learned to talk tough before I learned to pray
Learned how to win arguments, push good hearts away
I could cut a man deep with a half-spoken truth
Called it “just being honest,” but I knew what I’d do
I’ve lit up rooms and I’ve burned them down
With the same two lungs and the same old sound
Said words I can’t pull back once they’re flung
Yeah, I know real well the power of the tongue
Chorus
Words don’t bleed, but they sure leave scars
They follow you home, they linger in the dark
I’ve spoken death when I needed love
Pulled the trigger with pride and called it “just words”
Now I’m down on my knees where the broken belong
Trying to learn how to speak life
With the power of the tongue
Verse 2
I’ve seen my kids go quiet when I raised my voice
Saw fear in their eyes, still I called it my choice
Told myself I was tired, told myself I was right
But I was losing ground every night
At work I’d bark orders, leave silence behind
Men nodded their heads but checked out in their minds
Funny how respect dies slow and numb
Yeah, I paid my dues for the power of the tongue
Chorus
Words don’t bleed, but they sure leave scars
They poison the well, they harden hearts
I’ve spoken death when I needed love
Let my anger talk when I should’ve shut up
Now I’m down on my knees where the broken belong
Trying to learn how to speak life
With the power of the tongue
Bridge
The Good Book says life and death share a line
Right there between your teeth and your pride
I used to think silence meant losing the fight
Now I know silence can be doing what’s right
Verse 3
I’m learning to say sorry before it’s too late
Learning to hold back when anger takes aim
Learning to bless my house, not the storm
Talking to God before I talk anymore
Still stumble some days, still fight that fire
Still feel those words wanting to climb higher
But grace steps in when I’m overrun
He’s teaching me mercy through the power of the tongue
Final Chorus
Words don’t bleed, but they raise the dead
They lift a man up or bow his head
I’ve spoken death, now I’m done with that song
I want to be known for where I went wrong
If you’re hearing this and you’re barely holding on
Choose life, brother, choose love
With the power of the tongue
Outro
I’ve said too much, and I’ve said it wrong
But God ain’t finished with this voice yet
Not as long as there’s breath in my lungs.