[Verse 1] Mortar shells were falling down Enemy breaching sacred ground Families huddled in the pews Children crying, nothing new Father stood behind the altar Voice unwavering, would not falter I took position by the door Ready to settle up the score The old priest said "Son, there has to be another way" Said "Violence only breeds more pain" [Verse 2] Twenty souls behind these walls Mothers, fathers, children small Can't you see what's at the gate Armed men filled with burning hate My rifle's all that stands between Their bullets and this peaceful scene He said "Can't you see I'm trying to save your soul" Said "Killing them won't make you whole" [Chorus] We were trying to protect what's sacred here Holding to his faith, as I'm fighting back the fears Him clicking beads as I fired my gun Both believing we were the righteous one Can't you understand I'm trying to save you (Can't you understand I'm trying to save you) [Verse 3] Windows shattered, gunfire loud Death was stalking sacred ground Every shot I took that night Kept the darkness from their light Father, why couldn't you just see This was how it had to be He said "There's grace enough for every man" Said "Even those who don't understand" [Chorus] We were trying to protect what's sacred here Holding to his faith, as I'm fighting back the fears Him clicking beads as I fired my gun Both believing we were the righteous one Can't you understand I'm trying to save you (Can't you understand I'm trying to save you) [Bridge - Slow, building tension] Bleeding out, ammunition spent Wondering where my strength went Twenty souls still cowering there I couldn't keep them in my care Father saw I couldn't stand Pressed his beads into my hand [Verse 4 - Haunting, slower] Father stood and walked outside Arms spread wide, nowhere to hide Faced those men with gentle voice Said we all could make a choice Said "Brothers please, lay your weapons down" Said "There's always mercy to be found" [Verse 5 - Sparse, heavy] Thunder cracked across the sky As the old priest said goodbye His blood upon the sacred stone His killers saw for what they must atone One by one they turned away Twenty souls were saved that day At the cost of a man who stopped and prayed [Outro - Contemplative, fingerpicked guitar] Fifty years I've worn this collar Standing at this sacred altar Every Sunday I remember How true courage burns like ember Father, though I still don't know If your mercy found this soul Your words still echo in this place I'm still searching for that grace [SFX: Beads clicking softly] [END]
