Why?
Nichole Nordeman Lyrics

We rode into town the other day,
The singer and her father were on a journey together.

just me and my daddy.
The singer's father was the only one accompanying her.

he said I'd finally reached that age,
The singer's father acknowledged that the singer was old enough to join him on a horse.

and I could ride next to him on a horse
The artist was given permission to ride a horse beside her father.

that of course, was not quite as wild.
The horse was tame and safe for the artist to ride.

We heard a crowd of people shouting,
The singer and her father encountered a commotion in town.

and so we stopped to find out why.
The singer and her father paused to discover the cause of the disturbance.

There was that man that my dad said he loved,
The artist saw a man whom her father cherished.

but today there was fear in his eyes.
The man appeared frightened, which was unusual.

So I said, “Daddy, why are they screaming?
The artist asked her father the reason for the noise.

Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
The singer noticed that some of the people looked happy, which was strange.

Why is He dressed in that bright purple robe?
The artist inquired about the man's clothing.

I bet that crown hurts Him more than He shows.
The singer speculated that the man's crown was causing him pain.

Daddy please, can't you do something?
The singer implored her father to intervene.

He looks as though He's gonna cry.
The singer observed that the man might cry.

You said He was stronger than all of those guys;
The artist reminded her father of his previous assertion about the man's strength.

Daddy, please tell me why.
The artist pleaded with her father to explain the situation.

Why does everyone want Him to die?
The singer questioned why people desired the man's death.

Later that day, the sky grew cloudy,
Later in the day, the weather changed and became overcast.

and Daddy said I should go inside.
The artist's father instructed her to go indoors.

Somehow he knew things would get stormy.
The artist's father had foresight that the situation would become chaotic.

Boy was he right, but I could not keep from wondering
The father's prediction was accurate, and the artist continued to think about what was happening outside.

if there was something he had to hide.
The singer entertained the idea that her father may have been concealing information from her.

So after he left, I had to find out.
Once her father departed, the artist sought answers herself.

I was not afraid of getting lost.
The singer was not intimidated by the possibility of becoming disoriented.

So I followed the crowds to a hill
The singer trailed the group of people to a nearby hill.

where I knew men had been killed,
The singer was aware that executions had occurred there before.

and I heard a voice come from the cross.
The artist heard a sound emanating from a crucifixion site.

And it said, “Father, why are they screaming?
The artist listened as a man on the cross cried out to his father.

Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
The man on the cross noticed that certain individuals appeared joyous.

Why are they casting their lots for my robe?
The man observed people gambling for his clothing.

This crown of thorns hurts me more than it shows.
The man divulged that the crown of thorns was causing him immense discomfort.

Father please, can't you do something?
The man on the cross begged for his father's assistance.

I know that You must hear my cry.
The man trusted that his words reached his father.

I thought I could handle a cross of this size.
The man admitted that he overestimated his capacity to handle his situation.

Father, remind me why.
The man requested that his father remind him of the purpose of his sacrifice.

Why does everyone want me to die?
The man questioned why death was the desired outcome for him.

My precious son, I hear them screaming.
The man's father responded to his cries.

I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming.
The man's father observed the countenance of the adversary.

But soon I will clothe you in robes of my own.
The man's father promised to honor him with a garment of his own making.

Jesus, this hurts me much more than you know,
The man's father divulged that the situation caused him great pain.

but this dark hour, I must do nothing,
The man's father recognized the necessity of allowing this tragedy to occur.

though I've heard your unbearable cry.
The man's father heard his anguished pleas.

The power in your blood destroys all of the lies;
The man's father understood that his son's sacrifice would be redemptive.

soon you'll see past their unmerciful eyes.
The man's father promised that his son would gain insight and wisdom.

Look, there below, see the child
The man's father indicated a young girl and her father.

trembling by her father's side.
The young girl appeared frightened and sought comfort from her father.

Now I can tell you why...
The man's father was finally able to reveal the purpose behind his son's sacrifice.

she is why you must die.
The young girl was the reason for the man's sacrifice.