Back Pew
Singer/song-writers are the poets of our generation. If you want to see how an idea looks like with skin on, read some lyrics to a popular hip hop or country song. Maybe that’s why I gravitate towards the singer Jelly Roll since he embodies both genres. But in this case, I want you check out these lyrics and the video by Lily Rose. Keep her story in mind the next time you connect with someone who hasn’t been in a service for a while.
Showed up this morning ’cause I didn’t know where else to go
Needed a word with the Father, Son, Holy Ghost
When I stepped in the lobby, the pastor, he stopped me
Said, “Lily, where have you been? It’s been a month or so”
I told him I’ve been home
Tryna get through some goodbye tears
And you don’t even know
The Hell it took to get me here
Might’ve been fifteen minutes late
Might’ve missed half of the worship
But at least I showed my face
And showin’ up here’s the first step
I’ve been through heartbreak hell
And my whole row can tell
‘Cause I still smell like last night’s booze
But I got a last ditch prayer
For the man upstairs
Oh, Lord, would you help me through
Even if I’m in the back pew?
Sat in my car through the first couple services
Took a drag just to calm down the nervousness
I turned down the music, told myself, just do it
Threw up a Hail Mary instead of cursin’ him
I finally caught my breath
For the first time in way too long
I know I ain’t there yet
But the light in the tunnel turned on
Might’ve been fifteen minutes late
Might’ve missed half of the worship
But at least I showed my face
And showin’ up here’s the first step
I’ve been through heartbreak hell
And my whole row can tell
‘Cause I still smell like last night’s booze
But I got a last ditch prayer
For the man upstairs
Oh, Lord, would you help me through
Even if I’m in the back pew?
I’m singin’, Hallelujah
I hope it’s comin’ in clear (I hope it’s comin’ in clear)
I’m singin’, Hallelujah
From all the way back here
Even though I was fifteen minutes late
And I missed half of the worship
But at least I showed my face
And showin’ up here’s the first step
I’ve been through heartbreak hell
And my whole row can tell
‘Cause I still smell like last night’s booze
But I got a last ditch prayer
For the man upstairs
Oh, Lord, would you help me through
Even if I’m in the back pew?