Down by the road to Jericho
A blind man begged each day,
And Bartimaeus was his name —
He could not see the way.
He heard a crowd come drawing near.
"Now who is this?" he cried.
"It's Jesus, come from Nazareth!"
And hope rose up inside.
"Jesus, Son of David,
Have mercy, Lord, on me!
Jesus, Son of David,
Have mercy, Lord, on me!"
The people said, "Now hold your peace!
Be quiet, hush, be still!"
But all the more he raised his voice
And cried out louder still.
"Jesus, Son of David,
Have mercy, Lord, on me!
Jesus, Son of David,
Have mercy, Lord, on me!"
Then Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."
"Take heart! Rise up! He calls!"
He threw his old cloak to the ground
And came at Jesus' call.
"What would you have Me do for you?"
"Rabboni — let me see!"
"Then go; your faith has made you well."
And now his eyes could see!
Once I was blind, but now I see!
(Now I see! Now I see!)
He called me out and set me free!
(Set me free!)
I dropped my cloak, I ran, I found
The Lord who turned my dark around —
Once I was blind, but now I see!
I could not see, but I could tell
The One who passed my way —
My eyes were dark, my heart could see
The Light, the Truth, the Way.
And now I walk the road He walks,
I follow where He'll lead;
For once I too was lost and blind,
But grace has made me see.
Once I was blind, but now I see!
(Now I see! Now I see!)
He called me out and set me free!
(Set me free!)
I dropped my cloak, I ran, I found
The Lord who turned my dark around —
Once I was blind, but now I see!
(Now I see… now I see…)
He opened up my eyes to grace —
I looked, and I beheld His face!
Once I was blind, but now I see!