The song "A Bible and a Belt" by Joey + Rory is a reflective and nostalgic track that explores the upbringing and discipline the protagonist experienced as a child. The lyrics illustrate the significance of two objects: a Bible and a belt. The song begins by highlighting the two items, both made of leather, with one being black, fraid (worn), and warm. The protagonist expresses how they were raised to respect these objects since their birth. One of them, the Bible, has been passed down through generations, and the other, the belt, was ordered from a catalog at Sears. The protagonist initially believed that the belt's purpose was merely to hold up their father's jeans. However, when they told a lie, they learned that the belt had another purpose – to be used for discipline. Their father takes them behind the shed and explains that disciplining hurts both the child and the parent. The chorus reflects on the sentimental value of these two objects. One of them has the father's name on it, possibly referring to the belt, symbolizing the authority and disciplinary role of the father. The other says "King James," referring to the Bible edition, which was used to teach important life lessons with love. Despite having different roles, the protagonist feared both objects equally. The belt would cause physical pain, while the Bible guided them towards heavenly principles. The protagonist recalls a childhood incident where they stole a comic book, and their mother read them Scripture about returning what they stole. When they refused, their father physically intervened, emphasizing that they needed more than just knowledge from the scriptures Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The song acknowledges that sometimes the discipline, enforced by the belt and the teachings of the Bible, brought the protagonist to tears or made them angry and fearful. However, they reflect on how they wish they could have been raised without the influence of these objects, just like other children who might not have faced such strict discipline. As the protagonist grows up and becomes a parent themselves, they understand the impact and intention behind their parents' use of the Bible and the belt. They empathize with their own children's experiences and recognize that the world still needs the guidance of moral teachings (the Bible) and the necessary discipline (the belt). In summary, "A Bible and a Belt" delves into the protagonist's childhood experiences, contrasting the authority of discipline enforced by a belt with the loving teachings received through the Bible. It reflects on the conflicting emotions and long-lasting impact of these objects in their upbringing and suggests that a combination of guidance and discipline is necessary for raising children.
