[Intro — spoken, dry barroom] This one's for the house. Y'all know who you are. [Verse 1] I got myself seven mirrors, hung 'em in a row Figured I'd find out some things that other folks should know I stood there with my coffee and a Bible college certificate Learned biblical interpretation behind some iron doors And every single one of 'em was pointed right at me [Chorus] A mirror's good for showing, it ain't good for throwing It ain't a map to somewhere you got no business going You can sit or you can leave, there's a chair here either way I keep my hands off the place cards, and I let the supper stay [Verse 2] I can spot a speck of sawdust from a county and a half The log in my own eye has got a mailbox and a staff I can tell a door to close without nailing someone to it Took me forty years to learn, and a database to do it [Verse 3] There's a kid out by the gate, no papers and no shoes Half of what he says is weather, half of it is news You don't ask him for a statement, you don't hand him a pen You get the boy some water and you let him sleep till ten [Chorus] A mirror's good for showing, it ain't good for throwing It ain't a map to somewhere you got no business going You can sit or you can leave, there's a chair here either way I keep my hands off the place cards, and I let the supper stay [Verse 4] I told my troubles to a machine, it listened awful well It'll carry you some water, but it sure ain't the well And if it ever tells me I'm the special chosen one I thank it very kindly and go find another one [Bridge — pull back, intimate] I sat in an empty room till the furniture could preach A lady flipped the light on, said, "Honey, did you eat?" I wanted me a mystery, she handed me a plate Turns out the holy answer was a sandwich, and it was great [Verse 5 — sincere] Now Daddy's got a seat here if he says a word or not And Mama's got a seat and every memory she's got Some things I'm keeping covered till they're light enough to hold 'Cause people matter more than any story that I've told [Final Chorus — full band] A mirror's good for showing, it ain't good for throwing It ain't a map to somewhere you got no business going You can sit or you can leave, there's a chair here either way I keep my hands off the place cards, Lord, I'm learning how to stay [Outro — band settles] Worship the Giver, not the tools Love the people, not the rules I made up about 'em [spoken] Pass the potatoes.
