Reckless Love – English Lyrics

• By: Cory Asbury
• Album: Reckless Love

Lyrics & Translation

“Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury offers a profound and accessible entry point into understanding the English language, particularly within the context of emotional and spiritual expression. Its clear, repetitive chorus and poignant verses make it excellent for grasping core vocabulary related to love, pursuit, and redemption. Listeners can learn how powerful metaphors are used in songwriting to convey deep theological concepts, and how direct, heartfelt language can create a universally resonant message. This song stands out for its unique lyrical approach to a central tenet of faith, making it both a linguistic and a moving spiritual lesson.

[English]

Before I spoke a word, you were singing over me

...

You have been so, so good to me

Before I took a breath, you breathe your life in me

You have been so, so good to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine

I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, you give yourself away

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

...

...

When I was your foe, still your love fought for me

You have been so, so good to me

...

When I felt no worth, you paid it all for me

You have been so, so kind to me

And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine

I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, you give yourself away

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

...

There's no shadow you won't light up

Mountain you won't climb up

Coming after me

There's no wall you won't kick down

Lie you won't tear down

Coming after me

There's no shadow you won't light up

Mountain you won't climb up

Coming after me

There's no wall you won't kick down

Lie you won't tear down

Coming after me

There's no shadow you won't light up

Mountain you won't climb up

Coming after me

There's no wall you won't kick down

Lie you won't tear down

Coming after me

There's no shadow you won't light up

Mountain you won't climb up

Coming after me

There's no wall you won't kick down

Lie you won't tear down

Coming after me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine

I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, you give Yourself away

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
sing /sɪŋ/ A1	verb - to make musical sounds with your voice
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - of high quality; suitable; pleasant
breathe /briːð/ A2	verb - to take air into the lungs and let it out
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a strong feeling of affection verb - to feel deep affection for someone
chase /tʃeɪs/ B1	verb - to run after someone or something in order to catch them
fight /faɪt/ A2	verb - to take part in a physical struggle or battle noun - a physical struggle or battle
earn /ɜːrn/ B1	verb - to receive money as payment for work that you do
deserve /dɪˈzɜːrv/ B1	verb - to merit or be worthy of something
foe /foʊ/ B2	noun - an enemy or opponent
worth /wɜːrθ/ B1	noun - the value of something
kind /kaɪnd/ A2	adjective - gentle, friendly, and generous
shadow /ˈʃædoʊ/ B1	noun - a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface
light /laɪt/ A1	verb - to give light to something noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.
mountain /ˈmaʊntən/ A2	noun - a large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level
climb /klaɪm/ A2	verb - to go up or ascend
wall /wɔːl/ A1	noun - a long, solid structure, usually of stone or brick, built to enclose or protect an area
kick /kɪk/ A2	verb - to strike someone or something with the foot
lie /laɪ/ A2	noun - an intentionally false statement verb - to tell a lie or untruth.
tear /ter/ B1	verb - to pull or rip something apart or to pieces with force.
reckless /ˈrekləs/ B2	adjective - heedless of danger or the consequences of one's actions; rash or impetuous.
overwhelming /ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/ C1	adjective - very great or intense
found /faʊnd/ A2	verb - past tense of find - to discover or perceive

Key Grammar Structures

• Before I spoke a word, you were singing over me

  ➔ Past Continuous (were singing) in a time clause with 'before'

  ➔ The past continuous "were singing" describes an action in progress at a specific time in the past, specifically *before* the speaker spoke a word. It indicates a continuous action happening prior to another past action.

• You have been so, so good to me

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous (have been) + Adjective

  ➔ The present perfect continuous "have been" indicates an action or state that started in the past and continues up to the present. It emphasizes the duration and ongoing nature of being good.

• Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine

  ➔ Third-person singular present tense verbs in a sequence (chases, fights, leaves), ellipsis ('til)

  ➔ A series of simple present tense verbs describe the actions of love, each highlighting a different aspect of its pursuit. "'til" is a contraction (ellipsis) of "until".

• I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, you give yourself away

  ➔ Conditional sentences (Type 3 - implied) with contrast ('still')

  ➔ The use of "couldn't" and "don't" suggests an unreal condition in the past and present. Even though the speaker could not earn or does not deserve the love, it is still given freely. "Still" emphasizes the contrast.

• When I was your foe, still your love fought for me

  ➔ Past Simple (was, fought) in a time clause ('when') with contrast ('still')

  ➔ The past simple describes completed actions. "When" introduces a time clause setting the context for the main clause. "Still" shows contrast – despite being an enemy, love persevered.

• There's no shadow you won't light up

  ➔ Double Negative (no...won't) for Emphasis

  ➔ While grammatically a double negative can sometimes be confusing, in this context, it's used for emphasis. Saying "There's no shadow you won't light up" is a powerful way of saying that God will illuminate every single shadow; there are absolutely no exceptions.