Let the Devil Tell the Story

Intro Every villain you ever feared Was introduced by somebody Who needed you to hate him.

Verse 1 He came to town in a clean white coat Scripture in his hand, silver in his throat Bought the judge and blessed the law Then took the poorest land he saw I stood against him, dirt on my name He struck the match, but I wore the blame His hands stayed clean, mine carried the scar That’s how angels make devils of men in the dark

Pre-Chorus You heard his truth from a church-house seat Never asked whose blood was beneath his feet

Chorus The devil is bad because an angel told you the story Dressed every lie in a halo of glory Painted his hands clean, painted mine red Called himself mercy and called me the end Truth ain’t holy when the righteous own it Ask who held the pen before you swear you know me The devil is bad Because an angel told you the story

Verse 2 He told them I poisoned the county well Never said whose factory bled into it Said I brought fire to the mission door Never said what they were hiding underneath the floor He hung my face in every room Called me the shadow, called himself noon The town needed someone they could condemn And a spotless savior needs dirtier men

Pre-Chorus A lie sounds righteous from a golden tongue Especially when the chapel bells are rung

Chorus The devil is bad because an angel told you the story Dressed every lie in a halo of glory Painted his hands clean, painted mine red Called himself mercy and called me the end Truth ain’t holy when the righteous own it Ask who held the pen before you swear you know me The devil is bad Because an angel told you the story

Bridge I ain’t sayin’ I was innocent I’ve left my share of scars I’ve broken bones and promises In rooms behind the bars But saints are only sinners With someone to edit every line And halos cast a shadow When you hold them to the light So before you call him holy Before you bury me in shame Let the angel lose his wings And tell the story just the same The devil is bad because an angel told you the story Turned his greed into grace and my grief into fury Painted his hands clean, painted mine red Built himself a throne on the names of the dead Truth ain’t holy just because you stole it Ask who held the pen—ask who paid him to hold it The devil is bad Because an angel told you the story

Breakdown You’ve heard what Heaven had to say. Now let the Devil tell it. Let the Devil tell the story Let the Devil take the stand Let him show you where the bodies lie And who washed the angel’s hands Let the Devil tell the story Before you sentence him to burn Every halo has a shadow Every sinner gets a turn

Outro The Devil may be guilty. But the angel Ain’t innocent.

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