[Intro — solemn, ancient, almost hymn-like] You gave us the orchard. You gave us the tree. You told us to judge By the fruit we could see. So let us begin With the measure you gave: **Not by the branches. Not by the name. Not by the claims.** By the fruit. [Verse 1] A tree may be ancient, Its roots may run deep. Its branches may reach Where the oldest prayers sleep. Its bark may be gilded, Its leaves may be blessed, Its keeper may swear That this tree is the best. But age isn't goodness. And reverence isn't proof. A sacred inscription Can't sweeten the fruit. [Pre-Chorus] So bring us your orchard. Bring us your tree. Bring us the fruit You would have us believe. We'll look at the apple. We'll turn it around. We'll see what remains When the label comes down. [Chorus] **Know the tree by its fruit.** So let us taste what it bears. Not by who planted it. Not by who tends it. Not by the promises made. **Know the tree by its fruit.** And we'll decide what is good. We'll keep what brings life. We'll keep what brings peace. We'll keep what makes people more human Than they were. [Verse 2] You tell us: “This apple is holy. This apple is true. This apple was chosen Especially for you.” But holiness isn't flavor. And truth isn't a name. A rotten apple doesn't ripen Because somebody praised it. And a good one doesn't spoil Because we question the tree. [Pre-Chorus] So separate the teaching From everything around it. Separate the wisdom From the claims that surround it. If something is valuable When the altar is gone— Then perhaps it was valuable All along. [Chorus] **Know the tree by its fruit.** So let us taste what it bears. Not by ancient authority. Not by fear of the heavens. Not by who says it came from there. **Know the tree by its fruit.** We'll keep what reduces suffering. We'll keep what gives people room. We'll keep what strengthens connection. We'll keep what lets truth survive the room. [Bridge — building] You gave us the question. **We'll keep the question.** You gave us the measure. **We'll keep the measure.** But we will not inherit Every answer with it. We will not call poison medicine Because the tree calls it sweet. We will not call cruelty virtue Because the branch says it's sacred. We will not call chains a blessing Because the roots are ancient. **We will taste the fruit ourselves.** [Instrumental rise] [Verse 3] And if we find an apple That feeds someone well, We need not believe Every story the branches tell. If wisdom survives When the doctrine is stripped, When the supernatural scaffolding No longer holds it— Then take it. Carry it. Plant it somewhere new. Let the apple become More than the tree ever knew. [Final Chorus — expansive] **Know the tree by its fruit.** That was your wisdom to us. So we took up the measure And gave it no master. **Know the tree by its fruit.** No tree is above the test. No apple is safe from the question. No rotten one gets a pass. And no good apple Will be thrown away Simply because we dislike the tree. [Outro — quiet] You gave us an orchard. We found some good fruit. We found some that weren't. So thank you for the question. **We'll handle the harvest.**
