Newsboys - Always Lyrics
Lyrics
What were you thinking?
I have a right to ask
Is there a reason
Other than your past?
The great pretender
Why was I the last
To see through your skin?
Is there a chance
You'll ever change?
It's always the same
You're always to blame
Is there any way around it
I can't see
You walked out on her
You planned to be free
I'm trying not to point the finger
But it's killing me
What were you thinking
Were you thinking of me?
Did you see what they wrote
On the family tree?
I know it's over
It's all in the past
Need I to forgive you
If I'm to last - will I ever change?
Take these pieces thrown away
Put them together from
Night 'n' day
Washed by the sun
Dried by the rain
To be my father
In my fatherless days
Video
Always
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 1998 as part of the album "Step Up to the Microphone," Newsboys' "Always" delves into the profound and often painful journey of grappling with betrayal and the yearning for reconciliation, particularly within the context of family. The song confronts the hurt caused by someone’s past actions, highlighting the bewilderment and frustration that arise when trust is broken. The opening verses paint a picture of someone seeking understanding, questioning the motives and character of an individual whose choices have inflicted pain. This introspection naturally leads to a reflection on blame and the difficulty of moving forward when past transgressions feel insurmountable. The repeated lament, "It's always the same, you're always to blame," speaks to a cycle of hurt that feels inescapable, mirroring the Apostle Paul’s struggle in Romans 7:15, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I can will it to be present with me, but I cannot do it." The lyrics express a desperate search for a way out of this emotional entanglement, a desire to break free from the cycle of resentment.
The core of "Always" resonates with the universal human experience of dealing with broken relationships, especially when they impact one’s identity and sense of belonging. The question, "Were you thinking of me?" and the reference to the "family tree" powerfully illustrate the deep-seated need for validation and connection, particularly when one feels cast aside or unseen. The speaker’s internal struggle with forgiveness is palpable, as they acknowledge the weight of the past but also recognize its detrimental effect on their own ability to endure. This struggle for sustained well-being through forgiveness is a theme echoed in Hebrews 12:15, which warns against a "root of bitterness" that can spring up and defile many. The song’s poignant plea, “Take these pieces thrown away, put them together from night ‘n’ day, washed by the sun, dried by the rain, to be my father in my fatherless days,” is an extraordinary expression of longing for restoration and adoption. It speaks to a deep spiritual yearning for a father figure who offers unwavering love and presence, especially in the absence of earthly fathers. This echoes the promise of God as our Heavenly Father in Psalm 68:5, who is a "father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." The act of piecing together what has been broken, enduring the elements, and finding a sense of belonging through this divine paternity is a profound theological statement. The song, therefore, moves beyond mere personal hurt to embrace a hope for healing and a secure identity found in a perfect, loving Father, regardless of past wounds.