Most of us will never know
How dark this world can seem
When life becomes more nightmare than a dream
So to all of you who have survived
A visit to the edge
I trust that you will understand this pledge

I promise I will always leave
The darkness for the light
I swear by all that's holy
I will not give up the fight
I'll drink down death like water
Before I ever come again
To that dark place where I might make
The choice for life to end

I've found that as I travelled
Through the inscape of my land
That mountaintops make valleys in between
And when that nameless sadness
Like a cloud comes over me
I look back on all the brightness I have seen

I promise I will always leave
The darkness for the light
I swear by all that's holy
I will not give up the fight
I'll drink down death like water
Before I ever come again
To that dark place where I might make
The choice for life to end
I realize that though my world
Might seem so torn apart
Most often it is joy that breaks the heart
And that I am the richest man
Though I must beg for bread
For the very One who might condemn
Has called me friend instead

I promise I will always leave
The darkness for the light
I swear by all that's holy
I will not give up the fight
I'll drink down death like water
Before I ever come again
To that dark place where I might make
The choice for life to end

I will always leave the darkness for the light
I will not give up the fight