If You Look Too Close

Verse 1

They see calloused hands, a steady stare

Say I play it straight, say I play fair

Bible on the dash, dust on boots

Say I stand firm, say I know truth

They say I don’t bend, don’t break, don’t fold

Just a God-fearing man, or so I’m told

Pre-Chorus

But there’s hell behind my eyes

A war I keep locked up inside

Chorus (heavy, raw)

If you look too close inside my head

You wouldn’t hold me that damn high

There’s crooked prayers I never said

And darker thoughts I never fight

I wear my faith like iron skin

But it rattles when the night sets in

Verse 2

I still say grace, still draw the line

Still try my best most of the time

I bite my tongue, shake every hand

Act like I’ve got it all planned

I clean up nice, I stand up straight

But I carry more than what I say

Chorus (heavy, raw)

If you look too close inside my head

You wouldn’t hold me that damn high

There’s crooked prayers I never said

And darker thoughts I never fight

I wear my faith like iron skin

But it rattles when the night sets

Bridge (prayerful, stripped)

God, I’m tired of wearing two names

One for the world, one full of shame

Give me strength where I am weak

Help my heart match what I speak

Final Chorus (resolved, same melody)

If You can see inside my head

And still don’t turn Your back on me

I don’t wanna shine, I don’t wanna hide

Just help me live the truth I preach

I wear my faith like iron skin

God, make my inside match my name

Amen