[Chorus]

Darkness is exposed when it comes near the light (the light)

I’m down on the road, and I’m losing my light

Someone, please save me

Someone, please atone and trade places with me

[Verse 1]

I’m cramped and cold in this holding cell

It’s damp, covered with mold, the atrocious smell

Of death circulates the room

The horrid place, for I face my doom

Before a taste of my tomb

Anticipating pain, and I couldn’t be more sure

I’m ‘bout to endure the worst form of torture

The thought made me nauseous

Anything else, just not this

Oh, what I would do to stop this

Surrounded by accomplices filled with enormity

And prisoners in torment due to physical deformity

Internally, I feel morbidly identical

Mentally, insanity is climbin’ toward the pinnacle

The room was more obscure, just a loose description

Not a gruesome fiction, but a true depiction

Affliction of life’s most cruel eviction

Soon to be consumed by my crucifixion

[Chorus]

Darkness is exposed when it comes near the light (the light)

I’m down on the road, and I’m losing my light

Someone, please save me

Someone please atone and trade places with me

[Verse 2]

Nothing could sedate me to escape the reality

Another blind date of waitin’ his fate up at calvary

Waitin’ on the outcome

Searchin’ for excuses, useless, ‘cause I’m without one

Guilty of larceny, murder, and deception

High treason for leadin’ a rebellious insurrection

It was the Passover

And a legal waiver was instituted to release a prisoner to seek the people’s favor

The odds are slim, but the thought lingers

Maybe they’ll choose me as I cross my fingers

Then my hopes plummeted; I’m dumber than dirt

To think they would want one of the worst scum of the earth

My release would be hazardous

Plus, I was up against this Jesus of Nazareth who’s just bein’ blasphemous

Death had to be decreed for me, the savage

Then I heard the crowd yell out, “Free Barabbas!”

[Chorus]

I need a substitute

I need a substitute

Someone to atone for me and take my place

I need a substitute

[Verse 3]

How could this be? (How could this be?)

I broke a thousand laws

Walkin’ out the cell, greeted by a loud applause (I’m so guilty)

I saw Greeks and Jews

What made the people choose?

Couldn’t speak or move

Tryin’ to reach for clues

Reveal light [?]

If this is what freedom feels like

Then why doesn’t something inside me feel right?

I look to the right then the left, saw a sword

To the back of Jesus, bein’ led to be scourged

In the midst of the crowd, as He crossed my path

He looked calm as the masters mocked and laughed

Harassed and torn, then spat upon, assaulted, and made to take it

Appalled, all I saw was unadulterated hatred

Battered, beaten, and bloodied

What a crooked demise that should’ve been mine

Suddenly, He looked in my eyes

Smiled instead with innocence, love, and truth

He’s not just a Jew, but my substitute

[Outro]

Darkness is exposed when it comes near the light

When it comes near the light

One man’s life substituting for mine