[Intro - Smoky piano, walking upright bass, brushed snare, muted trombone] [Spoken - Warm male baritone, very brief] The lights were out. The choice wasn't. [Verse 1 - Relaxed bluesy swing, intimate storytelling] The clerk had given twenty back that never had been mine, I could've walked right out and blamed it on closing time. At the corner, no one watched me, not a soul was on the street, But my conscience kept a rhythm that my footsteps couldn't beat. I turned around and gave it back; she smiled and shook her head, "You'd be surprised how much that helps," was all the woman said. [Chorus - Rich swinging brass, warm gospel harmonies] When nobody sees, when nobody knows, When the lights go down and the whole town goes, Will I do what's right when the easy road is wrong? Will the truth still matter when the crowd is gone? It isn't for a spotlight, a ribbon, or a fee, It's the Spirit growing goodness when nobody sees! [Verse 2 - Playful piano responses, mellow saxophone] At the workshop late one Friday, I discovered my mistake, A measurement I'd gotten wrong, a costly thing to make. I could blame it on the new kid; no one would have known, But I put my name beside the fault and said the fault was mine alone. It cost me half my weekend, and it bruised my foolish pride, But I slept without a story I would have to keep alive. [Chorus - Full swinging brass, trumpet and trombone responses] When nobody sees, when nobody knows, When the lights go down and the whole town goes, Will I do what's right when the easy road is wrong? Will the truth still matter when the crowd is gone? It isn't for a spotlight, a ribbon, or a fee, It's the Spirit growing goodness when nobody sees! [Verse 3 - Horns soften, bluesy piano, reflective vocal] Some days I choose the better thing, some days I turn away, The truth is I need mercy more than speeches I can say. A secret isn't smaller just because it's out of sight, And what I am in darkness still belongs to God's own light. When I fail, He calls me back, not to hide but to confess, And grows a little honesty out of my brokenness. [Bridge - Half-time gospel blues, finger snaps, gradual brass build] Take away the spotlight, take away the crowd, Take away the easy praise that makes a man feel proud. When all I hear is silence, when the choices come in twos, Let Your Spirit play the melody that tells me what to choose. 'Cause goodness isn't something that I put on for a show, It's the life You're growing in me when nobody else will know. [Instrumental Break - Soulful muted trumpet solo, walking bass, blues piano, warm trombone harmonies] [Verse 4 - Prayerful, directly to God, tender gospel harmonies] Lord, You saw the parts of me I hoped would stay unseen, The corners full of compromise beneath a polished sheen. You didn't hand me goodness like a prize I'd proudly won, You planted it through mercy, through the kindness of Your Son. So let the unseen choices be the promises I keep, And grow Your goodness in me where Your roots are running deep. [Final Chorus - Full big band, triumphant brass, joyful gospel backing vocals] When nobody sees, when nobody knows, When the lights go down and the whole town goes, Will I do what's right when the easy road is wrong? Will the truth still matter when the crowd is gone? It isn't for a spotlight, a ribbon, or a fee, It's the Spirit growing goodness when nobody sees! [Outro - Playful stop-time brass, walking bass, gospel call-and-response] [Male lead] When nobody sees! [Backing vocals] He sees! [Male lead] When nobody knows! [Backing vocals] He knows! [Male lead - Soulful, sustained] And the good that grows inside me... [Backing vocals - Rich gospel harmony] Is the good that comes from Thee! [Male lead - Warm, quiet finish] No applause. No grand marquee. Just a little more of Jesus... And a little less of me. [Instrumental Ending - Soft muted trumpet, descending piano flourish, final warm orchestral chord]
