Verse 1 I come home with red clay on my boots Dust in my lungs from a long hard day Hands worn down, shirt soaked through But you’re standin’ there in that doorway Porch light burnin’ like mercy does In a world that’ll leave a man in the dirt Girl, I don’t deserve your trust But I’m learnin’ what real love’s worth Pre-Chorus It ain’t roses once a year It ain’t words I whisper soft It’s dyin’ to myself right here Pickin’ up my cross Chorus So I’m gonna love you Like He loved the church Lay my pride down in the dust and put you first Through the fire, through the hurt Till my last breath leaves this earth I’m gonna love you Like He loved the church (Choir softly behind) Gave Himself up… Gave Himself up… ⸻ Verse 2 Bible open on the kitchen table Coffee cold but the Spirit’s warm Two knees down when the house ain’t stable Ask the Lord to keep us strong Love is patient, love is kind That’s what Paul wrote long ago It don’t envy, it don’t keep score It don’t walk away when the wind blows (1 Corinthians 13 woven in naturally) Pre-Chorus Be watchful, stand firm in faith That’s the Word we’re standin’ on Act like men, be strong in grace But let all we do be done in love Chorus So I’m gonna love you Like He loved the church Wash your fears with steady hands and steady words When I fail and when I fall I’ll repent and give my all I’m gonna love you Like He loved the church (Choir rises stronger) Gave Himself up… Gave Himself up… For her… ⸻ Bridge (slow burn, organ swelling) Husbands love your wives Just as Christ loved the church That ain’t a suggestion That’s heaven’s holy Word Greater love has no man than this Than he lay his life down So if it costs me everything That’s the ground where I’ll be found As for me and my house We’re gonna serve the Lord Built on a rock that don’t move When the storm winds roar (Choir harmonies building) On Christ the solid rock we stand… All other ground is sinking sand… ⸻ Final Chorus (big, gospel lift) I’m gonna love you Like He loved the church With nail-scarred mercy and a servant’s heart at work Through the years, through the scars Underneath these southern stars I’m gonna love you Like He loved the church (Choir full, call and response) Gave Himself up… For her… Gave Himself up… For her… ⸻ Outro (quiet, stripped back) So when my hands are old and weak And my work down here is through May they say I loved You, Lord By the way I loved her too.

Like He Loved the Church