Gravel Turned to Gold

[Verse 1]
Boot prints on
the barroom floor
Whiskey stains
on a motel drawer
Cross on a chain
I never wore
Just swung on my chest
like a rusted door
Ashtray breath
and a busted prayer
Mama’s Bible
in the rocking chair
I heard my name
in the midnight air
Like thunder rolling
through my own despair
[Pre-Chorus]
I was hollow
as a dry old well
Buying little sparks
on the road to hell
Then a crack of light
cut straight through me
Like a nail-scarred hand
reaching in to pull me free
[Chorus]
Now this sinner’s singing
I was lost, now I’m found
Heart on fire
on this holy ground
I was knee-deep
in my shame and doubt
But You turned my grave
to a shouting house
(oh yeah)
You broke my chains
when You called my name
Was a runaway train
now I’m off that track
You took this dust
made a diamond back
I was all burned out
now I’m burning bright
This sinner’s singing
in the saving light
[Verse 2]
Sunday bells
through the morning rain
Hit me harder
than the strongest drink
Saw that steeple
in the windowpane
Like an arrow pointing
where my heart should sink
Hit my knees
on a gravel road
Tears ran black
from the life I’d known
Felt that mercy
in my marrow bone
Like a voice that said,
“Son, you’re already home”
[Pre-Chorus]
I was broken
as a busted wheel
Couldn’t turn at all
couldn’t even feel
Then Your quiet truth
cut through my lies
Like sunrise spilling
through these midnight eyes
[Chorus]
Now this sinner’s singing
I was lost, now I’m found
Heart on fire
on this holy ground
I was knee-deep
in my shame and doubt
But You turned my grave
to a shouting house
(hey!)
You broke my chains
when You called my name
Was a runaway train
now I’m off that track
You took this dust
made a diamond back
I was all burned out
now I’m burning bright
This sinner’s singing
in the saving light
[Bridge]
I don’t carry
what You laid down
I don’t wear
that crooked crown
Every scar
You’ve signed Your name
Holy handwriting
on an old outlaw’s shame
[Chorus]
Now this sinner’s singing
I was lost, now I’m found
Heart on fire
on this holy ground
I was knee-deep
in my shame and doubt
But You turned my grave
to a shouting house
(woah)
You broke my chains
when You called my name
Was a runaway train
now I’m off that track
You took this dust
made a diamond back
I was all burned out
now I’m burning bright
This sinner’s singing
in the saving light
This sinner’s singing
in Your saving light

country, Dark cinematic country-gospel hybrid: low strings, tremolo guitars, and upright bass under a dusty baritone male vocal. Verse sits in a brooding half-time sway, choir whispers in the background. Chorus explodes into double-time stomps, bright fiddle runs, and full male choir answering the lead. Sub hits underline key lines, timpani rolls into a soaring final refrain with stacked harmonies and a long reverb tail., orchestral, healing, male vocals, happy