Country Music

Classic Country Music Hits

Country Music

Rory Feek – A Bible And A Belt (Live In Columbia, TN/2018)

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Introduction

Have you ever heard a song that stops you in your tracks because it feels like it’s telling your story—or maybe the story of someone you know? That’s exactly what The Bible and the Belt does. It’s more than just a melody; it’s a heartfelt ode to the timeless lessons passed down from one generation to the next. This song takes us on a journey through the upbringing that many can relate to—one grounded in faith, discipline, and the undeniable love of family.

The title alone is a stroke of genius, isn’t it? It captures that balance between teaching what’s right through the words of the Good Book and enforcing it with the practical tough love of the belt. But don’t mistake this for a song about harshness; it’s about the kind of guidance that builds character, the kind that stays with you for life. With every lyric, the song reflects on how these two pillars—faith and discipline—shape us into who we are, even when we don’t realize it in the moment.

What makes The Bible and the Belt so special is its ability to be deeply personal while also universal. Whether you grew up in a small town where Sunday mornings were spent at church or in a household where discipline was tough but always fair, this song speaks to you. It evokes a sense of nostalgia, but it’s also a reminder of the values that endure no matter how much the world changes.

Musically, it’s likely to have a rich, warm arrangement that feels as comforting as a childhood memory—simple yet profound, just like the story it tells. The lyrics are woven with love, respect, and a hint of humor, reminding us that even the hardest lessons often come wrapped in care

Video

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

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