Tori Kelly + Kirk Franklin - Never Alone Lyrics
Lyrics
In my time I've travelled some roads
A rolling stone
Nowhere feels like home
And I've seen people come, then they go
Life is just a story of some highs and some lows
Tell me do you believe in miracles?
I'm standing here before your eyes
I've cried many rivers
I've walked through some pain
I've seen my world crumble
And I've carried the shame
But I know somebody, he calls me his own
I can hear heaven singing out
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Everybody wants to be king
We put all our hope inside material things
In your light I now understand
That everything I have and everything that I am
Oh, sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough
But that's when love says you're mine
I've cried many rivers
I've walked through some pain
I've seen my world crumble
And I've carried the shame
But I know somebody, he calls me his own
I can hear heaven singing out
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
I may have took some time
But now I realise
My imperfections were a part of your plan
And if all things work together in the end
The broken world'll be beautiful
[Kirk Franklin:]
There's not a hole too deep
Where God's love is not deeper still
You've come too far to give up now
Let's go!
[Tori Kelly & Choir:]
I've cried many rivers
I've walked through some pain
I've seen my world crumble
And I've carried the shame
But I know somebody, he calls me his own
I can hear heaven singing out
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Video
Tori Kelly - Never Alone (Official Live Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin’s collaboration, "Never Alone," released in 2018 as part of Kelly's album *Hiding Place*, stands as a powerful testament to enduring hope and divine presence in the face of life's inevitable struggles. The song’s genesis and message resonate deeply with the foundational truths of Christian faith, offering solace and encouragement to anyone navigating hardship. At its core, "Never Alone" tackles the universal human experience of navigating difficult paths, as Kelly’s opening lines describe travels on roads, feeling like a rolling stone, and experiencing the ebb and flow of life’s highs and lows. This vulnerability sets the stage for a profound spiritual declaration.
The song’s narrative is one of overcoming adversity, reflecting a journey through pain and shame. Kelly articulates the feeling of one’s world crumbling and carrying the weight of imperfections, yet the turning point arrives with the realization of an unwavering divine connection. This realization is not merely a platitude but is rooted in the scriptural assurance that believers are never abandoned by God. The lyrics echo the sentiment found in Deuteronomy 31:6, which states, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." This divine companionship is presented as the ultimate source of strength and understanding, transforming personal weakness into divine empowerment.
Kirk Franklin’s contribution further amplifies this message of steadfast faith. His interjections serve as a powerful affirmation, reminding listeners that even in the deepest valleys, God’s love is more than sufficient. His words, "There's not a hole too deep / Where God's love is not deeper still," directly recall the promise in Psalm 139:7-10, which questions where one could flee from God's presence, concluding that even the deepest darkness is illuminated by His light. The encouragement to persevere, "You've come too far to give up now," aligns with the biblical exhortation to press on toward the goal, as found in Philippians 3:13-14, which speaks of forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
The song’s central theme of God’s unwavering presence is a core tenet of Christian belief. It speaks to a God who sees our struggles, hears our cries, and remains intimately involved in our lives. The realization that imperfections are part of a divine plan, leading to a beautiful redeemed world as sung in the lyrics, is a profound theological concept. This mirrors Romans 8:28, which assures that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” "Never Alone" is not just a song; it's a vibrant expression of faith that ministering to the soul, reinforcing the comforting truth that in every season of life, no matter how challenging, believers are eternally accompanied by a loving and powerful God.