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Hope Where It Lies

by Justin Cross

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Cory Simon
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Cory Simon Beautiful. Justin illustrates the struggle of pursuing our holy, loving, and merciful God while seeking to overcome our own imperfections and temptations. Many of his songs, and "May I Struggle" in particular, show the difficulties and joys of this lifelong pursuit with an earnestness and complexity that I find is missing from much of today's music. Grateful for your gift, Justin! Favorite track: May I Struggle.
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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of To The Light, The Rock and the Roll, I Need a Change, Live at The Bottling Plant, Living Roots, Dying Leaves (Single), Hope Where It Lies, Another Winter, Drink The Water, and 2 more. , and , .

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1.
Light In The Lowlands On the day that my joy was born Sorrow arrived like some long lost kin And he whispered to me of the places he'd been And I wanted to see them as well So I left my joy to itself I know of the stain set In each beating heart And the strong taste for blood On each tongue Well the choices we make Are what set us apart If I can live when I'm dead Then I'll die while I'm young Ay do ay di ay do dai do di ay do And the high country, it called me home And this ghost of a pilgrim all beaten and tossed Saw light in the lowlands while I was still lost Now there's no more running away I'll get to my country someday Yes and I won't stand To leave hope where it lies Like some unworn shoes by the door So when hope becomes walking And faith becomes sight I may wear those shoes out But I'll never need more Ay do ay di ay do dai do di ay do Oh joy, still far away Like sorrow, her whispers are leading me home Through her I have learned that my life is on loan I'm only borrowing time And joy is all that is mine I know there's a death marked For every man's birth Always closer than it was before But I'll gladly be freed From the chains of this earth If there's dancing in Heaven I'll be first to the floor Ay do ay di ay do dai do di ay do
2.
Blood & Water Been squandering my family heirlooms Living in a cheap motel room Breathing in the dusty air And wondering what brought me here Bruised my wrist on a splintered cross Tried my hand at casting lots Took the spear, everyone watched Blood and water's what I got I've been living a lie, I've been living a lie, been living a lie I wanna make it alright, wanna make it alright Wanna make it alright Taking up a choke-chain gospel Hoping that the yoke won't cost you Buying sips up from the well I've learned grace is not for sale I've been living a lie, I've been living a lie, been living a lie I wanna make it alright, wanna make it alright Wanna make it alright I won't give it up, give it up Give it up, give it up now (x4) I've been living a lie, I've been living a lie, been living a lie I wanna make it alright, wanna make it alright Wanna make it alright I've been living a lie, I've been living a lie, been living a lie I wanna make it alright, wanna sleep at night Wanna make it alright I won't give it up, give it up Give it up, give it up now
3.
What It Is (What It Ain't) Drop a bomb Kill some people Make them fear us Win the war Launch a new star in the heavens Shows us who we're searching for Once we find them Drop a new bomb Rinse, repeat, and start again Toss the regime Raise a new one And it's never gonna end Yet with all our wars and fighting All that I can say is this There is no "what it could have been" There's only what it is Build a tower Build it stronger Make it reach up to the sky 'Till God or car-bomb brings it fallin' And then makes you figure why Sabotage the streetside cameras They will steal away your soul Don't be last one in the bread line Or you'll only get a roll Of the tragic and controlled All that I can say is this There is no "what it should have been" There's only what it is Build yourself a new religion But don't build it to make sense Brings you comfort when you're dying Leaves you trapped up in the fence Build yourself a new religion But don't build it to stand strong Treat your duty like a vermin That the holy live among Seeing all your haughty showmanship All I can say is this There is no "what it looks like" Love, there's only what it is It's the next financial crisis Or the next life changing song There will always be a new next When the next has come and gone Yeah, the your future's in the sandbox And the rain is gonna run What you build, so sure to tumble, Someone else will build up on But before you cite your copyright All I will say is this There is no "what it's gonna be" There's only what it is
4.
Amelia 04:17
Amelia Late night, driving on the interstate honey And the hotel's coming into view I've been thinking 'bout you all night Girl, I've been thinking 'bout you all night Closed up, listening to the cars as they're Rolling down the road and we're running through your yard It's only in my mind and I can't sleep Busy reaching for the things that I can't keep I can only pray that you can hear me say Amelia, Amelia You are my only way home Why you gotta leave me on my own 'Cause I don't feel as close to heaven when you're gone When you're gone Late night, smoke-ring from a cigarette That's stuck inside the mouth of a woman at the bar She likes it but its killing her inside The both of us are only trying to hide What has control Tossed up, listening to the band sing A number of their own, but I don't think I relate 'Casue I would give up anything in sight If I could only be with you tonight I can only pray that you will hear me say Amelia, Amelia You are my only way home Why you gotta leave me on my own 'Cause I don't feel as close to heaven When you're gone Oh, let me come home to you one day If only for a while, I need to see you smile when you see my face Oh, baby, your ghost is growing old And I really need someone to hold Amelia, Amelia You are my only home Why you gotta leave me on my own 'Cause I don't feel as close to heaven When you're gone
5.
May I Struggle There's a spirit o'er the deep And it wants my soul to keep With a whisper in my ear Beckoning me ever near Beckoning me ever near I have struggled with that voice Now for most of my grown life But I never entered in Because I bought into the lie "Surely you'll not die." I have wrestled with the snake I have struggled with the fruit I have fumbled with my fig leaves As you call me through the dew Lord, may I struggle after you I have lusted far too long For other lovers in the dark I have bound myself in full I have given them my heart I have given them my heart You're that candle in the window Like the lighthouse on the shore Like the shepherd leaves the flock To usher one back through the door One back through the door You have turned ear to my prayers Though I break your heart in two Bearing all my selfish begging What else would I have you do? Lord, may I struggle after you I have taken of the wine I have taken of the bread I have taken of your flesh and blood With the Devil in my bed The Devil In my bed I'm the son too far from home You're the father fair and true And you love although I fail As good fathers always do Lord, may I struggle after you
6.
The Wine & Jubilee O, now I have walked down this road before And I know that I'm looking, but not what I'm looking for If my mother calls, please tell her that I'm doing fine And that I won't be coming home 'till I've seen what's down the line O, I've been walking I've been walking I've found nothing here or there that's right for me But I'll keep searching I'll keep searching 'Till I find it and it finally sets me free Now many a friend have I come to know But I've never met a soul that can save my own O, I drank from the well and I sang that Jubilee And when that water turned to wine, Lord, it caught a hold of me O, I've been drinking I've been drinking I've been drinking all my problems away I've been drinking And I've been thinking Don't know which of them will send me to my grave I have talked all these words before But I keep on talking, I don't know what for O, and when ol' death finally holds me in his keep May my mouth keep up it's moving so to keep him from his sleep O, I'll keep talking I'll keep talking Even when it's time for me to settle down I'll keep talking Keep on talking Though I'm talking you may never hear a sound I have heard the preachers speaking all about the precious Lord How the bride that he desired, he will soon be coming for Preacher, when you pray at night, would you pray he waits for me I've been known to miss my train 'cause I had somewhere else to be O, I've been praying I've been praying But I don't know that it's reaching way up there But I'll keep praying I'll keep praying 'Till the savior comes to meet me in the air
7.
Simple Hands 06:08
Simple Hands I am drifting, I was listening Now I'm tired The weight of a heart Gets heavier with time I'm a good son Though the work seems uninspired Simple hands break even most their lives Hold the horses, stow the guns Put up those knives No one here is showing out tonight We were young once Stubborn fools We took our stands Now we're old and left to simple hands Heaven knows I'm trying to hold on to All the things I should throw to the wind But there is no point in trying to outlast And curse this broken state I'm in It's so hard not to hate these simple hands From the road, a humble home In winter cold Looks just like it's one with all the snow Bridal white in fading light And sunset sky Someone else will live here when I die You fight with all you have and find The credits roll before the story ends You play that song the best you can But you are still two beats behind the band It's so hard trying to build with simple hands All the things built up in dreams We've made ourselves Survive in pictures placed upon the shelves Hopeful smiles, frozen in time And clothed in dust When all our lives were still ahead of us Heaven knows I'm trying to hold on to All the things I should throw to the wind But there is no point in trying to outlast And curse this broken state I'm in It's so hard trying to live with simple hands
8.
Spring 05:08
Spring I am going to see my mother soon On the banks of Jordan I face the promised land With flowers in my hand I was born from summer into fall Through the winter cold I wait for spring to come To bloom my frozen soul I believe in resurrection from this grave I’m believing that the stone can roll away I am just a child at mind and heart But by now this child Has touched the fire enough To know that it can hurt I am but a broken messed up thing Full of hate and pride Yet possibility And to this hope I cling I believe in resurrection from this grave I’m believing that the stone can roll away I am going to see my mother soon I'll give her those flowers And a kiss thats overdue And spring will come to bloom But one day we all return to dust And when that winter comes And bury her I must In this I will trust I believe in resurrection from this grave I’m believing that the stone can roll away
9.
Born of Woman & Man I am drifting to sleep as the air burns in my lungs Born of woman and man, I am bold, I am young I've sharpened my teeth on the bones of my enemies Seeing their death as our only remedy Mother forgive me For all that I have ignored Please hold me still in this deepening sleep As I wait for my Lord I am youngest of three and the only living son Born of flesh and of earth into trials no man has won And I honed my ways to obtain my every desire I trained my tongue to deceive and run like a fire Sisters forgive me For tearing this three strung chord Please hold me close as I'm drifting to sleep While I wait for my Lord Warm sun, her hand in mine and those eyes no tear should know Cold lies and colder my dreams for she left me long ago And I like the waves have run this ship to the deep Not to be found with all it's secrets in keep Lover forgive me For you were the one left at shore Hold no more anger, just sing me to sleep As I wait for my Lord I am drifting to sleep and that time is soon to come I fear memory will keep all the things that I have done Fully aware I have failed more than I have achieved Here now am I placed before the heart I have grieved Father forgive me And should I be restored I pray my soul you will take and will keep as I come to join you Lord I pray my soul you will take and will keep As I come to join you Lord
10.
Going Home 03:46
Going Home When I was a young boy I'd drive out to the city and Lose my way until the dawn Oh, how free I felt There was room left on my belt Oh how good it felt to be young Walking, talking, drinking Living, lying, and never thinking Always led me to only feeling low When low is all you have It just serves to make you mad So I wound up my living and let it go Young men are always getting older Old men are always inching closer And time is the last friend That we see before we go home Lately all this living's taking all that I can give it Leaving little for my broken hands to hold Just the devil and his deals And they're nipping at my heels Oh how strange it feels getting old Young men are always getting older Old men are always inching closer And time is the last friend That we see before we go home Life will let out quickly For the well and for the sickly 'Cause the best of us are Merely skin and bone But when moth and rust destroy We look forward to coming joys When death in his long reign Is overthrown Young men are always getting older Old men are always inching closer And love is the first friend That we'll see when we get home
11.
Everything Goes Away If I am just a mockingbird What song could I sing that You have not heard And if I am just a blowing wind Where could I go that You have not been There's nothing new under the sun And no man good, not even one If I am made of dust and earth I've been a dead man since my birth I've felts the pangs for Spring to come To rise up with the warming sun But even if it came today It just as soon would pass away All the good there is in me Please hide it in your memory Beautiful wild and true That's how I'll remember you Nothing found in time can stay Everything just goes away What hope is there for me to cling So closely creeping is death's sting As surely as the morning dew Please tell me I can trust in you Nothing found in time can stay Everything just goes away War and death, tears and pain All these things will go away
12.
But Not Yet 05:32
But Not Yet Oh my God You won't let this lost son be You've been aiming down the crosshairs And fixing them on me And I can only hope the shot rings true I've been harboring a hardened heart Who's only hope is you Now what then is there left to hold Between the payoff and the debt He is here and He shall come Already, but not yet Love and peace It seems have all but gone Like justice in the system Or meaning to the song And I confess, most times they aren't in me But truth lives on despite it all The word and the decree So now, unsure, I hope in truth Just a gambler and his bet He is here and He shall come Already, but not yet I still feel the moment That death and I first met I took the fruit down from the tree And ate of my regret But a man bore all my burden He took up all the blame Yeah, I strung up my atonement Left Him naked and ashamed No more let sin and sorrow grow Nor pain and time beset Just let these words be what I sing Already, but not yet Now these presidents and rulers All these once-and-then-gone kings Well, they speak in golden tongues And spit out empty offerings But lately I've heard rumors going around That there's a King returning soon Who's head deserves the crown One day that trumpet blast will sound To sing of His descent He is here, and He shall reign Already, but not yet He is here, and He shall reign Already, but not yet This my hope and this my claim Already, but not yet

credits

released June 30, 2015

Produced by Corey Scogin & Justin Cross

Engineered by Corey Scogin except:
Tracks 3, 4, 9 engineered by Bud Brown at Higher Ground Studios; track 8 engineered by Jordan Holsombeck at Little Man Studio.

Mixed by Corey Scogin

Mastered by Jason Hamric

All songs © 2015 Justin Cross Music


The Players:

Justin Cross- Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano, Programming

Brent Kendrick- Drums, Percussion

Luke Sides- Piano, Organ

Adam Pruitt- Bass Guitar

Jacob Johnsey- Bass Guitar

Joel Madison Blount- Electric Guitar

Wilder Adkins- Dulcimer, Percussion

Jillian Bridges- Violin

Amy Cross- Harmonies

Nicole McLean- Harmonies

Sarah Holsombeck- Harmonies


Art Design: Perry Brown and Justin Cross

Artist Photograph: Amy Cross


This album would not have been possible without the invaluable support of these contributing producers:
Ethan Craig, Gary Jones, Brett Livesay, John and Vikki Borella, Dottie Farrar, Juanita Farrar, Peggy Lindsay, Tina Craig, Jeff Tenner, Joel Cross, Magdalena Gomulska, Micah Hymer, Joy Johnsey


Thank you in no particular order to everyone who made this album possible, from the friends and fans who supported it financially, to the musicians who lent their irreplaceable talents to these songs. To my amazing wife, Amy, thank you for choosing to love me and live your life with me. I love you more than forever. To my son, you may not know this now, but you were an inspiration to me even before you were born. I love you buddy. To my family, I couldn't ask for a more supportive and loving group of people with whom to share my life and my blood. To Andy Byers and Joel Busby, your words helped me find my words and shape the thoughts behind these songs. Thanks guys. Finally and most importantly, thank you God for another breath to breathe and another song to sing. You give me hope in a world where hope seems lost.

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