billie holiday on the radio my sluggish heart is beating seven beats too slow another sad song and another shot of blue cold and unconcerned are anything but new he said love endures all things and it hurts to think he s right if i mark the span of failure is his burden just as light i am spartan close my heart so tight jesus save me from myself tonight limping through the world there s a knowing look or two is it just the cripples here who understand the truth why is love so painful why do we always lose paving pathways for the lost the bitter and recluse he said love endures all things and it hurts to think it s true did it nail him to a cross did it crucify him too i am spartan close my heart so tight jesus save me from myself tonight  the angels are singing over the plains the shepherds are quaking echoing refrains and all of our slogans designed to take away the pain meant nothing to the son of god that night in bethlehem i am spartan close my heart so tight jesus save me from myself tonight