Some songs don’t just play in the background—they take you back in time, stirring memories you didn’t even realize you had. A Bible and A Belt by Joey+Rory is one of those songs. It’s more than just a melody; it’s a reflection of old-school values, the kind that shaped generations with faith in one hand and discipline in the other.
At its heart, the song paints a vivid picture of a childhood guided by two powerful symbols: the Bible, which taught right from wrong, and the belt, which enforced the lesson when words weren’t enough. It’s not about harsh punishment—it’s about structure, respect, and a love that wasn’t always spoken but was deeply understood.
Joey+Rory had a way of bringing authenticity to every song they touched, and this one is no exception. With its warm country instrumentation and heartfelt delivery, A Bible and A Belt carries the listener through a story that feels personal yet universal. Whether you grew up in a home with these same guiding principles or simply admire the unwavering strength of past generations, the song strikes a chord.
It’s a nod to a time when discipline wasn’t just about correction but about preparing kids to walk the right path in life. And in today’s world, where things can sometimes feel a little too loose, this song serves as a reminder of the firm yet loving hands that shaped so many of us.
If you’ve ever looked back on your upbringing and realized that, even in the moments of tough love, there was never a shortage of real love, A Bible and A Belt will hit home. It’s a tribute to the fathers, grandfathers, and all those who raised us with conviction—using scripture to guide our hearts and discipline to steer our ways
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Lyrics
They were both made of leather
Both black and frayed and worn
I was brought up to respect them
Since the day that I was born
One came here from England
It’s been handed down for years
The other one was ordered from a catalogue at Sears
One my mama read to me ’til I was well into my teens
And I thought all the other one was for
Was to hold up daddy’s jeans
‘Til I told a lie and learned it had another purpose too
Out behind the shed, my daddy said
“This will hurt me more than you”
‘Cause one had my daddy’s name on it
The other said King James
With love they taught us lessons
But we feared them both the same
One led us to heaven
And the other left a welt
But those were the days when kids were raised
With a Bible and a belt
I remember when I was twelve
I stole a dime store comic book
And how mama read where the scripture said to take back what I took
When I refused, my daddy grabbed arm and said “come on”
I needed more he knew than just Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Well, sometimes it made me cry
Sometimes it made me fighting mad
And I’d wish I’d been raised without them
Like some other children had
But now I’m grown with kids of my own and I know just how they felt
You know it seems to me that what the world still needs
Is a Bible and a belt
‘Cause one had my daddy’s name on it
The other said King James
With love they taught us lessons
But we feared them both the same
One led us to heaven
And the other hurt like hell
But those were the days when kids were raised
With a Bible and a belt
A Bible and a belt