This week’s featured song story comes to us from MercyMe. We’re excited to share the amazing story with you behind their latest single “Dear Younger Me.” MercyMe front man, Bart Millard, mentioned this track in particular, as being the most personally meaningful to him on their latest album “Welcome To The New” as it’s framed like a letter to his younger self. “I was physically abused as a kid and I’ve had a chance to play this song for people who’ve been through similar things. This is the one song I hope brings a lot of healing to people.” Wrestling with how to encourage and bolster his younger self, Millard lands on this refrain: You are holy, You are righteous, You are one of the redeemed. Set apart, A brand new heart, You are free indeed.
Click on the video interview below to hear Bart share the full story and meaning behind this powerful track, and scroll down to listen and read the full lyrics of the song.
From the album Welcome To The New.
Click HERE to preview the record & get your copy now!
“Dear Younger Me” Lyrics
Dear younger me / Where do I start? / If I could tell you everything that I have learned so far
Then you could be / One step ahead / Of all the painful memories still running thru my head
I wonder how many different things would be / Dear younger me
Dear younger me / I cannot decide / Do I give some speech about how to get the most out of your life Or do I go deep / And try to change / The choices that you’ll make ‘cause they’re choices that made me
Even though I love this crazy life / Sometimes I wish it was a smoother ride / Dear younger me
If I knew then what I know now / Condemnation would’ve had no power
My joy my pain would’ve never been my worth
If I knew then what I know now / Would’ve not been hard to figure out
What I would’ve changed if I had heard
Dear younger me / It’s not your fault / You were never meant carry this beyond the cross
Dear younger me
You are holy / You are righteous / You are one of the redeemed
Set apart / A brand new heart / You are free indeed
Every mountain every valley / Thru each heartache you will see
Every moment brings you closer / To who you were meant to be
Dear younger me
I’ve loved this song for a while and wanted to look it up. I was so moved coming to this site and hearing the story behind it. There are so many people who still struggle with the aftermath of abuse or neglect. I’m so glad you are an overcomer and thank you for your wonderful music!
This song I listen to every time I get frustrated at things that start to come back from the past. Being abused every day from 18 to 20 by an ex boyfriend, those things don’t just go away. But I’m happily married now with 3 kids and having a daughter of my own, I am encouraged by this song with her and my boys they will never have anything like that happen as long as i am alive. Thanks mercy me. You are greatly appreciated