Captors

The valley is wide and the canyons are deep For a harvest is ready of that which to reap Many before grabbed a sickle to shear But their days have past and your time is near So listen to me And heed my words see The world will tell you That we are foolish My words are not of simple flesh and blood My words are not of simple flesh and blood There is a famine of truth and love So we must press forward, forget what's behind But still we must go and advance His Word But still we must go We must go now! We must go now! No looking back we press on No looking back we press on to the kingdom of God Have our hands worked the fields for Your glory? Or have our tongues spoken of Your story? Have our feet seen the pain in the labor? Or have we wandered off and wavered? Racing the clock with our selfish involvement Pacing our walk till the sun falls, the day's spent Have the stalks seen the blade of your sheer? And will you labor and work for your rest, rest is near? If only I can see things through Your eyes Ignite in me a burning flame Forsaken life I count it as loss for the sake of the cross Before the sun goes down Before the coming of night One will have I, and testament I will observe One will have I, and testament I will I will serve Have our hearts felt the anguish of toil? Or worked the ground tiling broken soil? Have our eyes seen the joy in the reaping? Or have we shied from our work with our sleeping? Racing the clock with our selfish involvement Pacing our walk till the sun falls, the day's spent Have the stalks seen the blade of your sheer? And will you labor and work for your rest, rest is near? If only I can see things through Your eyes Ignite in me a burning flame Forsaken life I count it as loss for the sake of the cross Before the sun goes down My family as one unite The time is ever nearing as we're losing daylight So listen to me and heed my words see The world will tell you that we are foolish Hear you now the Master's voice it calls Hear you now the Master's voice it calls "The harvest is plenty, the workers are few!"

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026

Who's shut the mouths of beasts And with the sound of his voice it renders peace? Who's drowned the earth with rain And made a promise to man to never do the same? Who's crushed the walls of stone By the use of the sound of the trumpets blown? Who appoints the kings to throne? The One True King! Who's quenched a violent fire? Raised and destroyed empires? Oh how you manifest your grace and power My Great King! You're my Great King My Great King! You're my Great King How can I question Your power? For where was I when You laid the earth In that time and hour? How can I question Your might When even angels bow down to you To kneel at your sight? When men cast their doubt upon Your name You are unchanging Still the immutable God When nations rage against Your throne You are unchanging Still the immutable God Awake my soul Give me eyes to see The King exalted Deserving and worthy Awake my soul Give me words to say Among the nations Proclaiming Your glory Awake my soul Awake my soul Oh how You've proven That there in no one Like You Ever faithful To such faithless men Like us Awake my soul Awake my soul Oh how you've shown me That this isn't a blind faith In a distant God You went before me and You Bore my sin Who am I to doubt You? Let me hear Your voice My ears have heard You Let me see Your face My eyes have seen You For I believe For I, I believe Great is They faithfulness O' God my Father and King There is no shadowy presence To Your promise I cling Thou changest not Thy compassions As Thou hast been Thou forever and ever will be When men cast their doubt upon Your name You are unchanging Still the immutable God When nations rage against Your throne You are unchanging Still the immutable God Awake my soul Give me eyes to see The King exalted Deserving and worthy Awake my soul Give me words to speak Among the nations Proclaiming Your glory Oh how you've shown me That this isn't a blind faith In a distant God You went before me and You Bore my sin I believe Awake my soul I believe My faithful King For I believe

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026

I can see the end in sight as we pacify our itching ears Quickly we are trending light and absolving self of all eternal fears Until our conscious clears Hear this voice engage the fight as I pound my chest still knowing my end nears Still knowing my end nears The sun is burning out and your rule is left, your rule is left in doubt We'll scream, and sing, and shout "For You have won, You have won the bout!" The earth is screaming against its bondage of decay Creation eager for the coming new day My lungs are breathing stealing every single breath Not my soul, but my body is put to death For if heaven's not your cry, you're still afraid to die I'll tell you now your end is not far The sun is burning out and with all creation shout Enter in the bright Morning Star I know this is a voyage, it's not my destination I know this is a voyage, it's not my destination Not waiting for no dying sun, or watching for a fading moon No shooting star has caught my eye Nothing in my hand Still there is nothing in my hand I bring Only to the cross For only to the cross my arms will cling Only to the cross Nothing in my hand that I will bring, there is nothing in my hand For if heaven's not your cry, you're still afraid to die I'll tell you now the end is not far The sun is burning out and with all creation shout Enter in the bright Morning Star I can see the coming light as the nights will pass and the dawn it clears Screaming out with all my might for the Morning Star, the Morning Star He nears I see a new day is coming I see a new day is near

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026

And I was once a dead man A stranger with no home I stood opposed to God himself And yet He pardoned me Yahh With all my heart and the fiercest will Desired nought but to thieve and kill I hadn't a thought of peace, but war Surrender was not what I'd endure I was a murderer Filled with lies and deceit Faced with my list of crimes That I would always repeat Deliver me! Wake me up from this damning sleep I'm surrendering Pull me out from this wickedness In this thieving heart of stone I realized all these sins I could not atone I was a murderer Filled with lies and deceit Faced with my list of crimes That I would always repeat And I was once a dead man A stranger with no home I stood opposed to God himself And yet He pardoned me So just at the right time When we were dead in our sins You took this heart of mine And gave me life again And gave me life again This is where I begin So far apart and a debt to fulfill This purchase bought on redemption's hill An ailing disease I couldn't cure Oh this grace! How rich and pure! Abide in me my God! I am found in You Pardon me my God! You know my deepest thoughts Deliver me from sin I am made anew I'm surrendering this heart For which Your blood it bought For which Your blood it bought For which Your blood it bought The mob, they yelled and screamed for justice That wrath was ours, we are to blame You made a spectacle of rulers Denying You of a king's fame Having crushed the written canon That wrote of all our guilt and shame Displayed upon the tree it was nailed The saving power of Your name And I was once a dead man A stranger with no home You saw this wretch and You gave him life Forever I'll praise You I will praise You

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026

A selfish man, a wretch I do stand, just as you we are the same But how is it that justice follows in Your wake and grace remains? And grace remains? Your grace remains! Still grace remains! This is justice for my wickedness with your Son descending Onto this world bearing our sin We're helpless in need of Your grace This freedom is not in our hands Still Your grace remains It was not nails that kept You there on that tree It was not thorns that caused You your pain For it was my sin, it was Your burden It was my sin, it was Your love for me It was not nails that kept You there on that tree It was not thorns that caused You your pain For it was my sin, it was Your burden It was my sin, it was Your love for me Then at the cross You bore my sin And as You bled You thought of me And still these bones will cry Who am I that you would give Your life and die for me? Not just a myth and not just a story Becoming my sin and all for His glory Not just a martyr, not just a saint He's risen, alive Death had no restraint! Bride, arise! And lift up His holy name Oh yea bride, arise! And life up His name It was not nails that kept You there on that tree It was not thorns that caused You your pain For it was my sin, it was Your burden It was my sin, it was Your love for me Then at the cross You bore my sin And as You bled You thought of me And still these bones will cry Who am I that you would give Your life and die for me?

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026

I saw these chains locked on my wrists Around my neck no shackles missed I'd tried to shake them off and flee Nowhere to go without a key Awoke my eyes drew the first breath New to the world but not to death This plan devised in secrecy May take my life or set me free No more to work this simple life To toil only met with strife The evening still and passed the sun The night crept in my chance to run I wait for dark! I wait for dark! I wait for dark! No looking back I'm running I'm running out of sight I wait for dark! No looking back I'm running Running into the night I wait for dark! My feet be quick for this racing heart Come morning's light will the chasing start With the fear of pursuit comes a fear of the flight And if I stop they will shoot so I continue to hide In the cover of the night The morning bright all darkness gone I see the distance fade I take to flight my fears withdraw My heart is now betrayed Not a slave to man anymore! Not a slave to... Set me free Set me free Hammer these chains and Set me free! Break these chains Break these chains Unbind my hands and Pardon me! Ran all this way with the hope this pain would Now release Finally cease What is this freedom if I haven't Haven't peace Haven't peace? Serpent you lied and told me to run I haven't found repose for I still am undone This isn't life! This can't be it! I've run so far away yet None of the pieces will fit I couldn't see I should have known This peace abounds at my master's home Now my heart be still or these feet will fall All for the will of the master's call The morning bright all darkness gone And not afraid Shown the true light against the dawn My debt has now been paid I was lost to save For I'm the master's slave For I was lost to save No looking back I'm running Running with all my might No looking back I'm running Running to the true light I saw these chains fall to my feet I stand amazed at this work complete These chains not Yours, they were my own "Now run no more My son, come home"

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026

Step out to the water and you'll see what I believe Come out to the water and you'll see of whom I sing For the seas are raging and the ocean grows I see your arms are flailing as your panic shows Look beyond the waves to the One who saves Still this storm is waging with its fiercest blows For your knees are shaking at your darkest woes Look beyond the waves to the One who saves So just as You have given grace to me I'm pleading Father that their eyes will see The clearest vision of Your love shown on Calvary For redemption's story's in my heart may be seen through me For the seas were raging as the ocean rose These very bones are aching and my voice it grows “Call out to God! Call out to God!” The only hope is found in Him “Cry out to God!” Look to the One who calms the seas His very words cause the storm to seize I'm calling out, I'm crying out So as You've given grace to me Please Father give them eyes to see Your blood, our sins. It did atone Without You Lord I'm a sinking stone I see your body sinking slow And yet you still fight on your own How long you'll last I still don't know Don't you know you're not alone Step out to the water and you'll see He won't deceive Come out to the water and you'll see what trust can bring Cry out to God! For the seas are raging and the ocean grows I see your arms are flailing as your panic shows Look beyond the waves to the One who saves So just as You have given grace to me I'm pleading Father that their eyes will see The clearest vision of Your love shown on Calvary For redemption's story's in my heart may be seen through me The clearest vision of Your love shown on Calvary For redemption's story's in my heart may be seen through me Step out to the water those with faith can receive Come out to the water and you'll see the risen King Step out to the water those with faith can receive Come out to the water and you'll see the risen King

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026

"Doctor! Doctor! Check all the vitals This tragedy struck is done and it's final Don't you, don't you know it's been said? You can be alive while already dead" Once laid in darkness with no plan devised The slightest glimpse of light would burn my eyes I feel the life His wounds impart Oh how much grace You've afforded to me! Of a burden lifted from my heart How many graces been given and free? My chains fell off, my heart was free Arose went forth and followed Thee I was a slave to sin with wrists bound by steel It was an open wound from which I could not heal So dull I couldn't feel; Your fangs had caught my heel Those lies they did conceal; the truth my God reveals Hell is an open grave, my sin was pushing me in Helpless you heard my cries You are the hand to save, dove in You're pulling me out Rescued from my demise I feel the life His wounds impart Oh how much grace You've afforded to me! Of a burden lifted from my heart How many graces been given and free? My chains fell off, my heart was free Arose went forth and followed Thee I was a slave to sin with wrists bound by steel It was an open wound from which I could not heal So dull I couldn't feel; Your fangs had caught my heel Those lies they did conceal; the truth my God reveals Long had my soul been prison bound Awaiting till the death march sounds My chains fell off, my heart was free Arose went forth and followed Thee I feel the life His wounds impart No longer prisoned I'll lay I feel the Savior in my heart Nothing will take that away Nothing will take that away Nothing will take that away Nothing will take that away Nothing will take that away Take that away I bow before the throne of amnesty My sins are washed away, how can it be? You rule with grace and love to show mercy To show mercy To show mercy Oh how much grace You've afforded to me! How much grace You've afforded to me! How much grace You've afforded to me! How much grace You've afforded to me, yeah! What?

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026

These eyes have seen the joys yet suffered Mind and body Though still I'll sing "How Great Thou Art" Calm my heart And give me Still peace Within my very soul These eyes have seen the joys yet suffered Mind and body Though still I'll sing "How Great Thou Art" When strength turns To crippled I've learned to silence the world and listen Blood staining Your footprints For surely You went before this son Through all the chaos And noise I've learned I've learned to silence The world and listen Still I'm singing of How Great You Are For surely You went before this son When safeguards Turn captors The haven never been seen so clearly My constant Delivers All the surety that He hears me How can I Repay You Lord for This all-forgiving love? For it's the sight of Christ upon the tree That surely Will always still And humble me Guard my heart And give me peace Within my soul Within my soul How can I Repay You Lord For this bounty of love? This bounty of love? How can I Repay You Lord How can I Repay You Lord You will not abandon me When this body sees decay Grace and peace has made a home In this heart that it will stay It will stay You will not abandon me When this body sees decay Grace and peace has made a home In this heart that it will stay It will stay You will not abandon me It will stay When this body sees decay It will stay Grace and peace has made a home It will stay In this heart that it will stay For when my safeguards turn to captors For when my safeguards turn to captors It will stay For when my safeguards turn to captors For when my safeguards turn to captors Whoa-o-o-o

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026

I've seen the road and it's snares I bore the load though it wears I've heard your curses and taunts and still it won't stop me I've heard your curses and slights and yet it won't stop me Slept through the coldest of nights and still it won't stop me From ever calling You "king" Or hide the Gospel we bring It's burning bright in my eyes Come grow, come grow and light up the skies We're hungry, tired, and sick Faced with resistance on every end (in You we hide) I've felt the scorn you inflict Attack this mission I will defend Still onward we will ride We will ride Onward we will ride Forward with no end in sight In You we shall hide Our hope is found in the light Tonight I rest, I rest in peace Your will is greater than mine And I haven't a thirst for wealth or man's empty praise For the glory is Thine And I haven't a want of fame in this world to claim at all We will ride We will face the world We will ride We will face the world We're dirty, restless, and sore But count it joy to be found worthy (against this test) Endless assaults to endure Upon our bodies with no worry For one day I'll have rest I've seen the road and it's snares I bore the load though it wears I've heard your curses and taunts and yet it won't stop me And yet it won't stop me Tonight I rest, I rest in peace Your will is greater than mine And I haven't a thirst for wealth or man's empty praise For the glory is Thine And I haven't a want of fame in this world to claim When the vile take aim on my flesh I'll call Your name I've seen the road and it won't stop me With Your strength bestowed upon me freely And Your grace has flowed in us completely Now let us cut through the night so that in me they would see light I've seen the road and it won't stop me No end in sight as far as I see And I'll bear the weight of the victim Onward we ride till kingdom come I've seen the road and it won't stop me No end in sight as far as I see

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026

Blistered feet, bloodied alone Walked the streets a man unknown Battered face as He adorns A mocker's robe, a crown of thorns A tree designed for His demise Cursed, maligned by guilty cries The nails and hammer they did meet Two in the hands, one in the feet Risen up, put on display For a guilty mob to scream and say "Crucify! Crucify!" The people yelled to crucify "He must die! He must die!" Without a fight He did comply I do not know the pain you felt Or lowly service as You knelt Down before such lowly men You served (and washed their feet) Who is this man they sent to die? Many still could not reply Betrayed and sold by His very own (with a kiss) He met the needs of thousands fed Healed the sick and raised the dead "My God! My God!" The man did say "Have you forsaken me this day?" Bleeding, dying; words were few "Forgive them Lord for what they do" Gasping breath they heard Him say "It is finished!" Laid below the ground You knew it couldn't hold You They thought that You were bound by nature's laws He is risen! He is risen! For the veil that was torn in two and the darkness that would ensue A symbol alas that the debt was finally paid When the stone was rolled away, He was no longer where He lay Surely our King had risen from the dead On and on and on we're singing Singing out for all to hear us This is not a simple story Our lives are for Your glory Beyond my words and written pages Your song across the ages

Submitted by johnmansley — Feb 21, 2026