You Have To Be There

Album: Someone to Watch Over Me (2011)
Play Video
  • What is it Lord that you want
    That I am not seeing?
    What in my ignorant prayers
    Am I failing to say?
    Never before have I questioned the truth of your being
    Never once have I dared
    Never until today

    All of a tremble
    I stand on the edge of confusion
    Who is to save me
    If into the darkness I fall?
    Now that I need more than ever my God to be near me
    Do you hear when I call?
    Are you there after all?

    You have to be there, you have to
    My life I have placed in thy keep
    And without you I am drifting on a dark and stormy sea
    You have to be there, you have to
    Without you I'd drown in the deep
    Too far, too far from land
    The waters drag me down

    I reach for your hand

    And when I die will throw open his arms to receive me?
    Who will forgive me and take me and show me his face?
    When I go to my rest, will you watch me and wake me?
    When my time comes at last, will you grant me your grace?
    I am so small on this Earth, I am nothing without you
    Daring to doubt you at all is a knife in my heart
    Little by little I'm losing my way in the shadows
    I am losing my hope and the world falls apart

    You do have to be there, you have to
    My life I have placed in thy keep
    And without you I am drifting on a dark and stormy sea
    You have to be there, you have to
    Without you I'd drown in the deep
    Too far, too far from land
    The waters drag me down
    I reach for your hand

    You have to be there, you have to
    Too far, too far from land
    The waters drag me down
    I reach for your hand

    You have to be there, you have to
    Without you I'd drown in the deep
    Too far, too far from land
    The waters drag me down
    I reach for your hand Writer/s: BENNY GORAN BROR ANDERSSON, BJOERN K. ULVAEUS, HERBERT KRETZMER
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Len from Grand Rapids, MiI would title the song "The Triumph Of Faith." Seems to be about someone who has had a crisis in their life (like Susan had right after she achieved fame) and is beseiged by doubt (because prayer wasn't answered as desired- "do you hear, are You there") but realizes that without God there is no one and nothing but despair (the "Who" statements etc.) But in the midst of doubts "You have to be there" for there is no other so in faith "I reach for Your hand.
  • Chantal from Paris, FranceI'll add that it sounds like a prayer anyway, you don't adresss God if you don't believe in Him.
  • Chantal from Paris, FranceSusan's choice of that song might be surprizing from an avowed catholic but the words also say "I am nothing without you", which she sings with great fervour and passion.
    Someone on Youtube says the orchestra should have applauded Susan Boyle, but they can't do it every time and they could be applauded too.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

90s Metal

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.