Teach Me How to Hold It
Iris Clark (by Alex Wilson)
Description
A deeply moving gospel-soul ballad about resilience, gratitude, and finding strength in vulnerability. Iris Clark's powerful vocals navigate themes of loss, hardship, and rediscovering joy. The song builds from quiet introspection to a cathartic release, emphasizing the importance of embracing life's gifts, even amidst pain, and finding solace in faith and community. The call-and-response bridge provides a moment of collective affirmation, leading to a soaring final chorus that celebrates the transformative power of acceptance and praise.
Lyrics
Verse 1 There’s a crack in my kitchen window, lets the morning through, Coffee on the stovetop, gospel on the news. I’ve buried what I loved, I’ve worked through Sundays too, I learned to say “I’m healing” even when it wasn’t true. Pre-Chorus But breath by breath I found a softer truth to tell: Hope ain’t a lightning strike—sometimes it’s just a hand you held. Chorus Everything’s a gift—teach me how to hold it. Even when it’s heavy, show me how to hold it. If it breaks my heart, I’ll bring You every shard, Lay it in Your mercy till it turns into a psalm. Everything’s a gift—teach me how to hold it. Verse 2 There were nights in the hallway, little light, big bills, Singing to a daughter who forgot how quiet feels. I kept a note on the mirror: “Eat, sleep, breathe.” Till the voice I gave to others finally started feeding me. Pre-Chorus And breath by breath that ordinary miracle appears: Joy as a steady river, not the flood of one good year. Chorus Everything’s a gift—teach me how to hold it. Even when it’s heavy, show me how to hold it. If it breaks my heart, I’ll bring You every shard, Lay it in Your mercy till it turns into a psalm. Everything’s a gift—teach me how to hold it. Bridge (Call & Response) Lead: I carried stones like secrets— Choir: Hold it, hold it. Lead: I called my scars my story— Choir: Hold it, hold it. Lead: I’m not what hurt has named me— Choir: Hold it, hold it. Lead: I’m learning how to praise it— Choir: Hold it, hold it. Chorus Everything’s a gift—teach me how to hold it. Even when it’s heavy, show me how to hold it. If it breaks my heart, I’ll bring You every shard, Lay it in Your mercy till it turns into a psalm. Everything’s a gift—teach me how to hold it. Final Chorus / Vamp (Up a whole step) Everything’s a gift—teach me how to hold it. Even when it’s heavy, show me how to hold it. If it breaks my heart, I’ll bring You every part, Lay it in Your mercy till it turns into a psalm. Vamp: I can hold it now—open hands—every midnight breaking red— All: Everything’s a gift—teach me how to hold it. Tag Teach me how to hold it.