonna kill you."
and after he hung up the phone
he said at that table
and he begin just to say:
"Father, I grew up in the church
I've preached your kingdom in justice all over the earth
I've preached your kingdom in justice all over America
And I know you're real
but right now I'm so afraid and I don't think I've ever hurt You
say my name
and I'm here to hear your voice father I need you to say my name"
and he just began to cry
and out the silence he heard the voice of his father for the first time
and it said this:
Never alone Martin
Never alone Martin
I'll never leave you (3x)
I'll never leave you
no...
Jason Upton - Never Alone (Official Live Lyric Video)
Never Alone Martin Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Jason Upton's song "Never Alone Martin" offers a deeply moving exploration of vulnerability, fear, and the profound comfort found in divine presence. Released with an official live lyric video on June 2, 2023, the song captures the raw human experience of feeling afraid, lonely, confused, and helpless, acknowledging the difficulty of believing in unseen support, especially when one hasn't personally experienced it. The lyrics articulate the core human need to hear a personal affirmation from a higher power, described here as the "voice of our father," specifically "say[ing] our name." This sets the stage for the central message of reassurance: "You're not alone, I'll never leave you."
The song transitions into a more introspective perspective, describing moments of sitting alone in the dark or finding solace through music and singing. This personal reflection leads to a shift in the declaration, from being told "You're not alone" to personally affirming, "I'm not alone," and acknowledging the reciprocal truth, "You never leave me." This part of the song reflects a journey from receiving comfort to internalizing it, finding strength and presence even in isolation through singing and seeking connection.
The narrative then takes a powerful turn by recounting a specific, historical moment in the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The song describes him alone at his kitchen table late at night, receiving a threatening phone call that endangered his family and his own life due to his activism and preaching. In this moment of intense fear and vulnerability, Dr. King, despite his deep faith and history of preaching justice, cried out for a personal sign – to hear God's voice specifically say his name, needing a tangible assurance of presence in his darkest hour. The song portrays this plea being met with a direct, comforting response heard out of the silence: "Never alone Martin," followed by the reiterated promise, "I'll never leave you."
This poignant anecdote serves as the heart of the song, illustrating that even figures of immense courage and faith face moments of crippling fear and doubt. It underscores the song's overarching theme: God's presence is not a general principle but a personal, intimate reality, capable of responding to individual cries in moments of deepest need. The assurance "Never alone Martin" emphasizes the personal nature of divine comfort, suggesting that this same personal reassurance is available to anyone who reaches out in vulnerability. This message resonates with scriptural themes of God knowing His people by name and promising never to forsake them, providing a profound sense of security and belonging that transcends circumstances, offering hope and strength to face life's trials knowing one is truly never alone.
