The Three-time Grammy award winning Christian artist explained that the song, an instrumental, came to him after he saw what was going on in Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February.
Smith said in a statement – “After watching the news and the devastation in Ukraine, like most of the world I was in tears. Over the next few days this melody just kept coming back to me and just spoke a message that no words could convey.”
The song was recorded with Smith on piano along with the Nashville Recording Orchestra, which was led by his friend, David Hamilton. Some of the proceeds from “Cry of Hope” will be shared to Ukraine aid through Samaritan’s Purse.
The song was released in two versions: one with the orchestra and one with just the piano and violin.
In a recent interview with The Christian Post, Smith said of the effort –
“The supplies that they’re sending over are just enormous. This need is going to be great for a very, very long time. Can you just imagine just your family and all your memories, and you’re forced to leave everything you’ve known your whole life, and you’re sleeping on a cot at some refugee camp overnight?”
Smith noted that the single was given to Ukrainian troops on the ground of the war-torn country.
He said – “I’m grateful that music is a healer.”