Story Behind The Song

A friend returned from ministering to orphans living in the sewers of Romania and he challenged us to look at those who persecute us for our faith as spiritual orphans who need our love. Another friend told me a story about a preacher who when asked why he didn't fight back at those who where trying to stop what he was doing, responded, "If a blind man stepped on my foot, could I hold it against him?" The moral of the story is that people do evil things because they are spiritually blind and don't know how to do otherwise. Jesus drives home the point with his words while dying unjustly on a cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34)." I wrote this song to help me remember this truth and to have more patience with some co-workers who were really ticking me off.

Song Description

If Christians would look at non-believers as spiritually blind and orphaned, we would have more compassion for them. Follow the example of Jesus forgiving from the cross.

Lyrics

Land of Orphans
Words and Music by Daniel Nowowiejski
Inspired by Joe Whitemore and Michael Downs

Verse 1
I am a blind man, but I don’t choose to be this way.
I hold a cane in my hand. My night consumes the light of day.
If I stumble, if I fall, if I step on your toes;
Please forgive me; after all, where you stood I did not know.

Chorus
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
But it was so clear, with willing hands they were killing you.
Just like the blind man, in their hearts they could not see.
Would my lips release such words if those nails had been in me?

Verse 2
I am an orphan; but I don’t choose to be this way.
My eyes barely open, this cradle will become my grave.
If my legs refuse to run, if my lips refuse to smile;
Please forgive me; I’ve never known what it’s like to be a child.

Chorus 2
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
But it was so clear, with willing hands they were killing you.
Just like the orphan, their hearts had become numb.
Would my lips release such words after all that they had done?

Verse 3
I am a Christian; yes I choose to be this way.
I live to please Him, God’s holy Word mine to obey.
I’ve been slandered, I’ve been scorned, I’ve been slapped in the face. It’s not easy to forgive someone I would love to hate.

Chorus 3
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
But it was so clear, with willing hands they were killing you.
In this land of orphans the weak aren’t always small.
Father, help me speak those words to the children of the Fall.

©2003 Daniel Nowowiejski