Held
Natalie Grant Lyrics
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They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling
Who told us we'd be rescued?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held
This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held
If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held
The song "Held" by Natalie Grant is a powerful exploration of grief, pain, and the role of faith in the face of tragedy. The opening lyrics cut straight to the heart of the matter, conveying the intense pain and confusion of a mother who has lost her child. The lines "Two months is too little / They let him go / They had no sudden healing" speak to the frustration and heartbreak that can come with loss, as well as the sense of unfairness that often accompanies it.
The chorus of the song serves as a powerful response to this pain, offering the idea that being held and loved is a way to survive, to find strength in the midst of heartbreak. The imagery of the "sacred being torn from your life" is a visceral representation of the intense pain of loss, while the idea of being "held" and "loved" offers a glimmer of hope and comfort.
The second verse of the song is particularly powerful, as it delves into the complex emotions that can arise in the aftermath of trauma. The lines "This hand is bitterness / We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow" convey the impulse toward anger and hatred that can arise when we are confronted with tragedy. But the image of the wise hand opening to "lilies of the valley and tomorrow" offers a counterpoint, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is hope and the possibility of renewal.
Overall, "Held" is a deeply moving song that speaks to the complexities of grief and the importance of holding on to hope and faith in the midst of tragedy.
Line by Line Meaning
Two months is too little
Two months is an extremely short time to grieve the loss of a loved one
They let him go
The child has passed away and left this world
They had no sudden healing
The mother did not receive a sudden healing to help cope with the pain of losing her child
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling
The idea that a mother could lose her child while praying is cruel and unimaginable
Who told us we'd be rescued?
Who made us believe that we would be saved from life's hardships?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
What has caused this change in our lives and why do we think we deserve to be saved from our nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
We are questioning why these tragedies happen to us
To us who have died to live?
To those of us who have sacrificed so much to make a better life for ourselves.
It's unfair
It is unjust and unfair.
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
The feeling when something or someone you cherish is taken away, but you still manage to survive with the love and support of others
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held
To feel the warmth of love and know that when everything falls apart, you will have someone to hold onto.
This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow
Sometimes we want to embrace bitterness and let hatred take over our lives to numb our sorrow. However, we eventually learn to gradually open up our hands to the beauty of life and have hope for tomorrow.
If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?
If hope comes from the hardships we face and this is only the start of our journey, can we not wait and have faith in a higher power to guide us?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTA NICHOLE WELLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Becky Ayers
Even though we lost our daughter last week at age 26, this song kills me. Being a woman and a mother, it doesn't matter what age your child is when they pass, it hurts so deeply. Listening to this song is almost cathartic for me because it makes me cry and get out all the hurt and emptiness I feel. :'(
Jonathan Hyde
So sad! Praying for you!
Rob Ennis
I'm so sorry for your loss. I understand totally my mom lost a son at 41 and it doesn't matter how old your child is it is still heartbreaking and crushes you and only God can help you through the loss.
mary l diaz
no matter how old your child is when they leave this earth you never will get over it but knowing they went to a better place gives me comfort but the tears never end.
Bob King
Becky, I know it had been 7 years since you lost your daughter, but it still is a deep pain. I lost my sister to suicide (she was 50) 8 years ago, and it still hurts me and my mom. Thanks for posting. Am reading walking thru fire by Vanessa risner as I try to work thru this. Scott.(posting as Bob)
Arabellaswrlds
@Savannah Williams sorry for your lost Terry
Southern Charm
To those that want this song explained: hurt and suffering comes and that is when we are held by God. "This is what it means to be held and to know that the promise was when everything fell we've been held. ". Some people believe God is only good if everything is going well but that is not the promise He gives
VLouise Rollins
@emtbrat21 I'm sorry for your lose. God is not finished with You .God has a plan and purpose for all of our lives. We need to Trust Him God makes all things right in time
Diane Farina
Thanks for explaining
Much appreciated
Amy Chan
@Sabi Mateo MARISOL 💋 🙏 🌹 🍫 👼 😇