Deny Me

[Verse 1]
Dust on their feet from the long road walking
Bread on the table
Quiet hearts talking
Candles burning low like the time they had
Storm in the air
Though the night seemed calm
He looked at Peter with a steady kindness
Spoke of a rooster and the coming silence
“Before the dawn breaks
You will say my name
Swear you don’t know me”
Peter said
“No way”
[Chorus]
Deny me
And still I love you
Turn away
I’ll turn to you
When the rooster cries and the night feels cruel
Always be open to the Spirit’s move
Do not deny the truth
Do not deny the truth
[Verse 2]
Fire in the courtyard
Shadows on the stone
Fear in his chest like a grinding stone
“Weren’t you with Him?” three voices pressed
Each time he answered
“I’m not His friend”
Then came the crowing
Sharp against the dark
Tears on his face as it cut his heart
He saw the mercy in remembered eyes
Love that had named
Every fear
Every lie
[Chorus]
Deny me
And still I love you
Turn away
I’ll turn to you
When the rooster cries and the night feels cruel
Always be open to the Spirit’s move
Do not deny the truth
Do not deny the truth
[Bridge]
When your courage cracks
And your faith feels small (oh-oh)
There’s a hand held out
In the worst of it all
Listen in the quiet
Where the whisper proves
You can fall three times
And still walk in truth
[Chorus]
Deny me
And still I love you
Turn away
I’ll turn to you (I’m right here)
When the rooster cries and the night feels cruel
Always be open to the Spirit’s move
Do not deny the truth
Do not deny the truth (yeah)
Do not deny the truth

Warm acoustic gospel-pop, male vocals with subtle choir harmonies on choruses. Fingerpicked guitar and gentle piano under the verses; drums and organ bloom in the hook. Energy rises from intimate storytelling to a lifted, congregational sing-along by the final chorus, with ad-libbed call-and-response fills.