Nothing's ever changed, you still turn away
You've washed your hands, you've made that all too clear
You just keep on living this lie

You refuse to see, you're denying me
The cross I bear but you don't seem to care
Even Judas knew he had lied

I keep wondering why
I'm still calling your name through my tears

Why have you waited to embrace me my dear?
Cold is your silence, denying what is real
I'm still wondering why
I'm still calling your name my dear

I'm sorry if you can't stand the naked truth
All you see is how you want it to be
So you keep on living your life

Release me from this cross after all these years
Oh call my name and help me with this weight
Even though it comes far too late

I keep wondering why
I'm still calling your name through my tears

Why have you waited to embrace me my dear
Cold is your silence, denying what is real
I'm still wondering why I'm still calling your name
And I wonder, oh I wonder

In my heart I still hope you will open the door
You can purify it all, answer my call

Why? Why?

Why have you waited to embrace me my dear?
Cold is your silence, denying what is real
I'm still wondering why I'm still calling your name
And I wonder, oh I wonder

In my heart I still hope you will open the door
You can purify it all, answer my call



Lyrics submitted by P30

Track duration: 04:52

"The Cross" as written by Robert Westerholt, Sharon J. Den Adel, Martinus J. E. Martijn Spierenburg

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


The Cross song meanings
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44 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I have two theories:

    1 - Though I haven't read The Scarlet Letter in a while, I think this would be Hester Prynne's theme song, with the cross being the scarlet letter. Other reasons how this would work: the reverend not admitting to having an affair with her, leaving her alone, betrayed, and suffering in front of everyone. Or not even specific to The Scarlet Letter, I can imagine this is about a similar scenario.

    2 - But then, the "open door" reference was used by Jesus, and the next two lines make sense if this was truly from His perspective. However, I don't think this is religious or about Christ, God, or Christianity at all. I believe someone was betrayed and the person betrayed was publicly suffering and crying out for betrayer to admit to their crime.
    Flag katbraton December 17, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Come on there is not religious stuff in this song.

    The cross is a methaphore of a life too hard for a girl
    Juda is the best know traito - that is it.

    This song is about a Dad and a Girl.
    The dad left home while she was still a baby to live another life.

    Despite her hate she can't help to call his name (dad) my dear (my dad)

    She wants him to come back - because life is too hard for a little girl alone

    "Oh call my name and help me with this weight
    Even though it comes far too late"


    Flag tomsainton June 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:I think the fact that Judas and a Cross is mentioned is not quite solidly identifying this song as "religious". However, I often see glimpses of religious themes and ideas throughout Within Temptation's work, so I always believe that there is something of a Catholic/Christian background behind these lyrics (though that is an assumption that may or may not be true). I look at this song from two angles:

    1: She is in love with someone who ignored her suffering and turned ((his)) back on her when she needed ((him)) the most.

    2: The "narrator" of the lyric is actually Jesus Himself. This one's a tiny bit of a stretch, but when I was reading the song I caught on to a lot of emotions I would think Jesus would feel. I mean, he DID say "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Pilot "washed his hands" of Jesus's blood, and God poured his wrath down on Jesus at the cross. And "seeing how you want it to be" could be in reference to the Pharisees but I'm not sure on that point.

    All in all those are the two ways I decided to analyze this song. Any comments? Any agree/disagree? I'd love to hear some other opinions on these specific ideas (though it seems the first it pretty mainstream).
    Flag ShadowsRainDownon March 25, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:My interpretation, think lyrics is what Jesus was thinking while he was wearing the cross, and when he was crucified.
    In his last moment he had doubt that His Father has abandoned Him
    Flag loonyseoon January 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:My interpretation, think lyrics is what Jesus was thinking while he was wearing the cross, and when he was crucified.
    In his last moment he had doubt that His Father has abandoned Him
    Flag loonyseoon January 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:My interpretation, think lyrics is what Jesus was thinking while he was wearing the cross, and when he was crucified.
    In his last moment he had doubt that His Father has abandoned Him
    Flag loonyseoon January 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:My interpretation, think lyrics is what Jesus was thinking while he was wearing the cross, and when he was crucified.
    In his last moment he had doubt that His Father has abandoned Him
    Flag loonyseoon January 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I so totally agree with Invictus312 and rock_hawk! I’m so glad someone finally said that! When you read the lyrics it does sound as if it is written out of God’s perspective.

    “You just keep on living this lie

    You refuse to see I'm in agony
    The cross I bear
    But you don't seem to care
    Even Judas knew he had lied”

    I feel that this piece talks about God’s ( Jesus’) crucifixion. Some people knows about it and they do believe that He has died for our sins, yet they kind of ignore it. We keep on living the lie and pretend that it never happened. “Cold is your silence, denying what is real” We deny the truth and now it’s like God asking why are you denying me… “Call my name and help me with this weight” He wants us to call out to him and surrender. To accept him as our God and to acknowledge the pain He went through for us..

    “Even Judas knew he had lied”
    Judas was one of Jesus' 12 disciples, His closest companions during His earthly ministry.
    Judas disclosed Jesus' location to the chief priests who wanted to kill Him. Judas led soldiers to Christ in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. He then later killed himself because he realized what he had done and started to feel guilty. So in this text… if a man, like Judas, who could go that far to even betray Jesus for a little cash, see his mistake. Why can’t we??
    Flag 1KM1on July 17, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I too think it is a religious song. It sounds to me like it is sung from God's point of view, calling out to non-believers, forever calling them back to Him. To help take the weight of the cross (sin) from Christ's shoulders. It is a plea for the prodigal sons and daughters to return to Him. He keeps asking why they are waiting to embrace Him, though He calls their names over and over. He sheds tears of sorrow as they continue to deny Him even as He stands there in front of them.
    I am an agnostic, so I can't help but feel this song is being sung directly to me. It's just such a beautiful song I can't help but be moved by it. Definitely one of the best songs off of a stellar album.
    Flag rock_hawkon July 10, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:This is clearly about betrayal and why God does not answer her
    Flag MinisterOfWinteron May 28, 2010   Link

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