Song : Starts with Me
Artist: TobyMac
Album: The Elements
Writer: Aaron Cole, Dave Lubben, Toby McKeehan, Cole Walowac
One day
This nation will rise up
Rise up
There’s a million reasons to hesitate
With a history that’s filled with hate
Have we ever been united states?
I wonder (oh, oh, oh)
So who can blame us for the doubt
Forgive me if I think out loud
But we’re just as just won’t come around
I wonder (oh, oh, oh)
I was born with two, dirty hands
Something my daddy didn’t understand
Something his daddy didn’t understand
So it starts with me
I was raised with distrust, in my heart
Momma told me we’re in worlds apart
Her momma told her don’t even bother
So it starts with me
‘Cause we can be free, yeah I know that
Let’s try to fix the things that’s been broke down
‘Cause we can be free, yeah I know that
And it starts with me
‘Cause we can be free, yeah I know that
Let’s try to fix the things that’s been broke down
‘Cause we can be free, yeah I know that
And it starts with me
With a heavy road in front of us
And a system that has lost our trust
Can we ever find the strength to rise from ashes?
And looking at the heart of it
The healing nearly can’t begin
Without confession and forgiveness and compassion
I was born with two, dirty hands
Something my daddy didn’t understand
Something his daddy didn’t understand
So it starts with me
I was raised with distrust, in my heart
Momma told me we’re in worlds apart
Her momma told her don’t even bother
So it starts with me
‘Cause we can be free, yeah I know that
Let’s try to fix the things that’s been broke down
‘Cause we can be free, yeah I know that
And it starts with me
‘Cause we can be free, yeah I know that
Let’s try to fix the things that’s been broke down
‘Cause we can be free, yeah I know that
And it starts with me
One day (One day, one day, one day, one day)
This nation will rise up (Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up)
Rise up (Rise up, rise up)
Can you feel it in your heart tonight?
Love is gonna move the needle
I can feel it in my heart tonight
Oh yeah
Can you feel it in your heart tonight?
Love is gonna move the needle
I can feel it in my heart tonight
Oh yeah
Can you feel it in your heart tonight?
Love is gonna move the needle
I can feel it in my heart tonight
(I can feel it in my heart tonight)
I need you, you need me
One more step, almost free (Almost free, almost free)
Say I need you and you need me
Father give us eyes to see
‘Cause we can be free, yeah I know that
Let’s try to fix the things that’s been broke down
We can be free, yeah I know that
And it starts with me
‘Cause we can be free, yeah I know that
Let’s try to fix the things that’s been broke down
We can be free, yeah I know that
And it starts with me
This language that I speak
This dream on you and me
But one choice from together
It starts with me
This language that I speak
This dream on you and me
But one choice from together
It starts with me
Now is the time
Starts With Me Song Meaning
The song faces inherited prejudice, division, and distrust, then shifts responsibility from waiting for others to choosing personal repentance and change.
Biblical Message
Matthew 7:3–5 calls people to examine themselves before correcting others. Ephesians 2:14 says Christ breaks dividing walls, and Micah 6:8 calls for justice, mercy, and humility.
Reflection
Large reconciliation begins with honest personal work: examining bias, listening, repenting, and changing how we treat people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What starts with me?
Responsibility for repentance, reconciliation, and just action.
Can one person repair national division?
Not alone, but personal change contributes to wider change.
What does biblical reconciliation require?
Truth, repentance, forgiveness, justice, and restored relationships.