Hands Laid Bare

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I left my name in a county jail And my mother’s prayers in a paper pail Drove west with a coat and a borrowed Ford Too proud to turn, too tired to outrun the Lord [Verse 2] Then a hard spring rain took the bridge at dawn I found old Eli with his pickup gone He’d once stood guard when I’d done wrong Still he gave me a hand and a place to belong [Chorus] I’m coming home with these hands laid bare No alibi left, no blame to spare If grace is a door, I’ll stand in the rain Till you say my name without the old shame I can’t undo what I put you through But I can spend my life telling the truth [Verse 3] I patched that roof and I paid that debt Took every hard look I had coming yet At the churchyard fence, my brother stood I said, “I was wrong,” and he understood [Chorus] I’m coming home with these hands laid bare No alibi left, no blame to spare If grace is a door, I’ll stand in the rain Till you say my name without the old shame I can’t undo what I put you through But I can spend my life telling the truth [Bridge] The past rides close, but it don’t hold the reins A man can change one honest day at a time [Final Chorus] I’m coming home with these hands laid bare No alibi left, no blame to spare You opened the door; I came in from the rain And heard my name without the old shame I can’t undo what I put you through But I’ll spend my life proving the truth [Outro] By morning, the road looked different somehow I’m still a sinner, but I’m here now