There’s something deeply personal and universally relatable about A Bible and a Belt. This is the kind of song that doesn’t just tell a story—it takes you by the hand and walks you through the heart of a home, where discipline and faith were the cornerstones of life. It’s a heartfelt reflection on how love and tough lessons shape who we become, and it resonates with anyone who’s ever been shaped by the guidance of a strong parental hand.
The song paints vivid imagery of a childhood where two symbols—one of discipline and one of faith—held equal weight. The Bible was a guide for the soul, instilling values of kindness, forgiveness, and strength. The belt, while a tool for correction, was wielded with love and the hope of steering a child toward the right path. Together, these two items represent the balance of love and discipline that defines many families’ approach to raising children.
What makes this song so moving is its honesty. It doesn’t shy away from the struggles of growing up, nor does it romanticize the tougher moments. Instead, it acknowledges the imperfections of life and the incredible power of love, patience, and understanding to mold someone into a better person.
The lyrics carry a timeless message: sometimes, it’s the hard lessons, paired with unwavering support, that stick with us the longest. And long after childhood, those lessons echo in our hearts, guiding us through our own challenges. The melody, warm and reflective, feels like a comforting embrace—inviting you to look back on your own upbringing and the people who shaped you
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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