“Abandoned,” the new single from Benjamin William Hastings, isn’t what it seems on the surface. While the revered lyricist could have easily crafted a song about the nature of God and how He will never abandon His children, longtime fans of the Irish singer know his words always plumb the depths of a much deeper well.
RELATED CONTENT: Air1 Premiere "Abandoned feat. Brandon Lake" Benjamin William Hastings
Reunited with “Gratitude” co-writer and former tourmate Brandon Lake, Hastings’ latest offering speaks of the incomprehensible act of Jesus’ death on the cross — the kind of extravagant sacrifice that makes absolutely no sense, yet beckons us to abandon our very lives to Him at all costs.
“At first listen, this song may come across like it’s about our abandon, and sure, it is, but to me it’s really more about His. He who not only chose the cross but had ‘angels at His fingertips’ and chose to remain. Every second, deciding again not to give up but to persevere. To repeatedly pursue surrender, even at the hour of greatest agony,” Hastings explains of the heart behind the emotive track. “I can’t think of a more inspiring sentiment than this, and I guess that brings me back to why it may sound like a song about our abandon; maybe that’s the only way to respond to His.”
RELATED CONTENT: Songs of Ascent: The Benjamin William Hastings Story
Making its radio debut exclusively on Air1, “Abandoned” was written by Hastings, Lake, Cody Carnes and Chris Davenport and recorded while Hastings and Lake were on tour together last year. While a studio version is also available, it’s the live recording with Lake that really captures the depth and beauty conveyed throughout the building ballad that calls for a bold, liberating movement of surrender.
Fans can experience the wonder and power of “Abandoned” firsthand this spring as Hastings joins Phil Wickham on the “I Believe 2024 Tour."
