i stand on the stairway my back to the dungeon the doorway to freedom so close to my hand and voices behind me still bitterly damn me for seeking salvation they don t understand chorus lord help me to shoulder the burden of freedom and give me the courage to be what i can and when i am wounded by those who condemn me lord help me forgive them they don t understand their lonely frustration descending to laughter erases the footprints i leave in the sand but i m free to travel where no one can follow in search of the kingdom they don t understand chorus lord help me to shoulder the burden of freedom and give me the courage to be what i can and when i have wounded the last one who loved me lord help her forgive me i don t understand