The Nails (I Did This For You) [Songwriter Demo]: Christian Pop/CCM Ballad

Christian Pop

Apr 28

Album art for contemporary Christian song "The Nails (I Did This for You) featuring Candace Marshall" by Talena Winters and Candace Marshall.

For the days you’re sure no one really understands your pain.

“The Nails (I Did This For You)” gives honest voice to the feeling that no one truly sees your hurt, then answers it from the heart of Jesus Himself. Written from His perspective, it imagines the cross as the place where every tear, every question, and every blow of the hammer was met with one unflinching truth: I did this for you because I love you—a reminder that He’s walked this road before you, and you never face your pain alone.

This mellow, emotional Christian pop/CCM ballad reflects on Jesus’s sacrifice and nearness in our suffering. Lyric-driven and featuring a female lead on the demo but adaptable for any gender, it’s well suited to artist projects, special music moments, and faith-based media that need an intimate, cross-focused perspective. Great for Easter services.
This demo is a songwriter recording intended to highlight the song’s potential for artists, worship leaders, and producers. Any commercial release would require a new master recording.
The underlying song is available for recording and licensing for:
- Artist releases (albums, EPs, singles)
- Faith-based media, film, and sync opportunities
This is one of the first demo songs I ever had professionally produced (along with my co-writer, Candace).
This was before YouTube existed—eep, I’m that old. Later, after YouTube had been around for a while, I decided to tackle my first video project by making a music video for it.
As much as I still love this song, it was definitely an early effort (for both songwriting and video editing, lol). But I still cry a little sometimes when I listen to it. I hope you enjoy it too.
There comes a time when you’re standing all alone
And no one’s there to hear you
The walls are closing in, and your world just seems to spin around
And you feel like you have nowhere else to go
And no one you can turn to
‘Cause no one else can feel this pain that seems so real
Does anybody out there understand?
I’ve walked this road before you
I’ve experienced your pain
I felt each of your tears as I hung upon a cross in the rain
And with each blow upon the nails
How I wanted you to know
That I love you, I did this for you, ’cause I love you.
People say that there’s a God who cares for you
But you have yet to see him
Could a God of love allow this pain you’re feeling now?
Does anybody up there understand?
I’ve walked this road before you
I’ve experienced your pain
I felt each of your tears as I hung upon a cross in the rain
And with each blow upon the nails
How I wanted you to know
That I love you, I did this for you, ’cause I love you.
All I have I freely gave for you
I’m the only one who’s been where you are
I’ve walked this road before you
I’ve experienced your pain
I felt each of your tears as I hung upon a cross in the rain
And with each blow upon the nails
How I wanted you to know
That I love you, I did this for you
And with each blow upon the nails
How I wanted you to know
That I love you, I did this for you, ‘cause I love you.
Track title: The Nails (I Did This For You)
Album: Fields of Grace – EP
Release date: September 12, 2014
Track type: Songwriter demo
Credits:
Performed by Candace Marshall (formerly Virkamaki).
Words and music by Talena Winters & Candace Marshall. ©2003 My Secret Wish Publishing.
Sound recording ©2003 My Secret Wish Publishing.
Sound recording produced and engineered by Cory Bitner. https://corybitner.com/
Video ©2015 My Secret Wish Publishing.
All footage used under royalty-free license from https://www.Lightstock.com
Licensing:
Available for recording and licensing of the underlying song (music and lyrics).
This demo recording is not available as a master or backing track and may not be reused, licensed, or released as-is.