[Intro: fingerpicked acoustic guitar, soft piano, four bars] [Verse 1: intimate, warm Southern male vocal] I left the mill with a pocket of pay, Watched that smokestack fade to gray. I'd traded Sundays for overtime, Still couldn't buy me peace of mind. Pulled off the road where the fence fell down, Killed the engine, miles from town. Above the field, those stars burned bright, Like a thousand windows full of light. [Pre-Chorus: piano rises, drums enter softly] No steeple bell, no preacher's stand, Just heaven speaking where I am. [Chorus: full band, uplifting and memorable] The sky was preaching, and You were reaching Through the walls I'd built inside. Day after day, night after night, Your glory kept on shining bright. I chased gold, but gold couldn't save me; Your living Word could make me new. The sky was preaching, and You were reaching— Lord, lead this wandering heart to You. [Verse 2: steady country-rock groove] At dawn the sun cleared Miller's ridge, Threw gold across that old creek bridge. Like a bridegroom stepping through the door, Like a runner born to run once more. Back home I found that worn-out page, Dad's old Bible, marked with age. “More than gold” was underlined; I read it twice and took my time. [Pre-Chorus: stronger, harmony enters] Those words laid bare the wrong I'd done, Then showed the road I'd wandered from. [Chorus: fuller, tasteful gospel backing harmonies] The sky was preaching, and You were reaching Through the walls I'd built inside. Day after day, night after night, Your glory kept on shining bright. I chased gold, but gold couldn't save me; Your living Word could make me new. The sky was preaching, and You were reaching— Lord, lead this wandering heart to You. [Guitar Solo: eight bars, soaring melodic electric guitar] [Bridge: strip back to piano and lead vocal, then build] Search the faults I cannot see, Break the pride that masters me. Keep my hands from choosing wrong Just because I've been so strong. Let the words upon my tongue And the thoughts nobody hears Be a prayer that pleases You, My Redeemer, draw me near. [Final Chorus: powerful emotional climax, gospel harmonies] The sky is preaching, and You are reaching Through the walls I built inside. Day after day, night after night, Your glory keeps on shining bright. I chased gold, but gold couldn't save me; Your living Word is making me new. The sky is preaching, and You are reaching— Lord, take this heart and make it true. [Outro: drums fall away, acoustic guitar and piano] Let my words and heart please You, My strength, my Redeemer— I belong to You. [End: warm sustained chord, clean resolution]
