Lyrics Page
Calvary
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Sep 29, 2026 updated
Try Me Again album
Verified editorial review
Song Meaning
Kim Burrell doesn't let the crucifixion stay comfortably in the past tense — 'each time I sin, I know I've crucified my Lord again' makes an old event into something the singer keeps personally re-enacting, a much harder claim than simply thanking Jesus for a finished, historical sacrifice. 'If I'm lost, I have only myself to blame' refuses the easier move of treating sin as something that just happens rather than something chosen.
'He died to save a wretch undone like me' echoes 1 Timothy 1:15's confession that 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief' — not a general statement about humanity's need, but a specific, first-person admission. The final verse borrows the old hymn 'Love Lifted Me' almost word for word — 'I was sinking deep in sin... but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters He lifted me, now safe am I' — pulling on Psalm 40:2's image of being brought up 'out of a horrible pit... out of the miry clay' and set on solid rock, letting one borrowed hymn answer the guilt the rest of the song has been sitting with.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
Since the world began there has been God
Many things and thoughts have changed
About the dying of our Lord
Oh, the pain that He went through for you and me
On a hill called Calvary
On Calvary my Jesus died
He died for you and for me
He died to save a wretch undone like me
Oh like me
On Calvary Jesus died
He died for you and for me
He died to save a wretch undone like me
Oh, like me
Each time I sin
I know I've crucified my Lord again
No, I've crucified Him again
If I'm lost, I have only myself to blame
Only myself to blame
It was Calvary where they crucified my Lord
Yes, it was Calvary where He purchased my salvation
It was Calvary, Calvary where my Jesus died just for me
It was Calvary where they crucified my Lord
Yes, it was Calvary where He purchased my salvation
It was Calvary, Calvary where my Jesus died
He laid there never said a [?] word
It was Calvary where He saved a wretch undone just like me
He didn't have to do it but He did
It was Calvary where He hung, bled and died just for me
For me, for me, for me, yes, He did it for me
I was sinking deep in sin far from a peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry
From the waters He lifted me now safe am I
Oh, when He died He did it for me
When He laid his life down He did it for me
For me, I thank you, Lord, You did it for me