[Intro] (Slow, gentle acoustic guitar strumming with a weeping pedal steel slide) [Verse 1] The first man walked in confident A lifetime of good to defend He spoke of all the hands he'd fed The causes that he helped amend The schools, the shelters, names on walls The difference money helped him make The Interviewer listened well Then rose and led him on his way [Chorus] When my story reaches its ending When these weary eyes finally close Will I know His face When I stand before His throne? Will I hear His voice And know I've come back home? When all my earthly striving fades And every title falls away Will I know His face? [Verse 2] The second man came quietly No riches, no acclaim He shrugged and said, "I did my best" And struggled to explain The Interviewer smiled then And told him what he'd failed to see The meals he shared The burdens borne The kindness no one keeps And when the telling reached its end He too was led away [Chorus] When my story reaches its ending When these weary eyes finally close Will I know His face When I stand before His throne? Will I hear His voice And know I've come back home? When all my earthly striving fades And every title falls away Will I know His face? [Bridge] (Music swells slightly, emotive violin solo) I have wondered all my life If I have done enough If I gave enough Prayed enough Served enough Loved enough But maybe that was never The question waiting there [Verse 3] The third man entered trembling A servant all his days No list of deeds No practiced speech No need to plead his case He looked upon the Interviewer And all at once he knew He fell before Him crying "Master..." It was You [Final Chorus] (Full, peaceful instrumentation) When my story reaches its ending When these weary eyes finally close May I know Your face As I stand before Your throne May I hear Your voice And know I've finally come home When all my earthly striving fades And every title falls away May I know Your face May I know Your face [Outro] (Fade out to solitary acoustic guitar and piano) [Spoken: Deep, warm voice] "Well done." [Spoken] "And welcome home."
