[Intro] [soft fingerpicked acoustic guitar] [sparse piano notes] [intimate room sound] [Verse 1] The Bible holds the mind of God And the state and ways of man It tells you where salvation leads And where the sinner stands Its doctrines holy, histories true Its judgments still remain Read it if you would be wise, friend Believe it and be saved [Refrain] [gentle piano enters] Read it slowly Read it well Read it when you hear that midnight bell Let it fill your memory Let it rule your heart Let it guide your feet When the road gets dark [Verse 2] [acoustic pulse begins building] It’s the traveler’s map tonight Where the highway leaves the town It’s the pilgrim leaning on his staff While the rain keeps coming down It’s the pilot’s ready compass When the stars refuse to shine And the soldier reaching for his sword At the edge of closing time It’s the Christian with his charter And a candle burning low Here the gates of heaven stand wide open And the gates of hell disclosed Every road a man can travel Every gate that he walks through Every voice that calls him onward Makes him choose what he calls true [Refrain] [drums enter softly] [bass begins moving] Read it slowly Read it well Read it when you hear that midnight bell Read it when the road runs straight Read it when it bends Read it when you’re surrounded By enemies and friends [Verse 3] [piano becomes more prominent] There’s light enough to lead you home There’s bread enough for you to live There’s comfort for the weary soul strength every page gives There’s water for the thirsty man There’s shelter from the cold There’s truth enough to keep you straight When every lie gets sold It’s a mine of wealth beneath your feet No king could ever buy It’s a river running deep and wide Beneath a changing sky There’s a paradise of glory For the ones with eyes to see There’s a truth that won’t surrender To what the world believes [Chorus] [full band opens up] [passionate vocal] Christ is its grand and mighty theme Our good, its great design The glory of Almighty God Is written through each line He’s there before the morning breaks He’s there when kingdoms fall He’s there when every book is closed And silence covers all [Instrumental] [repeating piano figure] [acoustic guitar strumming] [atmospheric electric guitar] [steady organic drums] [Bridge] [vocal drops close and intimate again] Read it when you’re young Read it when you’re old Read it when the summer burns Read it when the night turns cold Read it when your pockets fill Read it when they’re bare Read it when the whole world says There’s nobody listening there [Build] [repeat with increasing intensity] Read it when you’re young Read it when you’re old Read it when the summer burns Read it when the night turns cold [Breakdown] [drums disappear] [voice + acoustic guitar] [piano single notes] The Bible is the old broadsword Two-edged and heaven-made But when the darkness gets up close I carry Gideon’s switchblade No silver handle, no polished steel Blood upon the blade The words of Christ in red, friend And a debt already paid [Final Build] [drums return] [piano driving eighth-note pattern] [bass rises] [vocal increasingly impassioned] The Bible holds the mind of God And the state and ways of man The Bible holds the mind of God And the state and ways of man The Bible holds the mind of God And the state and ways of man [Final Chorus / Peak] [Outro] [instruments gradually fall away] [piano + acoustic guitar] [weathered vocal] The Bible holds the mind of God And the state and ways of man The Bible holds the mind of God And the state and ways of man The Bible holds the mind of God… [fade out]
