Mary Mary - Shackles (Wanna Praise You) Lyrics
Lyrics
Chorus:
Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise You
I just wanna praise You
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise You
I'm gonna praise you
In the corners of my mind
I just can't seem to find
A reason to believe
That I can break free
Cause you see I have been bound for so long
Felt like all hope was gone
But as I lift my hands
I understand
That I should praise You through my circumstance
~CHORUS~
Everything that could go wrong
All went wrong at one time
See so much pressure fell on me
I thought I was gonna lose my mind
Lord I know You wanna see
If I will hold on through these trials
But I need You to lift this load
Cause I can't take it no more
~CHORUS~
Been through the fire and the rain
Bound in every kind of way
But God has broken every chain
So let me go right now
~CHORUS: x3~
Video
Mary Mary - Shackles (Praise You)
Meaning & Inspiration
"Shackles (Wanna Praise You)," released by Mary Mary on March 7, 2010, is a powerful declaration of freedom found through faith, a testament to the transformative power of God even in the midst of overwhelming adversity. The song artfully captures the profound human struggle with despair, where the weight of circumstances can feel so crushing that the very ability to hope or to express joy is stifled. The opening verses paint a vivid picture of internal imprisonment, a mental labyrinth where the singer finds herself unable to believe in a way out, having been “bound for so long” that hope had all but vanished. This resonates deeply with the biblical narrative of captivity, both physical and spiritual, and the yearning for liberation. When the singer proclaims, "Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance," it's a visceral cry for release, not just from external burdens but from the internal chains of doubt and fear that bind the spirit. This desire to praise, despite the difficulty, echoes the Psalmist's plea in Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your free Spirit," highlighting that true praise is an act of surrender and reliance on God's strength.
The song's narrative progresses to acknowledge the immense pressure and trials faced, where "everything that could go wrong, all went wrong at one time." This overwhelming onslaught of difficulties leads to a feeling of being at the breaking point, an honest admission of human frailty: "I need You to lift this load, 'cause I can't take it no more." This vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a crucial step towards seeking divine intervention, mirroring the disciples’ cry to Jesus in Mark 4:38 during the storm, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" The realization that God tests our endurance through trials, as mentioned in the lyrics, is a core tenet of Christian perseverance. Yet, the pivotal turning point arrives not from an easing of the external pressure, but from an internal shift prompted by acknowledging God's power to break chains. The declaration, "God has broken every chain," is a profound statement of faith, akin to the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt or Paul and Silas’ miraculous escape from prison in Acts 16. The repeated refrain, "I just wanna praise You," underscores that in recognizing God's salvific power, the only natural and righteous response becomes worship. The act of lifting hands, as described in the chorus, is a universal gesture of surrender and adoration, signifying a complete offering of oneself to God, a sacrifice of praise that is well-pleasing to Him, as taught in Hebrews 13:15. "Shackles (Wanna Praise You)" is therefore more than just a song; it's an anthem of redemption, a powerful reminder that even when bound by life's difficulties, faith in God provides the ultimate liberation, enabling us to dance and praise Him through every circumstance.