Much of the music on his debut album 'Least of These' comes out of Arthur's… Read Full Bio ↴Much of the music on his debut album 'Least of These' comes out of Arthur's experiences as an urban missionary in the Greater Toronto area where he lives with his wife and 3 sons. It features some pretty amazing Canadian talent including Fergus Marsh (Bruce Cockburn/Peter Murphy/Steve Bell), Tony Lind (Hewit), and Juno nominated producer Douglas Romanow. Arthur has been nominated for 4 Covenant Awards and is currently working on his second album.

Hold Me Close
Arthur Wachnik Lyrics

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Have you forsaken me,
In my hour of need?
Are You gone?
Or have You been here all along?
Speak to me... When I call Your Name
Cause my enemy encircles me...
Like a lion stalks his prey

O hold me close, don't ever let me go...
when I feel like I'm falling
O hold me close, You've got to let me know...
That You're near when I'm calling

If You never change
And Your words remain the same...
forever the same
Then I need You now
Before my time runs out
Come on rescue me from this misery

Let me not be put to shame
Oh-o-oh Oh-o-oh Oh-o-oh Oh-o-oh
Oh-o-oh Oh-o-oh Oh-o-oh Oh-o-oh
Come on rescue me
Come on Set me free
Will You save me from
my Enemy?
From the Serpents tongue

From the the violent one
From the wretch that I've become

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Arthur Wachnik's song "Hold Me Close" reflect a sense of abandonment and isolation felt by the singer. He seems to be reaching out to God, questioning His presence in his moment of need. The lyrics begin with a rhetorical question, "Have you forsaken me, in my hour of need?" and seek an answer, suggesting that the singer might be feeling abandoned by God. But at the same time, he also believes that God may have been there all along, which is why he implores God to "speak" to him when he calls His name.

Throughout the song, the singer describes feeling trapped and threatened by "enemies" who surround him like predators. The image of a "lion stalking his prey" is particularly potent, suggesting that the singer feels hunted by powers beyond his control. The repetition of the words "hold me close" reinforces the singer's sense of vulnerability and his need for comfort and protection. This expresses that despite feeling threatened, the singer finds hope in the idea that God is near and might offer him protection and comfort from his despair.

"O hold me close, don't ever let me go..." is an earnest and heartfelt plea for help, encapsulating the singer's struggle to hold on to hope amidst so much pain and fear. The song ends with a fervent petition, imploring God to come and rescue him from his misery and asking to be saved from his enemies.

Line by Line Meaning

Have you forsaken me,
Do you no longer support me?

In my hour of need?
When I most require your assistance?

Are You gone?
Have you completely disappeared?

Or have You been here all along?
Have you been present in a way I couldn't discern?

Speak to me... When I call Your Name
Respond to me when I cry out to You

Cause my enemy encircles me...
Because those who oppose me surround me

Like a lion stalks his prey
Like a predator hunts its quarry

O hold me close, don't ever let me go...
Hold me tightly to your chest so I don't escape

when I feel like I'm falling
When I'm unsure or in danger

O hold me close, You've got to let me know...
Inform me that you're nearby

That You're near when I'm calling
That you're reachable when I summon you