The Fish Had to Let Him

Lyrics

Written by Carl Hicks Jr. / SESAC

[Chorus – Full Choir, Tight Unison]
The fish had to let him go
The fish had to let him go
Jonah cried unto the Lord
From the darkness down below

Three days waiting
Three nights low
But when God spoke the word
The fish had to let him go

The fish had to let him go
The fish had to let him go
You can run from the calling
But you cannot outrun God

[Bridge – Warm Stacked Harmonies]
He went the wrong way
God sent the wind

He hid in the ship
God found him again

Down in the water
Down in the deep

Mercy kept Jonah
When Jonah couldn't keep himself

Mercy in the deep
Mercy in the deep
God heard his prayer
From the bottom of the sea

[Chorus – Choir Snaps, Unexpected Brass Hits]
The fish had to let him go
The fish had to let him go
When the Lord gave the order
The fish had to let him go

Back to the calling
Back to the road
Back to the people
Who needed the word

The fish had to let him go
The fish had to let him go
God gave him another chance
And sent him back again

[Bridge – Rhythmic Choir Changes]
Run away
God still called him

Hide away
God still found him

Sink down low
God still held him

Cry one prayer
God still heard him

The storm had a purpose
The deep had a plan

God turned a runaway
Into a preaching man

[Repetitive Run – Deep Pocket Groove]
Let him go
Let him go
The fish had to let him go

Let him go
Let him go
At the word of the Lord

Out the deep
Back on land

Out the dark
Back in His hand

Second chance
Second call

God's mercy
Covered it all

Go to Nineveh
Go, go

Speak the warning
Go, go

Tell the people
Go, go

Mercy's waiting
Go, go

[Choir Run – Tight Vocal Changes]
God still called him
Still called him

God still used him
Still used him

God still sent him
Still sent him

Back to the city
Back to the city

He prayed in the deep
He preached in the street

The same God who saved him
Made Nineveh believe

[Outro – Smooth Choir Resolution]
The storm couldn't end him
The deep couldn't hold him

The fish couldn't keep him
When mercy restored him

Jonah came out
With a word in his soul

When the Lord gave the order
The fish had to let him go

The fish had to let him go
The fish had to let him go

[Final Choir Hit]
Let him go!