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Lyrics, Credits & Story Behind the Song
LYRICS
You Are Not God
© 2025 Sandy O, Pat Humphries
Moving Forward Music BMI
emmasrevolution.com
You didn't like the words she said
How gently she reminded you
That leaders should be merciful
That people's lives are beautiful
You didn't like the truths she told
That immigrants are human too
Refugees need safety, trans kids are sacred
Love shines like a rainbow
You are not God
Let me remind you
You are one among all
No less and no greater
You are not God
And you won't use me
To justify the misery
And hatred you sow
You told that I spared you
To bring you to this moment
A moment you decided
Allows you to take everything
And give nothing
You do not know me
My spirit or my teachings
But now you know I spared you
To be seated before her words
Her words have traveled far now
The quiet as she spoke them
Her vision bringing comfort
Her courage bringing hope
Her steadfastness a beacon
Even as you threaten
Resilience is awakened
In millions more
CREDITS
Inspired by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde. Thank you for your courage and compassion, Bishop Budde!
Much love and thanks to Jodi Beder, David Rokeach, Sven Abow & Daryn Roven for their love and artistry on this project.
Pat Humphries voice, baritone guitar
Sandy O voice, guitar
Jodi Beder cello
David Rokeach drums
Cello recorded by Sven Abow @ Surejamz Studios
Mixed by Daryn Roven @ The Raindrop
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Sandy O
Like so many Americans, I was shocked, devastated and demoralized by the outcome of the 2024 Election. The threat of all that was coming loomed every day and the inauguration brought its own shock, from the cared of tech billionaires at center stage to the Nazi salutes from a particular one of them.
But the day after the inauguration was different.
There she was, a slight woman in ceremonial robes, standing amidst a sea of white and red flowers in the National Cathedral's high pulpit. She looked directly at the man who sat in a front pew and courageously and compassionately pleaded for mercy for all who were--and still are--in his crosshairs. Without ever raising her voice, she preached truth to power and gave many of us our first inklings of hope and inspiration in these times.
The lyrics and tone of this song reflect the words of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's stunning sermon that day and the reverberations her words had around the country and the world in the days and weeks since.
The song also contains some suprising twists that are my own.
I'm not a religious person and I never expected to write a song in the voice of God but that's how the first lines came singing out of me. And, while I don't imagine having a chance to find out, I hope God would say she didn't mind.