7x70
7x70 was the last song I wrote for this album. We were 2 days away from tracking when Ed Cash told me he felt I still needed a personal song for my record. Unaware of my family background, he asked me to go home that night and write about what hurt me as I was growing up. I wrote the first verse of 7x70 later that evening.
After playing my idea for him the following morning, he looked over to me with tears in his eyes and said, "this song has to be on your record and it has to be about forgiveness." This was the last thing I wanted to hear and have to go through while making my album, but nonetheless it was something that needed to happen.
The following few days consisted of us being surrounded by the Holy Spirit like I've never felt before. This was, without a doubt, the most personal song I had ever taken on and it required a mind set on prayer.
I come from a broken home. Better yet, a broken family. Parents screaming at each other and frustrations were commonly taken out on my brother, my sister and me. As the lyrics started to come to mind, so did all the memories of my past that I hadn't thought about in years. Some lines bringing smiles and some bringing another set of pains that I needed to forgive.
Jesus was asked how many times we should forgive our brother. His answer was seventy times seven. God has called us to forgive. It's one of the most difficult things I've had to do, but it was also one of the most freeing things. With forgiveness comes healing. Satan uses the bitterness that we build up in our hearts. For years I told myself that what happened when I was younger didn't affect me. It wasn't until Ed Cash made me relive those memories and told me I need to forgive them. I encourage you to do the same.
Lyrics:
I've been living in this house here
Since the day that I was born
These walls have seen me happy
But most of all they've seen me torn
They have heard the screaming matches
That made a family fall apart
They've had a front row seat for the breaking of my heart
Seven times seventy times
I'll do what it takes to make it right
I thought the pain was here to stay
But forgiveness made a way
Seven times seventy times
There's healing in the air tonight
I'm reaching up to pull it down
Gonna wrap it all around
I remember running down the hallway playing hide and seek
I didn't know that I was searching for someone to notice me
I felt alone and undiscovered
And old enough to understand
Just when I'm supposed to be learning to love
You let me down again
I lost count of the ways you let me down
But no matter how many times you weren't around
I'm alright now…cause
God picked up my heart and helped me through
And shined light on the one thing left to do
And that's forgive you, I forgive you
Seven times seventy times if that’s the cost I'll pay the price
Words & Music by:
Chris August
Ed Cash
This song spoke volumes to me when I first heard it. I, too, come from a broken home where my parents were constantly fighting, my dad was off and on in jail, and abuse was rampant. However, God delivered me from this situation and allowed me to be raised in a healthy home where I am still able to see my parents. I am happy to say that I have indeed forgiven them both and that I have no bitterness toward any one of them. I pray that God blesses them everyday of their lives. God has been faithful in my life and I know He will be faithful in theirs as well. God bless you, Chris, as you continue to follow God's plan for your life. Your music has always been an inspiration to me in my personal life and walk with Christ. I will always be a fan.
You have no Idea how perfect this fits in my life. I've grown up in a broken family as well and well it's been hard because I'm only 15 and it's hard to watch my parents say bad things about each other,it's hard to think about how many things that happened that could have been prevented if only they were on the same page, it's hard to forgive... and sometimes its hard not to think part of it was my fault... but like the song says i'm alright now God helped me through! I don't know if you'll see this but if you do, thank you so much!
I figured out the chords. Enjoy!
Capo 5
Verse:
C2 G
Em D
C2 G
Em D
C2 G
Em D
C2 G
Em D
chorus:
G C2
Seven times seventy times
Em D
I'll do what it takes to make it right
G C2
I thought the pain was here to stay
Em D
But forgiveness made a way
G C2
Seven times seventy times
Em D
There's healing in the air tonight
G C2
I'm reaching up to pull it down
Em D G
Gonna wrap it all around
Yes I have looked everywhere for the guitar chords for this song and cannot find them. Can you help? You are an amazing artist and singer! God is using you in amazing ways!!
on that note i just want to say i love this song and i was wondering if there is anyway i could get the piano music for this so i can play it in my church thank you for your time and god bless
I just heard you on Pandora and immediately googled the song. This is outstanding. One the best songs I've heard in a while. I just blogged it cause I had to share and tell everyone. I feel like I could have written this about my own experience. Thank you SO much for being vulnerable and obedient to the Holy Spirit and doing this song; I know it will be a tool of healing for many. I'm going to share it with my family...there are more than a few of us who need to hear it. God bless you Chris!!
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This song is so good, is there any way that i can get the chords for it on guitar, I'd love to do this song at my church.