About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
Tell The Truth lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
Read the lyric sheet
Intro
All rise for the case of the human soul on trial Seven virtues summoned under the courtroom light They came to defend the good they swore to keep But the charges read like the sins they buried deep One by one they step to the wooden stand The record shows the twist in every plan
Chorus
Virtue on the stand tonight Meant well but the flaw slipped in Seven good names one hidden sin Tell the truth now let the court begin
Verse 1
Chastity first with the vow still warm on the tongue Hands stayed home but the eyes had already swung Purity's banner flew high in the public square But the private thought crossed and I left it there I blamed the heat on the world passing by While the fire I judged lived behind my own eye The court asks if I kept the body pure and clean I did on the surface but the mind ran the scene Temperance swore the line was drawn in the sand One glass enough for any reasonable man Left the table full with the feast still in sight But the second round called and I answered that night Balance my name yet the scale knew the score I preached the middle while I reached for more The charge is enabling the hunger we claim to fight I taught restraint but I slipped in the quiet Charity gave the coat without a second thought Stripped the back to warm the hands left out But the lens was rolling and the thanks felt sweet I wanted the credit more than the empty street Giving the mission but the receipt had my name I helped the broken but I kept the frame The court wants to know if the help was truly free It was on the surface but the pride lived in me Diligence rose while the rest of the world still slept Grind in the marrow the promises kept But the bed whispered louder on the longest night I hit the snooze and I stole back the light Work is the prayer but the pillow won the round I crossed the line but I skipped the hardest ground The charge is sloth in the hours I swore to fill I finished the job but I bent the will
Chorus
Virtue on the stand tonight Meant well but the flaw slipped in Seven good names one hidden sin Tell the truth now let the court begin
Verse 2
Patience counted every second in the endless wait Breath held steady through the world's loud debate Calm is the armor I wore like a second skin But the pressure built and the crack started in One more delay and the calm turned to heat The words I swallowed rose up in defeat The court asks if I held the line without a fight I did until the moment the line felt too tight Kindness opened every door with a smile that stayed Cheered the rise of the light that you made Love is the language I spoke without a pause But the envy kept score in the quiet applause I wished the spotlight would tilt just a shade So the glow on your face might find me instead The charge is the jealousy behind the open hand I gave the win but I wanted the stand Humility bowed lower than the marble floor could reach Gave the credit took the smaller speech Quiet the way I moved through every room But the tally ran high in the quiet gloom I made sure they noticed how small I became The humblest one here and I kept the frame The court wants the truth on the pride in the bow I gave the stage but I wanted it now
Bridge
The angels in the jury box shift in their seats The gavel hovers above the final beat They meant well every single name on the list But the twist was there when the light hit the mist No one walked clean through the courtroom door The good and the flaw kept score
Chorus
Virtue on the stand tonight Meant well but the flaw slipped in Seven good names one hidden sin Tell the truth now the court is in
Outro
Case dismissed but the record remains The virtues walk free with the sin in their veins The court adjourns but the question stays Which one of us is truly on trial today
Inside the recording
All rise for the case of the human soul on trial Seven virtues summoned under the courtroom light
Virtue on the stand tonight Meant well but the flaw slipped in
Case dismissed but the record remains The virtues walk free with the sin in their veins
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.