Family Bible
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Each page is torn and hard to read
But the family Bible on the table
Will ever be my key to memories
At the end of day when work was over
And when the evening meal was done
Dad would read to us from the family Bible
And we'd count our many blessings, one by one
I can see us sitting round the table
When from the family Bible dad would read
I can hear my mother softly singing
Rock of ages
Rock of ages cleft for me
Now this old world
Of ours is full of trouble
And this old world would also better be
If we'd found more Bibles on the tables
And mothers singing rock of ages, cleft for me
I can see us sitting round the table
When from the family Bible dad would read
I can hear my mother softly singing
Rock of ages
Rock of ages cleft for me
Rock of ages
Rock of ages cleft for me
Willie Nelson's song "Family Bible" is a sentimental tribute to a childhood filled with the memories of family time, faith, and tradition. He talks about an old, worn-out family Bible on the table that each page is torn and hard to read showing its dear age, yet it is an essential key to memory, a collection of family stories and values that are passed down for generations to come. The Bible is a link to the past, as it holds the stories and memories that bring the family together.
In the second stanza, the songwriter reminisces about the warmth and comfort of his childhood home, where his father would read to them from the family Bible at the end of the day before they would count their blessings, one by one. He remembers the soft singing of his mother singing "Rock of Ages," a traditional hymn, creating the perfect home atmosphere.
In the final stanza, Nelson laments about the instability of the world around him and how much better it would be if every home had a family Bible on the table, and every mother singing "Rock of Ages" in their homes, bringing comfort and hope in uncertain times.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a family Bible on the table
The family owns a Bible that sits on their table as a symbol of their faith and tradition.
Each page is torn and hard to read
The Bible has been well-used over the years, with worn and illegible pages as a result.
But the family Bible on the table
Despite its worn condition, the family's Bible remains a treasured possession.
Will ever be my key to memories
The Bible is a reminder of past family memories and will always hold a special place in the singer's heart.
At the end of day when work was over
After a long day of work, the family would gather around the table.
And when the evening meal was done
Once everyone had finished eating dinner,
Dad would read to us from the family Bible
The father would read passages from the Bible to his family as a means of passing on his faith and values.
And we'd count our many blessings, one by one
The family would reflect on their blessings and express gratitude for them.
I can see us sitting round the table
The memories are vivid and the singer can easily picture the family gathered around the table.
When from the family Bible dad would read
The father would read from the Bible during these gatherings.
I can hear my mother softly singing
The singer recalls his mother's gentle singing during these moments.
Rock of ages
A hymn that was likely sung during these family gatherings.
Rock of ages cleft for me
A line from the hymn that speaks of finding refuge and salvation in God.
Now this old world
In current times,
Of ours is full of trouble
The world is full of problems and difficulties.
And this old world would also better be
The world would be a better place,
If we'd found more Bibles on the tables
If more families placed an emphasis on their faith by displaying Bibles on their tables.
And mothers singing rock of ages, cleft for me
It would also be beneficial if more mothers sang religious hymns like 'Rock of Ages.'
Rock of ages
A hymn that continues to hold importance for the singer and his family.
Rock of ages cleft for me
A line from the hymn that speaks of finding refuge and salvation in God.
Lyrics © GLAD MUSIC CO.
Written by: C. GRAY, P. BUSKIRK, W. BREELAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dimshter
God Bless Willie, Merle, Ray and all the singers that sing about our Creator and Savior and about God's Word !!!!
Nicholas zTschida
I've seen Willie in person , twice....loved every minute !
Jude McMaster
Lucky you ❤️❤️❤️
judiekleng
Beautiful song, over the years I had no idea Willie wrote it.
Casey Hamrick
just doesn't get any better then Willie & Merle . Thanks
Jerry Blevins
The best artist I ever new of. Loved his music and his vocals.
Roger Williams
Beautiful. Thanks so much for posting. Merle was always my favorite artist.
Robert Reid
great music!!!!
James Durkan
Beautiful. Sue d
Michael Gagnier
love this song wish I could get a soundtrack to sing to.