Kirk Franklin - Don't Cry Lyrics
Lyrics
Why do you cry? He has risen
Why are you weeping? He's not dead
Why do you cry? He has risen
Why are you weeping? He's not dead
He paid it all on that lonely highway
And His anointing I can feel
He shed His blood for my transgressions
And by His stripes we are healed
Why do you cry? He has risen
Why are you weeping? He's not dead
So as you go through lifes journey
Don't you worry lift up your head
Don't you cry stop your weeping
He has risen He's not dead
Chorus:
Don't cry
Wipe your eyes
He's not dead
Oh don't weep
He's not asleep
Je-hovah
He's not dead
Oh don't cry
Wipe your eyes
He's not dead
Video
Don't Cry - Kirk Franklin
Meaning & Inspiration
Kirk Franklin’s "Don't Cry," released on June 15, 2023, arrives as a powerful spiritual anchor in a world often heavy with worry. From its opening notes, the song immediately confronts human sorrow, addressing the raw questions of "Why do you cry?" and "Why are you weeping?" It’s a direct challenge to the despair that can settle upon us, instantly redirecting our gaze from earthly troubles to an eternal truth. The song’s message is a profound echo of the Easter story, a vibrant reminder that while grief may visit, it does not have the final word in the believer's life. Franklin, with his signature ability to blend contemporary sound with timeless biblical truths, crafts an anthem of resurrection power, transforming lament into a declaration of faith.
The core of "Don't Cry" lies in its unwavering declaration: "He has risen, He's not dead." This isn't merely a historical recounting but a present-tense truth designed to penetrate the deepest anxieties of the human spirit. The imagery of Christ having "paid it all on that lonely highway" evokes the arduous journey to Calvary and the ultimate sacrifice made there. This "highway" represents the path of suffering Jesus endured, a path that culminated in the shedding of "His blood for my transgressions." This resonates deeply with Scripture, particularly Romans 5:8, which reminds us that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us," and Hebrews 9:22, stating that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." The anointing mentioned, palpable and present, signifies the Holy Spirit's continued work, a living testament to Christ's ongoing power and presence in the lives of believers, much like the promise in John 14:16-17.
The profound comfort offered by the lines about healing, "by His stripes we are healed," directly quotes the prophetic words of Isaiah 53:5 and is powerfully reaffirmed in 1 Peter 2:24, which states, "by His wounds you have been healed." This speaks not only to physical restoration but to the comprehensive healing of soul, spirit, and mind from the wounds of sin and life's battles. The song then extends this spiritual understanding into practical encouragement for daily life, urging us not to worry as we "go through life’s journey." This echoes Christ's own teachings in Matthew 6:25-34, where He instructs us to "not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." Instead, we are encouraged to "lift up your head," a symbolic gesture of hope and renewed perspective, mirroring Psalm 3:3 which speaks of God as the lifter of our heads.
The chorus, a simple yet potent refrain of "Don’t cry, wipe your eyes, He’s not dead," cuts through any lingering doubt. It’s a command to abandon despair, grounded in the undeniable reality of Christ's victory over death. The declaration "He's not asleep" is particularly poignant, reminding us that God is ever vigilant, never slumbering nor sleeping, as affirmed in Psalm 121:3-4. The invocation of "Jehovah" in the midst of this affirmation powerfully reminds us of God's eternal, covenant-keeping nature, the "I AM" who is always present and active, as revealed in Exodus 3:14. This song acts as a spiritual defibrillator, shocking stagnant faith back to life with the vivifying truth of the resurrection. It’s a call to shift our focus from our temporary struggles to the permanent, unwavering victory secured by Christ, serving as a powerful anthem that encourages perseverance and unwavering trust in the face of any adversity, because the greatest obstacle – death itself – has already been overcome.