Well, I was lost inside confusion and a nightmare of a dream
I did not know which God to turn to, or if it were up to me
Until some simple words were spoken that I gratefully received
And just one prayer sprang up within me, and I started whispering
I need Jesus, oh, I need Jesus

But soon I found that sweet salvation just uncovered all my need
That sin and me, like blood and ink, were all mixed up inseparably
And that it’s not my deeds or branches, but the roots of my whole tree
That are so rotten, full of hatred, that for me to merely breath
I need Jesus, oh, I need Jesus

See, I had thought one day more holy or mature that I would be
That I’d lead others on to righteousness and teach the blind to see
Instead, I’ve found each day I'm frightened just how evil I can be
And now I feel the most at home with all the perverts and unclean 'cause
I need Jesus, oh, I need Jesus

I keep on looking for some reason I should raise my self-esteem
'Cause all my gifts and all my efforts sure must add up to something
But then again, again, with tears of joy, I'm brought down to my knees
Here at the foot of him who died for me I'm stripped of everything, and
I need Jesus, oh, I need Jesus

Now I say: Glory! Hallelujah! I'm so glad to be redeemed!
To be so desperate for Jesus and so gloriously weak
I do not ever want to stray from the Community of Need
O may I never leave dependence or forsake my Food and Drink, 'cause
I need Jesus, oh, I need Jesus