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 

Red dirt outlaw country, (85 BPM), minor key verses, heavy chorus drop, gritty male vocal, raw emotion, spa