Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)

Michael Ball · Other Songs - Michael Ball

I only want to say,

If there is a way,

Take this cup away from me

For I don't want to taste its poison.

Feel it burn me,

I have changed.

I'm not as sure, as when we started.

Then, I was inspired.

Now, I'm sad and tired.

Listen, surely I've exceeded expectations,

Tried for three years, seems like thirty.

Could you ask as much from any other man?

But if I die,

See the saga through and do the things you ask of me,

Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me, nail me to their tree.

I'd want to know, I'd want to know, My God,

I'd want to know, I'd want to know, My God,

Want to see, I'd want to see, My God,

Want to see, I'd want to see, My God,

Why I should die.

Would I be more noticed than I ever was before?

Would the things I've said and done matter any more?

I'd have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord,

Have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord,

Have to see, I'd have to see, my Lord,

Have to see, I'd have to see, my Lord,

If I die what will be my reward?

If I die what will be my reward?

Have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord,

I'd have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord,

Why should I die? Oh why should I die?

Can you show me now that I would not be killed in vain?

Show me just a little of your omnipresent brain.

Show me there's a reason for your wanting me to die.

You're far to keen and where and how, but not so hot on why.

Alright, I'll die!

Just watch me die!

See how I die!

See how I die! Then I was inspired.

Now, I'm sad and tired.

After all, I've tried for three years, seems like ninety.

Why then am I scared to finish what I started,

What you started - I didn't start it.

God, thy will is hard,

But you hold every card.

I will drink your cup of poison.

Nail me to your cross and break me,

Bleed me, beat me,

Kill me.

Take me, now!

Before I change my mind, now,

Before I change my mind!

About Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)

Michael Ball's "Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)" stands as a poignant testament to his mastery of emotional balladry within the English language pop tradition. Recorded during a period where Ball solidified his reputation as a vocalist capable of conveying deep vulnerability, the track exemplifies his ability to blend classical training with contemporary pop sensibilities. The song's narrative focuses on the internal struggle of confession and the weight of unspoken truths, themes that have become central to his discography. As a staple of his live performances and studio recordings, the piece highlights Ball's distinctive vocal tone, characterized by a rich, resonant quality that allows him to navigate the song's dramatic shifts with authority. It reflects the broader genre of romantic ballads that prioritize lyrical intimacy over complex production, serving as a bridge between his earlier work and his later, more mature interpretations of classic songs. The recording remains a significant example of his contribution to the landscape of English-language pop music.